Two small group albums featuring Armstrong on trumpet and vocal, Ellington on piano, Trummy Young on trombone, and Barney Bigard on clarinet. (Jazz) CD
Not as "adult" as you might think – at least given the way the word is used today – but pretty great work by Pearl nonetheless! The tunes themselves are a bit "blue" in terms of subject matter – tales of girls with hot pants, loose love, and the kind of ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
A killer set from Count Basie – recorded during the height of his years at Roulette! The back cover of the record proclaims that "Basie Is Back Home" – clearly a bit by Birdland to lay claim to being the Count's home address, which is a bit of a challenge to his KC roots! ... (Jazz) read moreCD
The genius of Basie meets the genius of Quincy Jones – a 60s pairing that's every bit as great as the 50s pairing of Basie and Neal Hefti! Jones and Basie worked together in a number of settings during the 60s – including a very successful album for Frank Sinatra on Reprise – but ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Tremendous work from one of the greatest pairings in 50s jazz – the crack later group of Count Basie and the amazing arranging talents of the great Neal Hefti! Hefti later went onto greater fame as a 60s soundtrack composer, but back in the day him and Basie were an incredible team together ... (Jazz) read moreCD
One of THE seminal Basie albums of all time – and a masterful pairing between the Count and arranger Neal Hefti! Hefti has an amazing ear for the Basie groove, and he works here to re-fit the overall sound of the group with a tighter, more fluid approach – one that ensured that they'd ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Killer work from an incredibly productive (and soulful!) period in Count Basie's career – mostly recorded between 1958 and 1962! Features material from a huge number of albums – including rare tracks from some Roulette compilations and samplers, and records with Joe Williams and ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Sarah Vaughan gets some backing from Count Basie – making for a record that's one of her jazziest and swinging of the time! As with other Basie-related vocal sessions from the early 60s, this one has a soulful edge and a nice little bounce – one that makes for a more solid approach ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A drum-heavy spectacular – featuring four of the top hardbop drummers of the late 50s, all recorded live at Birdland, soloing back and forth in larger groups that really make the whole thing cook! Although the cover and title might make you think the record's a novelty, it's way more than ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Mellow but compelling work from Betty Carter – singing here with the Norman Simmons trio in an album of material pulled from 2 different live dates in 1969. There's a few nice numbers where the group really opens up – and Betty pushes the envelope vocally, in a style that she'd explore ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Mellow but compelling work from Betty Carter – singing here with the Norman Simmons trio in an album of material pulled from 2 different live dates in 1969. There's a few nice numbers where the group really opens up – and Betty pushes the envelope vocally, in a style that she'd explore ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
A great CD set that features incredible material from John Coltrane – a rare session for Roulette as a split LP with Lee Morgan! The CD features the side of Coltrane's work – which features him playing with an unusual quartet that includes McCoy Tyner, plus bassist Steven Davis and ... (Jazz) read moreCD
One of Chris Connor's most obscure albums from the 60s – and one of her nicest too! The record's got a less polished feel than some of Connor's work for Atlantic or ABC – recorded live at the Village Gate, and divided up into "late" and "early" shows that both have ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Chris Connor & Maynard Ferguson —
Two's Company ... CD Roulette, 1960/1961. Used ...
Out Of Stock
Despite any prejudice you might have against Maynard Ferguson, he actually does a damn good job backing up Chris Connor's lovely voice on this record – probably because his band is super-hip, and includes players like Jaki Byard, Joe Farrell, and Rufus Jones. Connor is in fine icy form, as ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
A strange bit of country soul – but a great one, and unique gem from Don Crawford! Another Shade Of Black was recorded by Don Crawford in New York, with bit of a crossover folksy feel that's more like work you'd hear from Muscle Shoals, but it's in a slightly more experimental mode. The ... (Soul) read moreCD
A really great album by Billy Eckstine – much more swinging and upbeat than some of his other 50s sessions, and with a strongly pronounced jazz flair overall! The album's supposedly recorded live in Vegas in the wee hours of the morning, and features Billy blowing a bit of trumpet as well as ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Later work by Billy Eckstine – a nice little album from the early 60s, recorded in a dark and somber tone that shows a whole new side to his voice! The album features amazingly restrained arrangements by Billy May – a mix of jazz and strings that has a sadder, deeper style than before ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
An excellent live performance – presented here with loads of unreleased tracks! Players include Clark Terry and Cat Anderson on trumpets, Quentin Jackson on trombone, and Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, and Paul Gonsalves on saxes! (Jazz) CD
A really rare batch of garage psych from late 60s DC scene – served up on a record that barely got any circulation at the time! The oft-overlooked Fallen Angels were signed to Roulette in the late 60s, and the group only made a couple of albums – Roulette bailed when it became obvious ... (Rock) read moreCD
2 lesser-known gems from a young Maynard Ferguson – back to back on a single CD! First up is Plays Jazz For Dancing – a record that hones the usual Ferguson groove a bit more for the dancefloor, yet still keeps in plenty of room for the sorts of solo space that Maynard first forged ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Two different quartet sessions – the first with Al Haig, Tommy Potter, and Roy Haynes; the second with Horace Silver, Joe Calloway, and Walt Bolden. (Jazz) CD
(Out of print 1991 CD pressing with a thin cutout through the spine.)
A great CD that combines volumes 1 and 2 of Stan's early live recordings at Storyville – excellent small group sessions done with a group that includes Jimmy Raney on guitar, Al Haig on piano, Teddy Kotick on bass, and Tiny Kahn on drums. The mix of guitar and tenor is great together – ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A legendary Latin funk album – spearheaded by Eddie Palmieri! The record is a landmark crossover album from the early 70s – cut at the end of the Latin soul era, but featuring that genre's wonderful mix of Puerto Rican soul, Spanish Harlem Latin, and New York funk – which are ... (Latin) read moreCD
A huge amount of material from Tommy James & The Shondells – a group that most people know for a string of jingle-jangle gems in the 60s, but who kept on making some really wonderful music over the course of the 11 albums included in this set! The group at the start were already pretty ... (Rock) read moreCD
A rare non-Blue Note late 50s session that features Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan – and a stone cooker that feels like some of the best Jazz Messengers dates of the time! There's a chance that the session was possibly cut "under duress", like a number of other jazz albums on Roulette ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A rare non-Blue Note late 50s session that features Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan – and a stone cooker that feels like some of the best Jazz Messengers dates of the time! There's a chance that the session was possibly cut "under duress", like a number of other jazz albums on Roulette ... (Jazz) read moreCD
The cover image of a nude couple running in a field should be more than enough to recommend this one – but the music is equally great, and surprisingly groovy! We know little about Morning Dew (do you?), but they've got a really weird sound that's almost a fuzzed-up and free-thinking take on ... (Rock) read moreCD
Seminal sounds from the great Bud Powell – recorded right at an early moment when the pianist was bursting into Birdland fame – working here with a key trio that features Curley Russell on bass and a young Max Roach on drums! Bud seems to have a bit more color in his keys here than in ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Interesting sides from Bud Powell – billed on the front as "his first new recordings since 1958", which isn't really the case, since he did cut some work while living in Paris. And even more interesting, the liner notes describe Powell as "back on the US jazz scene, cured of ... (Jazz) read moreCD
One of Jimmy Rushing's last truly great albums – a jazz-tinged session of bluesy material, one that gets at his best work of the 50s! The arrangements are by Al Cohn, and have a fluid swing that pushes Jimmy past cliche – working with players that include Zoot Sims, Budd Johnson, ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
An album recorded relatively early in the career of singer Nina Simone – but a set that already shows the very unique approach that would make her a legend by the time the 60s moved on! Even the very first tune is a stunner – a haunting reworking of the favorite "Just In Time" ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
The Johnny Smith sound is a wonderful one – not just the sound that he makes with his groundbreaking work on the strings of the guitar, but also the way he records the instrument – which set a new standard in jazz guitar albums, and also helped pave the way for countless generations to ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Disc has a promo stamp.)
Johnny Smith with Stan Getz —
Moonlight In Vermont ... CD Roulette, 1952/1953. Used ...
Temporarily Out Of Stock
A beautiful document of some of the most laidback jazz ever recorded – the sublime 50s recordings of the Johnny Smith group, done at a time when the lineup included Stan Getz! The tunes on the set feature Johnny's mellow electric guitar setting the pace, alongside wonderfully-blown early ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A beautiful document of some of the most laidback jazz ever recorded – the sublime 50s recordings of the Johnny Smith group, done at a time when the lineup included Stan Getz! The tunes on the set feature Johnny's mellow electric guitar setting the pace, alongside wonderfully-blown early ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A great debut from singer Wanda Stafford – and the kind of set that makes you think she's been recording albums like this for years! Wanda's got a hell of a voice, right from the start – a nice punch that really fits with the choice of material on the date – and with the lively ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
(2012 Japanese pressing – in great shape with obi!)
With Dean Earl on piano, Bernie Griggs on bass, and Marquis Foster on drums. Tracks include "Indiana", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Flyin' Home", and "Body And Soul". (Jazz) CD
Sarah Vaughan may be known for an earlier recording of After Hours for the Columbia label in the 50s – but on this early 60s set for Roulette, the title really fits her style – and is perfect for the mature, melancholy way that Vaughan has of putting over a tune! Sarah always had a ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Two fantastic Roulette Records sessions from Sarah Vaughan – both featuring backings by Benny Carter! (Vocalists) CD
Sarah Vaughan —
Sarah + 2 ... CD Roulette, 1962. Used ...
Out Of Stock
Sarah Vaughan's most stripped-down session – a record that really does just have "plus 2" added to the lady's lovely vocals! Backing here are only by Barney Kessel on guitar and Joe Comfort on bass – accompanying Sarah in a moody, mellow, late nite mode that's far different ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Sarah Vaughan gets some great backings here from Quincy Jones – who brings a nice sort of punch to the record, and makes it one of her grooviest from the early 60s! The style's still somewhat traditional – not as much in moddish Jones modes from a few years later – but there's ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
A bit different than some of Dinah Washington's other 60s work for Roulette – a set that's not entirely back to the blues promised in the title, but one that's definitely got a strong bluesy undercurrent! The backing's, by Fred Norman, aren't nearly as lush as on other Roulette sessions ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Dinah Washington only recorded for Roulette Records for two years, but during that time she cut some of her most fantastic, most mature work on record – all included here, along with some unissued tracks too! The set features work that originally appeared on the albums Stranger On Earth, ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
Some of the most important work ever recorded by Randy Weston – 5 early albums that really pushed the boundaries of modern jazz! First up on the set is Little Niles – a fantastic set that features some of Weston's best early compositions – angular and Monk-ish numbers, but with a ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print, numbered limited edition – in nice shape!)
Incredible work by Randy Weston – light years ahead of his trio material from just a few years before! The album is one of his most progressive from the early years, and features an extended suite dedicated to the newly-won freedoms of the African Nations – with occasional lyrics by ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A vocal jazz classic! Joe Williams had come to great fame as the singer with the Basie band during the 50s, but this beautiful album is unlike his usual work with the group – and shows a sophisticated vocal side of Joe that's really amazing. The album was arranged by Jimmy Mundy, with lush ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
A vocal jazz classic – finally out on CD! Joe Williams had come to great fame as the singer with the Basie band during the 50s, but this beautiful album is unlike his usual work with the group – and shows a sophisticated vocal side of Joe that's really amazing. The album was arranged ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
A wonderful live set from Joe Williams – recorded at Birdland, as you'd guess from the title – and done with a raw depth that surpasses much of his studio work from the time! Joe's really moving past cliche here – using his voice with a power that hadn't been heard since his ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
One of the more obscure albums by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross – a session of Basie tunes, performed with backing by the Count, plus additional lead vocals by Joe Williams, the voice most closely associated with the Basie group at the time! The style is similar to the trio's Sing A Song Of ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
(1991 pressing – includes obi! Disc has a promo stamp.)
One of the more obscure albums by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross – a session of Basie tunes, performed with backing by the Count, plus additional lead vocals by Joe Williams, the voice most closely associated with the Basie group at the time! The style is similar to the trio's Sing A Song Of ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
One of the more obscure albums by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross – a session of Basie tunes, performed with backing by the Count, plus additional lead vocals by Joe Williams, the voice most closely associated with the Basie group at the time! The style is similar to the trio's Sing A Song Of ... (Vocalists) read moreCD