Beautifully free alto work from Byron Allen – a player who really shines brightly on this rare session for ESP Records – one of the few ever cut under his own name! Allen's got a style that's right up there with the 60s best from Ornette Coleman or Marion Brown – able to move ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Spine has a cutout notch, artwork has some age spots.)
Byron Allen Trio —
Byron Allen Trio ... CD Calibre/ESP (Netherlands), 1965. Used ...
Out Of Stock
Beautifully free alto work from Byron Allen – a player who really shines brightly on this rare session for ESP Records – one of the few ever cut under his own name! Allen's got a style that's right up there with the 60s best from Ornette Coleman or Marion Brown – able to move ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A double-length set that brings together 2 key early live sets by Albert Ayler – both recorded on the New York scene of the mid 60s! Bells was an unusual one-sided record that featured only 20 minutes of music, performed with an intensity that hardly leaves room for complaints about the ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print.)
Albert Ayler —
Bells/Prophecy ... CD ESP/Get Back (Italy), 1964/1965. Used ...
Out Of Stock
A double-length set that brings together 2 key early live sets by Albert Ayler – both recorded on the New York scene of the mid 60s! Bells was an unusual one-sided record that featured only 20 minutes of music, performed with an intensity that hardly leaves room for complaints about the ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A double-length set that brings together 2 key early live sets by Albert Ayler – both recorded on the New York scene of the mid 60s! Bells was an unusual one-sided record that featured only 20 minutes of music, performed with an intensity that hardly leaves room for complaints about the ... (Jazz) read moreCD
The complete recordings from Albert Ayler's 1966 ESP set at Slugs Nightclub – located in his home turf of the East Village, a very fervent setting for avant jazz at the time! The material has a feel that's a lot like Ayler's studio recordings for ESP, but the tracks are longer overall, and ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A beautifully packaged reissue of this rare set from 1964 – an early example of the genius of Albert Ayler, recorded in The Netherlands for a small audience in a Dutch radio studio! The setting is a wonderful one – a mix of the live freedoms that would really let Ayler stretch out ... (Jazz) read moreCD
The first volume of Ayler's classic set at Slugs from 1966. Ayler's leading a quintet with brother Donald on trumpet, Michel Sampson on violin, Lewis Worrell on bass, and Ron Jackson on percussion. The music is open-ended & free flowing, but keeps coming back to themes from Ayler's classics ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A previously unreleased live performance by Albert Ayler – recorded in France in 1970 for the Maeght Foundation, but not the same material that was issued on the better-known Shandar albums! This concert predates those, and is a unique later outing that's strongly in the spirit of some of ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Seminal ESP work from Albert Ayler – a unique session done as a soundtrack to a short (and weird!) film from experimental director Michael Snow! The lineup is a bit different than some of Ayler's other ESP albums – and features Don Cherry on trumpet and cornet, John Tchicai on alto, ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Seminal ESP work from Albert Ayler – a unique session done as a soundtrack to a short (and weird!) film from experimental director Michael Snow! The lineup is a bit different than some of Ayler's other ESP albums – and features Don Cherry on trumpet and cornet, John Tchicai on alto, ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Albert Ayler —
Prophecy ... LP ESP, 1964. Sealed ...
Out Of Stock
Early work by Albert Ayler, recorded live in 1964 at the Cellar Cafe in New York, but not issued by ESP until years later, after his untimely early death. The performance is a trio outing – with Ayler's tenor alongside the bass of Gary Peacock and drums of Sunny Murray – all freely ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A seminal Albert Ayler session from the 60s – recorded at the legendary Judson Hall with an incredible sound! There's a bold, righteous feel to this record that possibly even tops other Ayler classics for ESP – and the spacious setting makes the notes echo, rebound, and come back ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A seminal Albert Ayler session from the 60s – recorded at the legendary Judson Hall with an incredible sound! There's a bold, righteous feel to this record that possibly even tops other Ayler classics for ESP – and the spacious setting makes the notes echo, rebound, and come back ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A landmark recording – Albert Ayler's first album for the ESP label, and a record that hit the jazz world like a bullet! Spiritual Unity sets the stage for a format that would become huge in the European avant scene of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and even today – the sax-driven power-trio, ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A landmark recording – Albert Ayler's first album for the ESP label, and a record that hit the jazz world like a bullet! Spiritual Unity sets the stage for a format that would become huge in the European avant scene of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and even today – the sax-driven power-trio, ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A landmark recording – Albert Ayler's first album for the ESP label, and a record that hit the jazz world like a bullet! Spiritual Unity sets the stage for a format that would become huge in the European avant scene of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and even today – the sax-driven power-trio, ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Really stunning work from John Blum – one of his few efforts as a lead act, and one that has us wondering why he hasn't given the world a lot more tremendous albums like this! Blum's got this way of attacking the piano that's definitely in the school of Cecil Taylor, an old mentor – ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Really stunning work from John Blum – one of his few efforts as a lead act, and one that has us wondering why he hasn't given the world a lot more tremendous albums like this! Blum's got this way of attacking the piano that's definitely in the school of Cecil Taylor, an old mentor – ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A rare non-Sun Ra session from bassist Ronnie Boykins! Boykins was one of Ra's most long-term players – a key part of the Arkestra for many years – but on this album, he hits a totally different sound –and one that's somewhat spiritual as well! The group's got a great sax-heavy ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(2009 digipak pressing.)
Oscar Brown Jr & Maggie Brown —
We're Live ... CD Magpie/ESP, 2001. Used ...
Out Of Stock
One of the last albums ever from the legendary Oscar Brown Jr – a set that features the famous vocalist working with daughter Maggie Brown – in a setting that's one of the most jazz-based that Oscar's used in years! Backing us by a hip small combo – and Oscar brings a hell of a ... (Vocalists) read moreCD
A rare slice of work from trumpeter Don Cherry – music that's every bit as forward-thinking as his three classic 60s albums on Blue Note! The session is a live one, but the sound is quite strong – recorded up-close, and with great focus on Cherry's incredible horn work – as well ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print, with bonus DVD sampler of ESP titles.)
The third and final volume of Don Cherry's great performance at Cafe Montmartre from 1966 – and work that's even more far-reaching than the first two volumes! The album features two extended tracks – versions of "Complete Communion" and "Remembrance" – done in ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print.)
Ornette Coleman —
Town Hall 1962 ... CD ESP/ZYX (Germany), 1962. Used ...
Out Of Stock
A really unique chapter in the career of Ornette Coleman – an album that he produced by himself in 1962, away from any other label – as an effort to showcase the newly freer sounds of his music! The recording's the first in a really groundbreaking stretch for the 60s – and it was ... (Jazz) read moreCD
One of the most obscure 60s jazz sessions on ESP – a really free outing from pianist Lowell Davidson, working here in a trio that includes Gary Peacock on bass and Milford Graves on drums! Davidson's approach to the keys is quite far out, especially for the time – very much in the mode ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Their second album – a mad masterpiece of hippie freakout from Ed Sanders, Tulip Kupferberg, and the rest – with tracks that include "Group Grope", "Dirty Old Man", "Coming Down", "Virgin Forest", "Kill For Peace", and "Frenzy". (Rock) LP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo pressing with 5th Avenue address – a nice copy!)
Incredible early recordings by The Fugs – a set that captures the group at a time when they still had tremendous power and potential! The sessions were originally done for Folkways, then later sold to ESP – and the spare, earthy Folkways approach is perfect for the group, capturing ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Later stereo pressing with ESP label on Side A/white label on Side B, in a 55 St NY cover. Cover has light wear and aging.)
Godz —
Godz 2 ... LP ESP, 1967. Very Good+ ...
Out Of Stock
The second album from this legendary group – one of the few rock acts to record for the avant jazz powerhouse ESP Records – with titles that include "Soon The Moon", "Squeek", "Radar Eyes", "Travelin Salesman", and "Permanent Green Light" ... (Rock) LP, Vinyl record album
(Original pressing – in great shape! Cover has a few inches of masking tape on the top seam, but is very nice overall.)
The third album from one of the few rock bands to ever record for ESP Records – with titles that include "ABC", "Ruby Red", "First Multitude", "Neet Street", and "Womban". (Rock) LP, Vinyl record album
A classic album of avant percussion – even if the title's a bit misleading! The Milford Graves Percussion Ensemble is mostly just Milford Graves himself, playing on drums, bells, gongs, and shakers – joined on this early album by Sunny Morgan, who also plays drums and bells on the set ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A classic album of avant percussion – even if the title's a bit misleading! The Milford Graves Percussion Ensemble is mostly just Milford Graves himself, playing on drums, bells, gongs, and shakers – joined on this early album by Sunny Morgan, who also plays drums and bells on the set ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Guillermo Gregorio —
2 Trios ... CD ESP, 2023. New Copy ...
$12.9914.99
The title's no lie, as reedman Guillermo Gregorio plays here in two different trios – each of whom get space in different halves of the set! The first half features Gregorio on clarinet next to some very cool vibes from Carrie Biolo, and cello from Fred Lonberg-Holm – a lineup that has ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A legendary bit of Latin from the New York scene of the 60s – recorded by a host of youthful players working under the direction of percussionist Montego Joe! The group's name is a contraction of "Harlem Youth" – a program in which all players participated, as part of an ... (Latin) read moreCD
Billie Holiday —
Lady Lives ... LP ESP, Late 40s/Early 50s. Very Good Gatefold ...
Out Of Stock
A collection of rare broadcast performances from 1949 to 1952 – all of which are issued here for the first time! Titles include "My Man", "He's Funny That Way", "Billie's Blues", "Lover Man", and "Tenderly". (Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album
Some of the most tripped-out music ever from The Holy Modal Rounders – and that's saying a lot, given the nature of the group! This unique early album on ESP features two side-long tracks – both of which are mini-suites of sort, and filled with odd sounds, weird themes, and a strange ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Some of the most tripped-out music ever from The Holy Modal Rounders – and that's saying a lot, given the nature of the group! This unique early album on ESP features two side-long tracks – both of which are mini-suites of sort, and filled with odd sounds, weird themes, and a strange ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A pair of rare albums from reedman Noah Howard – back to back in a single set! First up is the Noah Howard Quartet album from 1966 – one of the most obscure albums on the ESP label in the 60s – and a brilliant early chapter in the career of reedman Noah Howard! Howard is maybe ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Norman Howard & Joe Phillips —
Burn Baby Burn ... CD ESP, 1968. Used ...
Out Of Stock
A lost treasure from the 60s vaults of ESP Records – a session that's easily as great as any of the better-known dates issued by the label decades ago! The CD features unheard recordings from trumpeter Norman Howard, who worked early with Albert Ayler, and altoist Joe Phillips – both ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Steve Lacy's legendary Argentinean recording – one of his boldest moments of the early years, and the start of a long history of superb work away from the American scene! The group here is quite unusual – as players include Enrico Rava on trumpet, Johnny Dyani on bass, and Louis Moholo ... (Jazz) read moreCD
With Bill Laswell on bass, Peter Brotzmann on sax, Sonny sharrock on guitar, and Ronald Shannon Jackson on drums. (Jazz) CD
Allen Lowe & The Constant Sorrow Orchestra —
In The Dark (3CD set) ... CD ESP, 2023. New Copy 3CD ...
$19.9932.99
A surprisingly redemptive set of work – given that it's inspired by a time in the life of tenorist Allen Lowe when he was hardly able to sleep at all! The massive 3CD package works as this beautiful suite of tracks united by unexpected twists and turns along the way – very much woven ... (Jazz) read moreCD
An amazingly soulful set of folk tunes from the late 60s – the only album we've ever seen from singer Jerry Moore, and a real rarity from the ESP label! Moore's got a style that's somewhere between Terry Callier and Tim Buckley – earthy and acoustic one minute, but stepping out with ... (Soul) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Original pressing! Cover has a small scratch in one spot, and back has a small stain – but is nice overall.)
One of the greatest albums on ESP – and a darkly-tinged document that points strongly towards the future of jazz at the end of the 60s! The album's one of the most focused of the early ESP years – and it features drummer Sunny Murray stepping out strongly as a leader – working ... (Jazz) read moreCD
One of our favorite albums ever on the legendary ESP label – and a key session in the best "new thing" mode of the 60s! The New York Art Quartet were a short lived collaboration between trombonist Roswell Rudd, saxophonist John Tchicai, bassist Lewis Worrell, and percussionist ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A pair of amazing records from a legendary group – one who didn't record much, but who really shaped the sound of the avant garde in the 60s! First up is the self-titled New York Art Quartet, one of our favorite albums ever on the legendary ESP label – and a key session in the best ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Rare Charlie Parker material – including a 1948 Royal Roost performance with Miles Davis on trumpet and Tadd Dameron on piano – and a 1949 Roost performances with Kenny Dorham on trumpet and Al Haig on piano. (Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album
(Italian Base pressing.)
Pearls Before Swine —
Balaklava ... LP ESP, 1968. Very Good+ ...
$29.99
The second album by Tom Rapp's legendary group Pearls Before Swine – and a haunting batch of tracks that is far and away one of our favorite rock albums of the 60s! The style of the music is incredible – a dark blend of rock and folk, with slight avant influences, in a style that's ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Original pressing. Includes insert. Cover has a tiny top seam split and looks great overall!)
Incredible work from Pearls Before Swine – a group who were a bit late to the New York folk party of the 60s – but at a level that really helped them evolve past the rest of their scene! The group begin with folk constructions, but really take off quickly with some trippier elements ... (Rock) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
The incredible debut from Pearls Before Swine – a group who were a bit late to the New York folk party of the 60s – but at a level that really helped them evolve past the rest of their scene! The album's sometimes a bit overlooked – as it came out on the mostly-jazz ESP label ... (Rock) read moreCD
(Out of print, limited numbered edition. Sleeve has some light wear.)
An expanded version of the material that originally appeared on the Nothing Is album – stretched out here into a 2CD set that features loads of extra unreleased cuts from the recordings! The core album is one of the best non-Saturn Sun Ra albums of the 60s – material recorded live on a ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Key Sun Ra albums for ESP records – the Heliocentrics World trifecta – in a 3CD set! The work here is a bit more intense than usual – almost cerebral at times, with very contemplative passages on percussion and reeds, offset by strong piano lines from Ra – all in a mode ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Key Sun Ra albums for ESP records – the Heliocentrics World trifecta – in a 3CD set! The work here is a bit more intense than usual – almost cerebral at times, with very contemplative passages on percussion and reeds, offset by strong piano lines from Ra – all in a mode ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A seminal set from Sun Ra – even if it's one of his few 60s albums not on the Saturn label! The set was done for ESP during the glory days of that avant powerhouse – a perfect match, given the Arkestra's relocation to New York, and the label's ability to reach out to big new audiences ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A seminal set from Sun Ra – even if it's one of his few 60s albums not on the Saturn label! The set was done for ESP during the glory days of that avant powerhouse – a perfect match, given the Arkestra's relocation to New York, and the label's ability to reach out to big new audiences ... (Jazz) read moreCD
The second set of Heliocentric tracks that Ra recorded for ESP, with a freer feel than the first volume, and a bit more avant-oriented work overall. Ra and the group play a lot of percussion – and Ra himself is on tuned bongos, piano, and clavioline, which has a very nice spooky sound! The ... (Jazz) read moreCD
The second set of Heliocentric tracks that Ra recorded for ESP, with a freer feel, and a little bit more crazy playing than the first one. Ra and the group play a lot of percussion, and reed duties are held by Robert Cummings, John Gilmore, Pat Patrick, and Marshall Allen. Ra plays tuned bongoes ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
The second set of Heliocentric tracks that Ra recorded for ESP, with a freer feel than the first volume, and a bit more avant-oriented work overall. Ra and the group play a lot of percussion – and Ra himself is on tuned bongos, piano, and clavioline, which has a very nice spooky sound! The ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Previously unissued work by Sun Ra – tracks recorded during the sessions for his Heliocentric Worlds 2 album for ESP, but lost to the sands of time for nearly 40 years! Like that previous album, this one features a smaller version of the Arkestra than usual – an octet that has Ra ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Landmark work from Sun Ra – a rare 1964 performance that features some very early work from Pharoah Sanders, a good deal of which is appearing here for the first time ever! The material was recorded at Judson Hall, and only half the tracks came out on a rare Saturn LP – making this CD ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Beautiful sounds from Rova Sax Quartet – a group who virtually invented their format in the 70s, and are still very much masters of the game! The thing about Rova, is that they're never using an all-sax lineup as a gimmick – and although some horns occasionally served more rhythmic ... (Jazz) read moreCD
An obscure late ESP session featuring Don Rafael Garrett and Zusann Fasteau Garrett in a set of duets on percussion, bass, clarinet, and voice. The sound's a bit hippy dippy in parts, with a vibe that's kind of groovy and optimistic – but at other times, the playing is nice and spare, with a ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Matthew Shipp Trio —
Circular Temple ... CD Infinite Zero/ESP, 1992. New Copy ...
$12.9914.99
A really important early album from this groundbreaking pianist – a set that initially got plenty of exposure at the time, thanks to its placement on the Infinite Zero label – even though Matthew Shipp's piano work was very far from the mainstream! The trio here is tremendous – ... (Jazz) read moreCD
Matthew Shipp Trio —
Circular Temple ... LP Infinite Zero/ESP, 1992. New Copy ...
$23.9926.99
A really important early album from this groundbreaking pianist – a set that initially got plenty of exposure at the time, thanks to its placement on the Infinite Zero label – even though Matthew Shipp's piano work was very far from the mainstream! The trio here is tremendous – ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
An incredible album by avant saxophonist Charles Tyler – and one of his most unique albums ever! Tyler's playing here in a wild setting – alto sax mixed with three stringed instruments, one cello and two basses – which makes for a very unusual sound. The album's got a deep, dark ... (Jazz) read moreCD
(Out of print.)
Mat Walerian/Matthew Shipp/Hamid Drake —
Jungle – Live at Okuden ... CD ESP, 2016. Used 2CD ...
Temporarily Out Of Stock
A new recording for the legendary ESP label – and one that definitely continues in the best tradition of their avant jazz sides from the 60s and 70s! The music here features the lineup of reedman Mat Walerian, pianist Matthew Shipp, and drummer Hamid Drake – coming together in space ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A vision of the future of avant garde jazz – recorded in 1966, and one of the most groundbreaking titles on the legendary ESP label! Saxophonist Marzette Watts is a player who hardly ever gets his due – but was part of the key new wave of younger players on the east coast scene of the ... (Jazz) read moreCD
A freewheeling workout in the classic ESP mode – tenor saxophonist Frank Wright's first album as a leader, and a majestic little session that easily stands alongside the best from Albert Ayler and Archie Shepp at the time! The format here is a bit like that of Ayler's ESP work – as ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Mid 70s issue of some rare sides by Lester Young – recorded as live broadcasts from the Royal Roost in 1948. The group on the set features Ted Kelly on trombone, Freddie Jefferson on piano, Roy Haynes on drums, and Jessie Drakes on trumpet, and you can hear a bit of Symphony Sid introducing ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Very cool stuff – and a fittingly cool collection of work from the great ESP label! If you've never seen one of their samplers before, they're sort of a mad mix of many different styles – putting together tracks in short little blips, filtered out of longer original ones on albums, ... (Jazz) read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(In the black and white cover. Includes insert. The back cover and insert have lots of notes in pen & pencil. Cover has light wear.)