A tasty batch of piano jazz from the left bank scene of the 50s – featuring the reissue of 2 albums cut by Americans in Paris! The first 7 tracks feature Art Simmons on the keys – working in a quartet with Terry Donoghue on guitar, Bill Crow on bass, and Dave Bailey on drums, on tracks ... read moreCD
(Out of print.)
Zoot Sims —
Cookin (SHMCD pressing) ... CD Philips/Universal (Japan), 1961. New Copy ...
$14.9918.99About April 24, 2024 (delayed)
One of the greatest Zoot Sims albums of the 60s – a very smoking live set, recorded in the UK with a hip British rhythm section! Zoot's blowing in front of the Stan Tracy trio – a group led by pianist Tracy, with a style that was every bit as swinging as it was modern and fresh. The ... read moreCD
A rare gem from Zoot Sims – very different than any of his other albums! The session features Zoot blowing over large backings arranged and conducted by Gary McFarland, a bit in the older Verve "with strings" mode, but also sparkling with a lot of the newer elements that McFarland ... read moreCD
Simple and elegant genius from Zoot Sims – an overlooked quartet session recorded with George Handy on piano, Wilbur Ware on bass, and Osie Johnson on drums. Handy was the famous arranger for the Boyd Rayburn group in the 40s, and here he arranges the whole set – and also contributes a ... read moreCD
Some of the greatest albums that Hammond organist Jimmy Smith issued at the start of the 60s – all records that completely cemented the role of the organ in jazz – and took the instrument out of the realm of back rooms and jukeboxes! That's not to say that the music here wouldn't play ... read moreCD
Sublime Hammond from Johnny Smith – a pair of early albums for Riverside, back to back on a single CD! Black Coffee is one of Johnny Hammond's first albums – and a cooking little live set that really has the organist working with some early raw power! The group's a trio, but they seem ... read moreCD
Late recordings by Willie "The Lion" Smith, done in Paris in the mid 60s – at a time when he was enjoying quite a bit of fame on the European scene! The set features solo work by Willie – only piano, in a style that's drenched in bluesy chord work, but which also has some ... read moreCD
A great little set from Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko – less electronic and processed than some of his recent work, a fairly straightforward affair played by a simple piano, bass, drums, trumpet quartet lineup. As always, Stanko's solo work is moody and atmospheric – but it's touched ... read moreCD
Sonny Stitt & Bunky Green —
Soul In The Night ... CD Cadet/Universal (Japan), 1966. Used ...
Out Of Stock
A twin-alto session that matches the sax of Sonny Stitt with that of Bunky Green – both set up in a tight little combo that includes some smoking work on Hammond by organist Odell Brown! Brown's fierce approach to the keys creates a really gutbuckety sound on the set – making the album ... read moreCD
Two MPS gems from this unusual 70s ensemble – back to back on the same CD! Chasin The Bird features classic bop modes, updated strongly for the 70s – and played by a hip group of older players who really know how to cook! Supersax is led by Med Flory on alto, who also did the ... read moreCD
Isao Suzuki —
Hip Dancin' ... CD East Wind/Universal (Japan), 1976. New Copy ...
$10.9914.99About May 29, 2024
A real standout in the mid 70s Japanese jazz scene – one of a few excellent albums by Isao Suzuki, a jazz cello player who could work well in a variety of settings! This album's got Isao grooving with some slight electric touches – working with Japanese players that include Kazumi ... read moreCD
Trombonist Clifton Anderson co-produced this record with pianist Unno Tadataka – and the set turns out to be a wonderful showcase for both players – all the strongly soulful elements we love on Anderson's own records, but a strong sense of voice from Tadataka as well! The "mojo&quo ... read moreCD
Masayoshi Takanaka —
Insatiable High ... LP Kitty/Universal (Japan), 1977. New Copy (reissue)...
$41.9949.99About August 7, 2024
A real gem from that key moment in Japanese fusion when some of the nation's best artists were hopping over to the American scene – cutting records like this, which often beat the American soul fusion scene at its own game – thanks to the help of a big array of all-star players! ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Masayoshi Takanaka —
Seychelles ... LP Kitty/Universal (Japan), 1976. New Copy (reissue)...
$41.9949.99About August 7, 2024
Really lovely guitar work from Masayoshi Takanaka – music that's part of that great solo change after his work in Sadistic Mika Band – as he really expanded his sound on guitar with all these cool chromatic touches that are perfect for the light fusion-based sound of the record! ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Masayoshi Takanaka —
Super Takanaka Live ... LP Universal (Japan), New Copy (reissue)...
$41.9949.99About August 7, 2024
... LP, Vinyl record album
Masayoshi Takanaka —
Takanaka ... LP Universal (Japan), New Copy (reissue)...
$41.9949.99About August 7, 2024
A really classic-styled tenor date from reedman Kazunori Takeda – a session that has the Japanese player working with trio backing from pianist Yosuke Yamashita, who also produced the record as well! Yamashita's got a very inside approach here – laidback, and late nite – which is ... read moreCD
(Part of the Japanese Jazz Revisited series. SHM-CD pressing.)
A stunner – and one of Clark Terry's finest moments ever! The record has a rawness and groove that you'd hardly expect from his later albums – no surprise, though, considering that it was cut during that really hip time at Emarcy, when the label was working in a mode that was darker ... read moreCD
(1997 Verve Elite pressing – in great shape with the original slipcase and backing sheet!)
A very hip set of soul jazz tunes from Belgian guitarist Rene Thomas – one of the best European players of his generation! The album feature Thomas on guitar, backed by a group that includes Lou Bennett on organ, Jacques Pelzer on sax and flute, Gilbert Rovere on bass, and Charles Bellonzi ... read moreCD
Prime mid 50s work from Lucky Thompson – recorded in Paris with the group of drummer Dave Pochonet, and featuring tracks that are longer than usual for a Thompson session! Thompson is on tenor throughout – and the other players include either Henri Renaud or Martial Solal on piano, ... read moreCD
Some of Lucky Thompson's rarest work from the 50s – and some of his best! The American tenorist is working here in two different French groups – one a quintet with Henri Renaud on piano, the other a tentet with the core quartet of Renaud, plus some additional local horn players. ... read moreCD
Three (Joe Sample, Ray Brown, Shelly Manne) —
Three (SHMCD pressing) ... CD East Wind/Universal (Japan), 1975. New Copy ...
Out Of Stock
Quite possibly one of the most successful Japanese piano trio recordings of the 70s – a super-session performed by a group that includes Joe Sample on acoustic piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums! Given that Sample's best known during the era for his electric keys with the ... read moreCD
Masahiko Togashi —
Rings ... CD East Wind/Universal (Japan), 1976. New Copy ...
$10.9914.99About May 29, 2024
Spare solo percussion work from Japanese drummer Masahiko Togashi – a double-length set of tracks that runs through 12 "rings" – all different shorter passages that are part of a longer composition – played by Togashi on drums, percussion, vibes, marimba, celesta, and ... read moreCD
Masahiko Togashi —
Song For Myself ... CD East Wind/Universal (Japan), 1974. New Copy ...
$10.9914.99About May 29, 2024
The intimate nature of the title is very apt on this one – as the album features spare duets between drummer Masahiko Togashi and other Japanese musicians – including the great Sadao Watanabe on flute, and either Masahiko Satoh and Masabumi Kikuchi on piano! The sound is open, and ... read moreCD
Masahiko Togashi —
Spiritual Nature ... CD East Wind/Universal (Japan), 1975. New Copy ...
$10.9914.99About May 29, 2024
A mid 70s live recording by Japanese percussionist Masahiko Togashi – performed with help from a larger group that includes Sadao Watanabe on reeds, Masahiko Satoh on percussion, Shigeo Suzuki on reeds, and extra added percussion. Tracks are long and exploratory – usually beginning ... read moreCD
Hidefumi Toki with Mikio Masuda —
Sky View (SHMCD pressing) ... CD Frasco/Universal (Japan), 1976. New Copy ...
Temporarily Out Of Stock
Hidefumi Toki is easily one of our favorite Japanese players from the 70s – an excellent alto saxophonist who always comes across with a sense of soul that's even deeper than his instrument! Toki has a way of putting together a session that's totally great – relaxed and open, with a ... read moreCD
(Part of the Japanese Jazz Revisited series. SHM-CD pressing.)
McCoy Tyner —
Inception ... LP Impulse/Universal (Czech Republic), 1962. New Copy (reissue)...
Out Of Stock
A very early date as a leader by McCoy Tyner – cut at a time when he was making big waves in the John Coltrane Quartet, but also sounding plenty darn great on his own! The group here's a trio – with Coltrane associates Art Davis on bass and Elvin Jones on drums – and the warm ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Mc Coy plays Duke, with surprisingly great results – thanks to an expanded trio format that features lots of additional percussion! McCoy's on piano, working alongside Coltrane bandmates Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums – but the real charm of the record comes from ... read moreCD
McCoy plays Duke, with surprisingly great results – thanks to an expanded trio format that features lots of additional percussion! McCoy's on piano, working alongside Coltrane bandmates Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums – but the real charm of the record comes from Willie ... read moreCD
A Parisian player gives a strong tip of the hat to the great Bud Powell – the American bop genius whose work and presence were an undeniable force on the French jazz scene of the 50s and 60s! Rene Urtreger does a wonderful job of catching some of Bud's fire here – working through a ... read moreCD
A really rich album by Sarah Vaughan – recorded in Paris in 1958, with orchestrations by Quincy Jones – and large group backing that includes some great tenor work by Zoot Sims! The session's one of Vaughan's most cohesive albums of the period, and although it's got "violins" ... (Vocalists, Jazz)read moreCD
Mal Waldron —
Mal 1 (SHMCD pressing) ... CD Prestige/Universal (Japan), 1956. New Copy ...
$14.9918.99About April 24, 2024 (delayed)
One of the best records Mal Waldron ever made, and a blinding hard bop session featuring a tight quintet with knock-down-dead front horn lines! The record really follows strongly in the mode of some of Waldron's contributions to Prestige blowing sessions from the same period – but it's also ... read moreCD
Sublime work from pianist George Wallington – and one of his best albums ever! The set's also one of the few he ever recorded as a leader outside the trio format, and has him working with a very hip quintet that features Phil Woods, Donald Byrd, Teddy Kotick, and Art Taylor – all ... read moreCD
A wonderful album from the great Cedar Walton trio that featured Sam Jones on bass and Billy Higgins on drums – a really beautiful group of musicians who completely transformed the sound of the piano trio in the 70s! The group played together often in the 70s, and they've never sounded ... read moreCD
(Out of print. Includes obi – and still sealed!)
Kazumi Watanabe —
Infinite (SHMCD pressing) ... CD Far East/Universal (Japan), 1971. New Copy ...
About April 15, 2024 (delayed)
The first album recorded by Kazumi Watanabe, the Japanese guitarist whose firey style would go onto play a big part in the growth of that country's jazz scene during the 70s! This album's quite different from the later smoother work from Kaz – a pretty intense set, and it features Watanabe ... read moreCD
(Part of the Japanese Jazz Revisited series – SHM-CD pressing!)
Sadao Watanabe —
Pamoja ... CD East Wind/Universal (Japan), 1975. New Copy ...
$10.9914.99About May 29, 2024
Later than Sadao Watanabe's classic period, but a great album with some really wonderful moments! The set was recorded live in Tokyo in 1975, and it features Watanabe working with a group that includes Isao Suzuki on bass, Yshiaki Masuo on guitar, and Takehiro Honda on piano. The four tracks are ... read moreCD
Sadao Watanabe —
Recital ... CD East Wind/Universal (Japan), 1976. New Copy ...
$10.9914.99About May 29, 2024
A great live set from Sadao Watanabe – one that shows the wealth of influences he'd been drawing on, from post-Coltrane spirituality, to African-oriented rhythms, to a slight bit of funk! The group's great – with Watanabe on flute, alto, and soprano sax, Takehiro Honda on Fender Rhodes ... read moreCD
It's no secret that some of the greatest jazz soundtracks ever were recorded in Paris – and this CD contains 2 of them! First up is the landmark Un Temoin Dans La Ville – recorded under the leadership of tenor sax player Barney Wilen, who had made such a huge contribution to Miles ... read moreCD
Tony Williams Lifetime —
Ego (SHMCD pressing) ... CD Polydor/Universal (Japan), 1971. New Copy ...
$14.9919.99
One of the last completely intense albums from Tony Williams' Lifetime group – a slightly changed lineup from the original trio – one that includes guitarist Ted Dunbar, bassist Ron Carter, and percussionists Don Alias and Warren Smith. The group still features some searing organ work ... read moreCD
Phil Woods —
Woodlore (SHMCD pressing) ... CD Prestige/Universal (Japan), 1955. New Copy ...
$14.9918.99About April 24, 2024 (delayed)
Early work by one of the greatest voices on the alto sax in the 1950s – a player who worked with the deftness of other altoists of his generation, but a depth of soul usually reserved for the tenor! The setting is simple and perfect – as Phil Woods blows at the helm of a quartet that ... read moreCD
Hozan Yamamoto/Masabumi Kikuchi —
Ginkai (SHMCD pressing) ... CD Philips/Universal (Japan), 1970. New Copy ...
Temporarily Out Of Stock
A brilliant album by Hozan Yamamoto – a flute player with a great ear for mixing traditional sounds and modern jazz! The set's a suite of sorts – performed by a cool quartet with Yamamoto on bamboo flute, plus Masabumi Kikuchi on piano, Gary Peacock on bass, and Hiroshi Murakami on ... read moreCD
(Part of the Japanese Jazz Revisited series – SHM-CD pressing!)
A really wonderful shift in sound for pianist Yosuke Yamashita – material that's still as full of energy and life as some of his groundbreaking trio sessions of the 70s, but which pitch the spirit in a slightly different way! Volume one of the set has songs that are maybe a bit tighter and ... read moreCD
A New York performance by the legendary pianist Yosuke Yamashita, but one that burns every bit as strongly as his famous albums from Japan – thanks in part to some really incredible work from Akira Sakata on alto and clarinet! There's few folks who could ever hope to match the Cecil Taylor-li ... read moreCD
(SHMCD pressing!)
Yosuke Yamashita Trio —
Montreux Afterglow ... CD Frasco/Universal (Japan), 1976. New Copy ...
Out Of Stock
Afterglow is a bit of a strange word to use in the title here – as it implies that the main even is long over, and things are getting mellow – when it's clear that the trio of Yosuke Yamashita are just beginning to set things on fire! The set begins with a mindblowing side-long version ... read moreCD
Minami Yasuda with Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio —
Sunny (SHMCD pressing) ... CD Frasco/Universal (Japan), 1975. New Copy ...
$18.9923.99About April 15, 2024 (delayed)
One of the only records we've ever heard from Japanese vocalist Minami Yasuda – a very soulful singer from the 70s, and one who really opens up with some scattingly creative energy on this date! Backings are from the trio of pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, which leaves plenty of space for Minami ... (Vocalists, Jazz)read moreCD
Not nearly as primitive as you might guess from the title – and instead, a heady batch of electric funk from the Japanese scene at the start of the 70s! The album's got a heavy dose of percussion at the bottom – drums and more, interwoven with lots of electric guitar in the rhythms ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A beautiful session that was Lester Young's last-ever recording! The session was cut in Paris in 1959, and features the rhythm section of the famous Blue Note club, home to many American expatriates in France at the time – a great setting for Young to really sparkle in these later years of ... read moreCD
A beautiful session that was Lester Young's last-ever recording! The session was cut in Paris in 1959, and features the rhythm section of the famous Blue Note club, home to many American expatriates in France at the time – a great setting for Young to really sparkle in these later years of ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Lester Young joins the Oscar Peterson trio – and the result is a classic meeting of the minds from early 50s Verve! Young's tone is tremendous throughout – that sharp-yet-cool style that had such a big influence on other 50s players, and which gets some great support here from Peterson' ... read moreCD
(1997 Verve Master Edition.)
Young Men From Memphis (Booker Little, George Coleman, Harold Mabern, & Others) —
Down Home Reunion ... CD United Artists/Universal (Japan), 1959. New Copy ...
$10.99
It's a little-known fact that Memphis had a huge influence on the sound of late 50s/early 60s soul jazz – probably because most of the city's best players had to leave and go either to Chicago or New York to make their name. This set's a great reminder of that fact, as it brings together an ... read moreCD
Make ours Swedish Style too! This set's one of the best early albums by Swedish singer Monica Zetterlund – one of our favorite singers ever, and one of those rare European lovelies who could sing in English with the best of American vocalists, but who could also pick up on the changes in ... (Vocalists, Jazz)read moreCD
That's the great Grant Green on the cover – a hint that you're in for an all-masters set of funky guitar here – in a selection that's put together by the folks at Japan's Guitar Magazine! The package features 2CDs, and Grant gets one whole disc to himself – as the collection ... (Funky Compilations, Jazz)read moreCD
Features music from Atomic, Beady Belle, Bugge Wesseltoft, Havard Wiik Trio, Torun Erikesen, Eivind Aarset, and Kornstad Trio. (Funky Compilations, Jazz)CD
Various —
Jazzy Christmas ... LP Universal (France), 1950s/1960s. New Copy ...
Out Of Stock
A jazzy Christmas, but a vocal one too – as the set mixes together instrumental jazz with cuts from key singers of the postwar years – all in a package that makes for a mighty nice take on the sounds of the season! Titles include "Blue Xmas" by Miles Davis with Bob Dorough, ... (Holiday Music, Jazz)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
All-star jazz from the Japanese scene of the early 60s – a record that's almost in the Verve Records jam session or JATP style – as it features some of the greatest players on the Japanese scene of the time, coming together on some really long tracks that take off in a beautiful way! ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A key showcase of some of the fantastic groups who were starting to shape the sound of jazz on the Japanese jazz scene at the start of the 60s –a set that's a nice contrast to the first volume in this series, which featured all of the different musicians jamming together! Here, leadership is ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album