A host of early classics from the young Ray Charles – tracks that were some of his most important singles for Atlantic Records, from a time when Ray was really finding his groove – issued here as a full length set in the classic Atlantic "rock & roll" series in the late 50s! These are the tunes that really put Charles on the map – and many have a raw, vibrant quality that's a lot more R&B than some of his later work – hard-burning numbers that move at a mighty quick pace – mixed with a few that show the jazzier approach in years to come. Titles include "Sinner's Prayer", "Mess Around", "Greenbacks", "I Got A Woman", "A Fool For You", "Losing Hand", "Ain't That Love", "Drown In My Own Tears", "This Little Girl Of Mine", and "Don't You Know". (Soul, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderful work from Dorothy Shay – a very unusual singer for her time, and in a backwards way, almost a force in mainstreaming country music in later years! As the title implies, Dorothy's a bit of a "Park Avenue Hillbilly" – in that she sings country themes, but in a style that's less hillbilly and more in the mode of some of the straighter female vocalists of the time. She's working here with backings from Russ Black, and the sound's almost in the mode of some of the country sides cut by Bing Crosby – but perhaps a bit more whimsical overall. Titles include "A Little Western Town Called Beverly Hills", "Why Shore", "Television's Tough On Love", "Sugar Plum Kisses & Vinegar Tears", and "Don't You Think You Should've Mentioned It Before". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Legendary vocal work from the postwar years – some of the earliest recordings from the enigmatic Yma Sumac – an artist whose records really laid the groundwork for an entire generation of exotica records to come! Sumac's authenticity has been debated over the years – but there's no denying that she's got this incredible vocal range – a many-octave approach that almost makes her sound like a human theremin – as she works with exotic backings from Les Baxter to offer up a take on Peruvian roots, styled towards a 50s bachelor pad listener! Titles include "Xtaby", "Wayra", "Taita Inty", "Monos", and "Tumpa". (Now Sound, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Groovy 60s pop from the sunny brother & sister duo of Nino Tempo & April Stevens – wonderful stuff that's crafted as sweetly as can be, encapsulating influences from a wide range of pop styles of the time – and it still sounds great! This anthology features a bunch of the their best duo numbers, as well as some earlier and later separate projects we'd never heard before. 24 tracks in all: "Deep Purple", "All Strung Out", "Sweet And Lovely", "Follow Me", "Hey Baby", "Out Of Nowhere", "Wings Of Love", "Lovin' Valentine" (April Stevens), "Sister James" (Nino Tempo & 5th Ave Sax), "Hey Baby", "Honeysuckle Rose", "Whispering", "Amazon River" and many more. (Rock, Vocalists) CD

The album that really put Sarah Vaughan on the map – a killer set that really showed how sultry jazz vocals could sound in the postwar years – never overtone, nor torchy-cliched – but right on the money, with a sense of grace and poise that few others can match – even after all these decades! Tracks include "Black Coffee", "After Hours", "Street Of Dreams", "My Reverie", "I Cried For You", "Deep Purple", and "Just Friends". LP, Vinyl record album

The album that really put Sarah Vaughan on the map – a killer set that really showed how sultry jazz vocals could sound in the postwar years – never overtone, nor torchy-cliched – but right on the money, with a sense of grace and poise that few others can match – even after all these decades! Tracks include "Black Coffee", "After Hours", "Street Of Dreams", "My Reverie", "I Cried For You", "Deep Purple", and "Just Friends". CD

A gem of a record from this pair of Basie-ites – one that allows Joe Williams to hit some different modes than on his fuller records with the Count – set up here in a nicely relaxed groove with trumpeter Harry Sweets Edison! Arrangements are by Ernie Wilkins, but are more laidback than some of his fuller charts – and we love hearing Joe at a level when he doesn't have to punch it out of the park, and can just fall back in a sweet groove alongside Harry's trumpet, which then often gets a spot to solo on the tune. Charles Thompson plays piano – again with a style that's more easygoing than Basie – and titles include "Out Of Nowhere", "Together", "Winter Weather", "By The River Saint Marie", "Alone Together", "Deep Purple", and "Lover Come Back To Me". LP, Vinyl record album

From its booze-soaked title cut, to its haunting selection of lonely ballads like "Midnight Sun" and "Stranger Called The Blues", this is one of the most fantastic vocal jazz albums of all time – and a record that we'd recommend instantly to anyone! June Christy has an incredibly icy tone on the record, filled with sorrow, regret, and loneliness – all of which are amplified even more deeply by Pete Rugolo's eerie, off-kilter arrangements. Titles include "Something Cool", "It Could Happen To You", "Lonely House", and "I Should Care". This is the original 10" mono recording with 7 tracks – and a green and white cover that has June with eyes closed. LP, Vinyl record album