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1
Various —
Fresh – Music Inspired By The Film ... CD Loud, 1994. Used ... Out Of Stock
With the remix of Wu-Tang's "Can It Be All So Simple", Genius' "I Gotcha Back" and Raekwon & Ghostface Killah "Heaven & Hell". Also has lots of choice old school cuts (though some of them have been shortened from their full 6+ minute 12" versions): Cold Cut Brothers "Fresh, Fly, Wild & Bold", Fearless 4 "Rockin It", Funky 4 + 1 More "Do You Wanna Rock", Spoonie G "Spoonin Rap", Masterdon Committee "Funkbox Party", Fresh 3 MC's "Fresh", Whodini "The Freaks Come Out At Night" and T-Ski Valley "Catch The Beat". CD
Partial matches: 31
2
Capitol, 1973. New Copy 2CD ... $19.99 21.99
One of the most brilliant moments of genius from Paul McCartney & Wings – and a set that has Paul working with the group in perfect album formation – able to craft enough songs that became hit singles, yet also fit the whole thing together in a superb sonic reality that made the whole thing even more wonderful as a full length record! The shift of moods, tones, and sounds are as varied as the choice of celebrities appearing with the group on the cover – and the interplay between Paul, Linda, and Denny Laine has really hit its stride – on titles that include one of our all-time Wings favorites, "Nineteen Hundred Eighty Five" – plus "Band On The Run", "Bluebird", "Jet", "Mrs Vanderbilt", "Let Me Roll It", "Mamunia", "No Words", and "Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)". 2CD version features the original 10 track US version of the album on CD1 – then CD2 features unreleased rough mix versions of 9 tracks from the record! CD
(Includes a Linda McCartney polaroid poster too!)
3
Choice/
One of the greatest jazz albums ever recorded by the legendary Toots Thielemans – a small combo session that stands in great contrast to much of the bigger studio work he was doing in the 70s! Despite the title, the record's a studio one and not a concert – but it's got a relaxed intimacy that's really great, and features plenty of long-drawn lines from Thielemans on the harmonica, all played with the sort of tone and phrasing that made him one of the greatest jazz players ever on the instrument. The rest of the group features Joanne Brackeen on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Freddie Waits on drums – all quite hip players that help Toots avoid the traps of sentimentality and commercialism that could sometimes hurt his work. Titles include "Dr Pretty", "I Never Told You", "Giant Steps", and "Snooze". CD features the bonus tracks "Stella By Starlight" and "Revol". CD
4
Soul Jazz (UK), Late 60s/
Pure dynamite throughout – a really killer batch of cuts that easily steps between 60s and 70s styles in Jamaican music – shaking things up with soulful late 60s numbers, funky 70s gems, and some dubbier tracks from a time when production styles really opened up! As with other volumes in this excellent series, the choice of cuts is wonderful – really well-chosen tracks that go past the hits, but also feature some numbers that have become underground classics over the years – but all at a level that's got a lot more bite than some of the oft-played reggae that's been keeping dorm rooms running for decades. There's a total of 14 tracks in all – and titles include "Rocker's Rock" by Augustus Pablo, "No No No" by KC White, "Ring The Alarm" by Tenor Saw, "One Two" by Sister Nancy, "Woman Of The Ghetto" by Kim Harriott, "Heatwave" by Johnny Organ, "King Tubby Dub" by Tommy McCook & The Agrovators, "Earthquake" by Jackie Mittoo, and "Ready Or Not" by Johnny Osborne. CD
Also available 200% Dynamite! – Ska, Soul, Rocksteady, Funk, & Dub In Jamaica ... LP 37.995
BGP (UK), Late 70s/
A heavy dose of funky jazz – and one that goes way past the obvious too – to include some real gems from the 70s that even we'd passed up! The package is filled with stellar jazz from the Fantasy Records family – Prestige, Pablo, Galaxy and Fantasy proper – choice numbers by The Blackbyrds, Stanley Cowell, Charles Earland, Patrice Rushen and others – funky jazz, soul, boogie and Brazil-flavored numbers from the top shelf of the diverse period! It's a tight, well chosen compilation with numbers you simply could not overlook in putting a set like this together – productions by the Mizells, Donald Byrd, Earland and others – but there's a few of leftfield choices, too. Simply a great little snapshot of the funky jazz and soul period and the family of labels that generated so much of the most creative music to come from it! 14 tracks and nearly 80 minutes of grooves: Includes "Happy Music" by Blackbyrds, "Close To You" by Marlon McClain, "Let Me Love You (Let Me Be Me)" by Stanley Cowell, "Taj Mahal" by Paulinho Da Costa, "Nov Ano" by Azar Lawrence, "Moon Dreams" by Flora Purim, "Montevideo" by Opa, "Glide" by Pleasure, "Shout It Out" by Patrice Rushen, "If Only I Could Prove To You" by The 3 Pieces and more. CD
6
Studio One/
A long-overdue second volume to the original Pirate's Choice collection from Studio One – which itself was a bit of a stab at Duke Reid and his Treasure Isle label! Legendary Jamaican producer Clement Dodd serves up a host of lost gems from the Studio One catalog – not hits, but some rare mixes and under-heard tracks – all presented in the kind of format that shows just how deep Dodd's reach was back in the day, and how deep the Studio One vaults are to be turning up greatness like this! Titles include "All The Way" by Willie Williams, "You Hold The Handle" by The Conquerors, "Chinese Beauty" by Lennie Hibbert, "Heart Breaker" by Cool Operator, "Jah Light" by Cedric Im Brooks, "Pirate's Choice" by Brentford Rockers, "Sweet Child" by Freddy McGregor, and "Black Is Black" by Freedom Singers. CD features four bonus tracks – "Plea My Cause" by Main Roots, "Dirty People" by Roy Richards, "Jah Light Dub (dub plate mix)" by Brentford Disco Set, and "Homeward Bound Dub (dub plate mix)" by Freddie & Brentford Rockers. CD
7
Blue Mitchell —
Cup Bearers ... CD Riverside/
One of the first albums to really show Blue Mitchell's genius as a leader – recorded past the more formulaic bop modes of some of his other Riverside sessions, and handled with a lyrical edge that really gets at the best aspects of his playing. Of course, part of the reason for this is that Blue's in the company of some of his Horace Silver bandmates – including drummer Roy Brooks, tenorist Junior Cook, and bassist Gene Taylor – but even more than that, the presence of a young Cedar Walton on piano really makes the set sparkle, as does the choice of some extremely strong material – such as "The Cup Bearers" and "Capers", both written by that young and glowing jazz compositional lumiary, Tom McIntosh, and the tunes "Turquoise, written by Walton, and "Dingbat Blues", written by Charles Davis. Forgive the long sentence, but the quality of this one's best expressed in a single breath! CD
(OJC pressing.)
8
Oliver Nelson —
More Blues & The Abstract Truth ... CD Impulse/
Oliver Nelson's follow-up to his classic Blues & The Abstract Truth session for Impulse – and like that one, a tremendous little album – filled with deep tones and wonderful colors in sound! The group here's a bit larger than before – an ensemble that includes Phil Woods on alto, Ben Webster on tenor, Thad Jones on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone, Roger Kellaway on piano, Richard Davis on bass, and Grady Tate on drums. The album includes some superb original compositions by Nelson – just the kind of overlooked jazz numbers that make the set great – and as with most of his arrangements from the time, there's a perfect balance between group force and intimate solo space! Titles include "The Critic's Choice", "Blues & The Abstract Truth", "One For Bob", and 2 versions of Dave Brubeck's "Theme From Mr. Broadway". Also included are two bonus tracks- "One For Phil" and "Night Lights". CD
(Out of print, MCA pressing with a small cutout hole through booklet and tray card.)
9
Various —
Who Wants Some – A 1969/VP, Late 60s. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A set that might well also be titled "the birth of reggae" – as it pulls together some of the harder-edged cuts that were really starting to get the music going on the UK scene at the end of the 60s – work that had a leaner, meaner vibe than rocksteady and ska – with a slight uptick in the rhythms, and maybe a more sinister approach to the music overall! The tracks here are all from the mighty production talents of Bunny Striker Lee – one of the key forces in this new musical moment – and although some of the names might be familiar, the set's a nice contrast to some of the more staid presentations of the music on the market. 24 tracks in all – including "The Russians Are Coming" by Val Bennett, "Peoples Choice" by Winston Williams, "The Avengers" by Tommy McCook, "Peyton Place" by D Tony Lee & Roland Alphonso, "Drums Of Fu Manchu" by Headly Bennett, "Music House" by Roland Alphonso, "Peanut Vendor" by Tommy McCook, "Gits Brown" by Lennox Brown, "Annie Pama" by Bunny Lee All Stars, and "Dreams To Remember" by The Hippy Boys. CD
10
Various —
Larry Levan Live At The Legendary Paradise Garage 1979 ... CD West End, 1979. Used 2CDs ... Out Of Stock
Like finding a time machine – one that takes you back to the glory days of the New York club scene at the end of the 70s! Much has been written about Larry Levan – the genius DJ behind the Paradise Garage, and a leading force in club music who pulled the genre from the ashes of disco cliches and cold pre-programmed throwaway tracks. Levan not only had an ear for picking the most soulful tunes of the underground, buy he also had an extremely good talent for putting tracks together – a talent that got him plenty of work as a remixer in the early 80s, but which is also heard here exactly as you'd have heard it at the Paradise Garage back in 1979! The set is a magical document – a live mix performed by Levan at the Paradise, recorded with excellent sound, and spread over 2 CDs! Levan comes up with killer groovers we've never heard, and other monsters that we'd forgotten about, and which sound even better in this stunning mix of music. Titles include "It's Magic" by Damon Harris, "Put Your Body In It" by Stephanie Mills, "By The Way You Dance" by Bunny Sigler, "Right In The Socket" by Shalamar, "Here We Go Again" by Peoples Choice, "Bad Mouthin" by Motown Sounds, "Let Yourself Go" by The Supremes, "Angel In My Pocket" by Change, "Smack Dab In The Middle" by Janice McClain, "Sun Sun Sun" by Jacki, and "Erucu" by Jermain Jackson". 20 tracks in all – and all expertly mixed! CD
(2003 digipack pressing. Please note the cover has substantial wear including a sticker remnant and peeled spot on the front – discs are in great shape.)
11
Various —
Soul Gospel 2 ... CD Soul Jazz (UK), 1960s/
Soul and gospel, gospel and soul – a beautiful marriage in music that's summed up perfectly in this sweet little set! It's no secret that gospel music had plenty of influence on soul back in the early days – but as the genre went on, soul ended up throwing a mighty sound back at gospel too – so that by the late 60s, both musics were pretty well tied together in styles, themes, and spirit! This collection digs even deeper than the already-great first volume from Soul Jazz – and brings together a wide range of work that illustrates the powerful effect that soul had on gospel back in the late 60s and 1970s – righteous lessons learned from the secular side of the spectrum, folded back to make the spiritual even hipper than before! As always with Soul Jazz, plenty of care went into the set – and the music is provided with an extremely thoughtful track list that goes way past the obvious – as well as a good set of notes to back up the choices. Plus, the tunes here are often quite funky – almost making the package a "gospel funk" collection! 20 tracks in all – including "We Should All Thank The Lord" by The Lovers Of God, "I'll Keep A Light In My Window" by NYCC, "Why Am I Treated So Bad" by Sweet Inspirations, "Let Him Come In" by Howard Lemon Singers, "Keep Trying" by Mildred Clark, "Dead End Street" by Clara Ward, "Since I've Been Born Again" by Martha Bass, "You'd Better Get A Move On" by Louise McCord, "Do Your Thing" by Marion Gaines Singers, "Praise His Name" by The Stovall Singers, "Let Them Talk" by Meditation Singers, "When Will It End" by The Sensational Cymbals, and "After The Rain" by Pastor TL Barrett. CD
12
Various —
Soul Music Lovers Only – Masterpieces Of Kickin DJs Choice 1967 to 1977 ... CD Octave-Lab/
Not just soul music lovers – as the set's got plenty to offer for fans of funk and jazz too – a wonderful assortment of cuts from the golden years of the music, all put together here with a really great ear for a groove! The cuts are sourced from a number of different labels – including Groove Merchant, De-Lite, Sussex, and Brunswick – and because of that, they come together with a great sense of variety – not a confused approach to a compilation, but one that really knows how to play different cuts off one another – introducing you to rare gems, and making you love familiar cuts all over again in a different way! There's a total of 23 tracks and almost 80 minutes of music – and titles include "Mr Hot Stuff" by Clarence Reid, "Ashley's Roachclip" by The Soul Searchers, "Loving Explosion" by The Eliminators, "The Fly" by The Kinfolks, "Funky Belly" by Warren Lee, "Come Back To Me" by Cheyenne Fowler, "I Won't Be Around" by Jeanette Holloway, "Chick A Boom" by The Pazant Brothers, "In The Moog" by Harold McKinney, "Gold Smoke" by Everyday People, "There Was A Time" by Dee Felice Trio, "April" by Bobby Knight, and "No Trouble On The Mountain" by Richard Groove Holmes. CD
13
Various —
State Of The Union – The American Dream 1967 to 1973 – Presented By Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs ... CD Ace (UK), Late 60s/
A great look at the changing tone on the American scene at the end of the 60s – that moment when Vietnam, social unrest, and many other problems weighed heavily on the country's consciousness – and made their presence manifest in all sorts of pop music as well! We're not talking about the familiar sounds of the Woodstock generation – but instead more mainstream artists who had never touched on politics or social issues before – but suddenly found themselves singing alongside the underground about the bigger problems of the day. This package is a superb look at that moment – put together by the team who've given us the great English Weather and Paris In The Spring collections for Ace – with the same care for choice of tracks, and a wealth of wonderful notes that really get at the nature of these unusual tunes. Titles include "Clean Up Your Own Back Yard" by Elvis Presley, "Wine In The Wind" by Anita Kerr Singers, "Paint Me Black Angels" by Eartha Kitt, "This Crazy World" by Paul Anka, "Questions" by Bobby Darin, "Do You Believe This Town" by Dean Martin, "Cardboard California" by Buddy Greco, "Cherrystones" by Eugene McDaniels, "Save The Children" by Teresa Brewer, "Welfare Hero" by Johnny Tillotson, "What Do We Do With The World" by Bing Crosby, "4th Of July" by The Beach Boys, "Mr Businessman" by Ray Stevens, "Paint America Love" by Lou Christie, "Hitchhiker" by The Four Preps, "Brand New Day" by Della Reese, "Saturday's Father" by The 4 Seasons, and "Southbound Jericho Parkway" by Roy Orbison. CD
14
Art Farmer —
Out Of The Past ... CD GRP/
A great CD that combines most of the material on Art's two albums for Argo – Art (1960) and Perception (1961). Art is a beautiful album of understated brilliance – one of Farmer's early shifts into the sublime, an easily blown batch of trumpet tracks played with trio backing by Tommy Flanagan, Tommy Williams, and Albert Heath. The tracks are all in the four to five minute range, with Art crafting lyrically soulful lines over the top. Titles include "Who Cares", "Out Of The Past", "Younger Than Springtime", "That Ole Devil Called Love", and "Goodbye Old Girl". Perception is similar, an amazingly beautiful set of tracks from Art – playing with superb accompaniment from a young Harold Mabern, in a laidback quartet format that really lets Art open up! Art's playing is fresh and creative throughout – never over the top, with that subtle genius that he was bringing to his work in the 60s – and the choice of material includes Tom McIntosh's great composition "The Day After", plus Art's "Punsu" and "Kayin". One track from each album has been omitted to fit the material on one CD (which is BS, by the way, as the CD is only 64 minutes long!) – but if you can stand having the incomplete versions of the albums, this is a great deal for some rare material! CD
15
Art Farmer & Donald Byrd —
Two Trumpets ... CD Prestige/
Two trumpets, and plenty of soul – one of those wonderful late 50s Prestige Records blowing sessions that really let individual players have lots of the right sort of space to find their own voice alongside each other! Byrd and Farmer are both young here, and mighty sharp in their sounds – already quite distinct from each other in phrasing, and a great choice as soloists to illuminate in a setting like this. The rest of the group features Jackie McLean on alto – getting in some great solos too – plus Barry Harris on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and the great Art Taylor on drums. Byrd's bite is a great counterpart to the lyricism of Farmer – and titles include "Contour", "Round Midnight", "The Third", and "Dig". CD
16
Gil Melle —
Gil's Guests ... CD Prestige/
We've got a long-standing love affair with the music of Gil Melle, and this CD's a perfect example of why we think he's so great! Melle was an enigmatic baritone player who recorded for Blue Note and Prestige in the 50's, and his recordings for both labels have a strange other-wordly quality that's very difficult to describe, and which sets him apart from any other practitioner of the instrument at the time. Far from the clunky sounds you might expect from such a giant instrument, Melle produces these amazingly light waves of sound, which are interpolated by the members of his quartet – guitarist Joe Cinderella, bassist Vinnie Burke, and drummer Ed Thigpen – in a tangled web of spooky delights. The group's augmented here by some famous guests that are perfect choices for Melle's sound – like Art Farmer, Hal McKusick, Julius Watkins, and Don Butterfield – and the CD's filled with great compositions like "Soudan", "Block Island", "Funk For Star People", "Herbie", "Tomorrow", and "Ghengis". Also includes 3 bonus tracks, for a total of 9 tracks in all! CD
17
Jack Nitzsche —
Dance To The Hits Of The Beatles ... CD Reprise/
The British Invasion, served up by 60s LA – as the hits of Lennon & McCartney are recast as groovy instrumentals through the studio talents of Jack Nitzsche! The cover promises "The Greatest Hits Of All Times – Arranged For The Greatest Dancing Of All Time" – and while we can't promise that these tunes are dancefloor material for everyone, they still come out sounding pretty darn great – more in a rocking American way, with lots of double-timed rhythms, honking sax bits, and strutting guitars that are a good deal fiercer than the jangle pop of the originals. Titles include "Chains", "She Loves You", "I Want To Hold Your Hand", "From Me To You", "Please Please Me", "All My Loving", and "It Won't Be Long" – plus the Nitzsche originals "Ringo" and "Beatle-Mania". CD
18
Tony Perkins —
On A Rainy Afternoon ... CD RCA (Spain), 1958. Used ... Out Of Stock
Poor Tony Perkins! He actually does a pretty nice job on this early album as a vocalist, and we imagine that he forever regretted having that part of his career closed down once he played the part of Norman Bates in Psycho. Still, there's a bit of a psycho feel to this album – from the cover shot of Tony walking down a wet street, to the eerie choice of material played by a small jazz group that includes Hal McKusick, Chuck Wayne, and Jerome Richardson. Titles include "The World Is Your Balloon", "Why Was I Born", "I've Got Sand In My Shoes", "You Came Along", and "Darn That Dream". CD
19
Various —
Soul Music Lovers Only – Masterpieces Of Kickin DJs Choice 1967 to 1977 ... CD Ultra Vybe (Japan), Late 60s/
Not just soul music lovers – as the set's got plenty to offer for fans of funk and jazz too – a wonderful assortment of cuts from the golden years of the music, all put together here with a really great ear for a groove! The cuts are sourced from a number of different labels – including Groove Merchant, De-Lite, Sussex, and Brunswick – and because of that, they come together with a great sense of variety – not a confused approach to a compilation, but one that really knows how to play different cuts off one another – introducing you to rare gems, and making you love familiar cuts all over again in a different way! There's a total of 23 tracks and almost 80 minutes of music – and titles include "Mr Hot Stuff" by Clarence Reid, "Ashley's Roachclip" by The Soul Searchers, "Loving Explosion" by The Eliminators, "The Fly" by The Kinfolks, "Funky Belly" by Warren Lee, "Come Back To Me" by Cheyenne Fowler, "I Won't Be Around" by Jeanette Holloway, "Chick A Boom" by The Pazant Brothers, "In The Moog" by Harold McKinney, "Gold Smoke" by Everyday People, "There Was A Time" by Dee Felice Trio, "April" by Bobby Knight, and "No Trouble On The Mountain" by Richard Groove Holmes. CD
20
Chris Connor —
Alone Together ... CD Lob/
Chris Connor is easily one of the best song stylists of her generation – and although most of her better-known work was cut for American labels in the 50s and 60s, she kept on making really great records and developing her sound overseas – as on this gem of a date for the Japanese market in the late 70s! The vibe is great – a bit more contemporary in approach than the 60s, including the choice of material – delivered with a slinky soulful vibe by a trio that features Harold Danko on piano, Ronnie McClure on bass, and Ed Soph on drums – all players who are a really great match for Connor's sound. The arrangements are great, very inventive – and tracks include "Come In From The Rain", "Baltimore Oriole", "A Baby's Born", "I'll Catch The Sun", "Blue, Green Grey & Gone", "Fly Me To The Moon", "More Today Than Yesterday", and "All Or Nothing At All". CD
21
Various —
That'll Flat Git It! Volume 44 – Rockabilly & Rock N Roll From The Vaults Of King, Federal, Audio Lab, & DeLuxe Records ... CD King/
Killer cuts from the glory days of King Records – material from that second generation of the label, when their earlier blend of hillbilly and R&B made King a perfect platform for the new sounds of rockabilly and rock and roll! The package does a great job of digging in deep to the King catalog – and includes material from sub-labels that include Federal, Audio Lab, and DeLuxe – with lots of rare 45s that never get the sort of proper reissue that you'll find in this great Bear Family series! As with other volumes, the choice of cuts is wonderful, and the detailed notes really illuminate the music – a stunning set list of 31 titles that include "Nothing Like This" by Cecil McNabb, "All Star Boy" by Al Henderson, "Jug Band Jump" by Delbert Barker, "Whistle Of The Gravy Train" by Bobby Grove, "Pony Tail Partner" by Bing Day, "Oh Baby Dance With Me" by Gene Stewart, "Shake Shake" by The Blue Tones, "What Is Your Technique" by Ronnie Speeks & His Elrods, "Guitar Pickin Fool" by Teddy Humphries, "Gotta Make Her Mine" by Ronny Wade, "Peg Pants" by Bill Beach, "Grandaddy's Rockin" by Mac Curtis, and "Everybody's Lovin My Baby" by Charlie Feathers. CD
22
Art Farmer —
Perception ... CD Argo (Japan), 1961. Used ... $16.99
An amazingly beautiful set of tracks from Art Farmer – playing here with superb accompaniment from a young Harold Mabern on piano, in a laidback quartet format that really lets Art open up! Art's playing is fresh and creative throughout – never too over the top, and always blown with that subtle genius that he was bringing to his work in the 60s – a pure exercise in understatement, with a quality that seems to make the notes fall out of the air by themselves. Rhythm is by Tommy Williams on bass and Roy McCurdy on drums – and the choice of material includes Tom McIntosh's great composition "The Day After", plus Art's "Punsu" and "Kayin" – and versions of "Change Partners", "Blue Room", and "Nobody's Heart". CD
Also available Perception ... LP 13.99(Out of print 1997 Japanese pressing – includes obi.)
23
Janice Borla —
From Every Angle ... CD Blujazz, 2006. Used ... Out Of Stock
Recent work from Janice Borla – a Chicago-area singer who's never gotten the national credit she deserves, but who's made some really great music in and around the Windy City over the past few decades! The album's way more than just your standard set of jazz vocals – given Janice hip choice of material, and the fresh execution of the tunes – modern at some points, chance-taking at others, and always with a willingness to push the boundaries of the music past too-familiar modes. The whole thing almost feels like some lost indie gem from the 70s – with lots of surprising twists and turns, and modes that mix breezy scatting with some of the more adventurous styles that you might expect from a singer like Karin Krog or Monica Zetterlund. Instrumentation includes trumpet from Art Davis, guitar from John McLean, and piano from Dan Haerle – and titles include "Simone", "Ask Me Now", "Segment", "Jazz Habit", "Gentle Piece", "I'll Take Les", "Peace", and "Askew In The Cradle". CD
24
Charles Lloyd —
Dream Weaver (Japanese pressing) ... CD Atlantic (Japan), 1966. Used ... Just Sold Out!
A classic set from reedman Charles Lloyd – a set that really pushes forward all the experiments he'd begun in the Chico Hamilton group – and shows a bold move forward for rhythms in 60s jazz! The tracks are long, and spiral out wonderfully – but in ways that are different than those used by other creators of the time – like Eric Dolphy or John Coltrane. Even though leading the group on tenor and flute, Lloyd's got a real sense of rhythm to his playing – echoes of the Hamilton group – but set loose with a stellar quartet of younger players – including Keith Jarrett on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – all perfect choices for inventive music like this! The standout cut is the amazing "Sombrero Sam", a tight little groover that we never tire of – and one that has Jarrett sounding much more in the pocket than you'd ever imagine – and other tracks include "Dream Weaver", "Autumn Sequence", and "Bird Flight". CD
(2012 Japanese pressing – includes obi.)
25
Ahmad Jamal —
Ahmad Jamal's Alhambra (SHMCD pressing) ... CD Argo/
Not just a wonderful record for the music, but also for the classic cover image too – a photo of Ahmad Jamal's righteous night club The Alhambra – an Eastern-themed spot on Chicago's Michigan Ave, where Jamal made some incredible music for a few short years! Jamal was one of the few jazz musicians to control his means of production this strongly – and, according to legend, the club actually closed down because he wouldn't allow alcohol to be served – a key support of his spiritual beliefs, but not the greatest choice when running a nightclub. Regardless of that history, though, the music continues to be as proud and powerful as ever – a key modern moment in jazz piano, handled by a trio that also features the legendary Israel Crosby on bass, as well as Vernell Fournier on drums. The set was recorded inside the Alhambra – and tracks include the lovely "Snow Fall", plus hip Jamal takes on "The Breeze & I", "Sweet & Lovely", "The Party's Over", and "Autumn Leaves". CD
26
Waylon Jennings —
Lonesome Onry & Mean/RCA/
A classic run of records from Waylon Jennings – brought together in a single package! First up is Lonesome Onry & Mean – a pivotal album for Waylon Jennings – the record where he really found the new direction that would finally get him the fame he deserved – delivered in a way that's free from all the later cliches, and which also ties Waylon pretty strongly to the hipper currents of the underground – especially that point where singer/
27
Charles Lloyd —
Just Before Sunrise – Dream Weaver/Atlantic/
Two great sets from reedman Charles Lloyd! Dream Weaver really pushes forward all the experiments he'd begun in the Chico Hamilton group – and shows a bold move forward for rhythms in 60s jazz! The tracks are long, and spiral out wonderfully – but in ways that are different than those used by other creators of the time – like Eric Dolphy or John Coltrane. Even though leading the group on tenor and flute, Lloyd's got a real sense of rhythm to his playing – echoes of the Hamilton group – but set loose with a stellar quartet of younger players – including Keith Jarrett on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – all perfect choices for inventive music like this! The standout cut is the amazing "Sombrero Sam", a tight little groover that we never tire of – and one that has Jarrett sounding much more in the pocket than you'd ever imagine – and other tracks include "Dream Weaver", "Autumn Sequence", and "Bird Flight". Love-In features a classic batch of modal grooves from Charles Lloyd – recorded during the height of his mind-expanding years, with his famous quartet that included Keith Jarrett on piano and Jack DeJohnette on drums! The tracks are long and magical, done with that spiritual spiraling sound that Lloyd was wowing the hippies with at the time – and considering that this set was recorded live at the Fillmore, there were an awful lot of hippies present to be wowed! But the set's also got a charm that lives long past its time – thanks to an expansive vision from Lloyd on flute and tenor, and from Jarrett on piano too. Titles include "Sunday Morning", "Love-in", "Tribal Dance", and "Temple Bells". CD
(Out of print and sealed with a penmark through the barcode.)
28
Alton McClain & Destiny —
It Must Be Love/Polydor/
A pair of overlooked female soul gems – back to back on a single CD! The first album is It Must Be Love – sweet late 70s modern soul from Alton McClain & Destiny – a great little female vocal trio with a sound that ranges from lightly funky with jazzy flourishes, to soaringly soulful! The group kind of follow in a tradition started by Honeycone and First Choice, and improved upon by The Emotions – and like that latter group, the girls move from the easier disco tracks that you'd normally expect, into a range of soulful styles that all come off equally well with their vocal technique. Webster Lewis handled some of the nice string arrangements – and players include Wah Wah Watson on guitar and Lee Ritenour on keys. titles include "Crazy Love", "Sweet Temptation", "Taking My Love For Granted", "My Empty Room", "Push & Pull", and "The Power Of Love". More Of You is one of the best records by this great little modern soul trio who should have gone onto bigger and better things. The session's got a strong mellow groove, typical of some of the non-hit soul coming out of labels like Polydor and Capitol at the end of the 70s – and tracks include "Stares & Whispers", "Love Waves", "More Of You", "99 1/
29
Dramatics —
10 1/MCA/
The Dramatics hit an 80s groove mood here – and as on their clubbier sides from the end of the 70s, the vocals are still wonderful – and more than anything, the set's a strong soul-based set that still has the group at the top of their game! Ballads actually sparkle the best here – and showcase that wonderfully full mode that was the best side of The Dramatics harmonies – but the uptempo tunes are good, and have breakout moments that sparkle nicely. Production is by Ron Banks and LJ Reynolds, but Don Davis still oversees the whole thing – and titles include "It Ain't Rainin", "Wecome Back Home", "Love Is Here", "Be With The One You Love", and "Music Is The Peoples Choice". CD
Also available 10 1/30
Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions —
Best Of Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions – 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection ... CD MCA, 1960s/
Includes the songs "Gypsy Woman", "It's All Right", "I'm So Proud", "Keep On Pushing", "Amen", "People Get Ready", "Woman's Got Soul", "We're A Winner", "Choice Of Colors", "Freddie's Dead", and "Superfly". CD
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Paul McCartney & Wings —
Band On The Run ... CD Capitol, 1973. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of the most brilliant moments of genius from Paul McCartney & Wings – and a set that has Paul working with the group in perfect album formation – able to craft enough songs that became hit singles, yet also fit the whole thing together in a superb sonic reality that made the whole thing even more wonderful as a full length record! The shift of moods, tones, and sounds are as varied as the choice of celebrities appearing with the group on the cover – and the interplay between Paul, Linda, and Denny Laine has really hit its stride – on titles that include one of our all-time Wings favorites, "Nineteen Hundred Eighty Five" – plus "Band On The Run", "Bluebird", "Jet", "Mrs Vanderbilt", "Let Me Roll It", "Mamunia", "No Words", and "Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)". CD
Also available Band On The Run ... LP 13.9932
Various —
Studio One Story (CD & DVD – NTSC version) ... CD Soul Jazz (UK), 1960s/
To say this one's been a long time coming would be an understatement! This awesome set features a 4 hour (!) DVD, loaded with rare footage of the Skatalites, Jackie Mittoo and Ernest Ranglin, plus in-depth interviews with Dodd and a whole host of artists that had worked their way through the Studio One stable throughout the years. Then there's the 16 track CD – a fitting complement to the film and next worthy installment in the fine series of compilations of Studio One material that Soul Jazz has undertaken, this time spanning all the genres that Studio One would cover, including ska, rocksteady, roots and dancehall, including Theo Beckford "Easy Snapping", The Skatalites "Guns Of Navarone", Delroy Wilson "Dancing Mood", The Heptones "Baby", Alton Ellis "I'm Still In Love With You", Tommy McCook "Tunnel One", Sugar Minott "Jah Jah Children", The Dub Specialist "Banana Walk", Dennis Alcapone "Run Run", The Lone Ranger "Love Bump" and Jackie Mittoo "Freak Out". And if that weren't enough, there's the 100 page booklet, loaded with photos and a complete history of the label, making this choice set one of the nicest packages we've come across in a long, long time! CD
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