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CDs (271) new/used, Vinyl (254) new/used, LPs (231) new/used, 12-inch (8 used), 7-inch (12) new/used, 78 RPM (3), Cassettes (2), Books (4), Misc (2), All (533)
Think 
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Exact matches: 51
1
Impossible Dreamers/
Supra, Early 80s. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
... 12-inch, Vinyl record
2
TK, 1979. Near Mint- ... $4.99
... 12-inch, Vinyl record
(White label promo in a TK Disco sleeve.)
3
Top & Bottom, 1971. Very Good+ ... $7.99
... 7-inch, Vinyl record
(Label on B side has a small sticker.)
4
De-Lite/
It's past the disco years, and Crown Heights Affair have emerged nicely – with a sweet modern soul style that's got a bit of 80s groove, and which shows a lot more soul than some of their earlier work! The band's singing in a sweet harmony style that works very well with the music – and we might be tempted to compare this one to some of the great early 80s Philly International work by The Stylistics and The Futures! Titles include "Heart Upside Down", "Somebody Tell Me What To Do", "Let Me Ride On The Wave Of Your Love", and "I Got Somethin For Ya". CD features three bonus tracks – "Let Me Ride On The Waves Of Your Love (orig 12" version)", "Somebody Tell Me What To Do (single version)", and "Wine & Dine You (single version)". CD
5
Columbia, 1973. Near Mint- (pic cover)... $7.99
... 7-inch, Vinyl record
(Sleeve has some wear and small tears at the top edge.)
6
Village, 1976. Near Mint- ... $33.99
... 7-inch, Vinyl record
7
St Lawrence, 1966. Very Good+ ... $29.99
Classic Chicago soul from Mamie Galore! "It Ain't Necessary" has a rolling party groove that fits Mamie's husky vocal style really well. Monk Higgins is leading the arrangements, and the tracks' got a soaring northern groove that's very nice! "Don't Think" shows off Mamie's work on a ballad number – with slow horns vamping behind her, and some additional femal vocals on the chorus. 7-inch, Vinyl record
(Labels have minimal wear.)
8
RCA, 1947. Very Good ... $2.99
... 78 RPM, Vinyl record
9
Fountain, 1980. Near Mint- ... $3.99
With Yendor N Yessam on "You Make It Happen" and Connee Draper on "When Do You Stop To Think". 7-inch, Vinyl record
10
Hot Wax/
A really compelling little set from Satisfaction Unlimited – a group we only know from this one corker of a record on the Hot Wax label! The style's a bit in some of the harmony modes of the east coast scene of the time – yet like most Hot Wax/
11
Warner/
The complete Warner Brothers recordings of Sly Stone – and a much-needed look at an oft-ignored side of his career! The set features the full tracks from the albums Back On The Right Track and Ain't But The One Way – as well as 5 previously unissued demos, which have a rough and ready feel that almost makes them the best of the bunch! The work on the albums is surprisingly great – not classic early Sly, but with this warmly compressed groove that extends his sound nicely – and which has a really great mainstream funk appeal. Sly's using the studio as an instrument more than ever before – getting some great sounds out of the way he brings the vocals, drums, and guitars all together in the mix – and reinventing himself a bit, without losing his groove. Titles include "The Same Thing (Makes You Laugh, Makes You Cry)", "Shine It On", "It Takes All Kinds", "Who's To Say", "Sheer Energy", "LOVINU", "One Way", "High, Y'All", "Ha Ha Hee Hee", "You Really Got Me", "Sylvester", "You're The One (inst demo)", "In Other Words (demo)", "Hand Of Love (demo)", and "Get Back (backing track takes 2 & 3)". CD
12
Dayna Stephens —
Closer Than We Think ... CD Cellar Live, 2024. New Copy ... $11.99 12.99
Reedman Dayna Stephens is always great – and this time around, he's got a very strong musical partner in the presence of guitarist Emmanuel Michael – a younger musician, but one whose sound really shapes the sound of the set! Michael has this way of careful tones and rich colors – which he can use slowly next to a mellow bassline, but also unfurl in a bolder way once things really take off – and it's clear that Stephens really values his contributions to the record, as he gets a lot of space to shine. The mixture of acoustic reeds and electric tones is great – although Dayna also plays some EWI on the album too – in a group that also includes some superb work from Kanoa Mendenhall on bass, and very thoughtful work on drums from Jongkuk Kim. Jeremy Pelt plays guest trumpet on a version of Wayne Shorter's "ESP" – and other tunes include "The Nomad", "Scrutiny", "Back Home", "Placate", "TE", and "Bubbly". CD
13
Verve, 1962. Very Good+ ... $11.99
... LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono pressing. Cover has a small corner bump and light wear.)
14
BGO (UK), New Copy 2CDs ... $14.99 19.99 About May 3, 2024
... CD
15
Sub City, 1999. Near Mint- (pic cover)... $2.99 4.99
In the tradition of the Molemen and All Natural, another nice one from the Chicago underground. "Think U Jammin'?" uses a killer organ bassline and DJ Diamond Kut cutting up a line from Steady Serv's classic "You Know The Time" for the chorus, and of course straight up dope hip hop verses. 12-inch, Vinyl record
(Cover has some edge wear and is lightly bent at the bottom left corner.)
16
Grapefruit (UK), Late 60s. New Copy 5CD ... $46.99 65.99
Nothing weird here, just wonderful – a fantastic assortment of music from a time when the British scene was really changing things up – served up in a book-styled package with notes that are as dynamic as its music! The tracks here move way past the obvious – that's an image of John Lennon on the cover, but these aren't the tracks by The Beatles and bigger acts of the time – and instead, the collection really does a great job of digging around all the really wonderful groups that were recording for the bigger British labels of the period, but who were given a lot of freedom to really try out new ideas – both in their music, and in the way the music was recorded. The package is the best we've ever seen to present this slice of English rock – and the set features 122 titles on 5CDs – with work from Ron Geesin, Atlanta Roots, Simon Dupree, The Smoke, John's Children, Ivor Cutler, Tinsel Arcade, The Soft Machine, Canto, New Generation, Medium Rare, 117 Venusian Moonshine, Friday's Chyld, New Generation, Third Ear Band, Wimple Winch, The Deviants, Sorrows, Rupert's People, Orange Bicycle, Shuster, Felius Andromeda, Tomorrow, Crystal Ship, The Moles, and many others – and the set also features 9 never-issued tracks! CD
17
Detroit Emeralds —
I Think Of You – The Westbound Singles 1969 to 1975 ... CD Westbound (UK), Late 60s/
One of the great groups of the Detroit soul scene at the end of the 60s – but an act who never got the full fame of contemporaries like The Four Tops or Temptations! That didn't stop the Detroit Emeralds from being a hell of a vocal act, though – as they've got a mixture of tight harmonies and raw soul that's completely wonderful – and which finally gets full exposure here in a well-done selection of all their singles for the Westbound label! The imprint might be best known as the home for trippy soul by Funkadelic and Ohio Players – yet during the same classic stretch, Westbound also handled this hip Detroit trio to perfection – taking their 60s-schooled harmonies, and giving them a more sophisticated spin for the 70s – really letting the vocals take off as the group demonstrates their Dells-like power, and moving the arrangements of the tunes past overdone Motown styles of the decade before. The result is some of the hippest harmony soul you'll ever hope to hear – all presented here with the wonderfully deep Ace/
18
Fabolous —
Think Y'All Know (amended main, explicit main, inst, acappella) ... 12-inch Elektra, 2003. Near Mint- ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
... 12-inch, Vinyl record
(Promo.)
19
Main Source —
F*ck What You Think (Japanese pressing – with bonus track) ... CD Wild Pitch/
A long-delayed album from Main Source – one that was recorded back in the early 90s, but never really saw the light of day until 5 years later – a record that features a revised version of the group, but still working with all the best energy that made them so wonderful on their debut! Large Professor is out, but Mikey D does a mighty nice job as the MC – working with cuts that are mostly produced by K-Cut, with a few more by Sir Scratch – all sharing that lean love of key samples and laidback vibes that make Main Source such a standout act, even all these many years later! The style here is almost a refinement of the Native Tongues approach, taking things to a core, while also adding a bit of NYC street to the mix – on titles that include the classic "Set It Off", plus "F*ck What You Think", "Down Low", "What You Need", "Where We're Coming From", "Hellavision", and "Diary Of A Hitman". CD features the bonus track "Breaking It Down". CD
20
Coco Montoya —
Ya Think I'd Know Better ... CD Blind Pig, 1996. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
... CD
21
Orioles —
Crying In The Chapel/Jubilee, 1953. Very Good- ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
... 78 RPM, Vinyl record
22
Quintessence —
Think We Should (CD single) ... CD Texicalli/
A really great little groover from Quintessence – served up with all the jazzy brilliance of their great full length set! The track's got a skipping groove that slides back and forth nicely – setting up a catchy rhythm for the tune's sweet female lead vocals – sung in English with a really nice hook! CD
23
James Brown —
Think ... CD King/
One of James Brown's earliest full albums for King Records – and a set that kicks off with his monstrous reworkin of the tune "Think" – originally recorded by the Five Royales, but recast here by James as the blueprint for all the funky goodness in years to come! That track really sets the scene for the record – and James follows up with some other harder, sharp-edged tunes – offset by a few more deep-burning mellower soul tracks. Other titles include "You've Got The Power", "If You Want Me", "So Long", "Baby, You're Right", "I'll Go Crazy", "Good Good Lovin", and "I Know It's True". Reissued with the great original cover, too! CD
24
Deep Purple —
Who Do We Think We Are ... LP Warner, 1973. Near Mint- Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
Includes "My Woman From Tokyo", "Super Trouper", "Rat Bat Blue" and more. LP, Vinyl record album
(German purple label pressing. Laminated cover has light wear.)
25
Expose —
Stop Listen Look & Think (house mix, dub mix, deep thought mix, LA mix) ... 12-inch Arista, 1990. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
... 12-inch, Vinyl record
26
Aretha Franklin —
Think/Atlantic, 1968. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
... 7-inch, Vinyl record
(Includes Atlantic sleeve and jukebox strips.)
27
Gordon Grdina —
Think Like The Waves (SACD) ... CD Songlines (Canada), 2006. Used ... Out Of Stock
Features Gordon Grdina on guitar and oud – with Gary Peacock on bass and Paul Motian on drums! CD
(Hybrid SACD pressing – plays on regular players too! Punch through barcode.)
28
Gil Scott Heron —
Pieces Of A Man/Flying Dutchman/
One of the most fantastic tracks ever written by Gil Scott Heron – a mellow but majestic tribute to the fragility of existence, and the kind of material that has him really putting himself out there – at a level that so few other singers can ever match! On the flipside, "I Think I'll Call It Morning" has a slightly more upbeat vibe, and this warm piano line that's mighty nice too – while Gil's vocals are equally powerful throughout! 7-inch, Vinyl record
29
Keith Whitley —
I Wonder Do You Think Of Me ... CD RCA, 1989. Used ... Out Of Stock
... CD
(Out of print, small cutout through booklet and traycard artwork.)
30
Lyn Collins —
Think (About It) ... CD People/
The funkiest album ever recorded by Lyn Collins – a stone solid set that really lives up to the legacy of her funky 45s! Like those gems, this one has Collins working with James Brown on production and the JBs in the background – creating a razor-sharp groove that's probably the closest any female singer ever came in the 70s to matching The Godfather's groove! The album's got Lyn shifting between heavy funk numbers and mellower soul cuts – really pushing things to the max with an incredibly deep take on a few older favorites, plus some killer new numbers – all produced to funky perfection, with just the right sort of balance between the rough and the tight. Titles include her great version of "Think", a funky sample cut that never gets old – plus the cuts "Things Got To Get Better", "Women's Lib", "Never Gonna Give You Up", "Just Won't Do Right", "Wheels Of Life", and the funkiest version ever of "Fly Me To The Moon". CD
32
Fabulous Poodles —
Think Pink ... LP Epic, 1979. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
... LP, Vinyl record album
33
Firesign Theatre —
I Think We're All Bozos On This Bus ... LP Columbia, 1971. Sealed ... Out Of Stock
... LP, Vinyl record album
34
Firesign Theatre —
I Think We're All Bozos On This Bus (Original Master Recording) ... CD Columbia/
... CD
35
Cissy Houston —
Think It Over ... CD Private Stock/
No need to think it over here – as the album's so groovy, we jump right in – thanks to plenty of upbeat disco arrangements from arranger Michael Zager! Zager worked previously with Cissy Houston, but here he really takes her out to the clubs – mixing strings and rhythms into some sweetly soaring backings that really work well with Houston's gospel-trained voice! There's a nice sense of drama to some of the grooves, but never too much to be campy – and titles include "Warning Danger", "An Umbrella Song", "Somebody Should Have Told Me", "Think It Over", "I Won't Be The One", and "Love Don't Hurt People". CD features the bonus tracks "Warning Danger (ext disco mix)", "An Umbrella Song (ext disco mix)", "Somebody Should Have Told Me (ext disco mix)", and "Think It Over (ext disco mix)". CD
36
Tommy James & The Shondells —
I Think We're Alone Now (black cover) ... LP Roulette, 1967. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Purely classic 60s gems from Tommy James & The Shondells – kicking off with the all time great pop title track – and featuring loads of tunes that are nearly as wonderful! The group were hit radio kings at the time, and they cover some great ones by others, too, like "California Sun" and " Shout" – and the set's filled with excellent, head of the pack pop tunes like "Trust Each Other In Love", "Baby Let Me Down", "I Like The Way", "Gone, Gone, Gone", "Mirage", "Let's Be Lovers" and more. LP, Vinyl record album
37
King Oliver —
Don't You Think I Love You?/HMV (UK), 1930. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
... 78 RPM, Vinyl record
38
Wynton Marsalis —
Think Of One ... LP Columbia, 1983. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Wynton Marsalis' second date for Columbia Records, and an album that already has him stretching out from the first! Unlike before, when Wynton was given a few older players to help establish his sound, the group here is all Marsalis' own – with brother Branford on tenor and soprano sax, Kenny Kirkland on piano, Jeff Watts on drums, and either Phil Bowler or Ray Drummond on bass. Tracks are a mix of originals, and well-chosen modern moments from years past – played with a mix of soulful colors and more angular sounds, almost in the manner of VSOP from a few years before. Titles include "Fuschia", "Knozz Moe King", "Later", "The Bell Ringer", "Think Of One", and "Melancholia". LP, Vinyl record album
39
Rod Stewart —
Da Ya Think I'm Sexy (Special Disco Mix)/Warner, 1978. Very Good+ ... Out Of Stock
Rod Stewart steals from Jorge Ben – and gets the biggest hit of his career with this Brazilian funk-influenced disco tune that crossed over big! The single features a special disco mix by Jim Burgess. 12-inch, Vinyl record
40
Gary Wilson —
You Think You Really Know Me ... CD Motel, 1977. Used ... Out Of Stock
A great reissue of Gary Wilson's self-produced album from the late 70s – a sly blend of styles that is accurately described in the notes as "equal parts Steely Dan, James Brown, and David Lynch." The record's got a strange at-home feel – almost as if Jandek wanted to record a soul album, and called in some new wave producer to make the whole thing fit together. The tunes are quite strange at times, a little bit noisy at others, but mostly honest attempts at soulful vocals, with almost a naive quality that offsets Wilson's occasional anger. Titles include "When You Walk Into My Dreams", "You Keep On Looking", "Another Time I Could Have Loved You", "Chromium Bitch", "I Wanna Lose Control", and "Groovy Girls Make Love At The Beach". Very nicely redone – with a booklet with lots of notes on the material! CD
42
Various —
Don't Think I've Forgotten – Cambodia's Lost Rock & Roll ... CD Dust To Digital, Late 60s/
Way more than just the rock and roll promised in the title – as the music here is surprisingly heartfelt, surprisingly moving, and surprisingly effective – even if we don't know the language! There's definitely a rock style on most tunes, but the music is hardly the kind of knockoff psych or garage from the Vietnam era of Southeast Asia – and instead often has this really organic, well put-together quality that makes these tunes stand strongly on their own! The package is designed to accompany the film of the same name – about the lost history of Cambodian rock at the time – but there's such a great array of notes in the package, the whole CD set is more than visually stunning on its own – and packed with great cuts that include "Crazy Loving You" by Drakkar, "Dance A Go Go" by Sinn Sisamouth, "Don't Be Angry" by Ros Serey Sother, "Unique Child" by Huoy Meas, "The Story Of My Love" by Chhoun Malay, "BCK" by Baksey Cham Krong, "Console Me" by Sieng Fannthy, and "Cyclo" by Yol Aularong. CD
43
Alan Broadbent —
Every Time I Think Of You ... CD Artistry, 2006. Used ... Out Of Stock
Features Alan Broadbent on piano, Brian Bromberg on bass, and Kendall Kay on drums – with additional backings from the Tokyo Strings. CD
44
Courtial with Errol Knowles —
Don't You Think It's Time (180 gram pressing) ... LP Pipeline/
A rare bit of Cali soul – and a lot groovier than you'd guess from the cover! The music is rich in jazzy inflections – funky fusion used behind the lead vocals of Errol Knowles, in a blend that's quite similar to the best Bay Area funk of the time – particularly some of the grooves coming from the Fantasy Records scene! Guitars are great – played by Bill Courtial with lots of snakey, angular lines that really emphasize the groove – and other instrumentation includes keyboards and some mighty sweet percussion. Titles include "Losing You", "Love Nevermore", "Corn On The Cob/
45
Crimewave —
Think Big (dirty, clean, inst, acapella)/Crimewave, 2001. Near Mint- (pic cover)... Out Of Stock
... 12-inch, Vinyl record
46
Cissy Houston —
Think It Over ... LP Private Stock, 1978. Very Good+ ... Out Of Stock
No need to think it over here – as the album's so groovy, we jump right in – thanks to plenty of upbeat disco arrangements from arranger Michael Zager! Zager worked previously with Cissy Houston, but here he really takes her out to the clubs – mixing strings and rhythms into some sweetly soaring backings that really work well with Houston's gospel-trained voice! There's a nice sense of drama to some of the grooves, but never too much to be campy – and titles include "Warning Danger", "An Umbrella Song", "Somebody Should Have Told Me", "Think It Over", "I Won't Be The One", and "Love Don't Hurt People". LP, Vinyl record album
47
Mr Complex —
Ima Killit (voc, live @ the Cooler)/Core, 1999. Near Mint- (pic cover)... Out Of Stock
... 12-inch, Vinyl record
48
Lonnie Smith —
Think! ... CD Blue Note, 1968. Used ... Out Of Stock
A seminal album from Hammond giant Lonnie Smith – a bold statement that really gives the organist his own identity after some killer work in the combos of Lou Donaldson and George Benson! Lonnie's one of the key flag-fliers of the new style of funky organ jazz – a mode different from the earlier styles of Jimmy Smith or Jimmy McGriff – leaner, cleaner, and often tied heavily to the drums – which, in this case, are handled by Marion Booker Jr, but in a way that recalls some of the Idris Muhammad greatness on other Blue Note albums of the time. The mighty Pucho (of Latin Soul Brothers fame) plays added timbales, and there's also two more conga players – ensuring a tight, yet complex sort of groove – and the frontline features Lee Morgan on trumpet, David Newman on tenor and flute, and Melvin Sparks on guitar. Tracks are long, with complicated rhythms – and soulful yet sophisticated solos to match – and titles include the seminal "Son Of Ice Bag", a great cover of "Think", and the tracks "Slouchin", "Call Of The Wild", and "Three Blind Mice". CD
49
Lonnie Smith —
Think! ... LP Blue Note, 1968. Very Good+ ... Out Of Stock
A seminal album from Hammond giant Lonnie Smith – a bold statement that really gives the organist his own identity after some killer work in the combos of Lou Donaldson and George Benson! Lonnie's one of the key flag-fliers of the new style of funky organ jazz – a mode different from the earlier styles of Jimmy Smith or Jimmy McGriff – leaner, cleaner, and often tied heavily to the drums – which, in this case, are handled by Marion Booker Jr, but in a way that recalls some of the Idris Muhammad greatness on other Blue Note albums of the time. The mighty Pucho (of Latin Soul Brothers fame) plays added timbales, and there's also two more conga players – ensuring a tight, yet complex sort of groove – and the frontline features Lee Morgan on trumpet, David Newman on tenor and flute, and Melvin Sparks on guitar. Tracks are long, with complicated rhythms – and soulful yet sophisticated solos to match – and titles include the seminal "Son Of Ice Bag", a great cover of "Think", and the tracks "Slouchin", "Call Of The Wild", and "Three Blind Mice". LP, Vinyl record album
50
Lonnie Smith —
Think! (180 gram pressing) ... LP Blue Note, 1968. New Copy (reissue)... Out Of Stock
A seminal album from Hammond giant Lonnie Smith – a bold statement that really gives the organist his own identity after some killer work in the combos of Lou Donaldson and George Benson! Lonnie's one of the key flag-fliers of the new style of funky organ jazz – a mode different from the earlier styles of Jimmy Smith or Jimmy McGriff – leaner, cleaner, and often tied heavily to the drums – which, in this case, are handled by Marion Booker Jr, but in a way that recalls some of the Idris Muhammad greatness on other Blue Note albums of the time. The mighty Pucho (of Latin Soul Brothers fame) plays added timbales, and there's also two more conga players – ensuring a tight, yet complex sort of groove – and the frontline features Lee Morgan on trumpet, David Newman on tenor and flute, and Melvin Sparks on guitar. Tracks are long, with complicated rhythms – and soulful yet sophisticated solos to match – and titles include the seminal "Son Of Ice Bag", a great cover of "Think", and the tracks "Slouchin", "Call Of The Wild", and "Three Blind Mice". LP, Vinyl record album
51
Various —
Think Link! Volume 2 (10-inch) ... LP Drink N Drive, 1996. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Features Galaxy Trio, Cowslingers, Mono Men, Volcanos, Thee Headcoat Sect, Forbidden Dimension, Phantom 5ive, and Impala. LP, Vinyl record album
Close matches: 22
52
Think (Japan), 2023. New Copy ... $22.99 28.99
Gorgeous sounds from Xenia Franca – a Brazilian soul singer with a sound and style that should make her huge, if the world has any justice – but who's also more than great enough as the kind of special discovery that keeps us searching for unusual music from around the globe! Xenia's got a voice that's incredible – every bit as rich and powerful as any American female soul singer in recent years, but set to arrangements and instrumentation that are more inventive than anything in the mainstream – and which seem to get a special sort of crispy crackle from the Portuguese in the lyrics. We loved her first album, but this one is even more amazing – with titles that include "Magica", "From The Heights", "Ancestral Infinito", "Futurivel", "Interstelar", and "Animus X Anima", which features a guest appearance from Arthur Verocai! CD
53
East World/
Sophisticated fusion from Japanese reedman Toshiyuki Honda – a set that's kind of an extension of the straighter sounds he'd crafted a few years before! The album has almost a soundtrack-like feel at times – and comes off like a suite of tracks that blends core combo instrumentation with larger strings – in ways that color in the tunes wonderfully – but in ways that are quite different from some of the other "jazz with strings" albums of the time! Honda's work on soprano sax, alto, and keyboards is great throughout – and although some of the rhythms are programmed, they're still quite warm and hardly the too-commercial type that other jazz artists were using at the time. Titles include "Waltz Crepuscule", "Love Theme #2", "A Refracted Beat", "The Woman From Marusa", "The Men Gather Round Money", and "A Gloomy Foreboding Of Battle". LP, Vinyl record album
54
Three Blind Mice/
Really lovely piano work from Masaru Imada – a player who's a bit gentler than some of his Japanese contemporaries of the early 70s, but who also works with this wonderfully lyrical tone! Imada does a great job of balancing a sense of flow with a punctuated approach to the keys – never overdone, and often with this spacious sensibility – but more pointed than a Bill Evans style as well. The first half of the album is solo material, and the second features a trio – bass is by Isoo Fukui and drums are by Mashiko Ozu – both players who step into Imada's world in a way that's subtle, but extremely effective. Titles include "Poppy", "Sea Weeds", "Ascent", "Left Alone", and "When Sunny Gets Blue". CD
Also available Poppy ... CD 14.99(Out of print, and includes obi!)
55
National/
A calypso set, but not the sort that you'd know from big crossover records of the late 50s – as the Mighty Sparrow works here with that jazzy blend of horns and rootsy rhythms that kept a strong edge in his music, and made his sounds as important on the pre-reggae scene in London as they were at home in Trinidad! There's a nicely rattling vibe to the record that really matches the sharpness of the vocals – an important current of politics, social commentary, and personal brag – all of which had a huge impact on later sounds and styles of music. The saxophone lines really keep things soulful – and titles include "The Village Ram", "Martin Luther King", "I'll Be Around", "You Don't Love Me", "Castro Eating Banana", and "Tour Of Jamaica". LP, Vinyl record album
(Excellent Japanese pressing – much better vinyl than the original!)
56
Three Blind Mice/
Early work from this tremendous Japanese saxophonist – working here on both alto and soprano sax, in styles that are sharply angular, but also quite warm and soulful! Kosuke Mine's got a quality that's a bit like Joe Henderson at the same time – obviously informed by earlier hardbop, but let loose in some bolder lines that snake out with a rich, bold feel that's totally great. His group here features Fender Rhodes from Hideo Ichikawa – possibly further underscoring some of the Henderson electric styles of the set – and other players include Takashi Imai on trombone, Takashi Mizuhashi on bass, and Hiroshi Murakami on drums. The record's got a nice sense of freedom, but is never too far outside – and titles include a version of Joe Henderson's "Isotope", plus the originals "Morningtide", "Dream Eyes", and "Work I". CD
(Out of print Blu-spec CD pressing – with obi!)
57
Think (Japan), 1962. Used ... $9.99 11.99
If the cover image of a Akira Miyazawa fishing in a trout stream wasn't already enough to make us love this one, the music on the disc certainly is – as the album's a real shining jewel in the Japanese jazz scene of the 60s, the kind of record that really set a whole new standard for the players involved! Miyazawa's got a tone here that's really incredible – an approach to the alto that's a bit like Lou Donaldson during his bop years for Blue Note, but which is also recorded here with a great sense of space that echoes out wonderfully – even when Akira's just doing a little. The group is relatively large, but all focused around Miyazawa's horn – and other players include Sadao Watanabe on flute and Masahiko Sato on piano. Titles include the great originals "Yamame" and "Fly Casting", plus "Out OF Nowhere", "Like Sonny", and "Le Crespuscule Enbaume". CD
Also available Akira Miyazawa (aka Yamame) ... CD 14.99(Out of print, includes obi.)
58
Columbia/
Groovy groovy work from the Japanese scene of the late 60s – performed by a cool quartet who harmonize vocally along with their instruments! The group's got a jazzy style – using piano, guitar, bass, and drums to lay down a groove – but their real charm comes from their harmonies, which are often recorded with a bit of echo, and which sound quite different than American or Brazilian work of this type, due to the Japanese lyrics! Many tunes appear to be original – which is great, as these cats aren't just harmonizing 60s hits, like so many other groups did at the time – and the record has a fresh feel that we really like, kind of a cross between American and Euro easy vocal group modes of the 60s. Song titles are all in Japanese, as are the notes – but there's a definite appeal here to Western ears! CD
(Out of print.)
59
Columbia/
Heavenly grooves from Hiroshi Okazaki & His Star Gazers – a group who harmonize wonderfully on this set! Despite their Japanese origin, the Star Gazers sing in English – clearly drawing from a legacy that includes The Four Freshmen and Hi-Los – but they also scat wordlessly at points too, in ways that really transform the sound of the tunes! There's a wonderfully sparkling feel to the whole record – of the sort you'd find in the hippest 60s European soundtracks or Brazilian bossa albums – and although the group hardly cracked the market outside their native Japan, a session like this has strong global appeal all these many years later. Titles include "What Can I Do Dear", "Agua De Beber", "I Can't Find The Words", "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars", "This Guy's In Love With You", and "The Last Waltz". CD
(Out of print – and includes obi!)
60
Think (Japan), 2023. New Copy ... $14.99 24.99
Contemporary work from Brazil, but a set that recalls some of our favorite soulful sounds from that scene in the 80s – particularly that moment when influences from American R&B and Cali styles were brought back to Brazil, and served up with all sorts of sweet homegrown touches! Quinhones has a nice rasp in his vocals – a quality that furthers the charm of the vocals, and helps them transcend the boundaries of language – as do the well-crafted keyboards on the set, which always seem to find the right sort of vibe to support the lyrics. Titles include "Sweet Narciso", "Seus Olhos Vidrados", "Cidade Narciso", "O Rio Continua Rindo", "Agua Salgada", and "Mentira Anestesia". Japanese CD features four bonus tracks – "Gota", "Garota Manga", "Parafuso", and "Toda Manha". CD
61
Think (Japan), 2019. New Copy ... $8.99 18.99
A really beautiful record – one that takes the usual sound of vibes in jazz, and moves them into slightly rootsier territory – mixing the lead instrument of Ricardo Valverde with bass, drums, and a trio of percussionists who really shape the sound! The approach is very unique, and even the guest appearance of other instruments along the way – trombone, trumpet, guitar, and flute – never seems to change the vibe too much, and instead really preserves the wonderfully inherent beauty of the whole recording! Valverde's touch on the vibes creates these gentle explosions of color that are really beautiful – almost blossoming along the pathways created by the percussion – on titles that include "Ogun", "Mensageiro", "Xango", "Oxalufan", "Seu Arariboia", "Tema Para Odoya", "Nana", and "Oxum". CD
62
Think/
A sweet neo soul set from Brazil – one that uses the raspy qualities of the vocals in ways that make the whole record completely sublime! Even if you can't understand the lyrics, you'll be captivated immediately – as the record has this warm swirl of keyboards that's fantastic – wrapped up warmly in this magical musical swirl, and set off by the way the vocals crackle crisply alongside – all in a mode that echoes plenty of underground American soul modes, but with a vibe that's really fresh! Titles include "Jazz", "Follow Me", "Meu Grande Amor", "Inebrio", "Nova York", "Cores E Peles", "Welcome", and "Se Foi". CD
63
Think (Japan), 1960s. New Copy ... $24.99 29.99
Blues 45s – but material that's also pretty close to the funky 45 spirit of the 60s too – given that most of these cuts have a pretty raw groove! The blues element usually comes from a guitar or harmonica element, or a way of vocal phrasing – but much of the background instrumentation hits a gritty soul groove that's pretty darn funky overall – a great fusion of modes that must have sounded pretty darn great coming from a jukebox in the back room of some south side nightclub! This second volume is every bit as great as the first – and titles include "Love Is A Serious Thing" by Otis Reed, "Stretchin Out" by Little Sonny, "Lonesome" by Memphis Slim, "Don't Change Your Mind" by TB Fisher, "You Won't Treat Me Right" by TV Slim & His Bluesmen, "Fatten Pin" by Clyde Hopkins, "Dark River" by Freddy Young, "I'm Leaving You" by Bob Reed & His Band, "I Tried" by Larry Davis, "Pickin Heavy" by Joe Scott, "Roll On Train" by Elton Anderson, and "I'm So Tired" by Eddie Bo. CD
64
Think (Japan), 1960s. New Copy ... $24.99 29.99
A funky little collection, and one that's got way more going on than just the blues 45s mentioned in the title – as the cuts here include some great instrumentals and soulful work as well! We loved the previous volumes in this series, and this one is every bit as smoking – a mix of cuts we never would have put together ourselves, and which sound stunningly great together – pulled from a time when the worlds of blues, funk, and soul weren't as separate as they became in later years – when fans of a funky 45 would just reach out for anything that was good, greasy, and gritty. Titles include "Harmonica Boogie" by The Confiners, "Hotel Blues" by Eddie Boyd, "For Liz" by Andrew Brown, "All Nite (part 2)" by Big Eddie C Campbell, "You Better Cut That Out" by Eddie Burns, "Sting Ray" by Mack Johnson, "Sunny Side Of Love" by Raful Neal, "Down In The Chile" by The Wild Child, "Rock" by Chuck Higgins, "67 Blues" by Little Willie Pollard, and "You Don't Believe A Word I Say" by Big Daddy Simpson. CD
65
Toshiba/
All-star jazz from the Japanese scene of the early 60s – 2 albums' worth of material from some of the greatest players in Japan at the time! The first album in the set is done in a style that almost recalls the Jazz At The Philharmonic mode on Verve – with 2 very long tunes ("Moanin" and "Walkin), each done in side-long takes with plenty of room for solo contributions from players that include Sadao Watanabe, Norio Maeda, Takeashi Inomata, Keitaro Miho, Akira Nakano, and Shungo Sawada – all trading lines with a really spontaneous sense of energy! The second album is tighter and a bit more controlled – with live performances by combos led by Shungo Sawada, Masao Yagi, Norio Maeda, and others – all jamming in hardbop formation on numbers that include "What's Now", "Del Sasser", "Like Someone In Love", "Easy Talking", "Four On Six", and "Alone Together". Together, the records are a great document of the growing energy of the Japanese scene at the time – and beautifully portray the talents of these players in a live setting! CD
(Out of print, includes obi.)
66
Mighty Sparrow —
Tatoo Woman ... LP National/
Very cool work from Mighty Sparrow – a calypso set, but one cut at a time when the music was fading from the mainstream – which allows Sparrow to keep things nice and raw, and deliver lyrics that have the same sort of bite as some of the best island sounds from the early days! Many tracks here are originals, and Sparrow also delivers some cool covers too – all with jazzy instrumentation that echoes some of the styles of early mento, as saxes come into a blend of romping piano, percussion, and the singer's own guitar. Titles include "Unto Negro", "English Diplomacy", "Tattoo Woman", "Jack", "Under My Skin", "El Reloj", and "Big Bamboo". LP, Vinyl record album
(Great Japanese pressing – much nicer than the original!)
67
Jimmy Araki —
Jazz Beat – Midnight Jazz Session ... CD Victor/
Hard-swinging work from Jimmy Araki – working here in a slightly loose trio format that's really unique for the time! The record features Araki both on piano and alto sax – playing live with George Kawaguchi on drums and Mitsuru Ono on bass – a lineup that cooks with a tremendous amount of fury despite its small size, and which nicely shifts from piano-driven tunes to alto ones. We like the latter most of all – because hearing Araki without a piano is a bit like hearing some of Sonny Rollins' trio sides of the late 50s – and Jimmy's got a really nice edge in his tone that makes these numbers really stand out from the rest! Don't get us wrong, because his piano work is pretty great too – but the snakey saxophone numbers really make the album something special! Titles are all listed in Japanese, but the arrangements are all by Araki. CD
68
Matumoto Hiroshi/Think (Japan), 1969. Used ... Out Of Stock
A sublime set from late 60s Japan – featuring piano and vibes at the lead, plus bits of flute and some nicely snapping percussion! The feel here is flowing, graceful, and creative – definitely modern in its orientation, but never too far outside – and always concerned with the overall shape, tone, and color of the record. Finding a link for the style is a bit difficult – because at some points, the record has the soul of a Bobby Hutcherson 60s release, but at others it's got the airier, more spacious sound of the MJQ – although we'd definitely say that the Hutcherson influence dominates, and many of the best numbers here have a sound that's not unlike some of Bobby's best Blue Notes. Titles are all in Japanese, as are the players listed – but the set's one heck of a great little record, especially if you dig soulful vibes from the 60s! CD
69
Hidehiko Matsumoto —
Modern Jazz ... CD Teichiku/
An early gem from Hidehiko "Sleepy" Matsumoto – easily one of the greatest players on the Japanese scene of the postwar years, and a tenorist who we might easily compare to the great Hank Mobley! This album's got the same sort of soulful subtlety of Mobley's classic Soul Station – an easygoing blend of strong tenor leads, piano, bass, and drums – plus a bit of guitar that mostly sits back in the rhythms and complicates them slightly. Hidehiko's tone is wonderful – bold, strong, and deep, but extremely personal too – very much at home with the familiar standards of the set, yet not in a way that has him sleepwalking through them. Titles and players are all in Japanese, so we can't tell you much more – but take it from us, this album's a cooker, especially if you dig the laidback Blue Note work of Hank Mobley or Ike Quebec! CD
70
Yoshio Otomo —
Moon Ray (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD Three Blind Mice/
Beautiful alto from Yoshio Otmo – a player who brings an old school style of soul to his horn, but who also works here in the leaner, more modern mode of the Three Blind Mice label! The title track starts the album off with a wonderful sense of bite – a brilliant take on "Moon Ray" that really illustrates the unique blend of modern and personal that Otmo brings to his horn – followed by a wonderful interpretation of "Emily" that's both sentimental and inventive at the same time. Other tracks follow in a similarly unique feel – very much the best mix of freedom without indulgence that the Three Blind Mice label at that the time. The group features strong piano work by Tsuyoshi Yamamoto – and titles include "Moon Ray", "If I Should Lose You", "Love Comes Quietly", "Emily", and "Shufflin". CD
71
Shoji Yokouchi with Yuri Tashiro —
Greensleeves (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD Three Blind Mice/
A jazz guitar/
72
Lou Piensa & Mental Abstrato —
Still In Transit ... CD Think (Japan), 2023. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A really cool mixing of modes that comes of even better than we might have expected – rhymes from Lou Piensa of the group Nomadic Massive, set to backings from Brazilian group Mental Abstrato – in a way that creates a very cool hybrid of sounds! This isn't the Brazilian hip hop that we knew from years back – and Lou's not afraid to step aside and let the group take over at times – so that the record is less of a straight hip hop album than you might expect, with some soulful vocals at times that are equally as nice as Lou's. Mental Abstrato bring in all sorts of very cool elements to the music – bossa guitar, cuica, percussion, and plenty more – and the set also features guest work from Dayme Arocena, Fabriccio, Jorge Du Peixe, and Kamau – on titles that include "Mountain Top", "Piensa", "Bom Balanco", "Still In Transit", "Be", "Voltar Para Voce", "Last Train", "A Cidade", and "Space Cuica". CD
73
Hideo Shiraki —
Hideo Shiraki (1958) (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD King/
A late 50s stormer from Japanese drummer Hideo Shiraki – caught here at a great point in his early career! The album's got a bit more of a swing-based feel than some of Shiraki's later sides – a bit more Verve-like energy than Blue Note style – which is a-ok with us, because the sound of the set is so great! But even more than Hideo's work on drums, the real star of the album is almost saxophonist Akira Miyazawa – who gets in some great solo moments on nearly every track, blowing tenor with a great sense of soul that really lights up the record and makes things shine. Titles include "The Man I Love", "Moritat", "Night In Tunisia", "Drum Boogie", "Around The World", and "I Got Rhythm". CD
Possible matches: 460
74
Rogue Art (France), 2023. New Copy ... $21.99 27.99
A really beautiful book, and one that's quite different than most other jazz books we can think of – in that it approaches its main subject matter from many different directions, in a way that actually proves to be more illuminating overall! As the title implies, the book looks at the huge run of recordings that avant pianist Matthew Shipp has done for the Rogue Art label – and author Clifford Allen begins with a look at Shipp himself, then his New York setting, then interviews with collaborators who include Whit Dickey, William Parker, Joe Morris, and Rob Brown – before then moving on to look at the Rogue Art label, through an interview with its founder – then ending with page after page of liner notes for Shipp albums on the label – including a few that haven't been released yet! The presentation is very smart, and really opens up Shipp's creative process in a great way – and this softcover edition is 207 pages, with some black and white images. Book
75
Motown (Japan), 1991. New Copy ... $8.99 16.99
Sure, their name marks them as part of that big world of prepackaged soul groups, and yes, their costumes on the cover may look a bit goofy – but over the years, this debut's got maybe a bit more staying power than some of their contemporaries! There's plenty of hip hop production in the mix – mostly handled by Dallas Austin, and with those kind of elements that you might find showing up in remixes of main cuts more than the album cuts themselves – but that also keeps things popping and hopping, and definitely does plenty to offset the youth in the vocals, which might not sound nearly as good on their own. So maybe think of the album as much as Austin's as it is the work of the group, and you'll get the vibe – with titles that include "Spyderman", "Mental Interlude", "Playground", "Little Soldiers", "Jealous Girl", "ABC", "That's My Girl", and "My World". CD
Also available Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know! ... Cassette 0.9976
Motown, 1991. Used ... $0.99
Sure, their name marks them as part of that big world of prepackaged soul groups, and yes, their costumes on the cover may look a bit goofy – but over the years, this debut's got maybe a bit more staying power than some of their contemporaries! There's plenty of hip hop production in the mix – mostly handled by Dallas Austin, and with those kind of elements that you might find showing up in remixes of main cuts more than the album cuts themselves – but that also keeps things popping and hopping, and definitely does plenty to offset the youth in the vocals, which might not sound nearly as good on their own. So maybe think of the album as much as Austin's as it is the work of the group, and you'll get the vibe – with titles that include "Spyderman", "Mental Interlude", "Playground", "Little Soldiers", "Jealous Girl", "ABC", "That's My Girl", and "My World". Cassette
Also available Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know ... CD 8.99(Sealed copy. Case has a tiny edge crack.)
77
Yo!/
The 7" single debut of two tracks from these Oakland underground legends! The Action Packed Gangsters deliver a nice lean groove for "Takin It To The Streets" – a mix of skittish beats and spare bassline that really serves things well lyrically, and which almost has an early Philly hip hop vibe! "Daily Routine" has that classic "Think" groove kicked up more, which does plenty for the lyrical power of the tune too! Both cuts great – and well-deserving of this treatment. 7-inch, Vinyl record
78
EMI/
A gem of a record from the groundbreaking Landsdowne series of UK jazz recordings at the end of the 70s – an ambitious effort directed by composer Neil Ardley, cut very much in the mode of the best work by the Ian Carr/
79
A&M/
Radiant grooves indeed from Atlantic Starr – a group who really make things sparkle throughout this magnificent set! The group are at the height of their powers here – skirting a perfect line between mainstream soul and upbeat club – never falling too much into one style or the other, and never sounding as commercial as some of their contemporaries! There's a relaxed, easygoing feel to most of the grooves on the set – never too much fake bass, nor too many electric touches – and the vocals shift a bit from track to track, taking good advantage of singers Wayne Lewis, David Lewis, and Sharon Bryant. Titles include "When Love Calls", "Think About That", "Mystery Girl", "Under Pressure", "My Turn Now", "Does It Matter", and "Send For Me". CD
80
Motown, 2003. New Copy (reissue)... $27.99 29.99
A nice one from Badu – one with a depth of feeling and genuine soulful vibes that live up to its title, despite the fact that she records for one of the world's biggest media conglomerates! It's all about the vibe here. Erykah rolls her syllables, scats and emotes feelings more than an actual narrative in the strongest of these cuts. It's not that she's forgone lyrics, but it's all about the ambience, not radio sing-a-longs. She also dives head first into her organic soul and hip hop hybrid sound a little more sparingly, but still better than most who that followed her lead post-Baduizm. She channels Donald Byrd on the great "Think Twice", which is pretty indicative of the vibe as a whole. The groove is sorta mellow, but in a very tripped-out way, with deep organ washes and synth tones, scratchy soul guitar, and crisp organic beats. There's an appearance by Dead Prez on "Steady On The Grind", and a really sweet old school flavored remake of the great "Love Of My Life" track from the Brown Sugar soundtrack with Queen Latifah and Bahamadia, but for the most part Erykah is sweating soul on her own spiritual plane here. It's gonna take a little while to sink in, but this may be her best album (despite whatever naysaying BS you may read in mainstream reviews.) Tracks include "Bump It", the great single "Danger", "Woo", "Back In The Day" and "I Want You". LP, Vinyl record album
(Limited edition shades of purple vinyl series!)
81
Mildred Bailey —
Mildred Bailey Sings Me & The Blues ... CD Savoy/
We know it's hard to think of anyone named Mildred as hip, but take it from us, the lady's actually a great singer with a deep capacity for jazzy blues and mellow R&B. These rare Savoy sides were cut during the years 1946 and 1947, and they feature great backing by pianist Ellis Larkin on nearly every cut, set up in either small combo or large group settings. Titles include "At Sundown", "Love In Vain", "It's A Woman's Prerogative", "You Started Something", and "Born To Be Blue". CD
Also available Mildred Bailey Sings Me & The Blues ... LP 39.99(Out of print. Includes Savoy obi!)
82
Regent, Late 40s. Very Good+ ... $39.99
We know it's hard to think of anyone named Mildred as hip, but take it from us, the lady's actually a great singer with a deep capacity for jazzy blues and mellow R&B. These rare Savoy sides were cut during the years 1946 and 1947, and they feature great backing by pianist Ellis Larkin on nearly every cut, set up in either small combo or large group settings. Titles include "At Sundown", "Love In Vain", "It's A Woman's Prerogative", "You Started Something", and "Born To Be Blue". LP, Vinyl record album
(Original green label Regent pressing with a deep groove. Cover has light wear.)
83
Pacific Jazz/
That's "Heath", not "health" – as you might think the title's misspelled – as in Jimmy Heath, who arranged most of the numbers on the set! Heath's contribution is a good one too – as it helps Baker create one of his most tightly-wrapped albums of the time, a well-blown session recorded here with a group that includes Art Pepper on alto, Phil Urso on tenor, Carl Perkins on piano, and Lawrence Marable on drums. The presence of Urso is especially appreciated – as his sharper, deeper tone really brings a wider sound to the album than some of Chet's other dates of the time – especially when combined with the excellent sound of Pepper! Titles include "CTA", "For Minors Only", "For Miles & Miles", and "Resonant Emotions". LP, Vinyl record album
(Part of the excellent Blue Note Tone Poet series – heavy vinyl and cover!)
84
Reprise, 1964. Near Mint- ... $7.99
Count Basie goes pop, and the results are mighty nice – a hard-swinging take on familiar tunes from the 60s, but all re-tooled the jazzy Basie way! The vibe here is right up there with the best Neal Hefti moments with the group – and although the arrangements are by Billy Byers, they've got that sense of tightness that Hefti first help bring to the band – a great setting for the inventive solos, and all the cool little twists and turns that make a record like this so great. And while you might think of the setting, or the title, as some sort of sell-out on the Count's part – the album's instead a perfect way to hear what made the Basie band so great – how they could completely transform tunes like "Pretty Woman", "Bye Bye Love", "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy", "At Long Last Love", and "Go Away Little Girl". LP, Vinyl record album
(Tri-color stereo pressing. A great copy!)
85
Beatles —
Yellow Submarine Songtrack ... CD Apple, 1968. Used ... $4.99
Not the instrumental music from the animated feature, but 15 tracks used in the film – including "It's All Too Much", "All Together Now", "Love You To", "Yellow Submarine", "Nowhere Man", "When I'm Sixty Four", "Baby You're A Rich Man", "Think For Yourself", and the always wonderful "Hey Bulldog". CD
(Digipack case has some light edgewear.)
86
Polydor/
A pretty wild album – and a really wonderful mixture of funky fusion and Spanish guitar, featuring tunes written by flamenco guitarist Sabicas, backed by arrangements handled by funky guitarist Joe Beck! The sound is pretty darn incredible – way better than you might think, and certainly well more than the sum of its parts. The bottom half of the record has a really strong rhythmic pulse, but it also allows plenty of room for virtuoso flights on guitar – both electric and acoustic coming together in a mad Spanish-styled take on 70s funk! The record's a truly unique effort, and sets a whole new standard for cultural crossover sessions of this type in the 70s. Titles include "Inca Song", "Handclaps", "Flamenco Rock", "Zapateado", and "Joe's Tune". CD
87
Verve/
Don't think "rock", think "groove" – because oud player John Berberian takes his instrument into some very groovy territory here – mixing its Mid-East roots with a sweet array of modal rhythms and psychedelic elements – all of which make for an album that's even trippier than you'd guess from its cover! The album's one of the few "jazz meets world" sets that really gets things right – bringing together different global elements to come up with a sound that's wonderfully new and fresh – and which moves the whole thing way past its roots in Turkish, Greek, Armenian, and North African styles! Joe Beck plays some great electric guitar on the record – but the main string focus is on the oud, which Berberian uses with this exotic tinge that rivals the instrument in the hands of Ahmed Abdul-Malik on his own albums like this. The lineup also includes tenor and other reeds from Souren Baronian, plus other percussion, and nice use of electric bass to hold the whole groove together – and titles include "The Oud & The Fuzz", "Tranquility", "Chem-oo-Chem", "Iron Maiden", "Flying Hye", "3/
88
Chess/
A double-helping of Chuck Berry brilliance from his early years on Chess Records – music that always has way way more to offer than you might think! Sure, some of Chuck's hits are very familiar – and sure, the man could later be a bit of a parody of himself – but there's no denying the power of this early material, and the revolutionary way Chuck had of playing guitar – rooted in blues, paving the way to rock, and also opening the door to lots more funky soul in years to come! The guitar work alone is worth the price of admission, but the songs and vocals are wonderful too – and the CD features 26 titles that include "Down The Road A Piece", "Mad Lad", "Sweet Little Rock & Roller", "Anthony Boy", "Little Queenie", "Oh Baby Doll", "Confessin The Blues", "Almost Grown", "Jo Jo Gunne", "Wee Wee Hours", "Too Much Monkey Business", and "Brown Eyed Handsome Man". CD
89
Black Disco —
Night Express ... LP Sun (South Africa), 1976. Near Mint- ... $36.99
Don't think "disco", think "funky jazz" – because this sweet South African group from the 70s is filled with lots of groovy twists and turns – all in a mode that's quite different than any of the American or European jazz albums we know from the time! The lineup here includes reed heavyweight Basil Coetzee on both flute and tenor sax – working in a quartet with some sublime organ lines from Pops Mohamed – who plays in this snakey sort of way that's a bit like South African jazz piano, but maybe even more flowing and moody. The grooves are sometimes funky, sometimes more modal – but always forward moving in a really great way, but again with a very fresh approach to rhythm! Titles include "Super Natural Love", "Yasmeen's Blues", "Night Express", "Odd's On", and "Echo On The Delay". LP, Vinyl record album
(180 gram Matsuli reissue pressing.)
90
Beat Rocket, 1967. New Copy ... $24.99 25.99
Early work from one of the heaviest hard rock bands of the 60s – presented here on a set of demo tracks that were originally broadcast on San Francisco radio, and helped the group earn their recording contract with Philips Records! Blue Cheer were maybe the first group to think of turning their amps up to 11 – and there's a rawness to this work that may even top the fire of their classic debut, with really mindblowing guitar from Leigh Stephens all the way through! Titles include the 10 minute jammer "Doctor Please", a killer take of "Summertime Blues", and the mighty fierce "Second Time Around". LP, Vinyl record album
91
Mercury, 1966. Near Mint- ... $14.99 24.99
Brilliant garage psych from Blues Magoos – a group that's raw and punchy enough to pummel, but pulled off some sweeter numbers and lighter harmonies incredibly well! Walloping drums, excitable vocals and wailing organ grooves – the cracked the charts, but still bring a fully charged proto punk vibe. Totally excellent, the kind of thing we wish were staples of oldies radio, but for whatever reason are left to deeper rock diggers to discover all these years later. Includes "Sometimes I Think About", "Love Seems Doomed", "Worried Life Blues", "Tobacco Road", "One By One" and "I'll Go Crazy". LP, Vinyl record album
(Red label stereo pressing with deep groove. Cover has light wear, but looks great overall.)
92
Atco, 1968. Near Mint- ... $49.99
Late 60s psyche pop on Atco from Bo Grumpus – a Boston group who only ever cut this one LP that we know of – and it's a groovy one! The sound has kind of tight pop combo groove with catchy melodies – fleshed out into trippier territory with some keys, trumpet, and overall bigger arrangements – some of which was done by Felix Pappalardi, who would go onto to bigger things with Mountain! Titles include "Sparrow Tune", "Think Twice", "Yesterday's Street", "The Breath O'Love", "A Knowing Young Touch", "Ragtimey Love", "Travelin In The Dark", "Brooklyn", "The Moon Will Rise" and "If I Came To You". LP, Vinyl record album
(Pink & tan label stereo pressing. Cover has a small cutout hole, light ringwear, and some edge wear.)
93
Stax/
A great little album from Booker T & The MGs – recorded in the post Green Onions years, at a time when the group was really coming together – with a tightness that perfectly illustrates their sublime Memphis instrumental groove! The album's heavy on guitar and organ, as you'd expect – that great Booker/
94
Deram/
Genius, pure genius from a young David Bowie – an album that we've always treasured as much as Ziggy Stardust! This set's pre-Hunky Dory, pre-Space Oddity – and it's an amazing little record that's almost completely devoid of guitars – instead using weird woodwinds (lots of oboe!), soaring strings, and offbeat orchestrations to carry off the tunes – all of which are as weird, mad, and wonderful as anything Bowie wrote in later years! The subject matter of the songs is almost a dark reflection of the picture postcard England that you'd find in work by The Kinks – the local pederast, weird guy who lives with his mum, old military geezer who can't get out of the past, cross-dressing soldiers, a gravedigger about to meet his death, and hip Londoners gallivanting all over town – all delivered with a sharpness that's stunning. We honestly think the record is flawless – incredibly complicated instrumentally, but incredibly groovy too – with all the edge you'll always love in Bowie, but in a fresh young flavor too. Years back, as young Bowie-heads, we always passed this one by – assuming it was unformed early roughness – but it's not, and is an incredible album that would have been more than enough for any other artist to build a career on. Titles include "Uncle Arthur", "Sell Me A Coat", "Rubber Band", "Love You Till Tuesday", "There Is A Happy Land", "When I Live My Dream", "Maids Of Bond Street", "We Are Hungry Men", "She's Got Medals", and "Please Mr Gravedigger". LP, Vinyl record album
95
King, 1963. Very Good ... $33.99
A landmark album that forever changed the face of live recordings – and soul music too! As has been told and retold often, King records not only had the genius idea of bringing recording equipment into the Apollo Theater to catch James in a smoking live setting – the sort of show that really set his fans on fire – but they also went out of their way to record and re-record the audience, creating a wonderful interplay on the record between James and the crowd. The result is the stuff of legend – and the record's filled with loads of nice tracks like "I'll Go Crazy", "Try Me", "I Don't Mind", "Lost Someone", "Think", "Night Train", and the massive medley featuring "Please Please Please/
Also available Live At The Apollo (1962) (remastered & expanded) ... CD 3.99(Early stereo blue label pressing without crown. Cover has aging.)
96
James Brown —
Live At The Apollo (1962) (remastered & expanded) ... CD Polydor, 1962. Used ... $3.99
A landmark album that forever changed the face of live recordings – and soul music too! As has been told and retold often, King records not only had the genius idea of bringing recording equipment into the Apollo Theater to catch James in a smoking live setting – the sort of show that really set his fans on fire – but they also went out of their way to record and re-record the audience, creating a wonderful interplay on the record between James and the crowd. The result is the stuff of legend – and the record's filled with loads of nice tracks like "I'll Go Crazy", "Try Me", "I Don't Mind", "Lost Someone", "Think", "Night Train", and the massive medley featuring "Please Please Please/
Also available Live At The Apollo ... LP 33.99(2004 pressing.)
97
Smash, Late 60s. Near Mint- ... $34.99
James Brown plays organ on this one – an early effort to showcase various other artists that he was producing at the time, and who traveled with him on the road – all those great singers that The Godfather would give time to on his stage – the sorts of artists who would later get more exposure on record once James launched the People Records label! Arrangementsd are by James Brown and Nat Jones – and titles include "Strung Out" and "Stop And Think It Over" by James Crawford, "This Is My Story" by the Jewels, "Satisfaction" and "The Dog" by Baby Lloyd, and "Nowhere To Run" and "Don't Mess With Bill" by Vicki Anderson. LP, Vinyl record album
(Red label stereo pressing with deep groove – a great copy!)
98
Fonit/
Exactly the kind of record that makes us love sound library records so much – and definitely the sort that sets the style apart from anything else we can think of! Both Sandro Brugnolini and Giorgio Carnini turn in some great work here – a mindblowing mix of modes over the space of ten short tracks – some tunes a cascading array of instrumentation, in a hip groove that's neither American jazz or soundtrack funk, but a special space of its own! Other tunes use an electronic approach that's years ahead of its time – as groovy as 60s analogue, but a lot darker, too – in ways that the rest of the world might not touch until the German new wave. The balance is almost even between swinging groovers and darker electronic cuts – and titles include "Grinta", "Azione CIA", "Scalo Clandestino", "Alambicco Cibernetico", "Strutture Generative", "Omicido Bianco", and "CIA Massacre". LP, Vinyl record album
(Includes bonus CD!)
99
Roadshow/
BT Express are speeding it up a bit from the first album – hitting more of a disco vein, as would be their due, since they were one of the key groups in inventing the genre! The core ensemble funk sound is still firmly in place, with loads of great horns arranged by the enigmatic Carlos Ward, a jazzy talent who always brought a nice edge to the group's albums. Titles include the tasty funk cut "Devil's Workshop", which has a similar feel to "Express" – plus the massive "Peace Pipe", a very catchy number that's always been a favorite in Chicago – along with the great tracks "Discotizer", "Give It What You Got", "Whatcha Think About That?", and "Close To You". CD also features five bonus tracks – single versions of "Peace Pipe", "Give It What You Got", "Close To You", and "Whatcha Think About That" – plus a 10 minute disco mix of "Peace Pipe" on CD for the first time! CD
100
Atco, 1969. Very Good+ ... $7.99
A seminal collection of work from Buffalo Springfield – a group with a short-lived existence on the LA scene, but an impact that shaped the sound of mainstream rock for many years to come! That effect is no surprise – given that the lineup features a young Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and Richie Furay – moving from folk influences into trippier, headier territory – and paving the way for both classic and country rock to come! Here at the start, things are nice and lean – well-penned tunes that pack a heck of a lot into a very short space – given key production help from Jack Nitzsche, Brian Stone, Jim Messina, and even Neil Young himself. Titles include "For What It's Worth", "Mr Soul", "Broken Arrow", "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Win", "Expecting To Fly", "Go & Say Goodbye", "On The Way Home", "Sit Down I Think I Love You", and "Kind Woman". LP, Vinyl record album
(Yellow Broadway label stereo pressing.)
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