This image is a general representation of the item and the actual product may differ slightly in terms of color shading, logo placement, borders, or other small details. Used items may have various cosmetic differences as well.
Black vinyl that may show a slight amount of dust or dirt.
Should still be very shiny under a light, even with slight amount of dust on surface.
One or two small marks that would make an otherwise near perfect record slightly less so.
These marks cannot be too deep, and should only be surface marks that won't affect play,
but might detract from the looks.
May have some flaws and discoloration in the vinyl, but only those that would be
intrinsic to the pressing. These should disappear when the record is tilted under
the light, and will only show up when looking straight at the record.
(Buddah and ABC pressings from the 70's are a good example of this.)
May have some slight marks from aging of the paper sleeve on the vinyl.
Possible minor surface noise when played.
Additional Marks & Notes
If something is noteworthy, we try to note it in the comments — especially
if it is an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record.
This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip,
cover damage or wear as noted above, or strictly cosmetic flaws.
Joe Williams was really reviving his career as a vocalist at this point – working with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band on a few well-selling records, and on this smoother set with arrangements by Horace Ott. The overall feel is kind of in a swinging Grady Tate mode, with jazziness ... LP, Vinyl record album
A rare oddity – and a surprisingly nice record! Sarah Vaughan sings the words of Pope John Paul II – but set to groovy arrangements by Francy Boland, conducted by Lalo Schifrin! This trio of secular talents helps make the album much nicer than you'd expect – an unusual later ... LP, Vinyl record album
Nelson Riddle arrangements, very much in the spirit of the Capitol years – and titles that include "Witchcraft", "The Second Time Around", "Put Your Dreams Away", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "Young At Heart", and "Oh What It Seemed To ... LP, Vinyl record album
A superb album from vocalist Johnny Hartman – a later date, but one that we'd rank right up there with his important Impulse Records material of the 60s! In fact, the album's something of a return to greatness for Hartman – the kind of date that should have become a jazz standard, had ... LP, Vinyl record album
A great late album from Nat King Cole – one done with some wonderfully rich arrangements by Nelson Riddle, which unlock all the poise and class that Cole had developed during his 50s decade at Capitol Records! There's definitely a slight ear here towards the Johnny Mathis sound that was ... LP, Vinyl record album
A wonderfully moody session from Helen Merrill – and an obscure one too! The album was recorded in New York in 1965 – with pianist Dick Katz leading an off-beat group that featured Thad Jones on cornet, Jim Hall on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, and Pete LaRoca on drums – a combo ... LP, Vinyl record album
One of our favorite albums by Nat King Cole – done with a bit more depth and feeling than some of his other Capitol sets of the time – and some great jazzy backings, too! Arrangements are by Dave Cavanaugh, but there's almost a Basie-like quality to the group at times – never too ... LP, Vinyl record album
Helen Merrill's first album for Emarcy – and a beautiful session of icy vocals arranged by Quincy Jones, and featuring work by Oscar Pettiford, Jimmy Jones, and Clifford Brown. The set's got a relaxed jazzy style that you don't hear on some of Merrill's more full-blown albums – and the ... LP, Vinyl record album
Pure crooning genius from Vic Damone – with fresh arrangements from Capitol maestro Jack Marshall! Marshall's work in the studio was often playful – sometimes a bit too much so, as on his own instrumental albums – but here he brings out a real boldness in Damone's voice, a ... LP, Vinyl record album
A great little live set from Mel Torme – and one that features the same jazzy style as his studio albums for the Bethlehem label from the 50s! The combo behind Mel is a smallish one – Marty Paich on piano and arrangements, Larry Bunker on vibes, Don Fagerquist on trumpet, Max Bennett ... LP, Vinyl record album
A great little album that's often overshadowed by its hit – the 15 minute "B-Movie", which was sort of an overly-wrought protest piece about how the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 was going to turn America into a bad b-movie. Not that that track's bad – although its ... LP, Vinyl record album