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Ultra Vybe (label)
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Pepper Adams —
Twelfth & Pingree ... CD 
Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1975. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Exactly the kind of session that really lets Pepper Adams show his stuff – full of long, live tracks that really have Adams stretching out on baritone – handling the instrument with soul, depth, and dexterity that might well be unmatched during this point in his career! The quartet ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Enja Jazz Master Works series!)
Shoji Aketagawa —
At The Babel ... CD Aketa's Disk/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1985. New Copy ... $22.99
Two beautiful long tracks from Japanese pianist Shoji Aketagawa – recording here with just he bass of Hiroshi Yoshino for accompaniment – in a style that mixes some of the deeper tones of Shoji's straighter records with an approach that's maybe looser and more improvised overall! Parts ... (Jazz) read more CD
Shoji Aketagawa —
Fly Me To The Moon ... CD Aketa's Disk/Ultra Vybe (Japan), Mid 70s. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
An indie piano jazz treasure from the Japanese scene of the 70s – originally issued on the Aketa's Disk record, and with a sound that's a bit different than some of the bigger-label piano trio albums of the time! There's a real edge here – a harder sound on Aketagawa's keys than some ... (Jazz) read more CD
Shoji Aketagawa —
Soto Ha Ii Tenki ... CD Aketa's Disk/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A rare treasure from the Aketa's Disk label – one of the hipper Japanese jazz imprints of the 70s, and a great showcase here for the mighty piano talents of Shoji Aketagawa! There's something very unusual about the piano that Shoji is playing here – as it's got a tonal quality that ... (Jazz) read more CD
Shoji Aketagawa —
Yamazaki Blues ... CD Aketa's Disk/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1983. New Copy ... $22.99
A slightly different album than usual from pianist Shoji Aketagawa, but one that still follows strongly in the best tradition of his offbeat gems for the Aketa's Disk label! This set has Shoji co-credited on piano and vocals – the latter of which aren't really sung lyrics, but maybe more sub- ... (Jazz) read more CD
Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... $13.99
Gene Ammons —
Gene Ammons In Sweden ... CD Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
An album issued after the untimely early death of tenorist Gene Ammons, but one that features the player working in a nicely relaxed live setting – one that really shows the transformation of his instrument since his famous late 50s/early 60s records on Prestige! Gene's horn here seems to ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Enja Real Jazz Classics series!)
Anacostia —
Anacostia (1978) (with bonus tracks) ... CD Tabu/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Anacostia make the move to Tabu Records for this sweet second set – and they seem to have picked up more of a groove along the way! The same elements as before are firmly in place here – production by Charles Kipps, with supervision from Van McCoy – but the groove is a bit more ... (Soul) read more CD
Ron Anthony —
Oh! Calcutta ... CD Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1969. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A sweet mix of jazz, funk, and some tighter instrumental modes – a set that takes all the best energy of the Flying Dutchman label, and packs it into shorter tracks that have a very groovy feel! At some level, the album's a bit like the work that Tom Scott was doing for the label at the time ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Includes obi.)
Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1969. Used ... $11.99
An incredible record from the glory days of Flying Dutchman! The session's one of a rare few cut by electronic musician Jon Appleton, and it's a stunning blend of analogue electronics and sonic cut up material – a record of musique concrete compositions to rival the greatest work coming out ... (Out Sound) read more CD
(Includes obi.)
Cesar Ascarrunz —
Cesar 830 ... CD Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1975. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Lost Latin funk from the Bay Area scene of the 70s – and an album that may well blow away better-known work by groups like Malo, Azteca, or El Chicano! The album's near-perfect right from the start – and brings in plenty of New York elements to the groove, thanks to the inclusion of a ... (Latin) read more CD
Also available Cesar 830 ... LP 11.99(2018 pressing on Solid/Ultra-Vybe, includes obi.)
Average White Band —
Rare Tracks Vol 1 – Clover Sessions & More ... CD Ultra Vybe (Japan), Early 70s. New Copy ... $13.99
Fantastic early music from Average White Band – lots of 1973 recordings from their famous Clover Sessions, plus a handful of other very early tracks too! The group at this point are perfect – actually, they're often pretty darn perfect, but also have an edge here that really keeps ... (Soul) read more CD
Average White Band —
Rare Tracks Vol 2 – Single Editions & More ... CD Ultra Vybe (Japan), Late 70s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A great addition to our catalog of work by this mighty funky soul band from the 70s – and proof that when it comes to Average White Band, there's so many great corners of their music to discover! As the title promises, the package brings together singles and other rare bits – a few ... (Soul) read more CD
B Baker Chocolate Co —
B Baker Chocolate Co ... CD LC/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Pure genius from the B Baker Chocolate Company – a set that's equal parts fusion and soul, held together by these rich arrangements that really send the whole thing home! The album's never too slick, yet has a sense of perfection that matches some of the best soulful fusion dates at Blue ... (Jazz) read more CD
Also available B Baker Chocolate Co ... LP 6.99(Part of the Groove Merchant Mo' Groovy Collection!)
Gene Barge, David Matthews, & Andre Davis —
Stony Island – Original Soundtrack ... CD TK/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A sweet set of soundtrack funk – from a film named after one of our favorite streets in Chicago! Although the record's got an approach that's perhaps a bit tighter and smoother than anything going down on Stony in the late 70s, it does manage to share a good deal of styles with the Chi-soul ... (Soul) read more CD
Barrino Brothers —
Livin' High Off The Goodness Of Your Love (with bonus tracks) ... CD Invictus/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
The only album ever by The Barrino Brothers – a stellar early 70s harmony group, and one who could sing with the best of the east coast scene of the time! The whole set's got a feel that's very much in the best mode of groups like The Modulations, Soul Generation, and even The O'Jays – ... (Soul) read more CD
Also available Livin' High Off The Goodness Of Your Love (180 gram pressing) ... LP 28.99
Beginning Of The End —
Beginning Of The End (with bonus track) ... CD Alston/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
One of the rarest funky records of all time – the hard-to-find second album by Beginning Of The End! This West Indian combo hit it big with their first album on Alston, but this second set, for some strange reason, never really got distributed – which is a damn shame, because it's ... (Soul) read more CD
Richard Beirach with Terumasa Hino & Yoshiaki Masuo —
Zal – In Duet With Terumasa Hino & Yoshiaki Masuo ... CD Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
One of the most beautiful albums of the 70s from pianist Richie Beirach – and in saying that, we don't mean to insult the rest of his other great American work! This set was done in Japan, and it's maybe one of Beirach's most obscure of the decade – but it's also a really special ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Blowfly —
Butterfly ... CD Weird World/Ultra Vybe (Japan), Mid 70s. New Copy ... $22.99
The raunchy one is at it again – serving up funky, filthy, and funny parodies of 70s soul and pop songs with more than enough bad language to make even the most street hip hopper turn red! The band is nice and tight on most of the tracks, grooving hard with a funky wah-wah sound underneath ... (Soul) read more CD
Bohannon —
Bohannon (with bonus track) ... CD Dakar/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1975. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Brainstorm —
Journey To The Light (with bonus tracks) ... CD Tabu/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A tremendous little album from Brainstorm – funky and clubby at the same time – yet delivered with this righteous energy that few of their contemporaries could ever hope to match! There's a perfect melding of modes going on here that may well rival Earth Wind & Fire at their best ... (Soul) read more CD
Tabu/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... $13.99
A set that definitely lives up to its title – a stone stormer from Brainstorm – one of the tightest funky ensembles of their generation, and one of the few who could go deep while still laying down a groove! The set's got a perfect balance of modes – enough of the appeal of ... (Soul) read more CD
Also available Stormin' ... LP 6.99
Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... $14.99
Beautiful duets between pianist Dollar Brand and legendary bassist/Blue Notes member Johnny Dyani – two great South African jazz musicians who should have recorded more together in a format like this! Brand's open-ended rolling piano lines bring out the best in Dyani's bass – which at ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Enja Real Jazz Classics series!)
Kayvette/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. New Copy ... $13.99
A killer bit of female soul by a very short-lived group – one with a great sound that comes out of some real criss-crossing of styles – some deep soul currents, but some hipper modern soul touches at the top! The set was produced by Brad Shapiro, and has a good blend of his modern and ... (Soul) read more CD
Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1974. New Copy ... $22.99
One of the greatest jazz vocal albums of all time – and one of the first true moments of genius from a young Dee Dee Bridgewater! The album's a Japanese only release (proof that they're always hipper to our jazz artists than we are!) – and it features Dee Dee singing material that's ... (Vocalists) read more CD
Also available Afro Blue (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD 24.99(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Charlie Brown —
Why Is Everybody Always Pickin On Me? ... CD Contact/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A pretty unusual album – and one by an obscure player who's not to be confused with Charles Brown, the blues singer – or Chuck Brown, the leader of the Soul Searchers! This Charlie Brown is a tenor player – listed as obscure even in the notes to the session – which is a ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Includes obi.)
Glades/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... $13.99
Sweet grooves from Funky Brown – an artist who's more soul-based than you'd guess from his name, and who works here in the hippest Miami modes of the mid 70s! The album's got this warm glow that's mighty nice – even smoother and more mature than some of the Timmy Thomas work of the ... (Soul) read more CD
TK/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy ... About February 12, 2020 (delayed)
A rare TK Records effort from James Brown – very much in the best uptempo funk mode of the later Polydor years! The groove here is quite similar to those better-known efforts – grooves that are a bit quicker than a few years before, but still played in a core JB funky style – ... (Soul) read more CD
Don Bryant —
Precious Soul ... CD Hi Records/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1969. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A real lost treasure on Hi Records – one of the few albums ever cut by Don Bryant, a singer whose talents seemed to be eclipsed by the rising stars of Al Green and Ann Peebles – but who was every bit as great! Bryant's got a sound here that's still firmly in the Hi style forged by ... (Soul) read more CD
Dave Burrell —
Only Me ... CD Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... $22.99
Some of the most beautiful work ever recorded by pianist Dave Burrell – a solo session issued only in Japan, featuring Burrell on a Steinway recorded in the wide open space of a performance hall in Tokyo! There's a photo on the back cover that has a pair of suitcases behind Burrell at the ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Pride/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... $13.99
A gem of a record from the great Billy Butler – brother of better-known Jerry from the Chicago scene, and maybe best known for his northern soul work of the 60s – but a hell of a great artist here in a rare group soul date from the 70s! Billy's lead vocals are supported by the Infinity ... (Soul) read more CD
Pride/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. New Copy ... $13.99
One of Jerry Butler's funkiest moments of the 70s – served up in a fantastic soundtrack co-penned and arranged by the great Jerry Peters! Peters is best known for his hip work with a variety of soul acts in the studio, but he really steps out here for the score to Melinda – a lesser-kno ... (Soul) read more CD
Malaco/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1983. New Copy ... $9.99
A wonderful later album from GC Cameron – a singer you might know best as the early lead in The Spinners – sounding quite different here in a Malaco Records setting! The album's got Cameron slow-stepping through some great mellow soul cuts – warm, sensuous tunes that work ... (Soul) read more CD
(Part of the Malaco Definitive Collection, The Truth Of Southern Soul Series!)
John Carter & Bobby Bradford —
Flight For Four ... CD Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1969. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Spectacular work from one of the most groundbreaking groups of its time – the legendary John Carter/Bobby Bradford Quartet – quite possibly the hippest thing going in the LA scene of the late 60s! The group includes Carter on alto and tenor, Bradford on trumpet – working together ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Flying Dutchman 1000 Master Collection!)
Chairmen Of The Board —
Bittersweet (with bonus tracks) ... CD Invictus/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
An excellent album from this sublime soul trio! The record's got a nice heavy style – similar to the funky soul that was creeping into the sound of other artists on the Invictus label – and it rumbles along with a nice fuzzy edge that adds a whole new dimension to the incredible vocals ... (Soul) read more CD
Chairmen Of The Board —
Give Me Just A Little More Time ... CD Invictus/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A landmark album of 70s soul – and perhaps the most enduring full LP by this enigmatic harmony group! The vocals of General Crook alone are more than enough to win us over – some of the most distinct lead soul singing we've ever heard, pitched perfectly with the backings of the rest of ... (Soul) read more CD
Cheese —
Cheese ... CD Good Sounds/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Nothing cheesy about this sweet little set – a warmly soulful batch of tunes from this lesser-light of the TK Records universe in the 70s – a great group with a beautiful way of mixing compressed rock and tight soulful undercurrents! The approach has echoes of more commercial work of ... (Rock) read more CD
Alice Clark —
Alice Clark ... CD Mainstream/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
There weren't many vocal albums on the Mainstream label during the early 70s, and this rare soul side is a real overlooked gem! Alice Clark has a rich soulful voice, with a style that sounds a bit like Esther Marrow, mixed with some of the lead vocalists in Voices Of East Harlem – a really ... (Soul) read more CD
Also available Alice Clark ... LP 31.99(2017 pressing, includes obi.)
Hi Records/Ultra Vybe (Japan), Mid 70s. New Copy ... $13.99
A great slice of work from Chicago soul singer Otis Clay – a collection of his 70s singles for the Hi Records label – a number of which never appeared on his albums at the time! Clay's work was some of the best male soul on the label next to Al Green – and he received a similar ... (Soul) read more CD
Collage —
Do You Like Our Music? (with bonus tracks) ... CD Solar/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1981. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the less-remembered acts of the Solar Records west coast soul scene – but a great one too – and a group who step out beautifully on this killer set, thanks to great production help from The Whispers! Collage themselves have a tight, funky approach – heavy on basslines and ... (Soul) read more CD
(Part of the Solar Records Original Master Colleciton series!)
Solar/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1983. New Copy ... $22.99
Collage may not have been the biggest group during the legendary early run of Solar Records – but they were certainly one of the tightest – as you'll hear on this classic album of 80s groove! Collage boast a lot more members than their contemporaries – a total of 10 guys are ... (Soul) read more CD
(Part of the Solar Records Original Masters Collection!)
Constellation/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1985. New Copy ... $22.99
Fantastic funky soul from the prime years of the jheri curl scene on the west coast – served up by a group who are maybe a more electro-styled combo than their labelmates The Whispers and Lakeside! Collage are even heavier on the basslines and keyboards than on the previous record – ... (Soul) read more CD
(Part of the Solar Records Original Master Collection series!)
Ruth Copeland —
I Am What I Am (with bonus tracks) ... CD Invictus/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A second sublime set from Ruth Copeland – a funky female singer from the Detroit scene of the early 70s, with key ties to the P-Funk universe, and a unique groove that mixes singer/songwriter modes with the fuzzier funkier elements of artists like Betty Davis or Yvonne Fair! There's a bit ... (Soul) read more CD
Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... $22.99
Amazing duo improvisations from two of the hippest pianists of the early 70s – Stanley Cowell and Dave Burrell, coming together here on a rare Japanese-only album – one that features two long tracks that each take up a side of the disc! The vibe is maybe a bit more avant at times than ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Ted Curson —
Fireball (aka Trio) ... CD Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A fantastic, freewheeling session from trumpeter Ted Curson – one that we'd rank right up there with his seminal sides for the French Futura label! Like those, this album really features Ted stretching things out – working in very loose trio formation, with just Ray Drummond on bass ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Eric Dolphy —
Berlin Concerts ... CD Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1961. New Copy ... $14.99
Wonderful work by Dolphy – as essential to his catalog as any of his albums on Prestige from the same time! Although Dolphy broke plenty of musical barriers in the studio, to our ears, it was always in a live setting that he sounded best – freely exploring the kind of space his playing ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Enja Real Jazz Classics series!)
Invictus/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1974. New Copy ... $13.99
A massive album by Lamont Dozier – probably his best ever! Every cut's a winner, and the LP shines with a sharpness and tightness that's missing from some of Lamont's other LPs from the 70s. The songwriting is impeccable – and as the album progresses, you get that eerie "deja ... (Soul) read more CD
Also available Love & Beauty (180 gram pressing) ... LP 26.99
Invictus/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... $13.99
The first album by 8th Day – a record with a bit of a complicated pedigree, but a massive amount of 70s Detroit soul as well! The set was supposedly compiled to cash in on the group's hit single "She's Not Just Another Woman" – reportedly recorded by 100 Proof Aged In Soul, ... (Soul) read more CD
Also available 8th Day ... LP 24.99
8th Day (180 gram pressing) ... LP 28.99
8th Day —
I Gotta Get Home (Can't Let My Baby Get Lonely) (with bonus tracks) ... CD Invictus/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A nicely complicated little record – and one of the funkiest albums on the legendary Invictus label! The 8th Day group was a loosely-conceived batch of Detroit soul talents designed to cash in on a concept of the Holland-Dozier-Holland team – and they weren't just a studio project, as ... (Soul) read more CD
Columbia/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1975. New Copy ... $22.99
Electric keyboards galore – and a sweet 70s album from Japan! The set features a large group of Japanese keyboard players – all playing Korg synthesizers, in styles that range from laidback and mellow to upbeat and funky! The group's got core backing by a tight rhythm combo – ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Silver Blue/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... About February 12, 2020 (delayed)
Not to be confused with the Laura Nyro hit "Eli's Coming", this group's one that's headed up by Philly Soul maestro Bobby Eli – composer of, producer for, and guitarist on countless 70s soul hits! The group's Bobby's own, and has a sound that's very much in keeping with the best ... (Soul) read more CD
Europe Jazz All Stars (Surman/Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
An overlooked performance by a quintet of avant jazz masters from the European scene at the start of the 70s – one that was recorded and issued only over in Japan, but which bristles with the energy of some of the best French and German avant albums of the time! The tracks are long, and ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Fantasia —
Sweet Sweet City Rhythm ... CD Amazon/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A 70s album on Miami's powerhouse TK Records – but a set that's got a real northeast pedigree, given that arrangements were handled by John Davis, and the whole thing was recorded at the New York branch of Sigma Sound! Peggy Santiglia handles the lead vocals, but many of the tracks are long-s ... (Soul) read more CD
Fire —
Fire ... CD Sunshine Sound/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Funky soul from this fantastic female duo – a pair who work here with plenty of help from Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch of KC & The Sunshine Band – and who get plenty of that group's elements in their rhythms! One way to think of this set is as the best funk from KC and crew, ... (Soul) read more CD
Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... $14.99
A sweetly swinging seventies set from pianist Tommy Flanagan – one of those records that's a perfect balance between the bop-inspired dexterity of his work on the keyboard, and that undeniable warmth he always brought to his best recordings! Tommy's got maybe a bit more bite on the keys, ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Enja Real Jazz Classics series!)
Frank Foster —
Loud Minority ... CD Mainstream/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the most amazing albums ever from Frank Foster – a totally righteous set that's light years ahead of his earlier work with the Basie Band! The format here is right up there with the best on Strata East at the time – a large-group session that's filled with some of the hippest ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Mainstream Records Master Collection!)
Dash/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... $13.99
Way more than disco, a bit different than funk, and a lot cooler than you might guess from the image on the cover – a stone classic from Miami groovers Foxy, and easily one of their best records ever! The set's nice and tight right from the start – not really disco, but more of a ... (Soul) read more CD
Foxy —
Party Boys ... CD Dash/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Ish and the Foxy crew still going strong at the end of the 80s – although here, they seem to have dropped some of their Miami disco approach and are going for a sound that's got more of a New York new wave influence overall! There's almost some Ze Records touches on a few numbers – ... (Soul) read more CD
Freedom —
Farther Than Imagination ... CD Malaco/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
An amazing, unjustly obscure bit of southern funky soul – played with kind of a club oriented groove, and a strong nod towards middle-period Earth, Wind, & Fire – a far different vibe than a lot of the southern soul on the Malaco label! The band has some nice harmony vocals over a ... (Soul) read more CD
(Part of the "Malaco – The Truth Of Southern Soul Definitive Collection" series!)
George Freeman —
New Improved Funk ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
The title certainly gets it right – as the album's one of the funkiest ever from guitarist George Freeman, and one of the few to really hit that messed-up groove he was working in the clubs before his mid 70s retreat to Chicago! The style here is often all over the map – a mix of soul ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Groove Merchant Mo' Groovy Collection!)
Ryo Fukui —
Mellow Dream ... CD Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A well-titled album from Japanese pianist Ryo Fukui – one that's got a warm sense of flow that takes it well past conventional piano trio work! The group here features Fukui on piano, Satoshi Denpo on bass, and Yoshinori Fukui on drums – all working together beautifully as a unit ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... $22.99
Lyrical magic from pianist Ryo Fukui – a lost gem from the Japanese scene of the 70s, and a beautifully flowing album throughout! Fukui's got a wide-open touch to the piano that we totally love – and is easily one of the best of his contemporaries on the Japanese trio scene of the time ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Hal Galper —
Wild Bird ... CD Mainstream/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
One of the greatest albums ever recorded by pianist Hal Galper – and that's saying a lot, given his huge legacy of records! This set has Hal working in a strongly electric mode – using an electric piano with the same sort of spacious qualities he could bring to acoustic – never ... (Jazz) read more CD
(2017 pressing, includes obi.)
Red Garland —
Wee Small Hours ... CD Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy ... $22.99
A nicely understated set from piano genius Red Garland – a master of understatement himself, but in completely great form in this Japanese-only live set from the start of the 80s – one that also features guest work from Lou Donaldson on two of the album's tracks! The sound quality is ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Ultra Vybe/Tabu (Japan), 1983. New Copy ... $13.99
General Caine's plenty dangerous here – so much so, they found a way to fuse an electric socket to the midsection of the model on the cover! That joke aside, though, the album's got the same tight approach to funk of the group's previous records – made maybe even tighter here by great ... (Soul) read more CD
Tabu/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1982. New Copy ... $13.99
General Caine's got plenty of girls on the cover, and plenty of funk in his groove – that bass-heavy style that made Caine one of the better mainstream funk acts of the time! The General is actually Mitch McDowell – who'd worked previously with James Brown and George Clinton, and ... (Soul) read more CD
Invictus/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... $13.99
A great album by one of lost groups on the Invictus label! Glass House were a stellar male/female vocal group with a good deep soul sound – very much in the spirit of other Invictus albums of the era, with a tremendous feel for down home, gritty soul but executed with the smooth HDH vibe ... (Soul) read more CD
Also available Inside The Glass House (180 gram pressing) ... LP 24.99
Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... $22.99
Bassist Eddie Gomez hardly ever has a down stretch – especially given all the creative combinations he's worked in over the years – and this rare 70s album from Japan is more of a high point than anything "down" at all! The record's a trio date, with killer work on Fender ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Dusko Goykovich —
Sketch Of Yugoslavia ... CD Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A fantastic vintage set from the great trumpeter Dusko Goykovich – and a record that's very much in the best tradition of his groundbreaking early work! Goykovich emerged from the Yugoslavian scene during the key years of communist rule – and his bold, bright horn work was a shining ... (Jazz) read more CD
Al Green —
Free Soul – The Treasure Of Al Green ... CD Hi Records/Ultra Vybe (Japan), Late 60s/Early 70s. New Copy ... $13.99
Over 80 minutes of magic from the great Al Green – a special entry into the Japanese-only series of Free Soul collections! The series often mixes together great tracks from different artists, but this volume features only music from the godlike Al himself – a warm, mellow blend of ... (Soul) read more CD
Cream/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1978. New Copy ... $13.99
A tasty double-live set from Al Green – one that has him working through longer versions of tunes than you'd hear on his studio albums, and really doing great in front of an appreciative Japanese crowd! The overall approach here is a bit more modern than on some of his older Hi albums – ... (Soul) read more CD
Malaco/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1984. New Copy ... $9.99
Three gals – all named Greene – coming together in a sweet 80s update of girl group modes! There's a style here that's definitely in the same territory as the Mary Jane Girls – lots of catchy lyrics and sweet bubbling electro rhythms – but the girls also have this really ... (Soul) read more CD
(Part of the Malaco Definitive Collection, The Truth Of Southern Soul Series!)
Sonny Greenwich —
Evol-ution, Love's Reverse ... CD PM/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1979. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the few albums ever cut by the great Canadian guitarist Sonny Greenwich – a player who might be best known to American ears for his one recording with Hank Mobley, but who went onto make some great music of his own during the 70s! Greenwich has a style that's loose and sprightly ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Modern Jazz Connection series!)
Johnny Griffin & Art Taylor —
In Copenhagen ... CD Storyville/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1964. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Steve Grossman —
Live At Cafe Praga ... CD Solid/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1990. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Tenorist Steve Grossman takes on mostly familiar tunes, but in a very unbridled way – opening them up in the European live setting – as on classic albums of this nature from Dexter Gordon or Johnny Griffin a generation before! Grossman's almost a tenor talent born out of time – a ... (Jazz) read more CD
Steve Grossman —
Some Shapes To Come ... CD PM/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Beautifully choppy jazz from Steve Grossman and his legendary 70s comrades Gene Perla and Don Alias – one of the heaviest hitting American combos of the time! The trio have a tight fusion sound that's as full-on as it is funky – and Grossman blows some amazing work on tenor and soprano ... (Jazz) read more CD
Also available Some Shapes To Come ... LP 29.99(Part of the Modern Jazz Connection series!)
Sadik Hakim —
Lazy Bird ... CD Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
There's nothing lazy about the piano of Sadik Hakim here – as the album's a superb live trio date, issued only in Japan – and a record that stands with the handful of gems Hakim gave us at the time! The trio's got a very particular flavor – in part because the deep tones of Errol ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy ... $13.99
Great work from a fantastic period of drummer Chico Hamilton – a time when he'd moved way past the chamber jazz of his 50s years, and even some of his more freewheeling 60s modes on Impulse Records! Here, Chico seems really obsessed with rhythm – to a level where he's not afraid to ... (Jazz) read more CD
Also available El Exigente ... LP 7.99(Part of the Flying Dutchman 1000 Master Collection!)
Roland Hanna —
Glove ... CD Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... $22.99
Exactly the kind of session that lets pianist Roland Hanna shine the most – a trio set recorded in Japan with an open, flowing sort of vibe – one that comes not just from Hanna's impeccable work on the keys, but also from the trio accompaniment by George Mraz on bass and Motohiko Hino ... (Jazz) read more CD
Also available Glove ... LP 24.99(Part of the Jazz Legends In Japan series!)
Columbia/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1960. New Copy ... $22.99
Hard driving jazz from the Japanese scene of the 50s! The album's one of the best recorded by Nobu Hara and the legendary Sharpes & Flats group – a really swinging set of big band jazz that drives with the power of some of the 60s recordings by the Clarke-Boland Big Band, and which ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Roy Haynes —
Roy Haynes Hip Ensemble ... CD Mainstream/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Drummer Roy Haynes works here with an ensemble that's definitely as hip as the title promises – a really righteous group that makes the album one of Roy's most spiritual records ever! Haynes was always a drummer who was really a cut above, even back at the start – but here, he really ... (Jazz) read more CD
Enja/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1982. New Copy ... $14.99
A mixed bag of tracks from Jon Hendricks – but with some really great moments! The set was recorded in Germany in 1982, and it features Jon running through a variety of styles to please the crowd – some of them blusey, some of them straight readings of older numbers – but on a ... (Vocalists) read more CD
(Part of the Enja Real Jazz Classics series!)
Terumasa Hino —
Hino's Journey To Air (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD Love/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
Trumpeter Terumasa Hino at a level that's quite different than most of his early work in Japan – recording in New York, and using a very spiritual approach – one that's clearly influenced by some of the other players in the session! The album features one long track – a bit ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Deep Jazz Reality series!)
Terumasa Hino —
Love Nature (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD Love/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
An amazing moment from Japanese trumpeter Terumasa Hino – an early 70s session recorded in America – with fantastic work from Gary Bartz on alto and Reggie Workman on bass! The album's not like Hino's later American dates – which were often more fusion based – as the style ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Deep Jazz Reality series!)
Terumasa Hino —
Part – Terumasa Hino Meets Reggie Workman (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD Love/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
A fantastic collaboration between Japanese trumpeter Terumasa Hino and avant bassist Reggie Workman – one that might seem unusual if you only know Hino's later work, but which was part of a few key collaborations that Hino and Workman did together at the start of the 70s – part of a ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Deep Jazz Reality series!)
Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy ... $13.99
An excellent late Johnny Hodges album that mixes his supreme talents with two of the other big stars of the Flying Dutchman label – Oliver Nelson and Leon Thomas – both of whom contribute wonderfully to the set! Nelson arranged the whole album, and gives it the groovy feel of some of ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Flying Dutchman 1000 Master Collection!)
Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. Used ... $13.99
Quite a different album than you might expect from the title and cover – which seem to imply a set of late nite ballads! Instead, the album's got fuller arrangements and a more upbeat groove – that larger ensemble mode that some organists were using in the mid 70s – as on the ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Includes obi.)
Black & Blue/Ultra Vybe (Japan), New Copy ... About February 19, 2020 (delayed)
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1974. New Copy ... $13.99
Funky funky Groove Holmes – one of his tightest albums ever! The set's a monumental batch of organ jazz groovers – recorded with some larger backings from Manny Albam, and a super-dope, super-funk sort of 70s feel that's really outta site! The tracks are lean and very rhythmically ... (Jazz) read more CD
Richard Groove Holmes —
Night Glider ... CD Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Sweet 70s funk from the legendary Groove Holmes – an album that has his funky organ riffing nicely over some tight larger arrangements! The style is really great, and a nice departure from the smaller combo Groove Holmes sound of the 60s – more in keeping with his later Blue Note work, ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Groove Merchant Mo' Groovy Collection!)
Richard Groove Holmes —
Onsaya Joy ... CD Flying Dutchman/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1975. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Maybe one of the greatest albums ever cut by organist Richard Groove Holmes – and a set that's worth it alone for the massive title track! Groove soars right out of the gate on that one – taking up most of side one with help from a vamping trio of guitar and drums – while he ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the Flying Dutchman 1000 Master Collection!)
Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... $22.99
Straight trio grooving from Takehiro Honda – but pretty darn great work nonetheless! The album's a nice bridge between the harder, more rhythmic pulse of his early soul jazz sessions, and the later, freer sound of his more lyrical trio sides – and the whole album shows Honda opening up ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy ... Just Sold Out!
A great trio date that has Takehiro Honda working with Reggie Workman on bass and Motohiko Hino on drums – an extremely great group that really takes off in this setting! The record is one of the freer sides from Honda at the time – done in the more open, lyrical modes that were coming ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Takehiro Honda —
Takehiro Honda Trio ... CD Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Some of the earliest work we've ever seen from Japanese keyboard legend Takehiro Honda – a great batch of trio tracks, recorded with an open spirit and freely soaring vibe! Honda's playing acoustic piano throughout – working in a trio with Yoshio Suzuki and Fumio Watanabe – and ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1972. New Copy ... $22.99
A great early album from Japanese pianist Takehiro Honda – one of the key jazz talents of Japan in the 70s, and a wonderfully lyrical keyboardist with a style that's right up there with the best American players of the 60s. Unlike later albums, which have Honda grooving with a bit more of an ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Takehiro Honda —
What's Going On ... CD Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Early soul jazz piano work from Takehiro Honda – recorded in a style that's quite different than most of his later albums! The sound here is full and rich – with Honda's work on the keys augmented by fuller backings arranged by Teddy Adams – all recorded in the US (we think), ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... $22.99
A rare vocal session from pianist Takehiro Honda – one recorded with Japanese singer Mama T, who sings here in English throughout! Mama's name is one that might make you think she's a blues singer – but her approach is mostly that of a 60s soul jazz vocalist – jazz at the core, ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Takehiro Honda with Sadao Watanabe —
Takehiro Honda Meets Rhythm Section Featuring Sadao Watanabe ... CD Trio/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1969. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A fantastic pairing of two key Japanese talents of the late 60s – pianist Takehiro Honda and reedman Sadao Watanabe – both of whom come together here on a record that's one of their most soulful of the time! Honda's clearly drinking deep from the soul jazz modes of Ramsey Lewis, Les ... (Jazz) read more CD
(Part of the "Nippon Jazz Spirits 48" series!)
Honey Cone —
Sweet Replies (plus bonus tracks) ... CD Hot Wax/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1971. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
The second album by Honey Cone – and the one that really broke them out of the box! The record's got a groove that gets going right from the start – a sense of upbeat, soulful energy that really shows why the Honey Cone approach was so different than most of the girl groups who came ... (Soul) read more CD
Honey Cone —
Take Me With You (with bonus track) ... CD Hot Wax/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A brilliant early set from Honey Cone – and a perfect illustration of the way the trio really moved past simple girl group modes of the 60s! There's a bold, proud, righteous tone to the record right from the start – thanks to these soaringly soulful vocals from the girls, and these ... (Soul) read more CD
