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NWA 
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Exact matches: 2
1
NWA —
Straight Outta Compton ... CD Ruthless/
Benchmark west coast gansta – and one of the hardest hitting albums of the era in any genre! We're not gonna lie, we played this record to death when it came out – and it still holds up better than most of the material put out by former NWA's, and most of the West Coast sound-alikes that popped up later. For better and for worse, the start of an era – with undeniable strength and a production style that'll never get old! Features "Straight Outta Compton", "Express Yourself", "Dopeman (rmx)", "I Ain't The One", the title track, "Gangsta Gangsta" and the only record ever condemned by the FBI, "F*ck Tha Police" and more. CD
2
NWA —
Straight Outta Compton (with bonus tracks) ... CD Priority, 1988. Used ... Out Of Stock
Benchmark west coast gansta – and one of the hardest hitting albums of the era in any genre! We're not gonna lie, we played this record to death when it came out – and it still holds up better than most of the material put out by former NWA's, and most of the West Coast sound-alikes that popped up later. For better and for worse, the start of an era – with undeniable strength and a production style that'll never get old! Features "Straight Outta Compton", "Express Yourself", "Dopeman (rmx)", "I Ain't The One", the title track, "Gangsta Gangsta" and the only record ever condemned by the FBI, "F*ck Tha Police" and more. Four bonus tracks – Express Yourself (Extended 12" Mix), Bonus Beats, Straight Outta Compton (Extended 12" Mix), and "A Bi**h is a B**ch". CD
Possible matches: 5
3
Guy —
Future ... CD MCA/
Teddy Riley's second LP with Guy, one of many groups he held the helm for, laying down the blueprint for New Jack Swing, the sound that would rule modern chart soul for years. Like some of the other music of that era, this LP sounds a lot better to us now than it did then, when we had to act all hard and pump NWA from our jeeps. 16 tracks on the CD version including "Wanna Get With U", "Teddy's Jam 2", "Let's Chill", "D-O-G Me Out", "The Future" and "Let's Stay Together" – plus "Smile", "Total Control", "Where Did The Love Go" and more. CD
(BMG pressing.)
4
Bystorm/
Heady soul from Miguel – a new artist with a great warm sound in his music! The beats and instrumentation are often nicely fuzzy – not crackly cosmic, as on other contemporary singers – but almost with this messed-up feel as if the album's come from lo-fi tapes, then remastered – which fits Miguel's sometimes understated vocals. There's lots of currents of old school funk in the mix – from west coast bass to Prince-styled grooves – but again, they're all filtered together to make a very unique blend, one that's almost like some smokily-dreamed version of funky soul, seen through a bit of a haze. Titles include "Hollywood Dreams", "NWA", "Deal", "The Valley", "Coffee", "Face The Sun", "Goingtohell", "Destinado A Morir", and "Simple Things". CD
5
Smithsonian Folkways, Late 70s/
A huge dip into the history of hip hop – in a set that's something of a groundbreaking effort from the folks at the Smithsonian! If we're honest, we'll tell you that we're old enough to remember a time when folks thought that hip hop was just a fad – when it was a musical style that would disappear in just a few short years. But now, all these many decades later, the form has had such an impact on American culture that the Smithsonian Institute is giving it some official sort of due – something we never would have believed back in the 80s! The package is huge – 9CDs with a whopping 129 tracks in all, and a 300 page book that supports the recordings with an insane amount of notes, photos, and all sorts of other information – alongside a track list that was put together by folks who include Questlove, 9th Wonder, Chuck D, Jeff Chang, and MC Lyte! The set is especially great on old school tracks up through the golden era hip hop years – but also moves into the 21st century too – and artists include Treacherous Three, Afrika Bambaataa, Fearless Four, Cold Crush Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Run DMC, Fatback, Sugarhill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Funky Four +1, T La Rock, Schoolly D, Beastie Boys, Kool Moe Dee, LL Cool J, Eric B & Rakim, Mantronix, Stetsasonic, Audio Two, Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte, Marley Marl, Tone Loc, Jungle Brothers, NWA, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, 3rd Bass, De La Soul, Queen Latifa, DOC, 2 Live Crew, Dr Dre, Sir Mix A Lot, Digable Planets, Positive K, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Naughty By Nature, Black Sheep, Tribe Called Quest, Geto Boys, Pharcyde, 2Pac, Warren G, Gang Starr, Notorious BIG, and many many more! CD
6
Dr Dre —
Chronic ... CD Death Row, 1992. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
The first solo set that Dr Dre cut after leaving NWA – and a record that not only set the tone for his solo career, but also for a huge run of albums from other folks in the years to come! Dre's as much of a production genius as he is a frontman here – really pushing forward some of the best elements he brought to the music of NWA, and also providing a great showcase for the young Snoop Dogg too! And yes, there were so many other records that tried to hit this territory right afterwards, and ended up more in the realm of parody – but the doctor really stays ahead of the pack here throughout, with a record that holds up surprisingly well over the years. Titles include the cuts "F**k Wit Dre Day", "Let Me Ride", "Nuthin' But A G Thang", "Lil Ghetto Boy", "A N***a Witta Gun", "B!tches Ain't Sh!t", "The Chronic", "Deeez Nuts", and "Stranded On Death Row". CD
Also available Chronic ... LP 29.997
Arabian Prince —
Innovative Life – Anthology 1984 to 1989 ... CD Stones Throw, Mid/
Benchmark 80s electro – and also part of the blueprint for the sound of west coast hip hop – the groundbreaking work of Arabian Prince! Perhaps one of the most overlooked innovators of the west coast scene, Arabian Prince played an integral role in shaping the LA hip-hop sound, from the early electro days of Uncle Jam's Army to the gangster rap explosion of the late 80s. With the current electro resurgence in full swing, now is prime time to look back at his contributions, which sound just as fresh today as the day it was made. 10 tracks total spanning from '84 to '89, including solo tracks "Strange Life" & "It Ain't Tough", a few tracks with The Shieks including "Innovator" & "Situation Hot", and production work for others like Professor X, plus the NWA classic "Panic Zone". 2 bonus tracks for the CD: "Simple Planet" and "Beatdabeat". CD
Partial matches: 126
8
Unicorn/
... CD
(Out of print.)
9
Larry Goldings, 2024. Used ... $4.99
Larry Goldings on piano and John Sneider on trumept. CD
(Packaged in a slim sleeve with a light slice on the back.)
11
BGO (UK), New Copy 2CDs ... $14.99 19.99 About May 15, 2024
... CD
12
Nine Inch Nails —
Downward Spiral ... CD TVT/
... CD
(CRC pressing, includes slipcase and large booklet.)
13
Nine Inch Nails —
Downward Spiral (DualDisc pressing) ... CD Interscope, 1994. Used CD/DVD ... Out Of Stock
Includes hi-res DVD-audio stereo and 5.1 surround mixes! CD
(2004 DualDisc pressing with DVD-audio mix.)
15
One For All —
Upward & Onward ... CD Criss Cross, 1999. Used ... Out Of Stock
With Eric Alexander on tenor, Jim Rotondi on trumpet, Steve Davis on trombone, David Hazeltine on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums! CD
16
Schoenberg/Chandos (UK), 1995. Used ... Out Of Stock
... CD
17
Mal Waldron —
Mal Waldron On Steinway ... CD Paula/
A beautiful little solo session from the late Mal Waldron – recorded in Paris in 1972, and featuring (as you'd guess from the title) Mal stretching out wonderfully on a well-tuned Steinway! The mood of the set is softer and more introspective than some of Waldron's other work from the time – no less inventive, but with a quality that's warmly lyrical and extremely tuneful throughout – a great demonstration of Waldron's growing confidence as a solo artist at the time – yet expressed with a thoughtfulness that makes the album one of his real standouts in this mode. Tracks are all originals – and titles include "Paris Reunited", "For Eric Satie", "One For Bud", and "Portrait Of A Bullfighter". CD
18
Mal Waldron —
Mal Waldron On Steinway ... CD Paula/
A beautiful little solo session from the late Mal Waldron – recorded in Paris in 1972, and featuring (as you'd guess from the title) Mal stretching out wonderfully on a well-tuned Steinway! The mood of the set is softer and more introspective than some of Waldron's other work from the time – no less inventive, but with a quality that's warmly lyrical and extremely tuneful throughout – a great demonstration of Waldron's growing confidence as a solo artist at the time – yet expressed with a thoughtfulness that makes the album one of his real standouts in this mode. Tracks are all originals – and titles include "Paris Reunited", "For Eric Satie", "One For Bud", and "Portrait Of A Bullfighter". CD
19
Philips/
A stunner of a record from the mighty Jorge Ben – and a record that catapulted the Brazilian singer to international fame at the time! Ben had already been making magic for almost a decade down in Brazil – and his compositions and grooves left an undeniable impact on the scene in the post-bossa years – but this album has Jorge really emerging as the global soul star he was destined to be – from his powerful stare on the cover, right down to the grit in the grooves! The sound here is a refinement of the samba soul mode that Ben had been brewing up from the late 60s onward – a skittish mix of older samba elements, American soul, and some slight fuller production that really comes into its own here – mixing all the acoustic elements at the core with just a slight electric flourish, but never losing its edge in the process – all to provide Jorge with a sublime backdrop for his really amazing vocals. The set's a monument in funky Brazilian soul – and it includes the huge hit "Taj Mahal", which still sounds great, even after all these years – plus loads of other gems that include "O Circo Chegou", "Domingo 23", "Fio Maravilha", "Paz E Arroz", "Morre O Burro Fico O Homem", and "Que Nega E Essa". A gem all the way through – and a record we'd never part with! CD
Also available Ben (LP sleeve edition) ... CD 4.99(Includes domestic obi.)
20
Philips/
A stunner of a record from the mighty Jorge Ben – and a record that catapulted the Brazilian singer to international fame at the time! Ben had already been making magic for almost a decade down in Brazil – and his compositions and grooves left an undeniable impact on the scene in the post-bossa years – but this album has Jorge really emerging as the global soul star he was destined to be – from his powerful stare on the cover, right down to the grit in the grooves! The sound here is a refinement of the samba soul mode that Ben had been brewing up from the late 60s onward – a skittish mix of older samba elements, American soul, and some slight fuller production that really comes into its own here – mixing all the acoustic elements at the core with just a slight electric flourish, but never losing its edge in the process – all to provide Jorge with a sublime backdrop for his really amazing vocals. The set's a monument in funky Brazilian soul – and it includes the huge hit "Taj Mahal", which still sounds great, even after all these years – plus loads of other gems that include "O Circo Chegou", "Domingo 23", "Fio Maravilha", "Paz E Arroz", "Morre O Burro Fico O Homem", and "Que Nega E Essa". A gem all the way through – and a record we'd never part with! CD
Also available Ben (LP sleeve edition) ... CD 3.99(Limited edition of 2000 copies – in a nice LP-styled sleeve!)
21
Sunset Blvd, Early 80s. New Copy ... $9.99 17.99
A great later document of the power of James Brown in a live setting – an early 80s concert that really cooks strongly all the way through – bubbling over with the sort of non-stop energy that James was bringing to his live albums from the Apollo Theater onward! The group isn't listed on the package, but have all the tightness of the James Brown Band of the late 60s and the JBs of the 70s – and the Godfather is clearly directing them all with his signals from the front of the stage, while he simultaneously knocks it out of the park with his vocals! There's plenty of funky classics throughout – and titles include "I Can't Stand Myself", "Payback", "Jam", "Get On The Good Foot", "Get Up Offa That Thing", "Hot Pants", "Super Bad", "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", "It's Too Funky In Here", "Gonna Have A Funky Good Time", and "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose". CD
22
Donald Byrd —
Blackjack (Japanese pressing) ... CD Blue Note (Japan), 1967. Used ... $22.99
An incredible album from trumpeter Donald Byrd – hard, funky, and with more of an edge than most of his other Blue Note work! The sound on the album's incredibly sinister – really concerned with downward chord turns in moody rhythms – played with a real sense of soul by a frontline that features Byrd next to the tenor of Hank Mobley and sharp alto of the great Sonny Red – really at his best during this period with Byrd! Cedar Walton drives most of the tunes with hypnotic lines on piano – and the rest of the rhythm's cooked up by Walter Booker on bass and Billy Higgins on drums – a fantastic pair who always hint at funk, but still stay in more fluid jazzy territory in a really great way. Titles include the massively hard funky title cut "Blackjack" – plus "Beale Street", "Loki", "Pentatonic", and "Eldorado". CD
(1997 pressing.)
23
Tony Coe & John Horler —
Dancing In The Dark (Japanese edition) ... CD Gearbox (UK), 2021. New Copy ... Just Sold Out!
Really beautiful duets – featuring John Horler on piano, and British reed great Tony Coe on clarinet – a fantastic player who gets one of his best showcases in many years on this set! Coe is fantastic here – blowing the clarinet with the dexterity of some of the best postwar American players – like Buddy DeFranco or Jimmy Giuffre – but with an understanding of more modern tonal elements, which are then blended with a sensitivity that's amazing – that great "second chapter" sort of sound that Coe developed during his fantastic work for the French Nato label from the 80s onwards. Even familiar tunes sound pretty incredible in the setting – and titles include "Re Person I Knew", "Body & Soul", "Some Other Autumn", "Piece For Poppy", "Around In Three", and "Dancing In The Dark". CD
24
Sussex/
There's nothing instant about this album from the great Dennis Coffey – as the set marks a continuing evolution of the fantastic guitar sound he forged on the Detroit scene from the late 60s onward – that wicked blend of funk, soul, jazz, and a bit of rock – served up wonderfully here on a set of sweet instrumentals! This album's nicely different than some of Coffey's previous for the Sussex label, as it's got a few cuts that are quite long jams – both in the seven minute range, and with a groove that trips out at times, maybe a bit like Shuggie Otis was doing during the same generation – but with all these really wonderful charts that have odd elements, and almost come across with an unusual soundtrack/
Also available Instant Coffey (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD 18.9925
Sussex/
There's nothing instant about this album from the great Dennis Coffey – as the set marks a continuing evolution of the fantastic guitar sound he forged on the Detroit scene from the late 60s onward – that wicked blend of funk, soul, jazz, and a bit of rock – served up wonderfully here on a set of sweet instrumentals! This album's nicely different than some of Coffey's previous for the Sussex label, as it's got a few cuts that are quite long jams – both in the seven minute range, and with a groove that trips out at times, maybe a bit like Shuggie Otis was doing during the same generation – but with all these really wonderful charts that have odd elements, and almost come across with an unusual soundtrack/
Also available Instant Coffey ... CD 19.9926
Warner/
A really well-done collection of work by Randy Crawford – one that not only gets at that unique place she holds in soul music, but also one that shows just how much she kept growing as the years went on! Randy's voice was maybe first exposed to folks for her famous work on The Crusaders' "Street Life" – but even before that, she was emerging as one of the elite in a new generation of sophisticated soul singers – equally well-skilled in jazzy expressions and soulful styles, and able to bring a new level of maturity to the music from the late 70s onwards! This great package traces Randy's growth as a solo artist over the course of many albums for Warner Brothers – and also includes some duets, live material, and compilation cuts – really getting at the importance she held in the field at the time. There's a whopping 57 tracks on 3CDs, complete with a big booklet of notes – and titles include "Don't Wanna Be Normal", "Blue Flame", "I Stand Accused", "Same Old Story", "Tender Falls The Rain", "Gonna Give Lovin A Try", "Ain't No Foolin", "Everything Must Change (live)", "Street Life (edit)", "When Your Life Was Low", "One Day I'll Fly Away", "Time For Love", "Your Precious Love (live with Al Jarreau)", "Windsong", "We Had A Love So Strong", "Imagine (live with Yellowjackets)", "All It Takes Is Love", "Single Woman Married Man", "Last Night At Danceland", "Just A Touch", "He Reminds Me", "Knockin On Heaven's Door", "Almaz", "I Let You Walk Away", "Bottom Line", "Cigarette In The Rain", and lots more! CD
27
Bear Family (Germany), Early 1960s. New Copy ... $13.99 18.99
A set that definitely takes the title seriously – as it brings together lots and lots of upbeat groovers from Dion – a few early cuts with The Belmonts, and a lot more from his excellent solo years of the 60s! That stretch of Dion's career is often given focus as a time when DiMucci moved into more serious singer-songwriter modes – but at the same time, he was also still able to deliver the kind of catchy groovers that he first pioneered with The Belmonts – as you'll hear on this overstuffed collection that also features copious notes on this point in his career. CD features 29 tracks in all – with titles that include "The Majestic", "Unloved Unwanted Me", "I Got The Blues", "Lonely Teenager", "Little Diane", "Sweet Sweet Baby", "Shout", "Lovers Who Wander", "North End Of The Corner", "Flim Flam", "The Wanderer", and "Come Go With Me". CD
28
Duke Ellington —
In The Uncommon Market ... CD Pablo, Early 60s. Used ... Just Sold Out!
A fantastic testament of the live genius of Duke Ellington – material recorded from a few different 60s shows recorded in Europe – woven together to make an album that's every bit as magical as some of the Duke's famous studio sides from the 40s and the 50s! The choice of tunes is great – some less-familiar Ellington compositions, highlighted by that fantastic blend of modernism and swing that the group was developing strongly from the mid 50s onwards – even more so than in previous years, with a maturation in both the leader and group members that made whole new heights of colorful expression possible! Players include Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, and Harry Carney on saxes – and Cat Anderson, Ray Nance, and Cootie Williams on trumpets – on titles that include "Bula", "Silk Lace", "Star Crossed Lovers", "ESP", "Guitar Amour", "Kinda Dukish", and two takes on "The Shepherd", which was done for a film about Jean Miro! CD
(Out of print.)
29
Be! (Germany), Late 50s/
Fantastic unreleased work from one of the greatest trumpeters on the European scene from the late 50s onward – and one of the few players who could match the depth and soul of American jazzmen on the instrument! Dusko Goykovich has given us so much great music over the years – in small groups as a leader, in unusual projects as a sideman, and even as a soloist in bigger bands – and here, we capture the trumpet giant at the earliest stage of his career – on some beautiful German radio studio recordings from the end of the 50s and start of the 60s – tight, soulful, boppish material with a slight modern edge – recorded on all tracks with Derek Humble on alto, Karl Drevo (Drewo) on tenor, Franciso Coppieters on piano, and Jonny Fischer on bass. Some tracks feature Kenny Clarke on drums, the rest feature Stuff Combe on the kit – and titles include "Mile Dave", "Omricon", "Perhaps", "Quicksilver", "Solar", "Les Copains", "Salud To Birdland", and "On Green Dolphin Street". CD
30
Cellar Live, New Copy ... $11.99 12.99
Chris Hazelton cooks it up on the Hammond – playing here in a sweet small combo mode that's mighty nice – and with baritone from Brett Jackson in the group instead of the usual tenor! The deep sound of Jackson's horn is a nice balance with Chris' tight work on the keys, and the chromatic sounds of Jamie Anderson's guitar – as the group swings nicely on tracks that also feature drums from John Kizilarmut and occasional conga from Pat Conway! The whole thing's got a nicely different vibe from standard jazz organ sets – and titles include "The Groove Merchant", "Night Lights", "So Tired", "Amsterdam After Dark", "Easy Talk", and "Watch What Happens". CD
31
Now Again/
If this is reality, lead us onward – as the set is a mindblowing batch of trippy psych-funk from The Heliocentrics – even more offbeat and experimental than before, in ways that make the combo the true heirs to the legacy first begun by Stark Reality! The album's definitely funky at the core, but it's also filled with loads of amazing sounds – instruments tuned weirdly, played weirdly, and produced weirdly – so that over the heavy drums, there's often lots of freaky, fuzzy bits and tripped-out sounds – in ways that make the record feel like some lost acid trip outtakes from the Westbound studios of the early 70s – or like some obscure funk band that dropped acid at Andy Warhol's loft! The packaging offers up a visual example of what your ears will be going through when you tune into the music – and titles include "Mysterious Ways", "Collateral Damage", "Black Sky", "Calabash", "Path Of The Black Sun", "Mr Owusu I Presume", "Eastern Begena", and loads of cool interlude tracks too. CD
32
High Note, 2005/
A combination of solo and duo modes from pianist John Hicks – a set that brings together some beautiful recordings from later years of his life, issued here for the first time ever! Three of the album's seven tracks feature Hicks alone at the piano – playing with a richly introspective sound that perfectly illustrates the depth and growth he'd brought to his music over the years – a sensitivity we hardly would have expected back at his start, but one that really started to show beautifully from the 80s onward. The duo tracks feature sublime alto sax from Frank Morgan – another player who's continued to amaze us as time goes by – a perfect match for the sensitivity of Hicks, and recorded in such a way so that the tones of his horn are almost crisper and sharper than ever! Titles include "Parisian Thoroughfare", "Night In Tunisia", "Is That So", "Round Midnight", and "Passion Flower". CD
(CONDITION NOTES: disc and booklet have marker. Barcode has a cutout hole.)
33
Indo Jazz Fusions —
Indo Jazz Fusions With Larry Adler ... CD British Progressive Jazz (UK), 1970. New Copy ... $11.99 14.99
An unusual British jazz group gets even more unusual – with a sound that's even more mindblowing than some of their better-known records! The combo's headed by pianist John Mayer, who cut two fantastic Indo Jazz Fusions with reedman Joe Harriott in the late 60s – working here on an unreleased studio session from a few years later – with stunning guest work on harmonica from the great Larry Adler! At the core are the familiar Indo Jazz Fusions sounds – reeds from Stan Sulzmann on alto and flute, plus sitar from Clem Alford, guitar from Jim Moyes, bass from Jeff Clyne, drums from John Marshall, and tablas from Krishav Sathe – players who continue that jazz-meets-Indian spirit at the start of the set – then step back slightly on the Eastern tip from track two onwards – as Adler comes in with these amazingly eerie harmonica lines – a very strange but compelling blend with the energy of the rest of the group, and quite different than any of Larry's better-known recordings from earlier years. Once things get going, the mix of harmonica and Indian modes really steps up – a really cool mix, with lots of modal energy – on titles that include "Raga Malika", "Serenade", "Raga Megha", "Summertime", and "Sarabande". CD
34
P-Vine (Japan), 2010s. New Copy ... $19.99 26.99
A wonderful collection of later work from this legendary Japanese pianist – a set that's named after his famous Watarase album from years back, but which includes some unusual live recordings and material that we haven't seen elsewhere! Some of the tracks here really break the standard piano trio format of some of Fumio Itabashi's other albums, but still glow in that boldly spiritual, soulful style he brought to his work from the 70s onwards – and the set features one track that's a duet with drummer Takeo Moriyama, another that's a duet with alto player Kazutoki Umezo, a quintet title with tenorist Tetsuro Kawashima and trumpeter Shinpei Ruike, two solo tracks, and one trio number that features Fumio on melodica – an instrument we're not sure we've ever heard him perform on before! Most tracks are titled "Watarase", in variations of his famous tune – but the performances are very different, and mostly include live material from the 2010s, plus one more track from 2001, and a never-released demo from 1981 too. CD
Also available Watarase – River ... LP 29.9935
Rockashacka (Japan), Early 80s. New Copy ... $16.99 24.99
Great work from one of the undisputed UK maestros of lovers rock during the 80s – producer Neville King, who serves up this totally sweet batch of overlooked gems from the time! The groove is nice and mellow – that fantastic blend of contemporary soul and reggae rhythms that really took hold in London and other UK spots from the late 70s onward – perfect for slow-stepping in the more laidback hours of a party, or chilling out back home on your own! Singers on all these tracks are great – nicely understated, but plenty soulful – and titles include "What About Me" by Blood Sisters, "Lady Lady" by One Blood, "At The Dance" by Leroy Simmonds, "It's Love That Makes A Woman" by Karen Dixon, "They Don't Stay Long" by Unique, "Open Up The Door" by Charisma, "The Day Will Come" by The Sadonians, "Love Sweet Love" by Love & Emotion, and "Not My Baby" by The Sensations. CD features bonus tracks – "Hold Me Tight" by Natural Touch, and "Loving Kind" by Simplicity. CD
36
GAD (Poland), 1983. New Copy ... $14.99 19.99
A weird and wonderful lost soundtrack from Polish composer Andrzej Korzynski – done for a movie that was essentially a children's story, but with a great array of unusual sounds and very cool 80s keyboards! The music is very much in par with some of Korzynski's other classics – and maybe has an even more eerie sort of vibe, given the mix of sweetness and dark that comes across – as some themes feel a bit redemptive, but others have a very moody sort of approach! The whole thing almost reminds us of an 80s variation of the same territory as the Peau D'Ane soundtrack by Michel Legrand – and the music also features some straighter electric piano, guitar, and orchestrations alongside a Yamaha keyboard. Titles include "Laser Golaraza", "Wilki Zdobywaja Zamek", "Inwazja Wilkolakow", "Zaklad Golarza Filipa", "Lustro", and "Leckcja Pryzrody". First time on CD – with bonus tracks, and some detailed notes on the unusual production of the film! CD
37
Posi-Tone, 2017. New Copy ... $11.99 17.98
Maybe the first album we've ever seen from trumpeter Josh Lawrence – and a set that will definitely have us looking out for more! Lawrence composed almost every tune on the set, and works with a sense of color that really lives up to the title – on lines that are sometimes nicely compressed and subtle, and blown on flugelhorn – sometimes bold and vibrant, soaring out in the company of an excellent group that includes Caleb Curtis on some especially nice alto and flute! The keyboards shift throughout – as Orrin Evans plays acoustic piano on five titles, and Adam Faulk handles Fender Rhodes on seven more – creating a nice shift in color that furthers the spirit of the tunes, driven by rhythm work from Madison Rast on bass and Anwar Marshall on drums. Titles include "Black", "An Uptown Romance", "Yellow", "Presence", "The Conceptualizer", and "Green". CD
38
Massive Attack —
Mezzanine ... CD Virgin, 1998. Used ... Just Sold Out!
A heavier, darker prime era set from Massive Attack – and rightly remembered as a classic! The grooves are still really strong, but the trip hop pioneers are delving more deeply into a bass heavy dub trip with a deep, rumbling bottom running throughout the tracks and some distorted guitar and reverb drenched key and sample bits punctuating the cuts. Stunningly strong to this day – which is no mean feat given the rapid musical evolutions of the 90s onward! Includes "Angel", "Risingson", "Teardrop" (which features vocals by Cocteau Twin Elizabeth Fraser), "Inertia Creeps", "Exchange", "Dissolved Girl", "Man Next Door", "Black Milk", "Mezzanine" and "Group Four". CD
39
Paula/
Harmony soul heaven – and the only full album from The Montclairs! The group were a sublime vocal group from the 70s – one with a sound to rival The Whatnauts or The Moments, but which also had a bit more of the super-dope touches you'd expect from their look on the cover of the record – a bit like Soul Generation at their best! The sound is sweet, but with an edge – and a young Phil Perry wrote most of the tracks on the record, with a really unique feel that goes beyond simple cliches from the better-known groups of the genre. Oliver Sain produced, and although the record came out on Jewel, it's got much more of a New Jersey feel than other work on the label. Titles include "Dreaming's Out Of Season", "Grand Finale", "Just Can't Get Away", "Prelude to a Heartbreak", "Do I Stand a Chance", and "Unwanted Love". CD features 9 more bonus tracks from singles – including "Make Up For Lost Time", "I Need You More Than Ever", "Hung Up On Your Love", "I'm Calling You", "Dawn Of My Life", "Out My Back Door", and "Ease The Pain". CD
40
Blue Note (Japan), 1968. New Copy ... $18.99 22.99 About May 22, 2024
One of our favorite Lee Morgan albums, and one of his least known – a set recorded in the crucial last five years of his life, and a sparkling mix of hard bop, soul jazz, and slight bits of modernism – that magical mix that Lee was hitting as he reached farther and farther with his music – an amazing legacy in jazz that has us loving every Morgan session from 1965 onward! Lee's playing in very comfortable territory, with a group that includes Bennie Maupin on tenor, Cedar Walton on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – but that doesn't mean that the proceedings are relaxed at all, because the interplay between the players is flawless, and they use their familiarity as a great springboard to soar off into rich new territory. Lee wrote all the tunes on the record – like "Caramba", "Suicide City", and "Soulita". An excellent record throughout, and one that we'd never part with! CD
Also available Caramba (180 gram pressing) ... LP 25.9941
One For All with George Coleman —
Big George (with bonus tracks) ... CD Smoke Sessions, 2024. New Copy ... $13.99 16.99
Legendary tenorist George Coleman adds his voice to the One For All combo on a number of tracks here – making the already-great combo even better! For years, One For All has always boasted tremendous tenor work from the mighty Eric Alexander – but more recently, Alexander has also begun to play alto work – which he does here on a few tracks that then allow Coleman to step up strongly – blowing with that soulful depth that he's been bringing to recording sessions from the 60s onwards, maybe even better here with the passage of years! And the rest of the all-star lineup is equally great – Jim Rotondi on trumpet, Steve Davis on trombone, David Hazeltine on piano, John Webber on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Coleman blows on the titles "Oscar Winner", "This I Dig Of You", and "My Foolish Heart" – and other tracks include "Chainsaw", "In The Lead", and "Edgerly". CD has three bonus tracks – "Leemo", "Cove Island Breeze", and "The Nearness Of You". CD
Also available Big George ... LP 25.9942
Prefab Sprout —
Steve McQueen ... CD Kitchenware/
One of the undeniable mainstream treasures of the 80s – the second album from Prefab Sprout, and a masterpiece of gentle soul that forever changed the sound of adult pop! The rhythms are a bit more straightforward than on the group's debut – and they're working with less of the quirky time changes or offbeat instrumental flourishes of that set. But the loss here is really a gain – as the more direct method of songwriting really brings a focus onto the amazing lyrics of Paddy McAloon, and gives them a more subtle presentation that only makes the genius that much more captivating. Titles include "When Love Breaks Down", "Horsin Around", "Desire As", "Blueberry Pies", "Moving The River", and "When The Angels". Expanded CD version features a full disc of bonus acoustic versions of songs by Paddy McAloon – 8 tracks from the album, recently re-recorded and sounding really wonderful! CD
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Tomeka Reid —
3 + 3 ... CD Cuneiform, 2024. New Copy ... $14.99 16.99
A really beautiful intersection of sounds – served up here by a really well-matched group led by Tomeka Reid on cello, with guitar from Mary Halverson, bass from Jason Roebke, and drums from Tomas Fujiwara! Reid has always been great, but in recent years she really seems to be knocking it out of the park, and giving us surprises we never would have expected years ago – something that's definitely the case with Halvorson, who's got a nicely different quality here than on her own albums – still all the great phrasing, but with a different focus – maybe in part because the rock-solid basswork of Roebke seems to hold the whole thing together so well. Titles include "Turning Inward/
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Ace (UK), 1980s/
Never-heard work from the legendary Rodion GA – an artist who barely issued any material during the 20th century, but who's become a real electronic music legend in more recent years! Rodion hails from Hugary, where he worked underground recording all these cool cuts from the 80s onward – material that's a blend between cold wave grooves and more synth-based sound library material – usually instrumental, and with some dark currents on most tracks that really make for some striking sounds throughout! All the cuts here are from Rodion's archive, and even the later ones have an analog vibe that feels like lost cassette culture electronic nuggets from the early 80s – brought forth here with great treatment and detailed notes from Ace Records! The package features 21 tracks in all – and titles include "Vine Iarna", "Tu Rea Ce Esti", "Halou Cosmic", "Aminitiri", "The Final Farewell", "Catacombe", "Acolo Unde E Mister", "Punct", "Balkan", "Stele Si Lumini", and "Intervale". CD
Also available From The Archives – 1981 to 2017 ... LP 28.9945
Milestone, 1998. Used ... $1.99
Sonny Rollins takes to global warming years before An Inconvenient Truth – blowing with a tone that's rich enough to power a whole city on its own! The album features Sonny in two different groups – one a quartet with Stephen Scott on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Idris Muhammad on drums – the other a bit larger, still with Scott and Cranshaw, but also featuring Clifton Anderson on trombone, Perry Wilson on drums, and Victor See Yuen on percussion. Some tunes have that island-tinged style that Rollins started exploring from his RCA years onward – and titles include "Global Warming", "Island Lady", "Echo-Side Blue", "Change Partners", and "Mother Nature's Blues". CD
(Digipak case is lightly wrinkled, nothing major.)
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Amy Sheffer, 2023. New Copy ... $11.99 13.99
Vocalist Amy Sheffer works with an all-star cast here – a very cool quartet that includes Billy Bang on violin, William Parker on bass, and Lou Grassi on drums! Bang is especially great, and his work on violin often recalls the spirit of the 80s work that really made us fall in love with his music – a great companion to the offbeat vocalizations of Sheffer, who certainly channels some of the more groundbreaking vocal jazz modes that emerged from the 70s scene onwards. The tracks were recorded in 2001, and some just feature Sheffer's voice with drums – on titles that include "You Rise", "Words From TS", "Drone Bone", "Improv", "Museeum", "Hovering", and "Bleddidit". CD
47
Mavis Staples —
You Are Not Alone ... CD Anti, 2010. Used ... $3.99
A rawly beautiful set from Mavis Staples – produced by Jeff Tweedy, and we think it's her best of the past decade! There's a roomy, lived in vibe that's achingly effective on this one – the core group is her road band, with additional players including Tweedy, Patrick Sansone, Mark Greenberg, Richard Parenti, and the angelic backing vocals of Kelly Hogan and Nora O'Connor. Includes a pair of new originals written for Mavis by Jeff Tweedy – the soulful and spirited "You Are Not Alone" and the sly, swaggery "Only The Lord Knows" – plus roosty soul reworkings of traditionals "In Christ There Is No East Or West", "Creep Along Moses" and "Wonderful Savoir", the Roebuck Staples gems "Don't Knock" and "Downward Road, Allen Toussaint's "Last Train", the Rev. Gary Davis penned "I Belong To The Band" and more. CD
(Penmark through barcode.)
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Nimbus, 1983. New Copy ... $9.99
Moody genius from the great Horace Tapscott – a solo piano session from 1983, but one that's played with all the pride and power of his larger group recordings! The tunes are a mixture of familiar jazz standards and Tapscott originals – taken in readings that are spare and thoughtful, yet which are shorter and a bit more economical than those on some of the other Tapscott solo sessions. The recording quality is extremely beautiful – as Horace's work on the keys echoes out with a sense of poise and grace that is immediately captivating. Titles include "It Never Happened Before", "Afro Blue", "Love In Bloom", "Strollin", "Whisper Not", and "Anwar". CD
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Hatology (Switzerland), 2000/
A pair of burning 21st Century recordings by Per Henrik Wallin – easily one of the greatest free jazz pianists working the European scene for the past few decades – as you'll certainly hear on this set! CD 1 features duets between Wallin and drummer Sven Akie Johansson – recorded in an intimate setting in Wallin's apartment, but played with a full sense of explosive energy that would easily rival the best live work by either player. The performance runs for nearly an hour, and features 10 segments, all numbered versions of "Proklamation". CD 2 is a live date from Amsterdam – one that features a trio with Peter Janson on bass and Leif Wennerstrom on drums – working with Wallin in a mode that's certainly a bit more inside than the first one, but no less creative overall. Echoes of piano modernism from the 50s onward characterize many of the numbers – and Wallin brings together a legacy of key players into dialectic with his own approach – shifting back and forth beautifully, and showing a command of the keyboard that's simply breathtaking. Titles include "Farewell To Sweden", "Winter Rap", "Work", "PH's Delight", "Time Waits", "Voodoo", and "The Question Of Evoking". CD
(Sleeve has some wear.)
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Delmark, 2016. Used ... $4.99
Nicely tight work from Mike Wheeler – a contemporary bluesman on the Chicago scene who strongly continues the legacy of the city from the 60s onward – from his work on guitar, to his soulful lead vocals, to his talent for penning a tune! The work here is all original material by Wheeler – tunes that almost have more of a soul structure at times, but which are given a definite electric blues spin in Mike's guitar leads – and the cooking work of his group, which adds in an extra trumpet and tenor to the usual quartet. Titles include "You Won't Do Right", "A Blind Man Can See", "I'm Hooked", "Talking To Myself", "Turn Up", "Yeah", and "Sweet Girl". CD
(Punch through barcode.)
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Cellar Live, 2024. New Copy ... $11.99 12.99
A record from a pianist we totally love, but one who also seems to have really unfurled a bold new chapter in his life as well – with music that's very different than some of the previous albums that Spike Wilner's given us, full of joy, life, and this boundless sense of optimism that comes as a real surprise! Spike's never been one to be lazy on the keys – but here, he feels like he's bursting forth with all this fresh imagination – as if he's seen some sort of life that's driving him onward, and which is also shared by trio members Paul Gill on bass and Anthony Pinciotti on drums – a group who seem to move effortlessly, driven by the vision of the leader. Titles include "Contrafactus", "Happy Ending", "Cognitive Dissonance", "At First Blush", "Kinetic Neurosis", and "Ants Go Marching". CD
52
Various —
City Music Tokyo – Multiple ... CD Gearbox (UK), 1980s/
A really great dive into the city pop years of Japanese music – and a collection that's a bit different than some others, in that it not only presents gems from the 80s, but also follows the evolution of city pop modes into later decades as well! There's a nice variety of styles here – some in the smooth, soulful modes that originally helped set this moment in Japanese music – a growth that came out of earlier jazz fusion experiments with vocals, and which then moves into modes that were more tuneful and focused – but also maybe make more use of the Japanese language at the core. Things then evolve nicely as technologies change slightly and new elements come into the mix – really expanding out in sound over the 16 tracks in the set. Titles include "FWY" by Hiroshi Sato, "Nostalgic Spaceman" by Chikako Ueno, "Weekend Night" by Mitsuko Horie, "Harumi Futo" by Kyko Furuya, "Fly High" by Escalators, "Edo River" by Carnation, "Stardust Night" by Jadoes, "Don't Call Me On The Phone" by Keiko Kimura, "Samugari" by Tomoki Kikuchi, "Mayonaka No Denwa" by Yumi Seino, "Moonlight Starlight" by Namihiko Ohmura, and "Futari Bun No Atsui Yme" by Yashui Nakanishi. CD
Also available City Music Tokyo – Multiple ... LP 29.9953
Kindred Spirits (Netherlands), 2006. New Copy ... $7.99 18.99
Spiritual jazz both old and new – a collection that really gets past the obvious sides of the genre, and brings together a range of unusual work from the 70s onward! The tracks here are a great antidote to the well-traveled territory of labels like Impulse or Strata East Records – and are mostly from lesser-known sources that include tiny indies from the 80s, and a few ground breaking imprints from recent years! There's definitely a vibe here that holds strongly in the spirit of John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, and other innovators from the end of the 60s – but the sound is especially fresh given the obscurity of the tunes. Titles include "For Our Souls" by Doug Hammond, "Amazona" by Francisco Mora Catlett, "The Mystery Of Man" by Sarah Vaughan, "Better Than That" by Nomo, "Gol E Gandom" by Lloyd Miller, "Motherless Child" by Brother Ah, "A Love Supreme" by Dwight Trible, "Why" by Woody Shaw with Carter Jefferson, "Rwanda" by Francis Bebey, "Come Sunday" by Stanley Cowell, and "En El Amanecer Del Tiempo". CD
Also available Free Spirits Vol 1 ... LP 13.9954
Fremeaux & Associates (France), 1930s/
A really cool set, and one that goes way past the usual 60s soul and pop modes that usually define a girl group compilation – as this one goes way way back, and traces female harmony modes from the early swing years onwards – served up in a massive 82 track package that's overflowing with surprises! The material really shows the evolution of the mode in a great way – mixing early 78rpm tracks with postwar 45s and LP titles – in modes that include jazz, soul, R&B, and pop – all supported by the usual great French and English notes that we love from this label! CD3 features all early 60s material, with a few decades spanned on the previous 2CDs – work by artists who include Daindridge Sisters, Angels, Blossoms, Cookies, Poni-Tails, Bonnie Sisters, Beverly Sisters, Clark Sisters, Shirley Gunter & The Queens, Paulette Sisters, Chordettes, Raelettes, Quin-Tones, Paris Sisters, Royalettes, Starletts, Charmaines, Dinning Siters, Fontaine Sisters, Boswell Sisters, The Enchanters, and others. CD
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Various —
Keb Darge & Paul Weller Present Lost & Found – Real R&B Sound ... CD BBE (UK), Late 50s/
A fantastic compilation of stirring soul, raw r&b, and all around amazing group and solo numbers from the first wave years of the 50s onward into the 70s – put together by impeccable taste maker Keb Darge and the unstoppable, soul reverent Paul Weller! This second Lost & Found set from BBE picks up on strains of the original set, which was compiled by Darge & Cut Chemist and focused on jump blues & rockabilly. This one touches on the former, but brings in boundless soul numbers in place of the latter, from stripped down r&b, to soaring group soul harmonies, to more arranged numbers that still carry a gritty soul spirit. 15 selections by Keb Darge and 13 selections by Paul Weller for 28 tracks in all! Darge's choice selections include "They Call Me Big Momma" by Big Mama Thornton, "Come On Back" by Brothers Of Soul, "You Don't Love Me" by Epitome Of Sound", "A Dream" by The Creations, "I Want You" by The Cadets, "Don't Forget To Remember" by The Great Experience and more. Paul Weller's choice jams include "Hang On There" by The Intruders, "All I Do Is Think About You" by Tammi Terrell, "Wear It On Your Face" by The Dells, "Ain't No Big Thing" by The Radiants, "The Ice-Man" by Billy Watkins, "I Got Love If You Want It" by Slim Harpo and more. CD
(Out of print.)
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Now Again, Late 90s/
The long-awaited third volume Original Raw Soul – a set that pulls together rare funky soul singles by the revolving roster of players led by the Whitefield Brothers – singles that ultimately became just as rare as the obscure funk 45s that inspired them! Nowadays, The Whitefield Brothers, their Poets Of Rhythm and associated acts can be credited for spurring the funk & raw soul revival of the 00s onward. At the time, some of the singles would appear and be hyped as reissues of regional rarities from back in the day – and they're so damn authentic, it was pretty easy to believe! Straight up raw funk instros, some jazzier gems with flute and female vox, organ-drenched jams and more credited to New Process, Poets Of Rhythm, Karl Hector & The Malcouns, Bajka, Whitefield Brothers, Polyversal Souls and more! Includes "Bus People Theme" and "Freedom" by New Process, "Summer Days (Instrumental)" and "Flight To St Vincent" by Poets Of Rhythm, ""Will Power" and "Money For Born, Money For Die" by Transgressors (both previously unreleased), "A Vision" and "The Only Religion That I Believe" by Bajka, "$600 Song" by Mercy Sluts, "Muswell Hill Run" by Polyversal Souls, "The Bastard" by Whitefield Brothers and more. CD
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Various —
Rojac Story – The Best Of Rojac & Tayster ... CD Rojac, Late 60s/
Funky sounds from the Harlem scene – an incredibly rich collection of work from the Rojac and Tayster labels – a set so massive, it's like finding a box of rare funky 45s and deep soul singles in the back of some old record store! The package offers up way more work than we might have expected from our knowledge of a few key funk classics from the labels – a treasure trove of under-discovered gems from the grittiest years of the New York scene – most of them cut in the pre-disco years, with raw edges that almost feel more like southern soul and funk than other work from the Big Apple! This overstuffed set also comes with a sweet booklet of notes – really telling the tale of the labels and related enterprises – plus 44 tracks that include "Where Were You" by Kim Tolliver, "Meet Me Halfway" by Lillie Bryant, "Old Love Never Dies" by Big Maybelle, "Something Special About My Baby" by Clarence Reid, "I Love My Baby" by International GTOs, "No Better For Ya" by Jo Armstead, Love Love Love" by Chuck Flamingo, "Christmas In Vietnam" by Private Charles Bowens & The Gentlemen From Tigerland, "Everybody's Going Wild" by Curtis Lee & The KCPs, "Lovin Lies" by Third Guitar, "This & That" by Jo Armstead, "Don't Lose Your Groove" by Lavell Hardy, "Nwanne Nwanne Nwanne" by Aleke Kanonu & Tolbert The Miracle Man, "Lucky Man" by Damn Sam The Miracle Man, "Baby Don't Cry" by Third Guitar, and "Whip Ya" by Chuck A Luck & The Lovemen Ltd. CD
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Strawberry (UK), Late 60s/
A really cool package that's way more than just the blues promised in the title – as the set brings together work from a variety of scenes and styles, all showing the many ways that American blues had such an impact on UK sounds from the mod generation onwards! There's definitely some tracks here that stick to a slavish representation of the original influence – but the set also includes all sorts of great divergences, tracing the path that so many artists would take from learning blues licks to really stepping out with new sounds of their own in psych, prog, hard rock, and other British styles to follow! There's also some surprising folk moments too – and over the course of 73 tracks, the box follows a fantastic journey – also supported with great notes too – through the work of artists who include Siren, Andy Roberts, Medicine Head, John Martyn, The Deviants, Pentangle, Killing Floor, Jo Ann Kelly, Jellybread, Alexis Korner, Rod Stewart, Mike Cooper, Savoy Brown, The Purple Gang, Al Jones, Bronx Cheer, Dave Ellis, Roger Hubbard, Taste, Incredible String Band, Ralph McTell, and many others. CD
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BBE (UK), Late 80s. New Copy ... $8.99 19.99
Music as lively and colorful as the image on the cover – upbeat work from the second half of the 80s scene in South Africa – music that has a very positive vibe overall, and a sound that's perfect for the mix of keyboards and beats used in the rhythms! The styles here are those which were borrowed – or plundered – by artists in the mainstream up north – but these are the tracks that really made the SA scene back in the day, and have a wonderful blend of synth, basslines, and vocals that often trade back and forth nicely – warming up the music a lot more than you'd expect! Titles include "Crocodile's Rock" by Black Moses, "I Was Born In Africa" by Richie S, "Blackout" by Tools & Figs, "Dayshift" by Dieketseng, "Ximamane" by Joy White, "Chomesa" by Chicco, "Nwananga Washanesera" by Joe Masunga, "Pusa Twala" by Sky Jinx, "Khombora Mina" by Paul Ndlovu, "Johnny Boy" by The Angels, "Don't Follow Me" by Mafika, and "Special Angel" by Babsy Mlangeni. CD
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Victor Chukwu/Tabansi/
Two rare albums from Uncle Victor Chukwu – a hell of a guitarist, and the driving force behind both of these Nigerian gems from the late 70s! Akalaka is a record that's maybe higlife in outward appearance, but which has a very different quality overall – in part because the guitar work from Victor Chukwu is so sharp and searing, there's often a bit more edge on some of the tunes than the lighter, brighter notes you'd usually associate with the genre! Plus, the vocals have this nicely echoey vibe – ringing out with a quality that's equally great, whether the lyrics are in English or Igbo – on long titles that include "Akalaka", "Born Throw Away", "Ogbu Mmadu", and "Nwanne Bu Nwanne". Next up is an album that Victor Chukwu did with the Black Irokos group – a set that's even more striking, and almost experimental at times – with all these odd elements played right down near the bottom of the guitar strings, which are then echoed out with effects that make them sound very cool next to the percussion! There's a bit of horns in the mix, but the guitar and offbeat vocals are the main appeal – on the long tracks "Onwu Uwa", "Anya Ukwu", and "Oge Chukwu Ka Nma". CD
Also available Akalaka/61
Gildo Mahones —
Gildo Mahones Trio – For All We Know ... CD Interplay/
One of the few albums as a leader cut by pianist Gildo Mahones – an incredible talent from the 50s onward, and a soulful genius on the keys that we'd rank right up there with Bobby Timmons or Horace Parlan! Mahones is best known for his work alongside vocalists – particularly with Lambert Hendricks & Ross – but out here in trio formation, he really grooves things up – taking off with warm imagination, and blowing away other better-known masters of jazz piano. The recording's a relatively recent one, but the sound is very classic – and other players in the group include Johnny Kirkland on drums and Bob Maize on bass. Titles include "Estate", "If Dreams Come True", "Summertime", "Strollin", "Sounds Of Time", and "Danielle". CD
(2006 Japanese pressing – includes obi!)
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Spinners —
Ain't No Price On Happiness – The Thom Bell Studio Recordings (7CD set) ... CD Atlantic/
In the early 70s, The Spinners did something that was really wonderful for their music, and instantly made them one of the greatest groups of their generation – they stopped recording for Motown in Detroit, and made the move to Philly to work with the great Thom Bell – the arranger/
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Various —
Guerilla Girls – She-Punks & Beyond 1975 to 2016 ... CD Ace (UK), Late 70s/
Not girl pop, not chart hits, and instead a whole host of hard-burning tracks from the underground – a well-done collection that showcases a huge range of positive, powerful female musical expressions from the mid 70s onward! The set begins during the heyday of the early punk years, and focuses on a few key acts who were offering a great antidote to some of the more testosterone-fueled work of the time – then picks up some especially great pos-punk tracks, before making a brief stop in the early 90s, and ending up with a few key grrrl power cuts from the current century! As always with Ace records, the presentation is as great as the music – very detailed notes that tell as much of a store as the songs themselves – in support of a set list that includes "Survive" by The Bags, "Iama Poseur" by X-Ray Spex, "Kray Twins" by Mo-Dettes, "Popcorn Boy" by Essential Logic, "It's About Time" by The Pandoras, "Shakedown" by Au Pairs, "Das Ah Riot" by Bush Tetras, "Earthbeat" by The Slits, "Come On Now" by The Pussywillows, "Rules & Regulations" by We've Got A Fuzzbox, "What's Wrong With You" by Bratmobile, "Rebel Girl" by Bikini Kill, "I Gave My Punk Jacket To Rickie" by Mary Monday & The Bitches, "You're A Million" by The Raincoats, and "Expert" by Pragvec. CD
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Various —
NME C86 (3CD set) ... CD Cherry Red (UK), Mid 80s. New Copy 3CD ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A amazing look at the British indie scene during one of its greatest stretches – the mid 80s period when it seemed like new labels and new bands were springing up every week! The 2CD set takes its name from the influential C86 collection put together by NME at the time to showcase some of the best work – but this version expands the lineup to a whopping 72 tracks in all, and really stretches the scope to include some real lost gems. There's plenty of great work here from a time before the scene got mis-led by dance rhythms and too many stimulants – a cornucopia of long-lost labels and groups – most of them jangle pop wonders with great talents for penning simple, catchy little tunes! Titles include "World's No Place" by The Jasmine Minks, "Everything's Going Right" by The Avons, "Don't Slip Up" by Meat Whiplash, "Billy Liar" by North Of Cornwalls, "Outback Jazz" by Blue Aeroplanes, "Run To The Temple" by Bogshed, "Therese" by The Bodines, "Happy Head" by Mighty Lemon Drops, "Velocity Girl" by Primal Scream, "This Boy Can Wait" by The Wedding Present, "New Way" by Big Blame, "Console Me" by We've Got A Fuzzbox, "Inside" by 14 Iced Bears, "Darkess & Colour" by The Railway Children, and "Hedonist Hat" by Pigbros. Lots lots more! CD
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Various —
Rough Guide To South African Jazz (second edition) ... CD Rough Guide, 1960s/
A vivid portrait of a rich legacy in jazz – the wonderful sounds that have come from the South African scene from the early 60s onwards – served up nicely in this well-chosen set! The collection mixes underground work with well-known artists, older tracks with more contemporary ones – yet the whole thing comes together with a relatively unified feel – and a strong focus on the kinds of unusual rhythmic impulses that have always made South African jazz so unique. Titles include "Ntyilo Ntyilo" by Thandiswa, "Clarinet Kwela" by Kippie Moeketsi, "Dembese" by Brian Thusi, "Emampondweni" by Batsumi, "Vuvuzela" by Bokani Dyer, "Seven Days Ago" by Allen Kwela, "Dindela" by Errol Dyers, "Kwabulawayo" by African Echoes, and "Tlhapi Ke Noga" by Dolly Rathebe. CD
(Digipak has a bumped corner.)
66
Geri Allen —
Grand River Crossings – Motown & Motor City Inspirations ... CD Motema, 2013. Used ... Out Of Stock
Way way more than you might guess from an album with Motown in the title – and instead, a set that may well be one of the best we've heard from Geri Allen in years! Yes, the tracks are mostly numbers from the classic years of the famous soul label – but the presentation is quite different – mostly solo piano, with Geri stretching out in these fluid, spiritual ways that go far past any familiar melodies, and which really make the songs deeply her own. Plus, the set also features some tremendous guest work from Marcus Belgrave on trumpet on three tracks – stretching out with the kind of righteous, expressive tones that have made us love him from the days of Tribe Records onwards. David McMurray also guests on alto on one track – but the bulk of album is solo piano from Allen, on titles that include "The Smart Set", "Space Odyssey", "Inner City Blues", "Stoned Love", "Itching In My Heart", "Tears Of A Clown", "That Girl", and "Grand River Crossings". CD
67
Baby Elephant (Prince Paul & Bernie Worrell) —
Turn My Teeth Up! ... CD Defend, 2007. Used ... Out Of Stock
Weirdly tripped-out funk from Baby Elephant – a compelling collaboration from Prince Paul, Newkirk, and P-Funk keyboardist Bernie Worrell! The sound here is quite odd – kind of a dismantling of older P-Funk modes, stripped down into a handful of key elements, then re-assembled in a range of different ways to suit the spirit of each tune. There's a good sense of humor to most of the tracks, but also an underlying sense of darkness as well – especially on some of the skits that link together the tracks, done by Prince Paul to give the album a slightly narrative feel. There's a huge amount of guest stars in the mix – including David Byrne, George Clinton, Reggie Watts, Yellowman, Nona Hendryx, and Shock 9 – and titles include "How Does The Brainwave", "Plainfield", "The Search", "Baby Elephants In Thanos", "Even Stranger", "Crack Addicts In Love", "Turn My Teeth Up", and "Fred Berry". CD
68
Count Basie —
Basie In Sweden ... CD Roulette, 1962. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of the most hard-hitting Count Basie albums from the Roulette Records years – and that's saying a lot, given the power of Basie at the time! The set was recorded in Sweden, with a kind of triple-time energy that really has the whole thing burning right from the start – as the group's driven onward by some bold work on drums from Louis Bellson – who's working here with a lineup that includes Frank Wess and Frank Foster on tenor, Marshall Royal on alto, and Thad Jones on trumpet. There's a slight rawness to the recording – still as clear as other Roulette sessions, but with a bit more "liveness" too – a sense of place that really helps the performances sparkle. The whole thing's great – and titles include "Little Pony", "Plymouth Rock", "Backwater Blues", "Who Me", and "April In Paris". CD
Also available Basie In Sweden ... LP 8.99(Out of print.)
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Count Basie —
Gran Teatro Opera – 4 De Septiembre De 1969 ... CD RGS (Argentina), 1969. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
The Count Basie Band at all their speaker-blasting best – heard here in a very dynamic live performance from Argentina at the end of the 60s – during a time when the revived Basie groove was very much in top formation! There's a great mix here between full-on energy and more contemplative moments – as the group have this way of coming together that's pure Basie, and a real refinement of that rhythm he was bringing to large ensembles in years past, taken in even bolder directions from the Neal Hefti years onwards. Yet in keeping with his best tradition too, the record's got plenty of great solo moments – and features a lineup that includes Sonny Cohn and Oscar Brashear on trumpets, Grover Mitchell on trombone, Marshall Royal and Bobby Plater on alto, Eric Dixon and Eddie Lockjaw Davis on tenor, Charles Fowlkes on baritone, and Freddie Green on guitar. Harold Jones is mighty tight on drums – and tracks include "Corner Pocket", "The Flight Of The Foo Birds", "Sunset Glow", "Hittin Twelve", "Whirly Bird", "Hay Burner", "The Magic Flea", and "Lil Darlin". CD
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Miles Davis —
Cinema Of Miles Davis ... CD El (UK), Late 50s/
A compelling exploration into the use of the music of Miles Davis in film – one that begins with a famous French soundtrack from the new wave generation, then moves onto vintage Miles tunes that were used in other movies over the years! The core of the record features Davis' score to the 1957 film Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud – one of our favorite-ever Miles Davis albums – and a stunning soundtrack that began a rich legacy of jazz scores in France! Miles recorded this material during late-night post-gig sessions with a great group that includes French players Barney Wilen, Rene Urtreger, and Pierre Michelot, plus American ex-patriot Kenny Clarke. Wilen's playing is fantastic, and it's great to hear him and Miles together on the score's spooky meandering passages. Alongside that body of work, the CD also features Davis songs that were used in a variety of films from the 70s onward – tracks that weren't written for the films, but which had strong use in movies that include Lenny, Kerouac, Tacones Lejanos, Ginger & Rosa, Talented Mr Ripley, and La Flor De Mi Secreto. These titles include "Saeta", "Blue Haze", "Tempus Fugit", "Well You Needn't", "It Never Entered My Mind", "Nature Boy", "Solea", and "Blue In Green". Also features a selection each by Lenny Bruce and Jack Kerouac! CD
71
Bill Evans —
Another Time – The Hilversum Concert ... CD Resonance, 1968. Used ... Out Of Stock
Amazing work from one of the most inventive trios ever led by pianist Bill Evans – a fantastic group that features the young Eddie Gomez on bass and the mighty Jack DeJohnette on drums! Both players would develop into strong leaders of their own in later years – but here, on this unreleased material from 1968, it's amazing to hear them already shaping sounds with a new sense of freedom – that mixture of complexity and lyricism that Bill brought to his groups from the end of the 50s onwards – delivered here in the hands of musicians who'd both take that spirit, and run with it even more strongly in years to come. Gomez is no stranger to Evans, and had already recorded often with his piano – one of the most sublime pairings of the 60s – but DeJohnette really brings something special to the group – maybe more of a special sonic range at times that allows him to stand out, yet never distract. As with other Resonance releases of this nature, the material is issued for the first time ever – beautifully produced by Dutch radio in June of 1968, and presented here as an extended set with tracks that include "Very Early", "You're Gonna Hear From Me", "Five", "Turn Out The Stars", "Nardis", "Emily", "Who Can I Turn To", and "Alfie". CD
72
Bill Evans —
Bill Evans Album ... CD Columbia, Early 70s. Used ... Out Of Stock
A pretty sublime album from Bill Evans – one that has him playing both Fender Rhodes and Steinway, overdubbed together, for an effect that's laidback and completely wonderful! The Fender Rhodes was a natural choice for Evans – given his fluid lyrical style, and on this set (and on his equally great record for MGM) Bill opens up with an approach that really suits him well. Each track features him shifting back and forth between electric and acoustic modes, dancing from one to the other in a way that makes the instruments come together beautifully – supported by some incredibly soulful bass work by Eddie Gomez, and drums by Marty Morrell. Titles include "Sugar Plum", "Funkallero", "Waltz for Debby", "TTT", "Re: Person I Knew", and "Comrade Conrad". CD
(Out of print.)
73
John Lee Hooker —
King Of The Boogie (5CD set) ... CD Concord/
A mighty tribute to the music of John Lee Hooker – a set that's got a nice batch of work from his important early years, and is especially heavy on Vee Jay Records material – and one that also includes tracks from his later recordings too! The first three CDs here are the meat of the package – as they feature studio work from the early Detroit years onwards, including some tracks recorded with Texas Slim and Delta John, and many more under Hooker's own name too. CD 4 is all live material, and includes a number of unissued tracks – and the final CD features collaborations with The Groundhogs, Canned Heat, Eddie Kirkland, BB King, and others. The whole thing's packaged in a beautiful book-style design – with 54 pages of rare photos and new liner notes – and even if you've got other John Lee Hooker material in your collection, there's still plenty here to love! 100 tracks in all – 8 previously unissued. CD
74
Hurrah! —
Tell God I'm Here ... CD Kitchenware/
... CD
75
Wanda Jackson —
Best Of The Classic Capitol Singles ... CD Capitol/
Pivotal singles from the amazing Wanda Jackson – one of the greatest female rock and country voices from the 50s onward – who mixes a cutesy coo and a feral growl for a sound that was pretty much unprecedented at the time! The material bridges proto rock and country music in a way that confused the heck outta radio programmers and the label's hope to break her into superstardom back in the day – and Wanda had a voice that could've (and should've) made her a star on par with the Sun Studios boys club. She's tough and tender at the same time – and Capitol producer Ken Nelson is near the top of his game here, too. This really is the best of her Capitol singles – 29 in all – including "I Gotta Know", "Fujiyama Mama", "Honey Bop", "Did You Miss Me?", "Right Or Wrong", "Sinful Heart", "In The Middle Of A Heartbreak", "Mean Mean Man', "Sympathy", You Bug Me Bad", "Silver Threads And Golden Needles", "Rock Your Baby", "(Every Time They Play) Our Song", "Little Charm Bracelet", "No Wedding Bells For Joe", "Honey Bop" and more. CD
76
Jimmy, Yoko, & Shin —
Sei Shonagon ... CD Three Blind Mice/
Some of the coolest sounds we've ever heard from the Three Blind Mice label in the 70s – a trio outing, but one that has the players really changing up their instruments a lot over the course of the album's long tracks – never in a way that's too avant garde or improvisational, but which always has the group really reaching for new sounds! Yoko Sumiya plays Yamaha electric keys, mini moog, and a Steinway – and really comes up with this incredible blend of acoustic and electric elements – one that's sometimes offset by these moody vocalizations that are hardly song, but almost another instrument in the mix. Jimmy Shironga plays acoustic guitar and electric bass – and again also vocalizes a bit, but in this strangely offbeat way that's often far from lyrical – more personally expressive overall. All group members seem to shout with enthusiasm at points – especially when Shin Okabe urges them on with drums – as well as a host of other percussion instruments too. There's never any moments that get too out, and overall there's almost a performative feel to the whole thing – with the band changing moods and rhythms a number of times during a single song. Tracks include "Soul Soran", "Gion Shoja", and "Sei Shonagon". CD
(Part of the Three Blind Mice Supreme Collection!)
77
Fumio Karashima & Takeo Moriyama —
EJ Blues ... CD Pit Inn (Japan), 2011. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A tribute to the great drummer Elvin Jones – the "EJ" in the title – but a set that's very different than the sort of work you might know from Jones as a leader! The legendary Japanese drummer Takeo Moriyama is one of the co-leaders of the group, but his partner, the pianist Fumio Karashima, has this wonderfully round, full, rich sound that almost takes over at more times than the drums – holding that majestic sense of flow we've loved from Fumio's albums from the 70s onward! The group also has some great tenor from Masanori Okazaki, but playing in ways that are different than some of the freewheeling tenorists that Jones would regularly welcome to a session – and the quartet also features nice work from Ryu Kawamura on bass. Titles include Karashima originals "One For Him", "Hangin Out", and "Be Happy Please" – plus the tracks "EJ Blues", "Blood Count", and "Waltz For Monk". CD
78
Wladyslaw Komendarek —
Zycie Robotow/Polskie Nagrania/
Very moody work from Polish keyboardist Wladyslaw Komendarek – an unreleased album from 1990, and one that features a whole host of Korg, Casio, and Yamaha Keyboards – all creating a dark soundscape that's very much in keeping with the image on the cover! This isn't playful robot music, as you might find in the work of Der Plan at the start of the previous decade – and instead, Komendarek crafts a very dystopic sort of record – each track longer than the next, and creating a world where it really seems like the robots have won the war! Titles include "Zadanie", "Inwazja", "Korekta Inteligencji", and "Milosc Robotow". The set also features two bonus tracks added to the record – "Synergia" and "Kepler 1649C". CD
79
Dan Lacksman —
Dan Lacksman ... CD RKM/
A really cool record from the European scene of the early 70s – a set that features rockish vocals and guitar, but also a heck of a lot of moog and other keyboards too – all of which makes for an album that's years ahead of its time! Sure, there had been plenty of moog pop instrumental records from the late 60s onward – and other groups would use the moog to spice up their songs – but Dan Lacksman's maybe one of the first to really use the world of analogue electronics so strongly next to catchy vocals and the kind of production that compresses the whole thing down together in a really great way – effortlessly bridging the generation of early Eno and Gary Numan – but with an offbeat wit that's all his own. Titles include "Monday Morning", "Happiness Is A Cold Beer", "Jet Set Woman", "Skylab", "Sunshine Is Gone", "Love You Every Day", "When We're Looking At The Barmaid", and "Sad Way". CD
Also available Dan Lacksman (green vinyl pressing) ... LP 6.9980
Josh Lawrence —
Triptych ... CD Posi-Tone, 2019. Used ... Out Of Stock
A really wonderful album from trumpeter Josh Lawrence – a very strong-voiced talent who's got a way of being bright and sharp at the same time, and who can always bring lots of his own compositional strengths to bear as well! The core group is a quartet – with Lawrence blowing beautifully over piano from Zaccai Curtis, bass from Luques Curtis, and drums from Anwar Marshall – and the set also features some great alto from Caleb Curtis on two tracks, balancing out the sound of Josh in this strongly soulful spirit! Brian Charette brings some organ to the album's final track – a great remake of the Earth Wind & Fire tune "That's The Way Of The World" – and all other titles are Lawrence originals, with tunes that include "We're Happiest Together", "Composition #2", "Wind", "Earth", "Sugar Hill Stroll", and "Sunset In Santa Barbara". CD
81
Lee Morgan —
Caramba! (with bonus track) ... CD Blue Note, 1968. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of our favorite Lee Morgan albums, and one of his least known – a set recorded in the crucial last five years of his life, and a sparkling mix of hard bop, soul jazz, and slight bits of modernism – that magical mix that Lee was hitting as he reached farther and farther with his music – an amazing legacy in jazz that has us loving every Morgan session from 1965 onward! Lee's playing in very comfortable territory, with a group that includes Bennie Maupin on tenor, Cedar Walton on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – but that doesn't mean that the proceedings are relaxed at all, because the interplay between the players is flawless, and they use their familiarity as a great springboard to soar off into rich new territory. Lee wrote all the tunes on the record – like "Caramba", "Suicide City", and "Soulita". An excellent record throughout, and one that we'd never part with! Also features one bonus track on this CD, "Baby's Smile", which was written by Cal Massey. CD
Also available Caramba (180 gram pressing) ... LP 25.99(Out of print mid 90s pressing with a bonus track.)
82
Prefab Sprout —
Jordan – The Comeback ... CD Kitchenware/
... CD
83
Samba Meets Boogie Woogie —
Samba Meets Boogie Woogie ... CD Adventure Music, 2008. Used ... Out Of Stock
Kind of a silly name, but a really great group – and one without any of the hoke you might expect! The sound is definitely what's promised, a meeting of samba rhythms and older American jazz – but there's a breezy sort of warmth to the record that's light years from standard boogie woogie – much more in the warmest territory that you'd find in Brazilian jazz from the 70s onwards! The tunes are mostly older Brazilian numbers, and they've got a slight hint of nostalgia – but one that's very small, and flavored more by the younger energy of the musicians and singers in the project. Vocalists include Monica Salmaso, Roberto Sa, Mario Adnet, Ze Renato, and Maucha Adnet – and arrangements are by Mario Adnet, and mostly feature small combo jazz instrumentation. Titles include "Adeus America", "O Trombone Do Tribuza", "Brasil Pandeiro", "Tintim Por Tintim", "Conversa De Samba", "Baiana No Harlem", "Boogie Woogie Do Rato", "Eu Quero Um Samba", "Morena Faceira", and "Nada De Rock Rock". CD
(Punch through digipak barcode.)
84
Tortoise —
Standards ... CD Thrill Jockey, 2001. Used ... Out Of Stock
This groundbreaking Chicago combo once again moves away from the pack on what might be their best album – leaving behind the host of imitators that sprung up in their wake. Standards still shows a fascination with the spare and revolving rhythms that graced the group's first few releases, but it's also a lot more complex musically – with plenty of added electronics, noisy guitars, keyboards, and some of the most sophisticated production to date – proof that these guys are great, and always growing as artists. Titles include "Seneca", "Eros", "Benway", "Eden 2", "Blackjack", "Speakeasy", and "Six Pack". CD
Also available Standards (with download) ... LP 25.99(In the original printed case.)
85
Various —
45's On CD Vol 1 – 1956 to 1959 ... CD Polygram, Late 50s. Used ... Out Of Stock
Music from The Platters, Sil Austin, Ricky Nelson, Bill Justis, The Diamonds, Connie Francis, Sheb Wooley, Tommy Edwards, Big Bopper, Brook Benton, Phil Phillips With The Twilights, Johnny Preston, Mark Dinning, Conway Twitty, and Jimmy Jones. CD
(Out of print.)
86
Various —
Into Tomorrow – The Spirit Of Mod 1983 to 2000 (4CD set) ... CD Cherry Red (UK), 1980s/
That's a Paul Weller-looking chap on the front cover – and it's no surprise that his work in The Jam helped usher in a huge new crop of British mods in the 80s and 90s – groups who were really inspired by the same 60s influences that got Weller and his group going a few years before – but also ready to take all those inspirations into great new directions as the scene moved on! There's been other collections to look at UK mod material from the post-punk years onward – but this package does an even better job of tracing those influences in less obvious ways – especially as it stretches to include some of the surprising successes from acts who were less slavish to the initial mod aesthetic, and really did something interesting with it. As with all Cherry Red boxes of this nature, the choice of cuts is as great as the detailed notes on the music – and the 4CD set features 92 tracks in all – by artists who include Knave, The Aardvarks, Five Thirty, James Taylor Quartet, Mood Six, Biff Bang Pow, The Clique, Fine Young Cannibals, Inspiral Carpets, The Undertones, The Times, The Nerve, Dee Walker, Playn Jayn, Big Boss Man, New Jersey Kings, Charlatans, The La's, Stone Roses, and many others. CD
87
Various —
Rock N Roll Era – 1958 ... CD Time Life, 1958. Used ... Out Of Stock
Music from Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Conway Twitty, Little Richard, The Silhouettes, Bobby Darin, The Champs, The Crickets, and more – 22 tracks in all. CD
88
Various —
Rock N Roll Era – 1960 ... CD Time Life, 1960. Used ... Out Of Stock
Music from the Drifters, the Ventures, Floyd Cramer, Jerry Butler, Roy Orbison, Jimmy Jones, Brenda Lee, Jimmy Jones, Conway Twitty, Neil Sedaka, and more – 22 tracks total. CD
89
Becoming Quintet —
One Track ... CD Posi-Tone, 2019. Used ... Out Of Stock
A group of younger players, coming together in great formation that rivals some of the bigger names to record for the Posi-Tone label in recent years! There's a sharpness to the record that grabs us right from the very first note – a strong sense of writing and overall presentation – which has the quintet working very firmly as a unit, even amidst the strengths of its individual members! Tunes include numbers by members of the combo, plus labelmates like Michael Dease and Steve Davis – all delivered in a rock-solid way by Markus Howell on alto, Eric Wortzman on trumpet, Luther Allison on piano, Liany Mateo on bass, and Zac Adleman on drums. Michael Dease guests on trombone on four tracks – and titles include "Free Time", "Onward", "Indestructible", "Last Smile", "That Uncle G Thang", "Stay While", "Twisting & Turning", and "One-Sided Love Affair". CD
90
Captain Black Big Band —
Captain Black Big Band ... CD Posi tone, 2011. Used Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
Luques Curtis, Mark Przybylowski, and Mike Boone on bass, Mark Allen and Todd Marcus on bass clarinet, Anwar Marshall, Donald Edwards, and Gene Jackson on drums, Jim Holton, Neil Podgurski, and Orrin Evans on piano, Chelsea Baratz, Darryl Yokley, Doug DeHays, Jaleel Shaw, Mark Allen, Ralph Bowen, Rob Landham, Tia Fuller, Tim Warfield, Todd Bashore, Victor North, Wade Dean and Wayne Escoffery on saxophone, Brent White, Ernest Stuart, Frank Lacy, Joe McDonough, and Stafford Hunter on trombone, and Brian Kilpatrick, Curtis Taylor, Daud El-Bakara, Josh Evans, Leon Jordan Jr, Luke Brandon, Tatum Greenblatt, Tim Thompson, and Walter White on trumpet. CD
91
Ornette Coleman —
Complete Science Fiction Sessions (including Broken Shadows – plus bonus tracks) ... CD Columbia, 1972. Used 2 CDs ... Out Of Stock
One of Ornette Coleman's best recordings from the 70s – and like his other album for Columbia, quite a change from the freewheeling sounds he was blowing over at Blue Note! The style here is a bit more high concept, but in a good way – with all the edges that Coleman had developed from the late 50s onward, brought into tighter focus for the Columbia setting – given a bit more complexity, although still with plenty of room for freedom – and played both with a smaller combo, and a slightly larger group. The mix of players is as striking as the sounds on the record – and includes Coleman on alto, trumpet, and violin – plus Dewey Redman on tenor, Don Cherry on pocket trumpet, Bobby Bradford on trumpet, Jim Hall on guitar, Cedar Walton on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins and Ed Blackwell on drums. Asha Puthli sings a bit on the larger ensemble tracks – making a rare appearance here before her 70s soul career in Germany – and titles include "What Reason Could I Give", "Street Woman", "The Jungle Is A Skycraper", and "All My Life". 2CD set also features all the material from the Broken Shadows album as well – plus 3 previously unissued bonus tracks. Other titles include "Happy House", "Elizabeth", "Good Girl Blues", "Broken Shadows", "Rubber Gloves", and "Written Word". CD
92
Counts —
What's Up Front That Counts (with bonus tracks) ... CD Westbound/
Maybe the funkiest album ever cut for the legendary Westbound label in Detroit – and that's saying a lot, given that the company was the initial home to Funkadelic! Yet on this stunning full length set, The Counts maybe do that famous group one better – pushing aside their vocals for some incredible instrumental interplay that comes from bumping Hammond lines, wickedly sharp drums, and non-stop riffing guitars – all of which take center stage, while the vocals only seem to be part of the mix to urge the instruments onward! Tracks are long and jamming – ala the early Westbound work from George Clinton – and although The Counts recorded before and after the space of this album, this set is definitely the group's masterpiece. Titles include "What's Up Front That Counts", "Rhythm Changes", "Thinking Single", "Why Not Start All Over Again", "Bills", and "Pack Of Lies". CD features two bonus tracks – "Motor City" and "What's It All About". CD
93
Depeche Mode —
Speak & Spell ... CD Sire, 1981. Used ... Out Of Stock
The debut of one of the most forward-thinking, longest living, unique pop music phenomenons of the 80s onward! Although Depeche Mode diehards might bristle at being lumped in with pop music giants, you really can't deny that they're often emotionally raw, even morose songs, married with a range of synth friendly production got over with a huge audience with pretty astounding success. Here where it all started, with Vince Clarke writing all the songs on this one. Titles include "New Life", "I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead", "Puppets", "No Disco", "Photographic", "Dreaming Of Me" and more. CD
94
Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto —
Getz/Resonance, 1976. Used ... Out Of Stock
Genius material from the team of tenorist Stan Getz and Brazilian bossa legend Joao Gilberto – reunited here in a brief mid 70s period, after their famous Verve recordings of the early 60s – and in a way that shows all the changes both artists had gone through over the years! Stan and Joao would go onto produce the sublime Best Of Two Worlds studio record during this same stretch – but this never-issued live date is arguably even deeper and darker than that record – as Stan blows with the stronger current of melancholy he seemed to unlock in period of his Sweet Rain record and onward – and Joao himself does all the singing here, without help from any female vocalist – with that bluer, more personal vibe he hit on his incredible record from 1973. The maturity and emotion of both musicians comes through right away – and support is from the trio of Joanne Brackeen on piano, Clint Houston on bass, and Billy Hart on drums – all wonderful musicians who also know just the right moment to step back and let the two giants dominate when needed. Titles include "Eu Vim Da Bahia", "E Preciso Perdoar", "Doralice", "Morena Boca De Ouro", "Joao Marcelo", "Aguas De Marco", "Samba De Minha Terra", and "Retrato Em Branco E Preto". CD
95
Gilberto Gil —
Gilberto Gil Songbook Vol 1 ... CD Lumiar/
Gilberto Gil's working here not as the main artist, but as the songwriter – the very special talent around which this excellent set of recordings is based! The package is one of our favorite in the Lumiar Songbooks series – and, like the rest, it showcases the tremendous compositional abilities of Gil – songs that have touched the Brazilian scene from the late 60s onward – presented here in a number of new recordings by some of his key contemporaries, and younger generations too! This first volume features 13 titles in all – with tracks that include "Aquela Abraco" by Tim Maia, "Amor Ate O Fim" by Emilio Santiago, "A Linha E O Linho" by Gal Costa, "Mar De Copacabana" by Leny Andrade, "Preciso Aprender A So Ser" by Fafa De Belem & Wagner Tiso, "Ensai Geral" by Chico Buarque, and "Pai E Mae" by Ney Matogrosso. CD
96
Victor Gould —
Thoughts Become Things ... CD Blue Room, 2021. Used ... Out Of Stock
Victor Gould on piano – with Tamir Shmerling on bass and Anwar Marshall on drums. CD
97
Heliocentrics —
13 Degrees Of Reality ... CD Now Again/
If this is reality, lead us onward – as the set is a mindblowing batch of trippy psych-funk from The Heliocentrics – even more offbeat and experimental than before, in ways that make the combo the true heirs to the legacy first begun by Stark Reality! The album's definitely funky at the core, but it's also filled with loads of amazing sounds – instruments tuned weirdly, played weirdly, and produced weirdly – so that over the heavy drums, there's often lots of freaky, fuzzy bits and tripped-out sounds – in ways that make the record feel like some lost acid trip outtakes from the Westbound studios of the early 70s – or like some obscure funk band that dropped acid at Andy Warhol's loft! The packaging offers up a visual example of what your ears will be going through when you tune into the music – and titles include "Mysterious Ways", "Collateral Damage", "Black Sky", "Calabash", "Path Of The Black Sun", "Mr Owusu I Presume", "Eastern Begena", and loads of cool interlude tracks too. CD
Also available 13 Degrees Of Reality ... CD 5.9998
Homeboy Sandman —
Kindness For Weakness (with download) ... CD Stones Throw, 2016. Used ... Out Of Stock
Homeboy Sandman lyrically on point and fascinating as always – with production and/
99
Shirley Horn —
Shirley Horn Live At The Four Queens ... CD Resonance, 1988. Used ... Out Of Stock
Unissued live work from the great Shirley Horn – recorded in Las Vegas right before her big comeback recordings of the 90s – at a time when Shirley was hardly getting a chance to make an album! That lack of attention hardly matters to Horn, though – as she faces this performance with all of the class, charm, and undeniable soul of her bigger label material – both singing and playing piano with that unique sense of phrasing that made her a standout from the 60s onward – easily one of the coolest jazz talents of her generation – and an artist that we'd rank up there with Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, and a rare few others. The album's got a few especially nice long tracks – which have Shirley stretching out with great long solos on piano, too – in a trio that features Charles Ables on bass and Steve Williams on drums. Titles include "Meditation", "The Boy From Ipanema", "Hi Fly", "Just For A Thrill", "Blues For Big Scotia", "Lover Man", and "Isn't It Romantic". CD
100
Elvin Jones —
Remembrance ... CD MPS/
Elvin Jones towers above his bandmates on the cover of this 70s classic – and really leads them onward to some great sounds within! The record has a bit more focus and soul than some of Jones' other albums of the period – still quite powerful and dynamic, but with a good adherence to melody, and plenty of room for the group members to open up and make some beautiful sounds – including Pat LaBarbera and Michael Stuart on soprano and tenor sax, and Roland Prince on guitar! The twin reed players are wonderful – and work together in ways that are different than some of Elvin's records at the start of the 70s – and titles include "Kalima", "Section 8", "Giraffe", and "Familiar Ground". CD
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