Al Strong -- Jazz — LPs (LPs, CDs, Vinyl Record Albums) -- Dusty Groove is Chicago's Online Record Store
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Jazz — LPs

XA wealth of jazz in many styles -- bop, hardbop, soul jazz, spiritual, rare groove, modal, improvised music, funk, free jazz, fusion, avant garde, and trad!

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Possible matches: 8
Possible matches1
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Count Basie & His OrchestraBasie Meets Bond ... LP
United Artists, Late 60s. Very Good+ ... $6.99
An excellent gimmick from the United Artists label – a way of mixing their strong run of 60s soundtrack hits with the world of jazz – thanks to Count Basie and his group taking on a whole host of themes from the successful James Bond films! Count Basie brings a soulful swing to the work of John Barry, who scored most of these cuts – hitting hard on the tracks with his own smoking piano, and an orchestra filled with some of his best players – including Al Grey on trombone, Eric Dixon on saxes, and Freddie Greene on guitar – plus guest tenor work from Eddie Lockjaw Davis, an artist who wasn't credited on the session at he time. Arrangements are by Chico O'Farrill and George Williams – and titles include "Thunderball", "From Russia With Love", "007", "Girl Trouble", and "Goldfinger". LP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo pressing. Back cover has a small stain and the paste-on is unglued on the top seam.)

Possible matches2
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ John ColtraneColtrane (Prestige) ... LP
Prestige, 1957. Good ... Out Of Stock
Classic early John Coltrane for Prestige – less a bold statement as a leader than a strong batch of blowing session-styled tracks that show how well Coltrane could hold his own with more established players! The groups on the set vary from track to track – and feature players that include Sahib Shihab, Mal Waldron, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Al Heath – plus underappreciated Philly trumpeter Johnnie Splawn. Trane's in great form here – even though the overall set's a bit less structured than some of his later albums – and his tone and solo approach are already stepping out from the rest of the pack with great vigor! Titles include "Bakai", "Time Was", "Straight Street", and "Chronic Blues". LP, Vinyl record album
(Yellow & black label NJ pressing, with RVG/AB etch, and deep groove. In the red cover with some surface wear & aging, spot of clear tape on the spine, and a few marker & ink stamp spots, tiny top seam split.)
Also available Coltrane (Prestige) ... LP 23.99

Possible matches3
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ JJ Johnson & Al GreyThings Are Getting Better All The Time ... LP
Pablo, 1983. Near Mint- ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A lesser-known later album from JJ Johnson – but a surprisingly great one too, recorded with a sense of fire and inspiration that's no doubt driven by the mighty Al Grey! At the time of this set, Johnson was hardly recording much jazz at all – but Grey was still burning strong, and managed to hold onto the soulful modes of his 60s years. Johnson produced the record, and most likely handled the charts – and the record shows his strong work in the studio through the late 60s into the 70s, with a tightness that's different than some of the other Pablo albums of the era. Other players include Ray Brown on bass, Kenny Barron on acoustic and electric piano, Mickey Roker on drums, and Dave Carey on percussion – and titles include "Soft Winds", "Let Me See", "It's Only A Paper Moon", "Boy Meets Horn", "Doncha Hear Me Callin To Ya", and "Things Are Getting Better All The Time". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a bumped corner and light wear.)

Possible matches4
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Al SerafiniSir Albert ... LP
Audio Fidelity, 1969. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
A groovy batch of Varitone sax tracks – featuring Al Serafini on the electric sax, with backings arranged by Tom Baker and Chuck Curtis in a mod late 60s kind of groove! Some of the best numbers have a strong electric bass at the bottom – rolling around with a nice kick to the drums. Titles include "Sir Albert", "Lil Rosey", "Hey Soul Man", and "Charade". Plus, the original tunes on the album are written by Lou Ragland – who we assume is the same Ragland of Hot Chocolate fame, given that Al's from Cleveland! LP, Vinyl record album

Possible matches5
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Cal TjaderConcert By The Sea ... LP
Fantasy, 1959. Very Good- ... $11.99
The crashing waves of the Pacific coast hardly seem like the serene setting you might want for the vibes of Cal Tjader – but this album works surprisingly well, and offers up Cal's combo in a Monterey live date, before the jazz festival really got going strong! The group's one that matches his best early albums for Fantasy – piano from Lonnie Hewitt, soulful bass from Al McKibbon, and some great Latin percussion from Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo! Paul Horn also joins the group on flute – blowing with lyrical lines that fit the sound wonderfully, adding a whole new dimension to the music. Many tracks are longer than usual for the Fantasy years – and titles include "Walkin With Wally", "Doxie", and "Afro Blue". LP, Vinyl record album
(Blue vinyl stereo pressing. The back cover has aging and light surface wear. Front looks nice!)

Possible matches6
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ McCoy TynerHorizon ... LP
Milestone, 1979. Near Mint- ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A bit of a change for McCoy Tyner – but a set that's every bit as righteous as his other classics from the 70s! The lineup here is slightly different – with John Blake's violin playing a strong role in the sound, and lots of percussion from Guilherme Franco giving the set an almost Latin vibe at times – one that mixes in beautifully with Tyner's bold, modal lines on piano – and which are inflected with soulful reeds from Joe Ford and George Adams. The rest of the group features Charles Fambrough on bass and Al Foster on drums – both very hip cats – and Blake's instrument almost gives the album an early 70s Impulse Records sort of spirituality. Titles include "Horizon", "Motherland", "Woman Of Tomorrow", "One For Honor", and "Just Feelin". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light ringwear, some edge wear, bent a bit at the top left corner, and is lightly bent at the spine.)

Possible matches7
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ VSOP (Herbie Hancock, et al)Quintet ... LP
Columbia, 1977. Very Good+ 2LP Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
A classic album of soulful hardbop from the mid 70s – one that features the classic VSOP group with Herbie Hancock on piano, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums – all nicely returned to the acoustic splendor of their early years! After the excesses of some of the more fusion-based jazz supergroups of the time, VSOP are a real breath of fresh air – proving that straight, strong work in a classic Blue Note mode could still be as captivating as ever – even in the highly electric decade of the 70s! Tracks were recorded live in Berkeley and San Diego – and titles include "One Of A Kind", "Jessica", "Little Waltz", "Byrdlike", "Dolores", and "Third Plane". LP, Vinyl record album

Possible matches8
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ VSOP (Herbie Hancock, et al)VSOP (Japanese pressing) ... LP
Columbia (Japan), 1977. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
A Japanese only release of most of the material from the original US VSOP set – a classic album of soulful hardbop from the mid 70s – one that features the classic VSOP group with Herbie Hancock on piano, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums – all nicely returned to the acoustic splendor of their early years! After the excesses of some of the more fusion-based jazz supergroups of the time, VSOP are a real breath of fresh air – proving that straight, strong work in a classic Blue Note mode could still be as captivating as ever – even in the highly electric decade of the 70s! Tracks were recorded live in Berkeley and San Diego – and titles include "One Of A Kind", "Jessica", "Darts", "Byrdlike", "Dolores", and "Third Plane". LP, Vinyl record album
 
Partial matches: 57
Partial matches9
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Cannonball AdderleyKnow What I Mean? ... LP
Riverside, 1961. Near Mint- ... $39.99
Beautiful early work from Cannonball Adderley – and a record that's quite different than most of his better known sets from the time! The album's more spare and stripped-down than usual – with Cannon's alto in a quartet alongside Bill Evans on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Connie Kay on drums. The style is almost more that of Evans than it is Cannonball – lightly lyrical, with a good sense of space – in a way that has Adderley playing out front very strongly, cutting some beautiful lines with his solos, in a really unfettered way! Titles include versions of two of Evans' tracks – "Waltz For Debby" and "Know What I Mean?" – plus nice moody takes on other material, like John Lewis' "Venice", Clifford Jordan's "Toy", and Gordon Jenkins' "Goodbye". LP, Vinyl record album
(70s Japanese pressing – SMJ 6051 – with insert. Cover is lightly bumped at the top right corner.)
Also available Know What I Mean (180 gram pressing) ... LP 36.99

Partial matches10
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ AirtoSeeds On The Ground – The Natural Sounds Of Airto ... LP
Buddah, 1971. Very Good+ Gatefold ... $44.99
Easily one of the greatest records that Brazilian percussionist Airto ever recorded – a stunning blend roots and jazzy currents, and a set that follows strongly off his work in the group Quarteto Novo! The set's got contributions from one of his key partners in that combo – reedman Hermeto Pascoal – and like Pascoal's material at this point, the whole thing is maybe one of the most perfect realizations of the musical vision that Airto was going for! There's none of the tighter, more polished sounds of his later fusion years – and this is the record that will show you just why his arrival on the American scene made such big waves at the time. Flora Purim also sings on the record – and titles include "Andei", "On Sonho", Papo Furado", and "O Galho da Rosiera". (Brazil, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album
(Original pressing with Sterling stamp/RL etch. Cover has a cutout notch, some ring and edge wear, and is lightly bent at the edges and corners.)

Partial matches11
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Mose AllisonSwingin Machine ... LP
Atlantic, 1966. Very Good- ... $8.99
Mose Allison creates a very swinging machine for this classic Atlantic Records set – by adding in a few horns to his usual trio, and making for a groove that's even jazzier overall! Mose's vocals are wonderful, as always – extremely witty, with that great balance of New Orleans roots and 60s hipster jazz – served up in a host of his own wonderful compositions! But at some points, the horns step out even more strongly, and get some great solo play of their own – with excellent work from the obscure Jimmy Reider on tenor sax, a surprisingly great player we wish we knew better – plus the great Jimmy Knepper on trombone. Some tunes are instrumentals – and titles include the classic"Swingin Machine", plus "Do It", "Stop This World", "Promenade", "If You're Goin To The City", and "Saritha". (Vocalists, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo blue & green label pressing. Cover has some wear & aging.)

Partial matches12
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Gene AmmonsSock ... LP
Prestige, 1965. Very Good- ... $8.99
A striking title – and a strong set of grooves, even if the tracks were pulled from a variety of different sessions, and not recorded as a unified album. Jug plays tenor on all cuts – working in formats that range from a Mal Waldron led trio to larger honking groups with horn players like Henderson Chambers, Cecil Payne, Nate Woodward, and Gene Easton. Tracks are short, and most are pretty rocking – with titles that include "Blue Coolade", "Short Stop", "Scam", "Sock", "What I Say", and "Rock Roll". LP, Vinyl record album
(Blue label pressing, with Van Gelder stamp. Cover has edge wear, light surface wear and aging.)

Partial matches13
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Louis ArmstrongGreatest Hits ... LP
Columbia, Late 50s. Very Good+ ... $5.99
Titles include "All Of Me", "West End Blues", "Ain't Misbehavin'", "Basin Street Blues", "Indiana", "Back O'Town Blues", and more! LP, Vinyl record album
(70s re-channeled stereo pressing.)

Partial matches14
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Louis ArmstrongRare Recordings Of The 20s Vol 1 – Louis Armstrong With Maggie Jones, Nolan Welsh, Clara Smith, & Sippie Wallace ... LP
CBS (Netherlands), Mid 20s. Very Good+ ... $4.99 6.99
Early work that really shows the initial Armstrong connection to the world of blues – thanks to some great vocalists on most of these cuts! LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has some light wear, a few patches of stuck-on paper.)

Partial matches15
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Louis ArmstrongRare Recordings Of The Twenties Vol 2 – Adam & Eve Had The Blues ... LP
CBS (France), Mid 20s. Sealed ... $4.99 9.99
Includes tracks recorded with Clarence Williams – and material with vocals by Hociel Thomas, Eva Taylor, Sippie Wallace, and Virginia Liston! LP, Vinyl record album
(70s issue, still sealed with import sticker and some price sticker remnants.)

Partial matches16
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Louis ArmstrongRare Recordings Of The Twenties Vol 3 ... LP
CBS (Holland), Late 20s. Sealed ... $4.99 6.99
Includes mid 20s recordings with Bertha Chippie Hill and late 20s sessions with the Hot Four and Lillie Delk Christian. LP, Vinyl record album
(70s issue, still sealed with import sticker and sticker spot. Cover has a small corner cut.)

Partial matches17
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Louis ArmstrongSatchmo The Great ... LP
Philips (UK), 1957. Very Good+ ... $14.99
Music from the film of the same name – with some extracts from the film, too! LP, Vinyl record album
(Black label pressing. Cover has some wear and aging, small peeled spots near the opening, slightly crinkled edges, and some separation at the right edge.)

Partial matches18
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Louis ArmstrongVSOP (Very Special Old Phonography) Vol 7 ... LP
Columbia (France), Late 20s. Near Mint- ... $11.99 14.99
... LP, Vinyl record album
(Orange label French CBS pressing in a flip-back cover.)

Partial matches19
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Louis ArmstrongVSOP (Very Special Old Phonography) Vol 8 ... LP
Columbia (France), Early 30s. Near Mint- ... $14.99
... LP, Vinyl record album
(In a flip-back cover, with light wear and aging.)

Partial matches20
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Benny Aronov with Bob Brookmeyer & Tom HarrellShadow Box ... LP
Choice, 1978. Near Mint- ... $9.99
A beautiful pairing of horns – the compressed trombone and trumpet sounds of Bob Brookmeyer and Tom Harrell – coming together here in a record that's one of the real standouts from Brookmeyer's 70s years, and a key demonstration of the young powers that would really make Harrell shine in later decades! The players have a way of blowing that's almost a great 70s update of 50s modern modes – a clear thought to the way they'd work together, but with a more fluid, soulful energy too. Rhythm is just the right kind of easygoing to make the whole thing gel wonderfully – thanks to strong leadership from pianist Benny Aronov – and titles include "Shadow Box", "Marchons", "On A Theme Of Debussy", "Water's Edge", "Upper Manhattan Medical Group", and "Passages". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a cut corner, a trace of a sticker, and light wear.)

Partial matches21
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chet BakerChet Baker Sextet & Quartet ... LP
Music (Italy), 1960. Sealed ... $13.99
A rare Italian-only album from Chet Baker – wonderfully cooking small group work that's a far bit greater than his more familiar "with strings" session recorded in Italy during the same period! The album's got Chet working with an array of great players from the local scene – including Gianni Basso on tenor sax, Renato Sellani on drums, and Glauco Masetti on alto sax – all in a groove that shows plenty of traces of that opened-up sound that Baker was exploring in the very late 50s – the modes he was crafting in his group with Phil Urso on tenor, as he started to get a bit more bit in his style! Yet there's also a nicely compressed approach going on here too – that west coast sound that was a strong influence on the Italian players of the postwar years, but which was unfolded to new ends in their hands. Titles include "Lady Bird", "Line For Lyons", "Tune Up", "Cheryl Blues", "Indian Summer", and "Pent Up House". LP, Vinyl record album
(2020 Saar pressing – still sealed.)

Partial matches22
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chet BakerIt Could Happen To You – Chet Baker Sings ... LP
Riverside, 1958. Near Mint- ... $23.99
One of Chet Baker's most classic albums of the 50s – a record that features both vocals and strong trumpet solos – all from a time when Baker was one of the hottest things going in jazz! The album's different from records from previous years, in that it moves Baker from LA to New York – where he works with a great quartet that features Kenny Drew on piano, George Morrow or Sam Jones on bass, and Philly Joe Jones or Danny Richmond on drums – all players who have a slightly different approach than some of Baker's compatriots on Pacific Jazz sessions, which also seems to bring out a bit more bite in Chet too. Tracks are still shortish, with those breathy Baker vocals we love so much, balanced with really well-crafted trumpet solos – and titles include "It Could Happen To You", "Do It The Hard Way", "Old Devil Moon", "Dancing On The Ceiling", and "The More I See You". LP, Vinyl record album
(Recent 180 gram mono pressing on Craft. Cover has a bent & bumped top corner, and a somewhat gnarly notch & tear at the bottom, under Chet.)
Also available It Could Happen To You – Chet Baker Sings ... CD 4.99

Partial matches23
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Chet BakerTrumpet Artistry Of Chet Baker (PA USA pressing) ... LP
Pacific Jazz/PA USA, 1954. Near Mint- ... $16.99
A classic Pacific Jazz album, one that features Chet Baker laying back in three different ensembles – a quartet (with Russ Freeman), sextet (with Bud Shank and Bob Brookmeyer), and septet (with Jack Montrose, Herb Geller, and Bob Gordon). Arrangements are by Freeman, Montrose, and Johnny Mandel – and the set list includes a few strong originals, plus other familiar numbers, all done in the warmly intimate style of Baker's best early work. Titles include "Tommy Hawk", "All The Things You Are", "No Ties", "Russ Job", "Bea's Flat", "Goodbye", "Moonlight Becomes You", and "Little Man You've Had A Busy Day". LP, Vinyl record album
(Early 80s issue. Cover has faint ring wear and rounded corners.)

Partial matches24
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Count BasieBasie ... LP
Clef, Early 50s. Very Good ... $16.99
A beautiful early Verve recording by Basie – one that's packaged here in a great David Stone Martin cover, with a red and blue watercolor of Basie himself. Players include Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Ernie Wilkins, Marshall Royal, Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Bennie Powell, and Freddie Green – plus Basie, of course. Titles include "Two Franks", "Ska Di Didle Dee Bee Doo", "Rails", "Blues Backstage", and "Perdido" – and there's a very strong focus on the best soloists in the group! (Note: this material was also issued under the title The Band Of Distinction – but this is the first version.) LP, Vinyl record album
(Original black label Clef pressing with a trumpeter logo & deep groove. Cover has wear & aging, clear tape on the bottom seam.)

Partial matches25
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Louie Bellson & Walfredo De Los ReyesEcue – Ritmos Cubanos (OJC pressing) ... LP
Pablo/OJC, 1978. Sealed ... $14.99
A strangely wonderful Latin set with a very drum-heavy approach! Cuban percussionist Walfredo plays in a large group with Louie Belson on the regular kit and "moog drum" – and the rest of the group features strong Latin players like Francisco Aguabella, Clare Fischer, Emil Richards, and Cachao. Very nice stuff, with a strong groove that you wouldn't expect from the usual Pablo material. Titles include "Ecue", "Salsa In Cinco", "Sentido En Seis", and "Javilla". (Latin, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album
(Early 90s OJC pressing, still sealed with review sticker.)

Partial matches26
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Elmer Bernstein/Shorty Rogers & His GiantsMan With The Golden Arm – Original Soundtrack ... LP
Decca, 1955. Very Good+ ... $9.99
One of the greatest jazz soundtracks of all time! Elmer Bernstein wrote the score to Otto Preminger's chilling film version of Nelson Algren's book The Man With The Golden Arm – a sad tale of jazz, gambling, and heroin addiction on the streets of Chicago (not far from Dusty Groove, in fact!) – and in doing so, he came up with one of the first jazz soundtracks to really work strongly with a dramatic narrative. The film's striking theme is played in a number of variations, either with orchestral backing, or in small combo format by Shorty Rogers & His Giants, a crack west coast group that features work by Bud Shank, Shelly Manne, Bob Cooper, and Pete Candoli. The tracks work perfectly together as a suite of tracks, even without the images of the film – telling a tale of temptation, sadness, tragedy, and rebirth. Titles include "Clark Street", "Breakup", "The Fix", "Zosh", "Frankie Machine", and "Audition". Worth the price for the Saul Bass cover alone! (Soundtracks, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono black label Decca pressing with deep groove. Cover has some surface wear.)

Partial matches27
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Art BlakeyJazz Message ... LP
Impulse, 1963. Very Good+ Gatefold ... $39.99
Art Blakey, without any Jazz Messengers – but still coming through loud and clear, thanks to help from a unique group that features Sonny Stitt on tenor, McCoy Tyner on piano, and Art Davis on bass! The album's still got all the hardbop charm of Blakey's best Blue Note dates, but also feels a bit more spontaneous too – and the basslines of Davis are a wonderful change from the usual – beautiful sounds that drive the record quite strongly up from the bottom! Titles include the killer "Cafe", plus "Blues Back", "Just Knock On My Door", "Summertime", and "The Song Is You" – and the album features fantastic blowing from Stitt! LP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo rainbow label pressing. Cover has a cutout hole, minimal wear. Light notes in pen inside.)

Partial matches28
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Art BlakeyMoanin' ... LP
Blue Note, 1958. Sealed ... $49.99
One of Art Blakey's first true moments of genius! This transitional version of the Jazz Messengers included two parts – Lee Morgan and Bobby Timmons – of the holy Morgan/Shorter/Timmons trilogy, and it's also got the added bonus of Benny Golson on tenor, who was at the height of his power at this point. The record really shines in ways that few Blakey albums shone since his days with Horace Silver – in that it's a forum for fresh new writing, most importantly Golson's landmark compositions "Blues March" and "Along Came Betty", and Timmons' instant classic "Moanin". The whole album's wonderful, though, and Golson's edgey modernism adds a strong dimension to the group's usual soulful romping groove! (And in fact, as a tribute to the group's success, the album was initially named Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, but quickly retitled Moanin in this version, after the big hit single!) LP, Vinyl record album
(Mid 90s 180 gram pressing, still sealed with hype sticker.)

Partial matches29
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Ruby Braff & Ellis LarkinsTwo By Two – Ruby & Ellis Play Rodgers & Hart (UK pressing) ... LP
Fontana (UK), 1956. Near Mint- ... $19.99 24.99
A pretty great album of mellow jazz tracks – recorded in a very spare setting that has trumpeter Ruby Braff playing with pianist Ellis Larkins, and no other accompaniment! The setting's quite unusual for the time, and it makes for a relaxed intimate meeting between two strong talents that really differs from the work that either of them were recording elsewhere. But even more incredible is the way that the two players come together without additional support – working beautifully in a format that would have others faltering – always swinging the tunes despite the lack of bass or drums, and clearly very at home here with the extra space that lets both of them open up creatively! Titles include "Where Or When", "I Could Write A Book", "The Girl Friend", "Little Girl Blue", and "Thou Swell". LP, Vinyl record album
(UK Vanguard Series pressing in a flip-back cover, with light wear and aging.)

Partial matches30
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Clifford BrownMemorial Album (Blue Note) ... LP
Blue Note, 1953. Very Good+ ... Just Sold Out!
Clifford Brown only recorded a handful of sides for Blue Note – but all of the best ones are included in this excellent album – a full length set that culls together Brown's material from the 10" years, issued as a memorial to his early death in 1956! Side one features Brown with the modernist Gigi Gryce on flute and alto sax – plus Charlie Rouse on tenor, John Lewis on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Art Blakey on drums – a lineup that has a strong sense of soul, balanced with a dose of modernism – on titles that include the classic "Hymn to the Orient" – worth the price of the album alone – plus "Easy Living", "Cherokee", "Wail Bait", and "Minor Mood". Side two features an equally sharp group – with Lou Donaldson on some excellent alto, and the great Elmo Hope on piano – on titles that include "Brownie Speaks", "De Dah", "Cookin", "You Go To My Head", and "Carving The Rock". LP, Vinyl record album
(80s DMM pressing. Cover has light wear and a small sticker spot.)

Partial matches31
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Tom BrowneMagic ... LP
Arista/GRP, 1981. Near Mint- ... $9.99
A key bit of jazz funk from trumpeter Tom Browne – still grooving strong here, with a sublime mix of modern soul, funky jazz, and some of the 80s groove touches that showed up on the best GRP titles from the time! The album's got a smooth compressed groove – kind of post-Donald Byrd, with Tom taking solos over the top of most tracks, and occasional vocals , wither from a backing group, or an assortment of different lead singers. Players on the set include Bernard Wright, Dave Grusin, Bobby Broom, and Marcus Miller – and tracks include "I Know", "Midnight Interlude", "Let's Dance", "Night Wind", "Making Plans", "Thighs Hihg", and "Magic". LP, Vinyl record album
(CRC pressing. Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has a CRC sticker in back.)

Partial matches32
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Dave BrubeckAll The Things We Are ... LP
Atlantic, 1976. Very Good+ ... $9.99
One of the best Dave Brubeck albums from later years – and one of the hippest! The record is noteworthy for its pairing of Anthony Braxton and Lee Konitz – the former a rising star at the time, influenced strongly by the latter in his roots – showcased here in some rare moments of Braxton straight-aheadness! Brubeck's contribution is heard most strongly on the album's extended trio "Jimmy Van Huesen Medley" – played by Dave with Jack Six on bass and Alan Dawson on drums. But we're most partial to the saxophone tunes – Konitz playing a spare duet with Brubeck on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", soloing with the group on "Like Someone In Love", duetting with Braxton on "All The Things You Are" – and stepping back to let Anthony play with Dave on a version of "In Your Own Sweet Way". Really great stuff throughout – and a unique Brubeck moment! LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has splits on all seams, promo sticker, light wear & cutout notch.)
Also available All The Things We Are ... CD 3.99

Partial matches33
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Dave Brubeck, Carmen McRae, Lambert Hendricks & RoReal Ambassadors ... LP
Columbia, Early 60s. Very Good Gatefold ... $3.99
A great Brubeck side project – featuring music by Dave and lyrics by Iola Brubeck – kind of a reworking of the Gilbert & Sullivan musical, but with a hip 60s swinging jazz vibe – and a story about the importance of American jazz musicians as cultural ambassadors in the postwar years! There's some especially great vocal numbers from Lambert Hendricks & Ross – and Carmen McRae sings a bit in a mode that's similar to her Brubeck albums. And even Louis Armstrong is pretty charming, too! LP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo 360 Sound pressing. Cover has wear, and some staining along the edges.)

Partial matches34
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Kenny BurrellOde To 52nd Street ... LP
Cadet, 1967. Near Mint- ... $13.99 16.99
A really wonderful Chess/Cadet session from the 60s – not the bop-styled record you might expect from the 52nd Street reference in the title! Instead, the whole thing's more of a cool Chicago take on soul jazz – with these great large arrangements from Richard Evans, backing strong solos in the lead from guitarist Kenny Burrell – sounding wonderful here, almost in a Verve Records 60s mode – floating over the top of a variety of material, both mellow and upbeat, all very groovy! Side one features the extended "Suite For Guitar & Orchestra" – and side two features "I Want My Baby Back", "Soulero", "Con Alma", and "Blues Fuse". LP, Vinyl record album
(70s orange label stereo pressing. Cover has a cutout notch and light wear.)

Partial matches35
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Kenny BurrellTender Gender ... LP
Cadet, 1966. Near Mint- ... $24.99
Straight, strong, and soulful sounds from guitarist Kenny Burrell – quite possibly one of his best albums of the 60s, thanks to a really well-focused sound throughout! The groove here is nice and tight – a cooking little rhythm section that features Richard Wyands on piano, Martin Rivera on bass, and Oliver Jackson on drums – snapping away on the kit on some of the best tracks, and really helping Burrell to hit this groove that's mighty nice! Kenny seems to have a bit more bite than usual too – and even the laidback tunes have plenty going on to keep our ears happy. Titles include "La Petite Mambo", "Suzy", "The Tender Gender", "Girl Talk", "Isabella", "If Someone Had Told Me", and "Hot Bossa". LP, Vinyl record album
(70s pink & orange label pressing. Cover has a cut corner, in great shape otherwise!)

Partial matches36
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Gary BurtonRing ... LP
ECM, 1974. Very Good+ ... $14.99
One of Gary Burton's more free-flowing albums of the 70s – a bit more fusion than some of his other work of the time, with key guitar contributions from Mick Goodrick and a young Pat Metheney! The album's still filled with plenty of Burton's great work on vibes, but the guitars also soar out strongly too – bringing in a sense of pulse that's matched by the basses of Steve Swallow and Eberhard Weber, and percussion by Bob Moses. The groove's still a bit softer-edged than traditional fusion sides of the time – thanks to a mellower ECM approach – but there's also a bit more dynamic energy on some of the tracks than you might be used to hearing from the label. Titles include "Silent Spring", "The Colours Of Chloe", "Intrude", "Unfinished Symphony", "Tunnel Of Love", and "Mevlevia". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light wear, small blemishes, and is bent at the bottom left corner.)

Partial matches37
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Red CallenderSwingin' Suite ... LP
Crown, 1955. Very Good- ... $4.99
Beautiful bass work from 50s LA player Red Callender – heard here on this classic side recorded for the Modern imprint. Swingin Suite is easily one of Red's tightest sessions – a date that has Callender's basslines strongly leading a nonet of players that includes Harry Jones on trumpet, John Ewing on trombone, Willie Green on alto sax, and Buddy Collette on flute and tenor. Collette's lines have a nice sharp edge throughout, and soar out beautifully amidst the bigger backings – and although a "suite", the whole session's got a much more relaxed feel than that compositional title might make you think. Tracks include "On Again", "Greenery", "Pastel", "Dancers", "October Blue", "Bihari", "Skyline", and "Outlines". LP, Vinyl record album
(Black label Crown pressing with deep groove. Cover has a split spine, clear tape on the top & bottom seams. The back has some light staining and a a bigger name in marker.)

Partial matches38
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Oscar Castro-Neves & His OrchestraBig Band Bossa Nova ... LP
Audio Fidelity, Early 60s. Very Good+ ... $14.99 18.99
An excellent bossa session led by pianist Oscar Castro-Neves and his band, and recorded during the blitz of early bossa sessions by the Audio Fidelity label! The group's a large one, but not too large to lose the groove – and Castro-Neves put the whole thing together so that the album's always got a nice bounce to it, and so that the jazz component comes through nice and strong! There's loads of good groovers on here, all played with a very strident hard bossa feel – and tracks include "Outra Vez", "O Menino Desce O Morro", "Chora Tua Tristeza", "Zelao", "Doralice", and "Patinho Feio". (Brazil, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono pressing. Cover has light wear.)

Partial matches39
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Sonny ClarkSonny Clark Trio (Blue Note) ... LP
Blue Note, 1957. Near Mint- ... $199.99
Classic trio material from pianist Sonny Clark – a talent who left our planet all too soon, but who managed to record quite a number of really great albums for Blue Note in the second half of the 50s! Clark's talents were always great in a group with horns, but he's equally wonderful on a trio date like this – and gets a chance to show off both his strong sense of rhythm, and some more lyrical modes that really make the album sparkle – playing here in a perfect lineup with Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. The set's easily one of the best straight trio sessions ever cut for Blue Note – tracks are longish, with a very hardbop groove – and titles include "Be Bop", "Two Bass Hit", "Tadd's Delight", and "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise". LP, Vinyl record album
(200 Gram Japanese mono pressing, from the original master tapes – with obi! DBLP 028)
Also available
Sonny Clark Trio (180 gram pressing) ... LP 36.99
Sonny Clark Trio (Blue Note RVG pressing) ... CD 6.99

Partial matches40
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Billy CobhamCrosswinds ... LP
Atlantic, 1974. Near Mint- ... $11.99 14.99
A masterful album from Billy Cobham – and maybe the best 70s record to really demonstrate the unique place he found for himself in 70s fusion! The album soars with a sound that really lives up to its cover image – but it's also not the heavy-jamming affair of some of Billy's more rockish records from the time. Instead, it's got this wonderful blend of deeper elements that really come together wonderfully – and some very strong use of reeds from Michael Brecker, trumpet from Randy Brecker, and trombone from the great Garnett Brown – all players who give the album a very rich, soulful voice. The set includes the famous sample track "Heather", a mellow cut with great electric keyboard work by George Duke – and other titles include "Crosswind", "The Pleasant Pheasant", and "Spanish Moss – A Sound Portrait". LP, Vinyl record album
(Rockefeller label pressing with RI suffix. Cover has a partially unglued seam)

Partial matches41
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Nat King ColeKing Cole Trio With Lester Young & Red Callender ... LP
Score, Late 40s. Near Mint- ... $14.99 19.99
A great collection of bop sides from 40s LA – tracks that ostensibly feature Cole on piano, jamming with Lester Young on tenor and Red Callender on bass! Oddly, no other players are listed in the notes – even though there's clearly a drummer and trumpeter on the session – so it's a bit hard to date the material, or figure out the actual source of the work. But we can say that Young's tone alone is more than worth the price of admission – beautifully firm and strong – blown in a way that rivals his best early performances for Verve, but perhaps even with a bit more grit and soul. Titles include "SM Blues", "Jammin With Lester", "Can't Get Started", "Body & Soul", and "Indiana". LP, Vinyl record album
(Heavy maroon label pressing, with deep groove. Cover has a split spine.)

Partial matches42
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Ornette ColemanOrnette At 12 ... LP
Impulse, 1969. Near Mint- Gatefold ... $34.99
Two generations of Ornette Coleman – making incredible music here together! The album's a freewheeling late 60s outing from the senior Ornette – who plays alto, violin, and trumpet here – working with his young son Ornette D Coleman on drums, just 12 years old at the time – but a surprisingly strong free jazz player overall! Heavyweight help comes from Dewey Redman on tenor – really tremendous here, with energy that's up there with Albert Ayler or Archie Shepp at their 60s best – plus Charlie Haden on bass, really coming strongly back into the music at this point in his career. The album's quite free overall – similar to some of Coleman's Blue Note work of the period – and titles include "COD", "Rainbows", "New York", and "Bells and Chimes". LP, Vinyl record album
(Rainbow label stereo pressing. Cover has light surface wear and lightly bumped corners with a bit of gloss separation.)

Partial matches43
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
John ColtraneLive In Paris Volume 1 ... LP
BYG/Affinity (UK), 1962. Sealed ... $19.99
A wonderful live set, recorded in Paris in 1962 – and featuring the quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones. The set features three long Coltrane standards – "Impressions", "Afro Blue", and "Naima" – all done in that beautiful spiralling modal style that the group used on their classic first set of recordings at the Village Vanguard. In fact, the set's a perfect complement to that material – which we feel is some of Coltrane's strongest. LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches44
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
John ColtraneSun Ship ... LP
Impulse, 1965. Very Good+ Gatefold ... $49.99
Soaring work from the legendary John Coltrane Quartet – a session that was incredibly far-reaching for the time, and which originally was unissued until after the time of Coltrane's death! The record's got the group really pushing forward strongly – hitting a Love Supreme mode, but also showing even some of the sharper edges that John would explore with the group after this one – a beautiful swan song to the lineup of McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. Things soar with a hell of a lot of spirituality, yet never get too overindulgent to lose their groove – and titles include "Amen", "Dearly Beloved", "Ascent", "Attaining", and "Sun Ship". LP, Vinyl record album
(Rainbow label stereo pressing. Cover has some ringwear, bumped corners, and a partially removed Record Club Of America sticker in back.)

Partial matches45
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Kenny CoxMultidirection ... LP
Blue Note, 1970. Near Mint- ... Just Sold Out!
Tremendous work from this lesser-known combo from Detroit – a session of work that builds strongly on the colors and changes explored by Miles Davis earlier in the 60s, but which takes things off into a whole new direction! (A Multidirection?) The horns on the record have incredible interplay – trumpet by Charles Moore and tenor from Leon Henderson, playing together with a sense of dexterity that may even beat the team of Davis and Wayne Shorter – angular one moment, softly lyrical the next, and always in pursuit of fresh tones and righteous sounds. Kenny Cox's piano is great too – an exercise in understatement at times – getting as much done with one note as other players would with five – as he slowly guides the group along, and grounds their freer expressions with a good sense of humanity. Rhythm is by Ron Brooks on bass and Danny Spencer on drums – and titles include "What Other One", "Gravity Point", "Spellbound", "Snuck In", and "Sojourn". LP, Vinyl record album
(Liberty/UA stereo pressing with Van Gelder stamp. Cover has some light wear – vinyl is great!)

Partial matches46
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
John Dankworth/Billy StrayhornEchoes Of An Era (Billy Strayhorn Live/Jazz From Abroad) ... LP
Roulette, 1958/1961. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold ... $4.99
Two older Roulette albums – brought together in one 70s package! The first set is a live Billy Strayhorn date – recorded with a group that includes Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves on reeds, Harold Baker and Clark Terry on trumpets, and Quentin Jackson on trombone. Next up is Jazz From Abroad – an incredible early work from British leader Johnny Dankworth – jazz work that's as fluid and grooving as his best 60s soundtrack sessions, and cut with an early sense of power that's really great! Dankworth's tight on the head arrangements, really leaping into the rhythms of the tune with the same love of groove as contemporary Johnny Keating – but he also makes some strong solo space on the best tracks on the album, really letting the sax players in the group stretch out searingly. Players aren't named in the credits, sadly, but we're guessing they're the top-level players who made appearances on Dankworth's key British sides of the time. Titles include "A String Of Camels", "Cannonball", "Chano", "Avengers Theme", "Sack O Woe", "Esso Blues", and "Curtain Up". LP, Vinyl record album
(Early 70s Echoes Of An Era Series pressing. Cover has light wear and some minor blemishes in back at the top edge.)

Partial matches47
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Miles DavisLive Evil ... LP
Columbia, 1971. Very Good- 2LP Gatefold ... $19.99
A beautiful live representation of the energy of the Bitches Brew years – one that has Miles Davis and the group really letting loose with free-flowing, modally-inspired lines – cooking up an incredible blend of acoustic and electric sounds at once! There's a bit of funk here, but not much – and although guitar is sometimes used strongly, it's often not as noisy as in later live sides. Instead, the whole group gels together beautifully – an unlikely assortment of players that includes Gary Bartz and Steve Grossman on reeds, John McLaughlin on guitar, Herbie Hancock on keyboards, Hermeto Pascoal on percussion, Dave Holland on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – all given new focus, direction, and inspiration by Miles! Titles include "What I Say", "Sivad", "Selim", "Funky Tonk", and a great medley of "Gemini/Double Image". LP, Vinyl record album
(US auto-coupled pressing. Cover has small seam splits with clear tape repair, ring & edge wear, aging.)
Also available Live Evil ... CD 14.99

Partial matches48
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Miles Davis & Tadd DameronMiles Davis/Tadd Dameron Quintet In Paris Festival International De Jazz May 1949 ... LP
Columbia, 1949. Very Good+ Gatefold ... $13.99
A rare early side of Miles Davis – recorded in postwar Paris in the company of Tadd Dameron! The group's a quintet – with Miles on trumpet and Tadd on piano – and although the overall vibe certainly shows a lot of bop generation spirit, there's also a strong indication of the deeper ideas that were already becoming a part of both artists' music. The group features some excellent work on tenor from James Moody – plus bass from Barney Spieler and drums from Kenny Clarke. Tunes include a fair bit of familiar numbers from the Charlie Parker camp – and titles include "Rifftide", "Good Bait", "Don't Blame Me", "Lady Bird", "Wah Hoo", "Allen's Alley", "Embraceable You", "Ornithology" and "All The Things You Are". LP, Vinyl record album
(70s pressing. Cover has light wear, clear tape on the spine.)

Partial matches49
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Wilbur De ParisOn The Riviera ... LP
Atlantic, 1961. Very Good ... $5.99
The album's got a cheescake cover, but it's done in a very traditional mode – a style that's right up there with the best New Orelans jazz sessions on Atlantic! Wilbur DeParis works in a small combo with Sidney De Paris and Doc Cheatham on trumpets, and Garvin Bushnell on some mighty sharp clarinet – an instrument that trades lines strongly with Wilbur's trombone, and the two especially strong trumpets! The set was recorded live, and has an even more biting feel than some of the late 50s Atlantic Records trad jazz sets – and titles include "Tres Moutarde", "South Rampart Street Parade", "Muskrat Rumble", "Sensation", and "Clarinet Marmalade". LP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo blue & green label pressing. Cover has some wear in the upper corner, but is great otherwise!)

Partial matches50
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Buddy DeFrancoKing Of The Clarinet (10 inch LP) ... LP
MGM, Early 50s. Very Good ... $6.99
We can't say for sure that Buddy's actually the king of the clarinet, but this record is mighty nice work – and a crackling little set that catches DeFranco at a time when he was one of the strongest players on his instrument, and one of the few to equally absorb bop and swing influences. As with other DeFranco standouts from the time, the rhythm section is what really makes the record – and here he's working with Kenny Drew on piano throughout, plus either Art Blakey or Art Taylor on drums, Teddy Kotick or Curley Russell on bass, and a bit of guitar from Jimmy Raney. Titles include "Cairo", "Lover Come Back To Me", "The Way You Look Tonight", "Street Of Dreams", "Gone With The Wind", and "Sophisticated Lady". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has minimal wear.)

Partial matches51
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Lou DonaldsonRough House Blues ... LP
Cadet, 1964. Very Good+ ... $14.99 19.99
One of Lou's more unique sides of the 60s – as the album features him as the main soloist over arrangements by a group headed up by Oliver Nelson. As has been ably demonstrated on many sides on labels like Verve, Impulse, and Capitol – there's no better talent than Nelson for taking a strong soulful player, and putting him into a context that will let him solo at his best, and not be overwhelmed by the band. There's some nice organ in the group, and titles include "Tippin In", "Back Talk", "Huffin N Puffin", and "Ignant Oit". LP, Vinyl record album
(60s blue fade label mono pressing, with deep groove. Cover has a cutout hole, light wear, and a name in pen.)

Partial matches52
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Lou Donaldson & The 3 SoundsLD + 3 ... LP
Blue Note, 1959. Near Mint- ... Just Sold Out!
A classic meeting between alto giant Lou Donaldson and Blue Note's crack Three Sounds combo – the great piano trio led by the mighty Gene Harris! The formula was one that Blue Note employed on a number of sessions from the time – and it makes a lot of sense, because the Three Sounds are a very tight rhythm group, just waiting for a strong soloist to front their rolling soulful grooves – in ways that really set sessions like this apart from their standard albums for the label. On this one, the Sounds give Lou a nice tight backing, and he repays the favor by laying down some very tight, very in-the-pocket solos with a good soul jazz groove. Tracks include "Jump Up", "Confirmation", "Smooth Groove", and "Blue Moon". LP, Vinyl record album
(Japanese King pressing, with insert – GXK 8229. Cover has very light wear in one corner, but this is a great copy.)

Partial matches53
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
George DukeRendezvous ... LP
Epic, 1984. Near Mint- ... Just Sold Out!
An underappreciated soul set from George Duke for Epic – his Rendezvous from '84 – an engagement worth keeping! Given the mid 80s release date, you might be expecting a whole lot of programming and drum machine action – there's a bit of it, but this is a really lively set with some great musicianship across the board – and the songs are pretty strong, too. Duke produced, sings and handles an array of instrumentation from keys to synths and programming, with Stanley Clarke, Paulinho Da Costa, Ernie Watts, Oscar Castro Neves and other great players in the mix. Titles include "Got To Get Back To Love", "Take It On", "She Can Wait Forever", "Stay Awhile", "Thinking Of You" (with some nice extended string arrangements), "Secret Rendezvous", and "Ipanema Lady" LP, Vinyl record album
(Includes the lyric sleeve.)

Partial matches54
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Duke EllingtonBlue Light ... LP
Columbia, Late 30s. Very Good+ ... $9.99
Subtitled "jazz for that relaxed mood", this is actually a great compilation of early work by Ellington's group – recorded for Columbia during the years 1934 to 1939. Somehow, the tracks still end up sounding 30 years ahead of their time – far stronger than most any early 50s big band set might hope to. Recording quality is excellent, and the whole thing's awash in richly chromatic waves of sound. Titles include "Pyramid", "Reminiscing In Tempo", "Tough Truckin", "No Greater Love", and "Finesse". LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono 6 eye pressing with deep groove – 1D/1G. Cover has some wear and aging, gloss peel at the right side, and a small sticker in back.)

Partial matches55
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Duke EllingtonEllington Uptown ... LP
Columbia, 1952. Very Good- ... $11.99
One of Duke Ellington's standout sides for Columbia – a strong recording that revisits many of the best elements of his earlier work, and offers up some more sophisticated scoring for the 50s – thanks to extended track length in the LP generation! The tunes here are older ones, but they're taken to some nicely hip territory – thanks to Duke's strong ear for modern changes, and a line up of players that includes Billy Strayhorn on piano, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, Clark Terry and Ray Nance on trumpets, Juan Tizol on trombone, and Louis Bellson on drums. Bellson does a great job on the classic "Skin Deep" – a real showcase for his talents in this recording – and other titles include "The Mooche", "Take The A Train", and "Perdido" – plus a 13 minute reading of "A Tone Parallel To Harlem (aka The Harlem Suite)". LP, Vinyl record album
(Heavy blue label pressing with deep groove. Cover has light surface wear & aging, tiny bottom seam split.)
Also available Ellington Uptown (plus bonus tracks) ... CD 5.99

Partial matches56
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Duke EllingtonHi Fi Ellington Uptown ... LP
Columbia, 1953. Very Good- ... $5.99
One of Duke Ellington's standout sides for Columbia – a strong recording that revisits many of the best elements of his earlier work, and offers up some more sophisticated scoring for the 50s – thanks to extended track length in the LP generation! The tunes here are older ones, but they're taken to some nicely hip territory – thanks to Duke's strong ear for modern changes, and a line up of players that includes Billy Strayhorn on piano, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, Clark Terry and Ray Nance on trumpets, Juan Tizol on trombone, and Louis Bellson on drums. Bellson does a great job on the classic "Skin Deep" – a real showcase for his talents in this recording – and other titles include "The Mooche", "Take The A Train", and "Perdido" – plus "The Controversial Suite". LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono 6 eye deep groove pressing. Cover has clear tape on the seams with some splitting, surface wear & aging.)
Also available Hi Fi Ellington Uptown ... CD 8.99

Partial matches57
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Duke EllingtonPiano In The Background ... LP
Columbia, 1961. Very Good+ ... $9.99
Don't let the title put you off, because this certainly isn't a session of background music – and the name simply refers to the fact that the arrangements on the set really showcase the strong horn work of the Ellington orchestra! Duke's still on piano for the session, but the real strength of the album's carried by classic Ellington players that include Ray Nance, Willie Cook, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney, and Lawrence Brown. Arrangements are by Bill Mathieu and Gerald Wilson – and although many of the tunes are older Ellington numbers, they've got a tight groove (and excellent recording quality) – which updates the material nicely. Titles include "Midriff", "Main Stem", "Happy Go Lucky Local", "What Am I Here For", "Kinda Dukish", and "Perdido". LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono 6 Eye pressing with deep groove. Cover has some wear and aging, half split seams with some clear tape at the top, and a yellowed sticker spot in back at the opening.)

Partial matches58
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Bill EvansNew Conversations ... LP
Warner, 1978. Very Good+ ... $14.99
A wonderful late 70s albums from Bill Evans – showing a further evolution of his solo piano/overdub approach! New Conversations is a record that follows strongly on the format of Bill's famous "Conversations" sessions for Verve in the 60s – and like those dates, it features the pianist playing alongside himself, thanks to the magic of overdubbing. But unlike those, this one also features a bit of electric piano too – picked up from the Left & Right years, and played alongside the acoustic piano in a shimmering sort of sound that's really great. The tones are tremendous – almost more open and fluid than in any Evans trio dates of the time – and the whole thing's got a ringing quality that's as much about sonic textures as it is about melody. Titles include "Song For Helen", "I Love My Wife", "For Nenette", "Maxine", "Nobody Else But Me", "After You", and "Reflections In D". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light wear.)

Partial matches59
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Gil EvansOut Of The Cool ... LP
Impulse, 1961. Very Good+ Gatefold ... $29.99
A pivotal session for Gil Evans – one that brought his genius to the American public strongly and successfully, without the help of Miles Davis! Sure, Gil had recorded albums as a leader before this one – but the sparkling quality of this set is right up there with the charts he handled for Miles, and the quality of the players in the group make the performance every bit as great. Gil's band includes trumpeter Johnny Coles, plus Ron Carter on bass, Elvin Jones on drums, Budd Johnson on tenor, and Ray Crawford on guitar – all players who open up the sound with a magnificent array of colors that sparkle from the sublime Evans arranging touch. Titles include "Stratusphunk", "Sunken Treasure", "La Nevada", and a great reading of Kurt Weil's "Bilbao Song". LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono orange and black label pressing with RVG stamp. The inner gatefold has a faint stain on the top edge, but the cover looks great overall!)
Also available Out Of The Cool ... CD 2.99

Partial matches60
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Art FarmerAztec Suite (first cover) ... LP
United Artists, 1959. Very Good+ ... $24.99
A rare Latin outing from trumpeter Art Farmer – one that has him working with the mighty Cuban arranger Chico O'Farrill! The grooves here are hardly "Aztec", as Chico brings a hip postwar vibe to the session – a blend of American jazz and Latin rhythms that's totally great, and played by an all-star array of players conducted by Al Cohn! Side one of the record features the extended "Aztec Suite" – an ambitious number that begins with modern moments that are somewhere in a space between Stan Kenton and Ralph Burns' experiments of this nature, but which always has Farmer's trumpet as the center focus. Side two features tracks that are a bit more conventional Latin jazz – still played by the bigger group, but with an even stronger sense of swing! Titles include "Aztec Suite", "Heat Wave", "Drume Negrita", "Alone Together", "Woody N You", and "Delirio". LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono red label pressing with deep groove. Cover has half split seams, light wear and aging, some price sticker remnants, and some light stains in back.)

Partial matches61
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Art FarmerAztec Suite (second cover) ... LP
United Artists, 1959. Very Good ... $28.99
A rare Latin outing from trumpeter Art Farmer – one that has him working with the mighty Cuban arranger Chico O'Farrill! The grooves here are hardly "Aztec", as Chico brings a hip postwar vibe to the session – a blend of American jazz and Latin rhythms that's totally great, and played by an all-star array of players conducted by Al Cohn! Side one of the record features the extended "Aztec Suite" – an ambitious number that begins with modern moments that are somewhere in a space between Stan Kenton and Ralph Burns' experiments of this nature, but which always has Farmer's trumpet as the center focus. Side two features tracks that are a bit more conventional Latin jazz – still played by the bigger group, but with an even stronger sense of swing! Titles include "Aztec Suite", "Heat Wave", "Drume Negrita", "Alone Together", "Woody N You", and "Delirio". LP, Vinyl record album
(Black label pressing, with a deep groove. Vinyl is nice and clean, but has a click for about three minutes on side two.)

Partial matches62
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✨✧ Art FarmerManhattan ... LP
Soul Note (Italy), 1982. Near Mint- ... $14.99
Overlooked genius from Art Farmer – a less-remembered session from the early 80s, and one that features him in a hip quintet with the great Sahib Shihab! The feel here is as lyrical and laidback as some of Art's other work from the time, but the presence of Sahib on soprano and baritone brings a good sense of feeling to the record – one that almost sharper than usual for a Farmer session, and which seems to push the trumpeter more strongly than usual on the upbeat numbers. An added plus is the rhythm section – which features Kenny Drew on piano, Mads Vinding on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drums – all players who had plenty of time together on the Copehagen scene, and who work in an equally cohesive way here. Titles include "Arrival", "Blue Wail", "Context", "Back Door Beauty", and "Passport". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light wear and is bent a bit at the spine.)

Partial matches63
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Art Farmer & Benny Golson JazztetBack To The City ... LP
Contemporary, 1986. Very Good+ ... $13.99
A tremendous comeback for the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet – recording here in the mid 80s with original members Farmer, Golson, and Curtis Fuller – plus tremendous rhythm support from the trio of Mickey Tucker, Ray Drummon, and Marvin Smitty Smith! The session has less of the tightly snapping groove that was the initial Jazztet calling card in the 60s – and comes across with some of the warmer, more chromatic tones that showed up on the group's last few recordings – and even more so in Art Farmer's work for many years to come. Tracks are all longish, and filled with many interesting twists and turns – and overall the album recalls the brilliant economy of Farmer's best work from the period, with some of the subtle soul that made Golson a player to keep an ear on strongly during the 80s. Titles include "From Dream To Dream", "Back To The City", "Vas Simeon", "Write Soon", and "Without Delay/Time Speaks". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a cut corner, light wear, and a small trace of a sticker.)

Partial matches64
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Shamek Farrah & Norman PersonShamek Farrah & Norman Person Live ... LP
Heritage Industries/BBE (UK), Late 1980s/Early 1990s. Sealed 2LP Gatefold ... $24.99
Saxophonist Shamek Farrah is best known for a pair of legendary 70s albums on the Strata East label – but he was still working strongly in the American jazz underground for years after that – as you'll hear on this brilliant batch of live recordings from the end of the 80s! The album was initially only issued as a cassette sold at gigs, and it shows Farrah sounding wonderful in the company of trumpeter Norman Person – blowing alto and bringing the fire he had on his 70s spiritual jazz recordings – as he and Person work in a few different groups, alongside some especially great piano work from either David Durrah or Sonelius Smith – both players with strong legacies of their own! Garry Hammon joins the pair on tenor on two tracks, Marvin Neal on trombone on one, and the final track is a trio number without Farrah, showing wonderful phrasing from Person next to Smith's piano. All titles are nice and long – and tunes include "Negative Forces", "Aisha", "Footprints", "Timeless Beginning", and "I Remember Clifford". LP, Vinyl record album
(Still sealed.)
Also available Shamek Farrah & Norman Person Live ... CD 16.99

Partial matches65
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Maynard FergusonMessage From Birdland ... LP
Roulette, 1959. Very Good+ ... $7.99
Put aside your reservations about Maynard Ferguson, because this is a very hip little record – one of Maynard's excellent early sessions for Roulette Records, and like the rest, done with a group that's overflowing with top-shelf players! Ferguson's definitely got a great ear for putting together an ensemble – because players here include Don Ellis on trumpet, Slide Hampton and Don Sebesky on trombones, and Joe Zawinul on piano – all working strongly alongside some lesser-known talents who are equally great! And although the group is large, there's a definite modern edge to the set – strong writing, unusual timings, and some sharp-edged solos that really make some of the longer tracks bristle. Titles include versions of Benny Golson's "Starfire" and "Night Life", Marty Paich's "Lonely Time", and Slide Hampton's "The Mark Of Jazz" – plus "Oleo" and "Back In The Satellite Again", the latter of which was written by Willie Maiden, one of the tenor players on the date. LP, Vinyl record album
(Color bar label stereo pressing with deep groove. Cover has light wear, some aging, and splitting in the bottom seam.)
 
 
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