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Partial matches: 167
Partial matches1
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ VariousDJ Pippi & Jamie Lewis – In The Mix Vol 2 ... CD
Club Star (Switzerland), 2001. Used 2CD ... Out Of Stock
Two separate DJ mixes – includes tracks by Subsystem, Kings Of Tomorrow, Don Carlos, Stephane Malca, Andricka Hall, Erik Kupper, Delicious Inc, and Silicone Soul. CD

Partial matches2
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ United Future OrganizationBon Voyage – Les Remixes ... CD
Brownswood/Talkin' Loud (Japan), 2000. Used ... Out Of Stock
The Bon Voyage album was UFO's best record in years – and this set features some of the best tracks on the album, all nicely remixed with different bits! The package is pretty darn groovy, and the set features 9 tracks in all – including "Tres Amigos (organic audio rmx)", "Good Luck Shore (Joujouka tfpp mix)", "Tres Amigos (Peshay mix)", "Flying Saucer (Kings Of Tomorrow rmx)", "Flying Saucer (Modaji Out There Somewhere mix)", "Flying Saucer (Life On Mars dub)", "Somewhere (Restless Soul Peaktime mix)". CD

Partial matches3
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Elaine BrownSeize The Time (purple vinyl pressing) ... LP
Vault/Real Gone, 1969. New Copy (reissue)... $34.99 36.99 On May 3, 2024
A righteous treasure from the end of the 60s – an album of vocal tracks recorded by the Minister Of Information for the Black Panther Party, set to backings from the legendary Horace Tapscott! Elaine Brown's less of a soul singer than a powerful speaker who delivers the lyrics with an almost folksy quality – singing boldly and with a sense of power that matches Tapscott's great orchestrations for the record – done in a style that's a fair bit like his Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra work for Nimbus Records, but a bit more inside – given the vocal setting of the record. Titles include "The Meeting", "The Panther", "Assassination", and "Very Black Man". LP, Vinyl record album
This item will not be delivered to you before Friday, May 3.

Partial matches4
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Ruth BrownBlack Is Brown & Brown Is Beautiful ... CD
Skye/Vampi Soul (Spain), 1969. New Copy ... $5.99 16.99
A hip little set from Ruth Brown – miles away from her earlier R&B for Atlantic, and much more in the adult, righteous, and contemporary mode you'd expect from the title! The session's one of the key sides from the late 60s Skye Records catalog – and like others on the label, it features Gary McFarland production, and some great small group backings by a group that includes Richard Tee on organ, Billy Butler on guitar, and Herbie Lovelle on drums. Ruth's trials and tribulations are listed in detail inside the notes – and the record was one of the first re-discovery efforts that Brown undertook – a session that was trying to help her pay her dues, and expose her to the same sort of audiences that were lapping up Aretha Franklin at the time, but not giving as much attention to older singers. Tracks are a mix of (then) contemporary numbers and updated older tunes – with titles that include "Yesterday", "Please Send Me Someone To Love", "Lookin Back", "Try Me & See", "Miss Brown's Blues", "My Prayer", and "This Bitter Earth". CD

Partial matches5
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Raul DeSouzaSweet Lucy/Don't Ask My Neighbors/Til Tomorrow Comes (plus bonus tracks) ... CD
Capitol/Robinsongs (UK), Late 70s. New Copy 2CD ... $15.99 24.99
A trio of albums from this famous Brazilian trombonist – all of them great! First up is Sweet Lucy – a wonderful album from Raul De Souza, cut during the height of his fame on the California scene! Like Raul's other work for Capitol, this record really sparkles from tight help from George Duke – who handles production, and some of the arrangements – and really helps De Souza find a tight jazzy groove! The instrumentation is a bit leaner than some of Raul's other records of this nature, which is a nice thing – as you get to hear plenty of keyboards from Patrice Rushen, Fender Rhodes from Dawilli Gonga, trumpet from Freddie Hubbard, and percussion from Airto. There's a bit of chorus vocals at times, but the main focus is on Raul's trombone solos – and cuts include of Joao Donato's "Banana Tree", plus "Sweet Lucy", "New Love", "Wild & Shy", "Bottom Heat", "Wires", and "At Will". Don't Ask My Neighbors is a tremendous moment for trombonist Raul De Souza – working here in a style that's light years past his roots in bossa nova! The set's got a heavy California vibe – a late 70s blend of jazz and soul handled by producer George Duke, who also arranges many tracks on the record – but still leaves plenty of room for Raul to step out strongly in the lead! Things are never too overdone, and handled with that sunny style that players like Duke did so well – lots of warm jazzy elements in the backings, coming from Fender Rhodes by Bobby Lyle, percussion from Airto, and drums from the great Harvey Mason – who really brings an edge to some of the groovers. Titles include a killer cover of the Skip Scarborough tune "Don't Ask My Neighbors" – plus "La La Song", "Overture", "At The Concert", "I Believe You", and "Jump Street". Til Tomorrow Comes is filled with soaring sounds from Raul De Souza – a Brazilian musician who first recorded under the name of Raulzinho during the bossa nova years – but one who's at the height of his powers here working on the Cali scene at the end of the 70s! Raul manages to blend his lead instrument with fuller arrangements from Arthur Wright – who brings in plenty of the best elements from contemporary R&B, adds in some backing vocals, yet never diminishes Raul's presence on the record at all! Instead, De Souza seems to draw all sorts of energy from the folks around him on the sessions for the record – really stepping out with the best sort of jazz funk grooves that Capitol Records were laying down at the time – as you'll hear on cuts that include "Up & At It", "Self Sealing", "Pleasurize", "Fe No Me Nol", and "Til Tomorrow comes". CD features bonus tracks – single versions of "Til Tomorrow Comes", "Sweet Lucy", and "Daisy Mae". CD

Partial matches6
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
ShoodyTomorrow's Child ... LP
Invitation/Lawson (Japan), 1980. New Copy (reissue)... $42.99 54.99
A wicked bit of Japanese soul, and a rare album done by an American singer who was working on the scene at the time! Shoody sings in English throughout, with a soulful style that's wonderful – mixing her own great vocals with jazzy backings in a level that's a bit like some of the Japanese fusion of the late 70s that was recorded over in Cali when an American singer might drop in vocals on a track or two! Yet here, the vocals are throughout, and work wonderfully with the backings put together by Hiroyuki Namba, who plays keyboards throughout the record too. Shoody steps out on a few mellower cuts too – and titles include "Tokyo Melody", "AM Lonely", "Don't Say Hello Say Goodbye", "Melodies Of Love", "Chased The Blue", "Ecstasy", and "Tomorrow's Child". LP, Vinyl record album
(Nice Japanese pressing – with obi!)

Partial matches7
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Dennis BrownLet Me Love You – The Joe Gibbs 7" Singles Collection 1977 to 1981 ... CD
Doctor Bird (UK), Late 70s/Early 80s. New Copy 2CDs ... Out Of Stock
Crucial work from Dennis Brown – one of the most soulful voices in reggae at the end of the 70, and an artist who achieved some great global fame – but who is also represented here on a host of the more obscure 7" singles issued by Joe Gibbs back home in Kingston! The set is unique, in that it features both a-sides and b-sides – work that shows the complex array of material that Dennis was working with, especially on the cool flipsides – which sometimes include dubs, sometimes other tracks that never got larger exposure at the time – including 11 numbers of the 42 in the set that appear on CD for the first time ever! The crispness of Joe's production works perfectly for Brown's vocals – putting them center stage, but never in a commercial way – on titles that include "Your Man", "Assigned To Leave", "Foul Play", "Love Dub", "Get High On Your Love", "On The Rocks", "Rain", "Ghetto Version", "Runnings Ire", "Nu True", "So Jah Say (live)", "Cassandra", "Should I", "Bubbling Love", "Rolling Down", "Hope We Get To Love In Time", "Timely Lover", and "Homeward Bound". CD

Partial matches8
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ VariousKings Of Techno – Compiled By Laurent Garnier & Carl Craig – Part B ... LP
BBE/Rapster (UK), 1960s/1970s/1980s/1990s. Near Mint- 2LP ... Out Of Stock
Don't be fooled by the title, because the music here isn't really techno – but more the roots of techno – pulled from an array of older jazz, soul, house, and club recordings – brought together in a weird mix of styles by Laurent Garnier and Carl Craig! There's still a relatively dancefloor-heavy vibe on the tracks – and many of the numbers are ones that predate the use of the word techno, but feature elements that would grow to much greater importance as the genre exploded in the 90s. Part B of the vinyl version features 11 tracks that include "Journey In Satchidananda" by Alice Coltrane, "NTT DoCoMo" by Arpanet, "Sea Shake" by Drexciya, "Join In The Chant" by Nitzer Ebb, "It's A War" by Kano, "Dance Boy Dance" by Alexander Robotnick, "Bettino's Bounce" by Funkadelic, "No More Words" by Yello, "Disco Circus" by Martin Circus, and "Burning (MK club edit)" by MK. LP, Vinyl record album
(Includes insert. Cover has light wear.)

Partial matches9
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Ray BrownJazz Cello ... CD
Verve, 1960. Used ... Out Of Stock
The great bassist Ray Brown proves that any instrument can swing – here picking up a cello, and grooving wonderfully in a very warm setting! The album features arrangements by Russ Garcia – slightly modern, and with lots of space, so that Ray can play both bass and cello with room to stretch out in complicated solos that might have gotten buried under larger backings. Other players include Don Fagerquist, Paul Horn, Bob Cooper, and Jimmy Rowles – and titles include "Rosalie", "Alice Blue Gown", "Tangerine", "That Old Feeling", and "Memories Of You". CD

Partial matches10
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Dizzy Gillespie & Roy EldridgeComplete Trumpet Kings Battle – Studio Sessions With Roy Eldridge (Trumpet Battle/Trumpet Kings) ... CD
Verve/Definitive (Spain), 1954. Used ... Out Of Stock
Two great albums in the Verve Jam Session tradition – both featuring twin-trumpet leadership from Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge! Diz and Roy come together in a nice blend of two traditions – blowing in a relaxed mode that's less of the "battle" you might expect from the title – and more of a friendly exchange of solos, recorded in the open and laidback style of Verve at the time. The group features Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Louis Bellson on drums – and Dizzy himself even vocalizes a bit on the set! Tracks are mostly longish, with plenty of solo space, and the 10 titles include "Sometimes I'm Happy", "Algo Bueno", "The Heat's On", "The Ballad Medley", "Trumpet Blues", and "Blue Moon". CD

Partial matches11
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Dizzy Gillespie & Roy EldridgeDiz & Roy (Trumpet Battle/Trumpet Kings) ... LP
Clef/Verve, Mid 50s. Sealed 2LP Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
A 2-fer that brings together two classic 50s sessions by the pair! First up is Trumpet Battle – and before you ask, the cover doesn't feature pictures of these guys whacking each other over their heads with trumpets! Instead, the set's one of those Verve relaxed jam session ones – with long tracks that let the two main soloists work out against each other, not really battling, but trading lines like the confident leaders they are. Rhythm is by Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Louis Bellson, and Ray Brown – and tracks include "Sometimes I'm Happy", "I've Found A New Baby", "I Can't Get Started", and a long "Ballad Medley", which has the trumpeters taking a track at a time, switching off one to one. Next is Trumpet Kings – in which Diz and Roy come together in a nice blend of two traditions – blowing in a relaxed mode that's less of the "battle" you might expect from the title – and more of a friendly exchange of solos, recorded in the open and laidback style of Verve at the time. The group features Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Louis Bellson on drums – and Dizzy himself even vocalizes a bit on the set! Tracks are mostly longish, with plenty of solo space, and the the album features 5 tracks that include "Blue Moon", "Limehouse Blues", "Trumpet Blues", "Algo Bueno", and "Pretty Eyed Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches12
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Sharon Jones & The Dap KingsHoliday Soul Party ... CD
Daptone, 2015. Used ... Out Of Stock
A wonderful Holiday set from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – easily one of the coolest albums you'll ever hope to spin in December! The group really recreate the vibe of a classic Christmas soul album – like records from James Brown or Stevie Wonder – and do an excellent job of moving between funky numbers, deeper soul, and some righteous message cuts that remind us that the Holidays aren't always happy for everyone on the planet. And these guys also don't just hang out at Christmas – and instead touch on other December holidays too – in a sweet mix of cuts that features Sharon in the lead on many numbers, plus some great instrumentals from the Dap-Kings too. Titles include "8 Days", "Ain't No Christmas In The Projects", "Big Bulbs", "Funky Little Drummer Boy", "World Of Love", "Got Rest Ye Merry Gents", "Silent Night", "Just Another Christmas Song", and "Please Come Home For Christmas". CD

Partial matches13
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Sharon Jones & The Dap KingsHoliday Soul Party ... CD
Daptone, 2015. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A wonderful Holiday set from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – easily one of the coolest albums you'll ever hope to spin in December! The group really recreate the vibe of a classic Christmas soul album – like records from James Brown or Stevie Wonder – and do an excellent job of moving between funky numbers, deeper soul, and some righteous message cuts that remind us that the Holidays aren't always happy for everyone on the planet. And these guys also don't just hang out at Christmas – and instead touch on other December holidays too – in a sweet mix of cuts that features Sharon in the lead on many numbers, plus some great instrumentals from the Dap-Kings too. Titles include "8 Days", "Ain't No Christmas In The Projects", "Big Bulbs", "Funky Little Drummer Boy", "World Of Love", "Got Rest Ye Merry Gents", "Silent Night", "Just Another Christmas Song", and "Please Come Home For Christmas". CD

Partial matches14
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Sharon Jones & The Dap KingsHoliday Soul Party (candy cane vinyl pressing) ... LP
Daptone, 2015. New Copy (reissue)... Out Of Stock
A wonderful Holiday set from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – easily one of the coolest albums you'll ever hope to spin in December! The group really recreate the vibe of a classic Christmas soul album – like records from James Brown or Stevie Wonder – and do an excellent job of moving between funky numbers, deeper soul, and some righteous message cuts that remind us that the Holidays aren't always happy for everyone on the planet. And these guys also don't just hang out at Christmas – and instead touch on other December holidays too – in a sweet mix of cuts that features Sharon in the lead on many numbers, plus some great instrumentals from the Dap-Kings too. Titles include "8 Days", "Ain't No Christmas In The Projects", "Big Bulbs", "Funky Little Drummer Boy", "World Of Love", "Got Rest Ye Merry Gents", "Silent Night", "Just Another Christmas Song", and "Please Come Home For Christmas". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches15
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings100 Days 100 Nights ... CD
Daptone, 2007. Used ... Out Of Stock
They might be borrowing her band, but they sure can't dampen her soul – because Sharon Jones is strongly back in action, and sounding funkier and more deeply soulful than ever! Given that Sharon wasn't singing back in the 60s, it's hard to think we'd be calling her the real deal – but in a world of crossover classic-copping soul singers, or slightly rewarmed older acts, Jones is a true treat through and through – the kind of soul singer whose work still recalls the best era of the funky 45 underground! The mighty Dap-Kings are in full force here – snapping along the groove with a range of classic soul influences – styles borrowed from Memphis, Miami, Muscle Shoals, and more – all sifted down to some of the tightest grooves any singer ever had the chance of working with! The production is amazing – as sharp-edged as the music – and handled by Bosco Mann with a sound that's as faithful to the roots as the cover might imply. Titles include "100 Days 100 Nights", "Tell Me", "Be Easy", "Nobody's Baby", "When The Other Foot Drops Uncle", "Something's Changed", "Keep On Looking", "Answer Me", and "Humble Me". CD

Partial matches16
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ VariousKings & Queens Of Ivory – 1935 to 1940 ... LP
MCA, Late 30s. Sealed ... Out Of Stock
With selections by Meade Lux Lewis, Cleo Brown, Albert Ammons, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Mary Lou Williams, Pete Johnson, and Clarence Profit. LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches17
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ VariousWhen We Were Kings – Original Soundtrack ... CD
Mercury, 1997. Used ... Out Of Stock
Tracks by James Brown, Fugees, Bill Withers, Spinners, Jazz Crusaders, and BB King. CD

Partial matches18
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Eric AlexanderNew Beginning – Alto Saxophone With Strings ... CD
High Note, 2023. New Copy ... $14.99 16.98
A definite new beginning for reedman Eric Alexander – a set that has him turning to alto sax, instead of his very familiar tenor – and also working with some larger string backings on most of the set – something we're not sure Alexander has ever done before! The vibe is great, and Eric brings a depth to the alto that really reflects his decades on the tenor – a style that's very different than a Charlie Parker or Sonny Stitt "with strings" section from years back – in part because the arrangements by Bill Dobbins have a very fresh feel too. There's a familiar combo at the core – David Hazeltine on piano, John Webber on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums – and titles include "All My Tomorrows", "Too Late Now", "Blues For Diane", "Maybe September", "Anita", and "To Love & Be Loved". CD

Partial matches19
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
John Barry/Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor In London ... CD
El (UK), 1963. Used ... $14.99
A weird little record from John Barry – the soundtrack to a 1963 television special recorded by Elizabeth Taylor at the height of her early popularity, and featuring Taylor reciting a variety of poems and speeches over music by Barry! There's a relatively high concept feel to the album – as Barry's backings are fairly string-laden and serious, penned to match the mood of Taylor's presentation of material written by William Wordsworth, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William Pitt, Winston Churchill, and Queen Victoria. And although Taylor speaks on about half the record, the best tracks here are actually the instrumental ones – which have more of the depth of Barry's serious soundtrack work from the time, and manage to have their own sense of presence apart from the star quality of Liz on the set. Arrangements are by Johnnie Spence, and titles include "Elizabeth", "London Theme Jazz Waltz", "Queen Elizabeth At Tilbury", "Queen Victoria", "English Garden", "The Fire Of London", "Lovers & Browning", and "London At Dawn". CD
(Out of print.)

Partial matches20
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
John Barry/Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor In London ... LP
Colpix, 1963. Very Good+ ... $7.99
A weird little record from John Barry – the soundtrack to a 1963 television special recorded by Elizabeth Taylor at the height of her early popularity, and featuring Taylor reciting a variety of poems and speeches over music by Barry! There's a relatively high concept feel to the album – as Barry's backings are fairly string-laden and serious, penned to match the mood of Taylor's presentation of material written by William Wordsworth, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William Pitt, Winston Churchill, and Queen Victoria. And although Taylor speaks on about half the record, the best tracks here are actually the instrumental ones – which have more of the depth of Barry's serious soundtrack work from the time, and manage to have their own sense of presence apart from the star quality of Liz on the set. Arrangements are by Johnnie Spence, and titles include "Elizabeth", "London Theme Jazz Waltz", "Queen Elizabeth At Tilbury", "Queen Victoria", "English Garden", "The Fire Of London", "Lovers & Browning", and "London At Dawn". LP, Vinyl record album
(Gold label mono pressing. Cover has light wear.)

Partial matches21
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Leon BridgesComing Home ... CD
Columbia, 2015. Used ... $2.99 4.99
An album with a very classic look on the cover – and an equally classic sound to match – one that takes us back to some of the hippest, coolest work by early 60s singers like Sam Cooke or Marvin Gaye! Both artists are a good comparison here, as Leon Bridges is unabashedly in the same territory – cool, classy, yet undeniably soulful – at this level that never has to overstate itself, or try too hard to reach for facile funky parts, or any kind of party-moving sort of vibe. Leon's vocals are wonderful – clearly born to sing music this great – and the backings are a nice change from the usual retro soul modes, and instead have this deep soul vibe that's perfectly captured in a Texas small studio setting. Titles include "Better Man", "Brown Skin Girl", "Lisa Sawyer", "Pull Away", "Flower", and "Twistin & Groovin". CD

Partial matches22
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Guy CabayCabaycedaire ... LP
Tricatel (France), Late 70s. New Copy Gatefold (reissue)... $29.99 32.99
Beautiful vocal work from Guy Cabay – put together with a strong touch of jazz, a bit of bossa, and a swirling vibe that's mighty nice! Guy's got a breathy style of singing that works perfect with the backings – and its bits of guitar, organ, and other elements – often used as gently as Cabay's vocals, but in a style that's warm and sophisticated – like some of the hippest material on Saravah Records in the 70s, particularly work by Pierre Barouh! These tunes also often have a breezy rhythm that borrows from bossa nova, and which really suits the style of Guy's vocals – on titles that include "Julia Deus", "Pove Tiesse", "Tot Reguede", "Camamele Et Cataplame", "A M'Vwezene", "Li Robaleu", "Pax Pollinibus Bonae Voluntatis", and "Li Sabat D'Sinte Mere L'Oto". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches23
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Huck Daniels Co with Johnny AdamsFoolish Man (parts 1 & 2) ... 7-inch
Kent/BGP (UK), Early 70s. New Copy (reissue)... $11.99 14.99
Maybe one of the funkiest vocal numbers ever sung by Johnny Adams – and one that owes a lot to the super-funky backings of the Huck Daniels Co – who somehow manage to combine the tightness of the James Brown Band of the late 60s with the more sophisticated instrumention of the JBs in the early 70s! 7-inch, Vinyl record

Partial matches24
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Devon GilfillianLove You Anyway (clear vinyl pressing) ... LP
Fantasy, 2023. New Copy ... $16.99 25.99
The record that may well push Devon Gilfillian over the top – and a set that might also set a whole new standard in soul music as well! Devon's got a way of embracing the sensual presence of male soul stars from years back, while also presenting himself with a fragile, open quality that's really unique – one that comes through in the slight crackle of his vocals, and in the way the backings handled by producer Jeremy Lutito really fit the mode of the lyrics – this style that's crisply contemporary, but which feels as if it's come from a really special place in the spectrum – uniquely suited to the needs of Devon's vocals and lyrics. Titles include "Follow The Leader", "Brown Sugar Queen", "All I Really Wanna Do", "The Recipe", "Right Kind Of Crazy", "Imma Let My Body Move", "Love You Anyway", and "Let The Water Flow". LP, Vinyl record album
(Milky clear vinyl pressing!)

Partial matches25
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Derrick Harriott & OthersDerrick Harriott – Reggae, Funk, & Soul 1969 To 1975 ... LP
Dub Store (Japan), Late 60s/Early 70s. New Copy 2LP Gatefold ... $27.99 32.99
The title certainly gets it right – as Derrick Harriott serves up a wonderful mix of sounds that owes plenty to American funk and soul of the early 70s – some cool Kingston covers of famous US tunes, and some other originals that are equally groovy overall! The set's one of the best that we've ever heard from the Dub Store label – and almost has a Soul Jazz level of track selection – really wonderful work that either features Derrick in the lead, or working with some hip contemporaries, in a groove that's totally great – neither straight reggae, but also quite far from more familiar funk and soul too. Titles include "Black Moses" by The Preacher, "Tougher Than Tough" by I Roy, "Brown Baby" by Derrick Harriott, "Hell Below" by Crystal Generation, "Going Back Home" by The Chosen Few, "Psychedelic Train" by Derrick Harriott, "Slippery" by Karl Bryan & The Crystalites, "Home Sweet Home" by Bongo Herman & Les, "Rescue The Children" by Junior Murvin, "Phoenix" by Noel Brown, "People Make The World Go Round" by The Chosen Few, and "Message From A Black Man" by Derrick Harriott. LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches26
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Gregory IsaacsBest of Gregory Isaacs Volume 1 ... LP
GG's/Onlyroots (France), 1977. New Copy (reissue)... $23.99 28.99
Gregory Isaacs kicks back with a spliff on the front cover – earning himself some well-earned relaxation after turning out this tasty set of tracks from the 70s! The record's not a collection of earlier singles, and instead features new recordings all arranged by Alvin Ranglin – with laidback backings from The Revolutionaries, whose gentle groove is just the right match for that magical flow that Isaacs brings to his righteous vocals! The whole thing is homegrown, but in the best warm underground Kingston way – with titles that include "Willow Tree", "Special Guest", "Look Before You Leap", "Freedom", "No Speech", "Tear Drops", and "My Number One". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches27
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Bettye LavetteI've Got My Own Hell To Raise ... CD
Anti, 2005. Used ... $1.99
A surprisingly wonderful set from deep soul diva Bettye Lavette – a record that's actually as good as most of her older work, and that's something we didn't expect! We'll be honest in saying that we're always pretty darn suspicious of comeback albums by older soul singers – and usually, we find them lacking in spirit compared to the older work, thanks to bad production and song selection choices. Here, though, Lavette actually seems to sound even stronger than before – stepping out on some numbers with especially raw backings that have guitar ripping alongside her heartfelt vocals – in a groove that almost recalls 70s work by Betty Davis. Other tunes are sparer, or mellower – but Bettye's vocals burn strongly throughout – and the album's easily set a new standard for this sort of session! Titles include "Down To Zero", "The High Road", "On The Surface", "Little Sparrow", "Just Say So", "How Am I Different", and "Only Time Will Tell Me". CD
(Punch through barcode.)

Partial matches28
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
✨✧ Little Willie JohnNineteen Sixty Six – The David Axelrod & HB Barnum Sessions ... CD
Capitol/Kent (UK), 1966. New Copy ... $11.99 16.99
A rare soul treasure – previously unissued work from Little Willie John, cut for Capitol Records by the mighty David Axelrod! The pairing is quite unique, but it's a great one – and if anything, Little Willie John sparkles here even more than on his later King sides – finding a hipper 60s groove that moves way past older R&B modes! Willie's vocals are still wonderful, and they're set up here with arrangements from HB Barnum – who brings in plenty of bounce, snap, and vamp to the grooves – similar to his more famous Axelrod productions for Lou Rawls, but rougher and grittier here in the company of John. A few cuts bring in more ambitious backings – taking Little Willie into the same space as his longtime fan and supporter James Brown – at least in the way Brown hit ballads during the 60s – and given Axelrod's hand in the studio, there's a clarity here that the singer hardly would have found at King Records, who blocked the initial release of this material back in the 60s. CD features 20 tracks in all – a number of alternates, and the master takes – with tunes that include "Crying Over You", "Country Girl", "Suffering With The Blues", "Never Let Me Go", "I Had A Dream", "In The Dark", "Welcome To The Club", "I Need Someone", and "Early In The Morning". CD

Partial matches29
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Johnny MathisRaindrops Keep Fallin On My Head/Close To You/Johnny Mathis In Person (with bonus track) ... CD
Columbia/BGO (UK), Early 70s. New Copy 2CD ... $7.99 20.99
Three full albums from Johnny Mathis in one single set – the last of which was actually issued originally as a 2LP set! First up is Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head – great magic from Johnny Mathis at the start of the 70s – a set that has Johnny working through some groovier tunes from the second end of the 60s – all set to some mighty nice backings from Ernie Freeman! Ernie brings in a fair bit of strings, but also gives things that soulful punch at the bottom that you'll know from his 60s material – and the Mathis vocal maybe is a bit more crisp in the setting, although still with that wonderfully full range that always made the man so unique! Titles include great versions of "Watch What Happens", "Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head", "Midnight Cowboy", "Everybody's Talkin", "Jean", "Odds & Ends", and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Close To You has Johnny Mathis kicking off with his take on the Burt Bacharach title hit, then moving through a number of other late 60s hits – some of which are perfect for the Mathis style, others of which make for a mighty nice stretch – and we mean that in the best way possible! There's some backing elements here that are groovier than usual for Johnny – pushing him in a nice way with modes that seem a bit borrowed from sunshine pop and soul – on titles that include "Come Saturday Morning", "Evil Ways", "Yellow Days", "The Long & Winding Road", "Wave", and "Pieces Of Dreams". In Person is double-length live set from Johnny Mathis – recorded live in person in Las Vegas – with titles that include a fair number of medley tracks that are a nice change from his studio records – the kind of material that really allows Johnny to show his talents as an entertainer in a live setting! There's also some non-medley tracks 6too – including "And Her Mother Came Too", "Maria", "If We Only Have Love", "I Got Love", "Day In Day Out", "Come Runnin", "In The Morning", and "Love Story". CD

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David MenconiOh Didn't They Ramble – Rounder Records & The Transformation Of American Roots Music ... Book
University Of North Carolina Press, 2023. New Copy ... $19.99 27.99
The full story of one of the most important indie labels in the world of folk, roots, and acoustic music – an imprint who are maybe only second to Folkways Records fo the way they've not only preserved the past, but helped foster a new future as well! Rounder Records was begun as a labor of love in the Boston scene after the more popular folk boom of the 60s – and as the dust settled from the years of Kingston Trio and The Brothers Four, Rounder helped find a way forward for the more interesting, more important acoustic artists – while also opening the door to new sounds and styles along the way – a huge legacy that ended up including superstars as well as very obscure musicians and singers. The book has a great narrative drive, and really gets at the kind of enthusiasm that started the label and kept it going and growing for decades – tracing both its influence on other musical scenes, and the way that artists continued to help Rounder from ever falling into cliche. Hardcover edition is 196 pages, with some black and white images. Book

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Monday MichiruDon't Disturb This Groove (2024 Record Store Day Release) ... LP
Grand Gallery (Japan), 2011. New Copy ... On April 20, 2024
A great one from Monday Michiru – sweet, soulful, and totally right on the money! The set's almost a return to the warm soul territory that first won us over in Monday's work from the 90s – as she takes on a whole host of older American soul tunes by Stevie Wonder, Teena Marie, and others – sung with a wonderfully mature vocal approach, and set to jazzy backings that really help change things up – and make the record way more than just a simple set of cover versions! There's a great blend here – the instrumental depth that Monday's shown in recent recordings, and the straightforward soul of the early years – all handled with just the right production balance to make it come off perfectly. Titles include "Best Of My Love", "Um Amigo", "I Can't Help It", "Ooh La La La", "Don't Disturb This Groove", "I Know You I Live You", "No Woman No Cry", and "Dreams Of Tomorrow". (Note: This item is not for sale online until 7:00am on Sunday, April 21. It is in limited supply – and by nature of the Record Store Day rules it will be offered for sale first to customers who visit the Dusty Groove retail outlet in Chicago the morning of Saturday, April 20. It will not be pre-sold or reserved in any way. However, after 7:00am on April 21 we will offer up whatever we have left for sale online.) LP, Vinyl record album

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NicoChelsea Girl ... LP
Verve/Endless Happiness, 1967. New Copy (reissue)... $26.99 29.99
One of the greatest records of the 60s – and a sublime debut from Nico, sounding fresher and less dreary here than on many of her later sides – although still pretty chilling overall! The record features larger orchestral backings on most tracks – never too heavy, but with light strings that really help Nico depart from the sound of her work with The Velvet Underground. This style adds a new level of sophistication to her vocals, and really helps in her interpretation of the unusual material culled for the set – tunes that include a few key numbers by old partners in The Velvets, as well as some especially great tracks by a young Jackson Browne – a romantic interest of Nico at the time! The whole thing's incredible – on a par with the best from Scott Walker during the same stretch, although very different overall – and a key entry in the darker side of the non-hippie end of the 60s spectrum. Titles include "These Days", "It Was A Pleasure Then", "Eulogy To Lenny Bruce", and the incredible title cut, "Chelsea Girls". Fantastic! LP, Vinyl record album

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✨✧ OrlandivoOrlandivo (1977) ... CD
Copacabana/Kindred Spirits (Netherlands), 1977. New Copy ... $7.99 18.99
A sweet funky classic from 70s Brazil – one of those records that's found thousands of funky fans over the decades – and which still continues to please! The set's the best-ever from Orlandivo – a soulful singer whose set up perfectly here with funky backings from the great Joao Donato – working on organ and Fender Rhodes for the set, and hitting the same soulful styles as his own great 70s albums! Grooves have a sunny feel, but these jazz funk undercurrents that are completely infectious – wicked interplay between the bass and drums, guitar and keyboards – set to vocals from Orlandivo that clearly borrow some of Jorge Ben's soulful influence too. Other players include Sivuca on accordion, Durval Ferreira on guitar, and Helcio Milito on percussion – and titles include "Um Abraco No Bengil", "Palladium", "A Felicidade", "Tudo Joia", "Juazeiro", and "Bolinha De Sabao" – plus the great "Tamaco No Samba", which is a thinly disguised version of "Samba Blim". CD

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Esther PhillipsAlone Again, Naturally ... LP
Kudu, 1972. Very Good+ ... $14.99
One of the deepest soul sets from Esther Phillips' 70s years on Kudu Records – a set with some nicely gritty grooves and a surprisingly earthy feel at times – especially when compared to some of her other albums of the time! Backings are by James Brown's old reedman, Pee Wee Ellis – and although there's some of the usual Kudu electric funk in the mix, there's also some deeper soul elements too – a vibe that's often a bit laidback and open, almost more Atlantic Records at points – which is a mighty good fit for Esther's wonderful voice! As usual for Kudu, the players are an all-star lineup – one that includes Richard Tee on keyboards, George Benson on guitar, Maceo Parker on tenor, and Bernard Purdie and Billy Cobham on drums – and Don Sebesky's also on deck a bit, to sweeten a few tracks up with light strings. The album's got a great version of Bill Withers' "Use Me" that features a tasty break in the intro – and other titles include a great version of "Alone Again (Naturally)", plus the cuts "Let's Move & Groove", "Cherry Red", "Let Me In Your Life", and "You & Me Together". LP, Vinyl record album
(Original pressing with Van Gelder stamp. Cover has a touch of edge wear.)

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John RenbournUnpentangled – The Sixties Albums (There You Go/John Renbourn/Bert & John/Another Monday/Watch The Stars/Sir John A Lot Of/bonus tracks) (6CD set) ... CD
Transatlantic/Cherry Tree (UK), Late 1960s. Used 6 CDs ... $29.99
A treasure trove of greatness from British folk rock legend John Renbourn – all of his late 60s solo work, done before moving on to greater fame in Pentangle! First up is There You Go – a rare one from singer Dorris Henderson and future Pentangle founder John Rensbourn! Florida born, LA raised singer Dorris Henderson moved to London in 1965 and was soon singing London's folk clubs, where she met Rensbourn. A solid mix of traditionals and then contemporary folk songs – stripped down and honest takes on "Saly Free And Easy", "Cotton Eyed Joe", "Mr Tamborine Man", "Going To Memphis", Something Lonesome", "Mist On The Mountain" and more. This edition includes bonus tracks from a rare 45 – "Hangman" and "Leaves That Are Green". Next is the self-titled John Renbourn from 1965 – a set that would not only establish John's legacy for years to come, but also have a very strong impact upon the role of the guitar on the British scene too! The album's definitely in a mode that owes something to an American folk legacy – but it also really breaks from the past with unusual phrasings and colorings in Renbourn's guitar – certainly with an ear towards ancient English modes, but also at once very fresh and contemporary – a strong precursor to the waves of new acoustic talents that would flow from the UK a few years later, but maybe even more revolutionary – given that John's mostly just working here with his guitar and voice. Bert Jansch adds guitar to a few tracks – and titles include "Song", "Down On The Barge", "Plainsong", "Judy", "Beth's Blues", "Blue Bones", "Train Tune", "Winter Is Gone", and "Noah & Rabbit". Bert & John is a hell of a collaboration between British legends Bert Jansch and John Renbourn – both working here together to completely redefine the sound of their music for the generation to come! This one album may well hold all the sense of subtle power and possibility that was about to flower in the Brit movement often known as "acid folk" – that reworking of older aesthetics with modern conceptions, and doing so mostly with their work on acoustic guitar – quite a feat, given the stripped-down instrumentation of the set! Bert sings a bit – in that incredible style of his – but the real attraction here is the guitar interplay, which is always fresh, never hokey, neither familiar American folk nor forced singer-songwriter backup material. Titles include a wonderful reworking of Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" – plus "Red's Favourite", "Orlando", "Soho", "Piano Tune", "East Wind", "After The Dance", and "The Time Has Come". Another Monday is maybe the most obscure album in the collection – a set that is mostly instrumental, with some completely fantastic work by Renbourn on guitar – but which also features a bit of guest vocals from singer Jacqui McShee – whose warmer presence next to John really makes for a nice pairing. The album's as powerful as it is subtle, really beautiful in its sense of variety – with titles that include "Buffalo", "One For William", "Lost Lover Blues", "Another Monday", "Day At The Seaside", "Nobody's Fault But Mine", and "Waltz". Watch The Stars is another great collaboration with Dorris Henderson – an American singer, but one who moved to London in the 60s – where she cut this rare gem with guitarist John Renbourn! The album's got a righteous vibe that's hipper than the usual folk set – with some traditional tunes and some contemporary material – recorded with that amazing phrasing that made Renbourn's guitar so distinct right from the start, with lots of those jazzy currents we love so much – and which really fit the creative vocal approach of Henderson! Dorris also plays some autoharp, and there's a bit of bass in the backings – although overall the main focus here is on Renbourn's guitar and Henderson's vocals. Titles include "Come Up Horsey", "God Bless The Child", "Watch The Stars", "30 Days In Jail", "Mosaic Patterns", "Tomorrow Is A Long Time", and "There's Anger In This Land". Sir John A Lot Of is perhaps one of the best-known albums from British guitar legend John Renbourn – as it was issued widely in the US, and kept in print for a surprisingly long time over the years! The approach here is slightly different than Renbourn's previous records – a bit in the image presented by the cover, although with maybe not as slavish a sound – as John just uses the whole thing to go a bit more ancient than before, in ways that echo the time travel that the whole British folk scene was taking as the 70s approached. The tunes are done in ways that are really beautiful – still lots of the incredible guitar work that made Renbourn such a standout on the scene – plus flute from jazzman Ray Warleigh, who's very different here than usual – and spare use of finger cymbals, African drums, and glockenspiel by Terry Cox. Titles include "Morgana", "Transfusion", "The Trees They Do Grow High", "Sweet Potato", "Seven Up", and "White Fishes". 6CD box features all records in original artwork sleeves, with a booklet of notes – and bonus tracks that include "Message To Pretty", "The Waggoner's Lad", "Lucky Thirteen", "Blues Run The Game", "The Wildest Pig In Captivity (alt)", "Can't Keep From Crying", "Transfusion (alt)", and "The Leaves Are Green". CD

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✨✧ Lonnie SmithKeep On Lovin' ... CD
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... Just Sold Out!
Lonnie Smith's a long way from his Blue Note years here – but the sound is still plenty darn great, thanks to some fuller arrangements from the great Brad Baker – of B Baker Chocolate Company fame! The whole thing's quite electric – with Lonnie on Fender Rhodes and other keyboards on most tracks, and rhythms that bring in bits of strings amidst the smaller jazz combo vamping – a blend that's smoothly soulful, but still more than funky enough to please our ears. Lonnie even sings a bit on the record, too – in this slightly-spacey quality that has echoes of Stevie Wonder – but the main focus overall is on his keyboards, which step out nicely over the backings. Titles include "Keep On Lovin", "What I Want", "No Tears Tomorrow", "Sizzle Stick", "Lean Meat", and "Filet O Sole". CD

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Yma SumacQuintessence (Voice Of The Xtaby/Legend Of The Sun Virgin/Flahooley/Mambo/Inca Taqui/Legend Of The Jivaro/Fuego Del Ande) (3CD set) ... CD
Capitol/El (UK), 1950s. Used 3 CDs ... Just Sold Out!
A huge run of records from Yma Sumac – presented here in a box that collects just about everything she recorded for Capitol Records in the 50s! First up is Voice Of The Xtaby – legendary vocal work from the postwar years – some of the earliest recordings from the enigmatic Yma Sumac – an artist whose records really laid the groundwork for an entire generation of exotica records to come! Sumac's authenticity has been debated over the years – but there's no denying that she's got this incredible vocal range – a many-octave approach that almost makes her sound like a human theremin – as she works with exotic backings from Les Baxter to offer up a take on Peruvian roots, styled towards a 50s bachelor pad listener! Titles include "Xtaby", "Wayra", "Taita Inty", "Monos", and "Tumpa". Legend Of The Sun is early work from Yma Sumac – with that moody mix of other worldly vocals and semi-Latin instrumentation that made her a popular one with the early exotic crowd. Yma runs up and down the vocal scale, while Moises Vivanco leads the band in a set of crashing dramatic orchestrations with a Peruvian feel. Tracks include "Sunray Surita", "Mamallayi", "No Es Vida", "Ccori Canastitay", and "Kon Tiki". The package features selections from the album Flahooley – one of the more obscure Yma Sumac albums from the 50s – a Broadway production with a larger cast – and much more of a musical than Sumac's other records. Yma really stands out in the show, though – singing a few special numbers with music by Moises Vivanco – but the rest is familiar Broadway modes of the early 50s, penned by Sammy Fain & EY Harburg. Sumac titles include "Najala's Song Of Joy", "Najala's Lament", and "Come Back Little Genie Birds". Mambo is quite possibly our favorite album ever by the enigmatic Yma Sumac – thanks to some lively arrangements by Billy May, who gives the set a swinging jazzy groove! As you might guess from the cover, the style here is more in a Latin jazz mode than some of Yma's other more ethereal work – and that style turns out to be a wonderful fit for Sumac's incredible vocals – creating a batch of driving tunes that swing nicely, yet still have a spooky exotic sound on the top! Titles include "Bo Mambo", "Taki Rari", "Goomba Boomba", "Malambo No 1", and "Five Bottles Mambo". Inca Taqui is an early 10" LP – on which Yma Sumac sings chants of the Andes – and authentic or not, the sound's pretty darn great! The record's in the same format as her other early work for Capitol – tunes written by Moises Vivanco, who also conducts the backings in a dramatic early 50s style that's perfect for Yma's wonderful voice! And whether or not these tunes are actually the ones that all the cats in Peru were singing up in the mountains, they still sound pretty darn great as a key part of postwar exotica! Titles include "Incachao", "Llulla Mak'Ta", "Chuncho", "K'Arawi", and "Cumbe-Maita". Legend Of The Jivaro is one of Yma's more "historical" records – and the notes say that the album is "the rare plum of authenticity". We don't know if we'd go that far, but we can tell you that the record features Yma performing songs of the legendary Jivaro headhunters! Supposedly, Yma learned them in her "South American jungle-home", but we keep wondering why the headhunters took the time to teach her, when they could have been shrinking her head. Tracks include "Yawar", "Shou Condor", "Aullay", "Sumac Soratena", and "Hampi". Last up is Fuego Del Ande – one of the most obscure albums by vocalist Yma Sumac – and one of the most compelling too! The album has Yma working in the Andean style of her earlier 10" albums for Capitol – working with Moises Vivanco on a set of tunes that have a much more traditional and almost folkloric style than some of her work with Les Baxter. Titles include "Clamor", "Dale Que Dale", "Llora Corazon", "Gallito Caliente", "La Molina", and "Flor De Canela". CD

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Three DegreesThree Degrees Live ... LP
Philadelphia International, 1975. Near Mint- ... $7.99
The Philly trio gets some great live work done in this tasty little set – hitting the stage with backings from Richard Barrett, and singing before a very enthusiastic crowd in the UK! The style's almost a bit more like the Motown live albums from years back than most Philly International sets – still in the soaring clubby mood of the group's studio work, but with a lot more interplay with the audience, and a style that's sometimes looser and more entertainment-oriented – especially in the choice of a few of the tunes. Titles include "For The Love Of Money", "Living For The City", "Love Train", "Harlem", "When Will I See You Again", "Year Of Decision", and "Free Ride". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has a promo stamp, minimal wear, and is bent just a bit at the spine.)

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✨✧ Doris TroyI'll Do Anything – The Doris Troy Anthology 1960 to 1996 ... CD
Kent (UK), 1960s/1970s/Late 90s. New Copy ... Just Sold Out!
Killer soul from Doris Troy – a wonderful selection of classic singles from a variety of different labels – mostly smoking selections from the 60s, but a few rare gems from later years too! Doris is one of those singers who never hit the chart heights of some of her contemporaries, but always managed to do impeccable work – as you'll hear here on a range of singles for labels like Calla, Cameo, Capitol, Atlantic, and Apple! Troy's got this amazingly rich voice – one we'd rank right up there with Aretha Franklin at her best – supported here by a range of backings that run from deep soul to uptown soul to some warmer 70s modes. Titles include "Face Up To The Truth", "Just One Look", "What A Night Night Night", "Don't Tell Your Mama", "You Tore Me Up Inside", "Heartaches", "He's Qualified", "I'll Do Anything", "Hear Me Calling", "Can't Hold On", "Tomorrow Is Another Day", and "What A Wonderful Lover". CD

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Sylford WalkerLamb's Bread ... LP
17 North Parade, 1979. New Copy (reissue)... $24.99 27.99
One of the deepest records of the roots reggae generation – a set that was so far ahead of its time, it never saw release until a decade after it was recorded! Sylford Walker has this very powerful way of putting over his words – part singing, part chanting – and often set to rhythms that are maybe a bit grittier than the usual Kingston studio modes of the late 70s – especially the percussion, which can have a very raw vibe alongside the basslines. Horns are nice and stark, too – and the whole thing almost feels as if someone took a trip back to the rocksteady years of recording, to put together a roots-oriented album. Glen L Brown produced and arranged – and titles include "Chant Down Babylon", "Lamb's Bread", "My Father's Homeland", "Eternal Day", and "Deuteronomy". LP, Vinyl record album

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VariousAquarius Rock – The Hip Reggae World Of Herman Chin-Loy ... LP
Pressure Sounds (UK), Mid 70s. New Copy 2LP ... $29.99 38.99
Excellent! You're probably familiar with the Aquarius Dub set, an early, early dub LP, featuring some great rockers from Herman Chin Loy and Augustus Pablo – this groovy set from Pressure Sounds collects many of the vocal, dee jay and instrumental tracks that those rhythms laid the base for! 2 dozen bouncing numbers from the Scorpio and Aquarius imprints, with Chin Loy's rippling offbeat approach to production and top flight chats, scats and voicing from some of Kingston's finest, including Augustus Pablo & Herman "Aquarius Rock" and "Iggy Iggy", 2 versions of Alton Ellis' "Alton's Official Daughter", The Aquarians "Funky Aquarius", Sounds Unlimited "Roadrunner" and "Middle East Skank", Archie McKay "Pick Up The Pieces", Leroy Parker "Groove With It", Beres Hammond "No More War" plus its version by Herman, Dennis Alcapone "Return Of Sabata", James Eastwood "Darkest Night", Charlie Boy "Funky Strip", The Teacher "Soul Vibration", Dennis Brown "Song My Mother Used To Sing", Herman "Aquarius Dub", "River Nile Version", "Sabata" and "I Man" and Augustus Pablo "The Red Sea", "Snowball & Pudding", "Song Of The East" and "East Of The River Nile". LP, Vinyl record album
(Please note – the back of the cover states that some of these recordings were remastered from original vinyl copies of the recordings, rather than master tapes, with some compromise in the quality of the sound.)

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VariousReggae Funkyfied ... LP
Rockashacka (Japan), Late 70s/1980s. New Copy ... $32.99 36.99
A killer collection of reggae remakes of famous soul and funk tunes – all served up from a later generation of the scene, which makes a nice change from some of the more ska and rocksteady collections of this nature! It's no secret that Jamaican music was initially given a strong inspiration from American soul – and even in this generation, when the Kingston scene had really found its own groove, other influences would still come into the music in a really great way – as you'll hear on these really cool reworkings of themes from Ohio Players, McFadden & Whitehead, Barry White, and others! The production of most of these cuts is great – different than some of the more disco-oriented material that would copy American work – more laidback, with some currents of lovers rock as well – and funky, but in a laidback way. Titles include "Midnight" by Willie Lindo, "Skin Tight" by Lloyd Charmers, "Strange Compulsion" by Sheila Hylton, "Moving On" by Leslie Butler, "Funky Rasta" by Ronnie Butler, "Crowded City" by The Messengers, "Chemistry Of Love" by Susan Cadogan, "Can't Stop Rasta Now" by Ras Midas, and "Deeper & Deeper" by Lloyd Charmers. LP, Vinyl record album

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VariousStudio One Funk (red CD pressing) ... CD
Studio One/Soul Jazz (UK), Late 60s/Early 70s. New Copy ... $21.99 22.99
Funky nuggets from one of the greatest reggae labels of all time – a really wonderful collection that gets at some of the more hard-hitting material from Kingston powerhouse Studio One Records! Given the way that Studio One helped bridge the worlds of soul during the years of Jamaican ska and rocksteady, the funk is no surprise – and the package features both remakes of American funky numbers and plenty of homegrown cuts, all served up by some of the giants from the scene at the time. Titles include "Sidewalk Doctor" by Pablove Black, "007" by Soul Brothers, "Love Jah" by Sound Dimension, "Do Your Thing" by Leroy Sibbles, "Idleberg" by Cedric Im Brooks, "African Descendants" by Alton Ellis, "Reggae Feet" by Lloyd Williams, "Hang Em High" by Jackie Mittoo, "Beat Down Babylon" by Prince Frances, "Funky Broadway" by Delroy Wilson, "It's A Shame" by Alton Ellis, "Melting Pot" by Underground Vegetables, "Music Answer" by The Sharks, and a surprising remake of "Shaft" by the unlikely Cedric Im Brooks. CD
(Limited edition red CD pressing!)

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✨✧ Bobby Blue BlandDreamer ... LP
ABC, 1974. Very Good Gatefold ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Sure it's not his Duke recordings, and sure, the sound's a bit 70s-ish – but Bobby's voice is always fantastic, and he still sounds great in this smooth batch of tracks recorded in LA. Backings were arranged and conducted by Michael Omartian – but it's Bobby's vocals that really make the set shine. Titles include "Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City", "The End Of The Road", "I Ain't Gonna Be The Fist To Cry", "Dreamer", "Who's Foolin Who", "Cold Day In Hell", "Lovin On Borrowed Time", and "Yolanda". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light edge wear, but looks nice overall.)

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✨✧ Vashti BunyanSome Things Just Stick In Your Mind – Singles & Demos 1964 to 1967 ... LP
DiCristina, Mid 60s. New Copy 2LP Gatefold ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Beautiful early work from British singer Vashti Bunyan – an important figure in the acid folk scene at the end of the 60s, heard here on some really wonderful work from a few years before! Some of the tracks have a really trippy style, and others are a bit more like conventional Brit girl pop of the time – but given a very weird twist overall, with a sound that's quite hard to describe! Vashti's vocals have these really dark qualities overall – and even when the backings are fuller (which often they are not), there's a sad, earthy feel to her singing. But equally great is her guitar work – heard with more prominence on most of the album's previously-unissued tracks from mid 60s tapes. Bunyan plays with these warm harmonics that kind of nestle and bristle underneath her vocals – pushing the tunes up with a sense of brightness in contrast to the voice – almost in a Nick Drake sort of way (and trust us, we don't throw around comparisons to his music easily!) The package is a wonderful look at these almost-lost years of Vashti's career – and it features both sides of her Decca and Columbia singles, an unreleased Immediate single, and a lot more tracks pulled from rare tapes from 1964, 1966, and 1967! Set features 25 tracks that include "Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind", "Train Song", "Love Song", "Winter Is Blue", "Leave Me", "How Do I Know", "Go Before Dawn", "Girl's Song In Winter", "Don't Believe", "17 Pink Sugar Elephants", "Someday", and "I Know". LP, Vinyl record album

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✨✧ Creation RebelHigh Above Harlesden 1978 to 2023 (Dub From Creation/Close Encounters/Rebel Vibrations/Starship Africa/Psychotic Jonkanoo/Hostile Environment) (6CD set) ... CD
On-U Sound (UK), Late 1970s/Early 1980s/2023. New Copy 6CD ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
All the great early albums from Creation Rebel – plus their excellent comeback too! The set begins with Dub From Creation – not just the debut album from Creation Rebel, but also a set that marks the first studio work from the young Adrian Sherwood – part of the long On-U Sound legacy to come, and a wealth of other wonderful music! There's a spareness here that's great – maybe a bit less dark than later Sherwood projects, but no less stark – with melodica and keyboards weaving nicely amidst the dubby rhythms! Titles include "Basic Principals", "Dub Fusion", "Liberation", "Rising Star", "Vision Of Creation", and "Creation In A Iration". Next is Close Encounters Of The Third World – an early part of the On-U Sound legacy, even if the set wasn't issued on the label – a key effort by Creation Rebel that features recording work done both in London and Kingston, layered together in a beautifully dubby way! The sound here is definitely underground – full of message-oriented lyrics from Crucial Tony, who sings in a style that definitely earns him his name – with great melodica and organ flowing through the mix next to Lizard's bass – topped with added horn work from The Arabs in all the right spots! The production is superb – flat on the drums, wide on the sides, which makes for a really wonderful groove – on titles that include "Know Yourself", "Conspiring", "Creation Fever", "Natty Conscience Free", and "Joyful Noise". Rebel Vibrations features early production genius from Adrian Sherwood – and a record that sets the tone for all the On-U Sound genius to come! The set's a huge step forward from even the previous excellent Creation Rebel album – as the way the sounds are layered together is incredible – almost modes learned from post-punk production, but used to deliver a pure, righteous dub album – one that drops out all the vocals, and allows you to concentrate even more on the totally wicked instrumentation! The set features stunning drums from Style Scott, heady bass from Lizard, and all sorts of very cool keyboard work from Clifton Morrison – used in these ways that float about like a swarm of sounds, especially when mixed with the melodica of Doctor Pablo. The whole thing's amazing – and titles include "Diverse Doctor", "Hunger & Strife", "Jungle Affair", "Rebel Vibration", "Black Lion Dub", and "Mountain Melody". Starship Africa is a brilliant Creation Rebel effort for On-U Sound from the dawn of the 80s – landing in the futuristic dub spacecraft that is their Starship Africa – percussion heavy and spaced out ingenuity from Adrian Sherwood & co! Tripped, echoey atmospherics that's cast as a soundtrack to movie that doesn't exist, the music is forward thinking, boundary busting dubby grooves exists out of time and sounds great to this day. Includes "Starship Africa" (Sections 1-5) and "Space Movement" (Sections 1-4). On Psychotic Jonkanoo, Crucial Tony is back in the mix for this righteous early 80s album from Creation Rebel – a set that has Adrian Sherwood only furthering his production genius as he layers together stunning instrumental work from the group! The presence of the vocals has the instrumentation slightly back in the mix – but there's still a great run of rhythms throughout, all driven by the mighty heady basslines of Lizard Logan! There's less keyboards than before, but still some nice electronic bits all over the place – and titles include "The Dope", "African Space", "Threat To Creation", "Highest Degree", "Mother Don't Cry", and "Drum Talk". From 2023, Hostile Environment is the first album in many years from this legendary studio project from On-U Sound and Adrian Sherwood – and one that makes us feel as if the passage of decades hasn't happened at all! Sherwood's production is still wonderful – and, if anything, maybe less showy, or more soulful, or less moody – just something that seems to let the work of the group come through with energy that's wonderfully warm and organic, while still resonating with plenty of touches that will make longtime label fans proud! Vocals are shared between Charlie Eskimo Fox and Mr Magoo, and the set also features guest appearances from Prince Far I and Daddy Freddy – on titles that include "That's More Like It" "Jubilee Clock", "Swiftly", "Stonebridge Warrior", "Crown Hill Road", "The People's Sound", and "Whatever It Takes". CD

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✨✧ Jose FelicianoFeliciano! ... LP
RCA, 1968. Near Mint- ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
An amazing record! By all rights, this shouldn't be so good – but it's an incredible album of haunting tracks that really has us coming back again and again over the years. The formula is simple: Jose plays late 60s pop tunes on acoustic guitar, and sings them in his spacey soulful voice. Backings are by George Tipton, plus a jazz combo made up of Jim Horn, Ray Brown, and Milt Holland – but it's Jose that really makes the whole thing amazing! His style of presentation is like anything else we can describe – filled with sadness and soul, but enough joy to keep moving forward. He takes tracks like "Light My Fire", "In My Life", "Sunny", and "California Dreamin", and transforms them into an amazing document of the darkness hidden behind the sun of southern California. "California Dreamin" is especially amazing – and Jose's version is one of the best soul songs of all time! LP, Vinyl record album
(70s orange label stereo pressing.)

Partial matches48
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✨✧ BB KingLA Midnight ... LP
ABC, 1972. Very Good+ ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
BB King brings in a sweet dose of jazz to his work – just a touch of the funkier backings that some of his electric contemporaries were getting at the time – maybe not as hard-wailing as some of the Chess funky blues records, but definitely somewhere in that direction! Players on the date include Mel Brown and Jesse Davis on guitars, Bobby Bryant on trumpet, Red Holloway on tenor, Plas Johnson on baritone, Clifford Coulter and Victor Feldman on piano, and the great Earl Palmer on drums. Titles include "Help The Poor", "Can't You Hear Me Talking To You", "Midnight", "I Got Some Help I Don't Need", "I've Been Blue Too Long", "Lucille's Granny, and "Can't You Hear Me Talking To You". LP, Vinyl record album
(Black label stereo pressing in the textured cover, with a few rounded corners.)

Partial matches49
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✨✧ Teena MarieIrons In The Fire ... LP
Gordy, 1980. Very Good+ ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A stone classic from Teena Marie – one of her magical self-produced efforts for Motown! The record's a winner all the way through – with a depth to the vocals and backings that are steeped in the 70s styles of Minnie Riperton and Chaka Khan. A few tracks get a bit upbeat funky, but overall, it's the mellow ones we like the best. Titles include "I Need Your Lovin", "Young Love", "First Class Love", "Irons In The Fire", "Chains", "You Make Love Like Springtime", and "Tune In Tomorrow". LP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has light wear.)

Partial matches50
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✨✧ Hal SchaeferJust Too Much ... LP
RCA, 1954. Near Mint- ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Progressive piano from Hal Schaeffer – a player who's well suited to the variety of moods and modes required of pianists in the 50s! Hal's working here in trio format, but with the kind of playful flourishes and powerful keyboard command that made for strong staying power in regular small club bookings – changing voice and tone from track to track, and working with drummer Alvin Stoller and bassist Joe Mondragon in an approach that's as modern as it is crowd-pleasing. Titles include "Yes", "Have You Met Miss Jones", "You Are Too Beautiful", "I'll Remember April", "All The Things You Are", and "Montevideo". LP, Vinyl record album
(Mono black label pressing with deep groove. Cover has some wear and aging, splitting in the bottom seam, and some light blemishes in back.)

Partial matches51
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✨✧ Joanie SommersCome Alive – The Complete Columbia Recordings ... CD
Columbia/Real Gone, Mid 60s. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A great package of music from singer Joanie Sommers – none of which has ever been on CD before! At the core of the record is the album Come Alive – really groovy work from singer Sommers – an overlooked gem recorded after her initial albums for Warner Brothers, and put together with some mighty cool arrangements from the great Mort Garson! Joanie's lost all her little girl pop modes here – and instead really comes across with the adult charm of a jazz singer – reaching out with some surprisingly deep tones on the mellower cuts, and showing a great sense of swing on the groovers – all at a mode that really takes her past the style of the early years! Mort's backings are great – as rich in jazzy tones as someone like Marty Paich, but also touched with some of the unusual inflections that always make Garson's music so great. Tracks include "I'm All Smiles", "Girl Talk", "You'd Better Love Me", "You Take What Comes Along", "Watch What Happens", "Too Late Now", and "Sunday In New York". Added to the core album are 12 more bonus tracks, some of which were singles, some never issued, and one a rare Pepsi commercial! Bonus cuts include "Love Song", "Never Never", "Alfie", "Never Throw Your Dreams Away", "Come Alive (Pepsi jingle)", and "It Doesn't Matter Anymore". CD
(Out of print.)

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✨✧ StruttTime Moves On ... CD
Brunswick/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1975. New Copy ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Part funk, part disco, and all the way soul – served up in this one and only album from Strutt! The group were an obscure New Jersey combo from the 70s, but they step out beautifully on this rare Brunswick album – which has the same sort of funk club groove you'd find on a few of the label's other gems from this late period – like work by Tony Valor or Marilyn Farra & Satin Soul! All cuts have vocals, but the real strength of the group lies in their funky combo backings – an approach that's really honed to a "t" here, in a style that shows that the best early club music always had plenty of live, spontaneous instrumentation in the mix! Willie Bridges turns in a few great sax solos on the set – and titles include "Funky Sign", "Funky Baby Feet", "We've Come A Long Way Baby", "Said You Didn't Love Him", "If Wishing Made It So", "Time Moves On", and "Front Row Romeo" – in both vocal and instrumental versions. CD

Partial matches53
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✨✧ Third EstateYears Before The Wine/Agonistes (plus bonus tracks) ... CD
Lion, Mid 70s. New Copy 2CD ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A concept album from the Louisiana scene of the 70s, but one that's much more down to earth than big label projects of the time – and which comes across here in a really unique blend of southern rock guitar and some nicely complicated ideas! The approach is almost impossible to describe – there's part of the record that feels like a post-psych exploration of the sort you'd hear a decade later on Creation Records, but other moments with fuller guitar have elements that feel like they could find a home on the Capricorn label in the early 70s – a really great blend that's completely unique, and which has an instant appeal that even goes way past the concept of the set. Titles include "Kings", "Puppet City", "Third Estate", "Years Before The Wine", and "Look At Me". The set also includes the related, but never-issued Agonistes album – a record that maybe has more of a vibe that links it to British folk material – but again, with a special sort of quality that's all its own. Titles include "Agonistes' Funeral", "Resurrection", "Sun & The Season", "Sorrow's Death", and "Sing His Song". Also includes 5 more bonus tracks – a single by the Agonistes, and Third Estate recordings too! CD

Partial matches54
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✨✧ VariousNiney The Observer Presents Dreadlocks Coming To Dinner – The Observer 7" Singles 1973 to 1975 ... CD
Doctor Bird (UK), Mid 1970s. New Copy 2CDs ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A righteous batch of 70s reggae tracks, all produced by Niney The Observer – including 15 tracks that haven't been in print since their original Jamaican release back in the day! The cover and title are a play on a famous American film of the late 60s – but the music here is pure Kingston, and has Niney working with some of the top talents of the scene, and as a lead act on his own – serving up both instrumentals and vocal tunes, all in a wonderfully soulful mix of modes! There's definitely some key classics on the set, but those are also mixed with some great rare numbers too – a rich array of cuts that were originally only issued as 7" singles, presented here with great sound and very detailed notes. There's a whopping 49 tracks in all – with work from Big Youth, Earth & Stone, Ken Boothe, Sang Hugh, The Observers, Hubert Lee, Winston Wright, Delroy Wilson, Denis Brown, U Roy, Glassford Manning, Junior Delgado, Roman Stewart, and Niney himself! CD

Partial matches55
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✨✧ Chuck BerryChuck Berry Is On Top ... CD
Chess/MCA, 1959. Used ... Out Of Stock
Chuck Berry is definitely on top with this classic Chess Records set – an album that shows that Berry always had a lot more to offer than some of his oldies rocker contemporaries! Sure, there's a few hits here, but the overall quality of the music is more in the mode of Chess blues of the time – lots of raw backings that are as heavy on piano lines and romping rhythms as they are Chuck's own searing lead guitar – a sound that definitely sets the tone for generations to come, and which is always heard best here in its early hoke-free setting. The whole album's wonderful, and even familiar hits sound newly brilliant in this context – a smoking lineup that includes "Jo Jo Gunne", "Around & Around", "Hey Pedro", "Anthony Boy", "Sweet Little Rock & Roller", "Almost Grown", "Roll Over Beethoven", and "Maybellene". CD
(Out of print.)

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✨✧ Chico Buarque/Francis Hime/SimoneDona Flor & Her Two Husbands ... LP
Peters, 1977. Very Good+ ... Out Of Stock
Great soundtrack work from Chico Buarque – thanks in large part to some help from Francis Hime, who arranged the whole set with the sort of backings heard on his own work! The soundtrack's best known for the Buarque groover "O Que Sera" – presented here in 2 great vocal versions by Simone, and also done in a few instrumental takes. Other tunes are a mix of larger orchestrations, lighter groovers, and even a few American standards re-done with Brazilian touches – and the whole thing's done with a feel that's much more 60s than you'd guess from the date – with no cheesy throw-away disco styled numbers. Titles include "La Conga", "Un Samba", "O Que Sera", "Honeymoon", and "Dona Flor's Theme". LP, Vinyl record album
(US pressing. Cover has waviness from moisture.)

Partial matches57
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✨✧ Ella Fitzgerald & Louis ArmstrongElla & Louis (2LP set) ... LP
Verve, Late 50s. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold ... Out Of Stock
Classic duets between Ella & Louis – done in a sweet mode that only could have been handled by Verve in the 50s! Backings are in a nice small combo mode, and Ella and Louis carry most of the set with their great vocal interplay – warm, personal, and pretty darn charming – in a mode that should be hokey, but comes across great! Oscar Peterson's group provides backing – with Ray Brown on bass and Herb Ellis on guitar – and titles include "Love Is Here To Stay", "I Won't Dance", "The Nearness Of You", "Cheek To Cheek", "Moonlight In Vermont", "Can't We Be Friends", and "A Foggy Day". LP, Vinyl record album
(70s issue. Cover has some wear and aging, bumped corner, and some minor stains and flaking inside the gatefold.)

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✨✧ Aretha FranklinLady Soul ... LP
Atlantic, 1968. Very Good+ ... Out Of Stock
One of Aretha Franklin's undisputed classics from her late 60s run on Atlantic Records – a seminal session that furthered her deep soul agenda with key backings from Arif Mardin and Tom Dowd – both of whom handle the mix of rawness and polish that made Aretha so great at the time! The Sweet Inspirations provide sublime backing vocals behind Franklin's maturing delivery of the lyrics – and the music is by an all-star group of players that includes Spooner Oldham, Bobby Womack, Jimmy Johnson, King Curtis, Tommy Cogbill, Roger Hawkins, and even Eric Clapton – clearly the cream of the crop, more than willing to be part of such an amazing set! Cuts include "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman", "Chain Of Fools", "Money Won't Change You", "Come Back Baby", and "Ain't No Way". LP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo pink & brown label pressing with deep groove. Cover has a bumped corner, light surface wear, and aging.)

Partial matches59
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✨✧ Marvin GayeMidnight Love ... LP
Columbia, 1982. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Marvin Gaye's last album ever – and a sensuous batch of grooves that almost return him to the sound of Let's Get It On! The style here is a bit more modern, but the sound is still great – a smoother approach to soul than most of Gaye's contemporaries at the time, recorded in a way that has the vocals soaring majestically over the top of the backings! Slight undercurrents of funk spice things up somewhat, but still avoid any mainstream 80s groove cliches – and Marvin wrote, arranged, and produced the album himself (although with a bit of help from Chicago organist Odell Brown on the hit "Sexual Healing"!) Titles include "Sexual Healing", "My Love Is Waiting", "Third World Girl", "Turn On Some Music", "Joy", and "Midnight Lady". LP, Vinyl record album
(Original pressing. Includes the printed inner sleeve.)

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✨✧ Grant GreenVisions ... LP
Blue Note, 1971. Sealed ... Out Of Stock
A wicked late Blue Note album from Grant Green – quite different than his smaller combo work from the early years, and done with some great larger arrangements that feature some ultra-hip vibes from the legendary Billy Wooten! Wooten's as great here as on his famous work with the Ninteenth Whole, and his vibes bring a nice edge to the record – ringing out in bold chromatic tones behind Green's guitar – amidst some warm electric backings that feature keyboards from Emmanuel Riggins, drums from Idris Muhammad, and congas from Ray Armando. Wade Marcus helped a bit on the music, and there's some tracks that definitely show his sophisti-soul touches – and the whole thing's almost got a CTI-funk sort of feel overall – with a great undercurrent of soul, no matter what the choice of material. Titles include a very groovy version of "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is" – plus "Cantaloupe Woman", "Blues For Abraham", "Never Can Say Goodbye", "Maybe Tomorrow", "Love On A Two Way Street", and "We've Only Just Begun". LP, Vinyl record album
(Sealed 70s pressing!)

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✨✧ Oliver NelsonFantabulous ... CD
Argo/Verve, 1964. Used ... Out Of Stock
A cool cooker from Oliver Nelson – one of the few 60s albums he cut as a leader with the same sense of soul and swing as his backings for other players! The sound here is right up there with Nelson's work with Jimmy Smith over at Verve – soaring, soulful arrangements that sparkle in ways that few other arrangers could match – perfectly balanced between bold statements by the soloists and a tight ensemble feel overall! The players are all top-shelf – and include Phil Woods on alto sax, Jerome Richardson on flute and baritone, Robert Hashton on tenor, Art Hoyle on trumpet, and Patti Brown on piano – plus Nelson himself on alto, getting in a few key solos. The whole thing's wonderfully upbeat and joyous, but with a deeper sense of feeling too – and many titles are originals by Nelson, including "Hobo Flats", "Post No Bills", "Laz-ie Kate", "Teenie's Blues", and "Three Plus One". CD
(2008 digipak pressing.)

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✨✧ Priscilla ParisPriscilla Loves Billie ... LP
Happy Tiger, 1969. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Breathily beautiful work from singer Priscilla Paris – an unusual take on the music of Billie Holiday, done with a relatively sweet feel overall! Paris is definitely trying for Holiday's tone at times – but her sound is always a bit warmer and airier – almost as if Claudine Longet were doing a tribute to Billie, with a spacious late 60s feel that's almost A&M at times! Backings are by Sid Feller and Don Peake, and players on the date include Jimmy Rowles on piano, Jim Crutcher on bass, John Guerin on drums, and Peake on guitar – plus a bit of added strings. Titles include "In My Solitude", "Girls Were Made To Take Care Of Boys", "Just Friends", "I Love You Porgy", and "My Man". LP, Vinyl record album
(Original pressing in the textured cover. Cover has a tiny bump in one corner, but this is a great copy overall.)

Partial matches63
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✨✧ Spinners8 ... LP
Atlantic, 1977. Very Good+ ... Out Of Stock
Eight Atlantic albums, and The Spinners are still going strong – sounding really wonderful here, thanks to Philly backings from the great Thom Bell! The album's not filled with hits, but that's a big part of its charm – as the group still sounds great, with smoother than smooth vocals – and the tunes move nicely between the soaring style the group discovered in Philly, and some of the mellower moments we've grown to like even more in their work over the years. Most players are Sigma Sound regulars, and titles include "I'm Tired Of Giving", "You Got The Love That I Need", "Painted Magic", "Easy Come Easy Go", "Love Is One Step Away", "Back In The Arms Of Love", and "Heaven On Earth". LP, Vinyl record album
(Includes printed inner sleeve.)

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✨✧ VariousLinks & Friends – More Rocksteady ... CD
Links/Rockashacka (Japan), Mid 60s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A really great collection of work from the ultra-rare Links label – a short-lived imprint from the ska/rocksteady years of the scene in Kingston – and one that only issued a handful of records, all of which were pretty darn great! The label was founded by BB Seton of The Gaylads, and all the cuts here have a similarly soulful vibe as work from that great group – the growing emphasis on strong lead vocals over instrumentation on the Jamaican scene – sometimes with harmonies that were almost strong enough to blow away American soul groups of the time! Titles include "Looking For A Girl" and "Let's Fall In Love" by The Gaylads, "Can't You See" and "I Remember Someone" by Ken Boothe, "Give Love A Try" by Delroy Wilson, "Hog In A Minty" by Prince Glen, "Sweet Melody" by Big Joe, "It Comes & Goes" by The Melodians, "Small World" by Randall Thaxter, and "Something New" by Conscious Minds. CD

Partial matches65
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✨✧ VariousTres Chic – More French Girl Singers Of The 60s ... CD
Ace (UK), Late 60s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Groovy gals from 60s France – a power-packed array of Parisian pop nuggets that goes way beyond most other compilations of this nature! Some of the big names are here, but there's way more obscure numbers too – the cool kind of French femmes that made a bit splash during the "yeh yeh" generation, with a mix of the rough and the sweet that few other girl singers could ever hope to touch! There's a really special mod sort of energy here – vocals that push out strongly, yet never succumb to emotional cliches of American and British singers – and backings that are always tight and groovy, but in a jaunty, jerky way that's quite different than straight ahead rock. The mix of modes is completely sublime – just the sort of music that still really sends us after all these years – and titles include "J'Ai Des Problemes Decidement" by Violaine, "Hymne Au Soleil" by Pussy Cat, "Attends Ou Va-T'En" by France Gall, "Tomorrow Is Another Day" by Gillian Hills, "Bravo" by Jacqueline Taieb, "Pas De Taxi" by Annie Philippe, "La Fermeture Eclair" by Delphine, "Les Paillons Noirs" by Michele Arnaud, "Comme Tu Es Jeune" by Liz Brady, "Sous Le Soleil Exactement" by Anna Karina, and "Ecoutez" by Elsa. CD

Partial matches66
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✨✧ Bobby Blue BlandDreamer ... CD
MCA/BGO (UK), 1974. Used ... Out Of Stock
Sure it's not his Duke recordings, and sure, the sound's a bit 70s-ish – but Bobby's voice is always fantastic, and he still sounds great in this smooth batch of tracks recorded in LA. Backings were arranged and conducted by Michael Omartian – but it's Bobby's vocals that really make the set shine. Titles include "Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City", "When You Come To The End Of The Road", "I Ain't Gonna Be The Fist To Cry", "Dreamer", "Who's Foolin Who", "Cold Day In Hell", "Lovin On Borrowed Time", and "Yolanda". CD

Partial matches67
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✨✧ Jackie De ShannonLaurel Canyon (with bonus tracks) ... CD
Imperial/RPM (UK), 1968. Used ... Out Of Stock
Heady work from Jackie DeShannon's later years in 60s pop – an album with themes and styles that go way beyond her earlier recordings – as you might guess from the hip Laurel Canyon reference in the title! Jackie's working here in a mode that's much more strongly in a singer-songwriter style than before – with arrangements and backings that are a lot more organic, and less pop-tuned than ever – almost in a Laura Nyro approach on some numbers. As usual, a good portion of the tracks were written by Jackie herself – including "Holly Would", "Come & Stay With Me", "LA", "Too Close", and "Laurel Canyon" – and the album also features a few well chosen tracks by other writers too, like "Bitter Honey" by Paul Williams & Roger Nichols, "I Got My Reason" by Barry White, and "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" by Smokey Robinson. There's also a growing soulfulness in the arrangements too – a sound that comes out even more fully on the bonus tracks, some of which were written and produced by Bobby Womack! Bonus tracks include Jackie singing the Womack tracks "What Is This", "Trust In Me", and "Ooh You Did It Again" – plus "Happy Go Lucky Girl", "Efferfescent Blue", "Children & Flowers", and "Put A Little Love In Your Heart". CD

Partial matches68
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✨✧ Billy EckstineSenior Soul/If She Walked Into My Life ... CD
Stax/Enterprise, 1972/1974. Used ... Out Of Stock
2 early 70s sessions from Billy Eckstine – both recorded for Stax Records! First up is Senior Soul – a well-titled set not only given Billy's age, but also because of the surprisingly soulful undercurrent to the record – an extension into the genre even greater than Eckstine's previous recordings for Motown – and proof that he was really trying to stretch out towards new audiences at the time! Artie Butler handled the backings, and he uses a groove that's pretty full, but never overwhelming – more ebullient soul than some of Eckstine's more familiar jazz – with backing vocals and bright horns, yet still plenty of space for Billy to do his thing. The best numbers have Eckstine coming across with the 70s cool of Grady Tate on his vocal sides – and titles include "Thank You For The Moment", "A Song For You", "A Man Who Sings", "Today Was Tomorrow Yesterday", "I Believe In Music", and "Living Like A Gypsy". If She Walked Into My Life is extremely compelling stuff – and you've really got to give Billy credit for reinventing himself like this! The album features Billy's deep deep voice amidst arrangements by Artie Butler, Jimmy Jones, Mike Melvoin, and Billy Byers – sort of a blend of Grady Tate sophisti-jazz, and Scott Walker baroque, with a moody mellow sound that would make either of them proud. Titles include "The Taste Of My Tears", "I Am Yours", "Maybe This Time", "The Very Thought Of You", and "All In Love Is Fair". CD

Partial matches69
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✨✧ Jose FelicianoFeliciano! ... CD
RCA, Late 60s. Used ... Out Of Stock
An amazing record! By all rights, this shouldn't be so good – but it's an incredible album of haunting tracks that really has us coming back again and again over the years. The formula is simple: Jose plays late 60s pop tunes on acoustic guitar, and sings them in his spacey soulful voice. Backings are by George Tipton, plus a jazz combo made up of Jim Horn, Ray Brown, and Milt Holland – but it's Jose that really makes the whole thing amazing! His style of presentation is like anything else we can describe – filled with sadness and soul, but enough joy to keep moving forward. He takes tracks like "Light My Fire", "In My Life", "Sunny", and "California Dreamin", and transforms them into an amazing document of the darkness hidden behind the sun of southern California. "California Dreamin" is especially amazing – and Jose's version is one of the best soul songs of all time! CD

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✨✧ Marvin GayeMidnight Love (2CD expanded legacy edition) ... CD
Columbia, 1982. Used 2CD ... Out Of Stock
Marvin Gaye's last album ever – and a sensuous batch of grooves that almost return him to the sound of Let's Get It On! The style here is a bit more modern, but the sound is still great – a smoother approach to soul than most of Gaye's contemporaries at the time, recorded in a way that has the vocals soaring majestically over the top of the backings! Slight undercurrents of funk spice things up somewhat, but still avoid any mainstream 80s groove cliches – and Marvin wrote, arranged, and produced the album himself (although with a bit of help from Chicago organist O'Dell Brown on the hit "Sexual Healing"!) Titles include "Sexual Healing", "My Love Is Waiting", "Third World Girl", "Turn On Some Music", "Joy", and "Midnight Lady". 2CD version features the bonus 74 minute "Sexual Healing sessions" – an amazing batch of tracks that show the development of different tunes on the album – with the tracks "Clique Games/Rick James", "Sexual Healing (alt 12" inst)", "I Bet You Wonder", "Baby Baby Baby", "I've Got My Music", "Turn On Some Music (alt voc mix)", "Marvin's Message To CBS Records", "Sexual Healing (rehearsal tape)", and "My Love Is Waiting (alt vocal)". CD

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✨✧ Stan GetzMickey One – Music From The Soundtrack ... CD
MGM/Verve, Mid 60s. Used ... Out Of Stock
An excellent one from Getz – recorded here as the lead soloist over backings composed by Eddie Sauter, designed to accompany the film Mickey One, an early directorial effort from Arthur Penn (and starring Warren Beatty as well!) The score has a very edgey quality to it, and Getz's playing is superb – a clear contrast to his breathier bossa work of the same vintage, and proof that he was growing tremendously as a player at the time. Titles include "Where I Live", "The Creature Machine", "Morning Ecstasy", "As Long As I Live", "Mickey's Theme", and "On Stage". CD

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✨✧ Gregory IsaacsShowcase ... LP
Taxi (Jamaica), 1980. New Copy (reissue)... Out Of Stock
If there's anything that might make the vocals of Gregory Isaacs sound even better, it's the production by Sly & Robbie that marks this excellent release on their Taxi label – a record that's both more expansive and more down to earth than some of Isaacs' work on bigger labels – and which also has Sly & Robbie still in the headier side of the Kingston scene, very different than their growing work on contributions to more commercial projects! The tracks are all nice and long, and in addition to Sly on drums and Robbie on bass, the set features key work from Willie Lindo on guitar and Robbie Lyn on piano – crafting their sound over a lean groove that still has the righteous vocals of Gregory taking center stage. Titles include "Mistake", "Going Down Town", "Soon Forward", "You'll Never Know", "Slave Driver", and "Motherless Children". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches73
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✨✧ Ruby JohnsonIf I Ever Needed Love ... LP
Velvet Ramp/Mississippi, Mid 60s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Soul singer Ruby Johnson never recorded a full album back in the day – and this set nicely corrects that fact, by bringing together some of her rare singles as a wonderful ten track album! Ruby's got a richness that's in the best southern soul mode of the time – a voice that would fit easily right next to the best Chess material by Etta James, but occasionally giving a slight uptown pitch in the backings – maybe a bit like Maxine Brown at moments too! Yet whatever the case, Johnson's a wonderfully expressive singer – and really knocks it out of the park on this set of heartbreaking gems – titles that include "No No No", "If I Ever Needed Love", "It's Not That Easy", "I'll Run Your Heart Away", "Let Me Apologize", "I'd Better Check Myself", "Come To Me My Darling", and "How Strong Is My Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches74
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✨✧ Pete JollyHerb Alpert Presents Pete Jolly ... LP
A&M, 1968. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
One of the finest A&M records of the sixties, and one of the finest records that Pete Jolly ever cut – a fantastic little session that blends his sprightly piano with fuller backings by Marty Paich – jazzy, but also sweepingly wonderful – and presented here with a great balance between spaciousness and fullness! Pete's work on the acoustic piano has never been better – and the album features a sublime version of "Windows of the World", plus loads of other great tunes that "Serenata", "Dindi", "Love So Fine", and "For Carl". A record that never fails to delight us! LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches75
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✨✧ Darius JonesRaw Demoon Alchemy – A Lone Operation ... CD
Northern Spy, 2021. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Strong solo work from saxophonist Darius Jones – a set that really lives up to both the "raw" and the "lone operation" in the title – as Jones blows here in a space that's very much all his own – with raw emotionality in the spotlight all the way through! Yet the work also draws key inspiration from earlier giants – as many of the tunes are reworkings of older compositions, from artists who include Roscoe Mitchell, Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, and Georgia Anne Muldrow – taken to very personal territory by the performance. There's a strong sense of space to the recording – one that reminds us of hearing Mitchell play solo in a cathedral many years back – and titles include "Nonaah", "Love In Outer Space", "Figure No 2", "Sadness", and "Beautiful Love". CD

Partial matches76
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✨✧ Gary Lewis & The PlayboysYou Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture/New Directions/Now ... CD
Liberty/BGO (UK), Late 60s. New Copy 2CD ... Out Of Stock
Three classic albums from Gary Lewis & The Playboys – all brought together in a single set! First up is You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture – wonderfully groovy work from Gary Lewis and his Playboys – just the sort of west coast pop masterpiece that Liberty Records could come up with when they were doing things this right! Production is by Snuff Garrett, with lots of Leon Russell arrangements in the studio – and although Gary's vocals are great and super-catchy, the guitars, basslines, and all the other great bits recorded for the backings hold our attention just as much! Titles include "String Along", "Tina", "My Heart's Symphony", "Looking For The Stars", "When Summer Is Gone", "Where Will The Words Come From", and "You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture". New Directions is a set that doesn't really have Gary Lewis taking that many new directions – he doesn't grow his hair and become a hippie – but a set that does have a few nice changes from his other Liberty work at the time! Arrangements here are by Jack Nitzsche and Nick DeCaro – both of whom bring in some superb LA touches to the tunes – and Gary himself seems to take a bit more time with some of the lyrics, almost as if he's been listening to the maturing side of the British scene, and wants to get past the simple catchiness of his hits. The whole thing makes for a nice change – and titles include "Girls In Love", "Double Good Feeling", "Here I Am", "Hello Sunshine", "New In Town", "Slow Movin Man", and "Me About You". Now is one of the last albums in Gary Lewis' famous 60s run for Liberty Records – and a set that makes for a nice sendoff overall! A lot of the material here was handled by other artists first – and it's bit like Lewis is letting the others of the groovy 60s set the tone for him here – but with great Snuff Garrett production and Al Capps arrangements, things are rock-solid throughout – and Gary's got no trouble bringing out the catchiest corners of tunes that include "Windy", "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight", "Sealed With A Kiss", "Young Girl", "Judy In Disguise", Sunny", and "What Am I Gonna Do". CD

Partial matches77
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✨✧ Herbie MannAfro-Jazziac Bop ... CD
Fuel 2000, Late 50s. Used ... Out Of Stock
A great set of tracks – even if it is a discographer's nightmare! 12 tracks on the album are from a session originally done under the name of Machito – and features Herbie as the main soloist, over a set of wonderfully lush Latin jazz backings! The feel is nicely exotic – right up there with Herbie's best work of this nature, and done with a heavy groove, thanks to Machito's touch – sounding very similar to his legendary Kenya album. The remaining 8 tracks on the set are pulled from a late 50s session for the tiny Mode label – a tasty bit of west coast jazz that has a very different feel than the Machito material, but which is equally nice! Herbie plays piccolo and tenor in addition to flute – working with a small group that includes Jimmy Rowles, Mel Lewis, and Buddy Colette. Titles on the CD include "Answer Me", "Give A Little Whistle", "Bacao", "Perdido", "Afternoon Death", "Brazilian Soft Shoe", "African Flute", "The Davis Cup", and "Carabunta". CD

Partial matches78
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✨✧ Chris MontezTime After Time ... LP
A&M, 1967. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Jaunty, sprightly grooves from the wonderful Chris Montez – one of his sublime 60s classics for A&M Records, done with beautiful backings from the great Nick DeCaro! The pairing of Montez and DeCaro is totally great – as Nick finds a way to really get the right sort of punch out of Chris' light and dreamy voice – this kind of back/forth, sing/song sort of rhythm that really works wonders – taking familiar tunes, and turning them into whole new Montez-motivated numbers! There's more than a bit of bossa in the mix, and the whole thing's put together with a dreamy creamy A&M sound that really sends us – and titles include "The Girl From Ipanema", "Our Day Will Come", "Time After Time", "Elena", "Going Out Of My Head", and "Sunny". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches79
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✨✧ NinapintaDowntown Scene ... LP
Decca, 1965. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
The Downtown Scene is a plenty groovy one – thanks to heavy percussion from Ninapinta, and some great jazzy backings from Jimmy Wisner! The album's a blend of Latin Soul, Latin jazz, and other mod 60s styles – all wrapped together with Verve-like perfection, with supporting players who include Clark Terry on trumpet, Artie Kaplan on sax and flute, Willie Rodriguez on percussion, and Jimmy Wisner on piano and organ! The tunes are jaunty, jumpy, and plenty darn soulful – all instrumental, and with just the sort of hip sound we're always searching for on records like this, but never find done so well. Many tunes are covers, but they're really transformed – and titles include "Downtown", "Mrs Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter", "1-2-3", "The In Crowd", "Help", "It Ain't Me Babe", and "Hang On Sloopy". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches80
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✨✧ Buck OwensChristmas With Buck Owens & His Buckaroos (red vinyl pressing) ... LP
Capitol/Sundazed, 1967. New Copy (reissue)... Out Of Stock
Buck's first Christmas album – and a prime batch of tracks that are right up there with the best of his regular records from the time! There's a strong strand of Bakersfield production running through the album – perfect for both the sadder tunes and the more upbeat ones – and the Buckaroos are in fine form, laying down some great backings that make this more than just a one-off throwoff album. There's plenty of well-written tunes on the record – and tracks include "Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy", "Blue Christmas Lights", "Christmas Time's A Comin", "Here Comes Santa Claus Again", and "All I Want for Christmas Is You". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches81
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✨✧ Junior ParkerLove Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On (aka Outside Man) ... CD
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the funkiest albums ever from Junior Parker – a great little set that shows he had a lot more to offer than just the average bluesman! The album's got a nice little soul sound in the backings – tight rhythms from Horace Ott, who nicely avoids a lot of the cliches that the blues business was hitting at the time – in order to keep Junior in hip territory that's filled with breaking drums and heavy basslines! There's a few key crossover tracks here, plus some surprisingly sweeter numbers – and the album's a gem through and through – well-appreciated by new generations over the years, thanks to its diversity of tracks! Titles include a great break version of "Taxman" – plus two more Beatles numbers, "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "Lady Madonna" – and the tracks "Outside Man", "Darling Depend On Me", "You Know I Love You", "River's Invitation", and "Just To Hold My Hand". CD

Partial matches82
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✨✧ Esther PhillipsAlone Again, Naturally ... CD
Kudu/Reel Music, 1972. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
One of the deepest soul sets from Esther Phillips' 70s years on Kudu Records – a set with some nicely gritty grooves and a surprisingly earthy feel at times – especially when compared to some of her other albums of the time! Backings are by James Brown's old reedman, Pee Wee Ellis – and although there's some of the usual Kudu electric funk in the mix, there's also some deeper soul elements too – a vibe that's often a bit laidback and open, almost more Atlantic Records at points – which is a mighty good fit for Esther's wonderful voice! As usual for Kudu, the players are an all-star lineup – one that includes Richard Tee on keyboards, George Benson on guitar, Maceo Parker on tenor, and Bernard Purdie and Billy Cobham on drums – and Don Sebesky's also on deck a bit, to sweeten a few tracks up with light strings. The album's got a great version of Bill Withers' "Use Me" that features a tasty break in the intro – and other titles include a great version of "Alone Again (Naturally)", plus the cuts "Let's Move & Groove", "Cherry Red", "Let Me In Your Life", and "You & Me Together". CD
Also available Alone Again, Naturally ... LP 14.99

Partial matches83
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✨✧ PioneersLong Shot (180 gram magenta vinyl pressing) ... LP
Trojan/Music On Vinyl (Netherlands), 1969. New Copy (reissue)... Out Of Stock
An early gem from The Pioneers, and one of the first records on the Trojan label too – the kind of head-nodding, late rocksteady sounds that made the imprint a key bridge between the scenes in Kingston and London at the end of the 60s! The Pioneers have a bit more complex vocal interplay than other Jamaican vocal groups of the time – an ability to harmonize together, but break out a bit too – trading lines with increasing complexity that reflects the growing expressiveness that would flower more strongly in roots music during the 70s – turned here towards themes that are a bit less global, but even more charming in that respect. There's a wonderfully unified feel to the whole album – and titles include "Caranapo", "Long Shot Kick De Bucket", "Black Bud", "Lucky Side", "Samfie Man", "Mother Ritty", "Bring Him Come", and "Boss Festival". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches84
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✨✧ Gregory PorterNat King Cole & Me (deluxe edition – with bonus tracks) ... CD
Blue Note (Netherlands), 2017. Used ... Out Of Stock
The great Gregory Porter in a very different setting than usual – working here with larger backings from an entire orchestra, as part of the album's tribute to Nat King Cole during his glory days at Capitol Records! The style here isn't the King Cole Trio vibe of the mid 40s, but instead that lush, larger approach of the 50s – when Nat took his jazz roots and transformed them into something even more sophisticated and powerful, at a level that also helped raise both his profile and that of many of his contemporaries – opening the door for generations of musical growth to come. Porter pays back that monumental favor – by turning his amazing vocals loose on a host of standards from the Nat Cole songbook – with core backing by a quartet that features Christian Sands on piano, Reuben Rogers on bass, and Ulysses Owens on drums – plus a bit of guest trumpet from Terence Blanchard. Arrangements and orchestrations are by Vince Mendoza – and titles include "Smile", "Nature Boy", "Love", "Quizas Quizas Quizas", "Mona Lisa", "When Love Was King", "Miss Otis Regrets", "The Christmas Song", "I Wonder Who My Daddy Is", and "Pick Yourself Up". A great special edition – in a hardcover book-like package, with pages of notes inside – and bonus tracks "But Beautiful", "Sweet Lorraine", and "For All We Know". CD

Partial matches85
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✨✧ Prince JammyPrince Jammy In Lion Dub Style ... LP
Jammy's/VP, 1977. New Copy (reissue)... Out Of Stock
We're not sure what "lion style" is, but we can definitely say that the album's heavy on dub – a darkly bubbling masterpiece with Prince Jammy at the controls – crafting his magic to grooves by a top-shelf set of Kingston musicians! Winston Wright plays lots of keyboards – organ, clavinet, and even some harpsichord – and the real energy of the rhythms come from the young Sly & Robbie – very much in their prime here, without some of those later modes when they were trying to recopy themselves for the mainstream. Chinna Smith throws in lots of riffing guitar to the echoey brilliance – and titles include "No Bride", "Jammy's In The Arena", "Black Trap", "The Big Apple", "Rough Voyage", "Uhru Express", "King Forever", "Tiger Dub" and "Mystic Feelings". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches86
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✨✧ Elis ReginaElis Como e Porque ... CD
Philips (Brazil), 1969. Used ... Out Of Stock
One of our favorite albums ever from the incredible Elis Regina – a record that really has her hitting new levels in her style – moving past simple bossa into a realm of music that's all her own! The backings are arranged by Roberto Menescal, who also moves into some great new territory here – a soaring, spacious mode that's way different than his gentler bossa – and which really has some of the growing complications that were showing up in Brazilian music at the end of the 60s. There's a fair bit of jazz in the mix, but also a fair bit of majesty too – and the tunes soar out with a much livelier feel than some of Regina's later albums. Titles include amazing renditions of "Canto De Osssanha", "O Barquinho", "Giro", "O Sonho", "Casa Forte", and "Vera Cruz" – plus a tasty version of Michel Legrand's "Recit De Cassard", from Umbrellas Of Cherbourg. CD

Partial matches87
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✨✧ Lonnie SmithAfrodesia/Keep On Lovin/Gotcha (3CD set) ... CD
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1975/1976/1978. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
70s keyboard genius from Dr Lonnie Smith – three great albums in a single set! Afrodesia is excellent work by Lonnie Smith – a free-flowing album of long jazzy grooves that's kind of an extension of his Blue Note albums, touched with more of the electricity of his 70s playing! There's some killer rhythms on the album – courtesy of drummers Jamey Hudad and Ben Riley, and electric bassists Ron Carter and Ralphe Armstrong – and Lonnie's on organ grooving alongside a young Joe Lovano, who plays some killer tenor and soprano sax – and the album's got these really long, open cuts that definitely hint at the more spiritual look of the cover. Titles include the 15 minute jammer "Spirits Free", plus "Afrodesia", "Favors", "Straight To The Point", and "The Awakening". On Keep On Lovin, Lonnie Smith's a long way from his Blue Note years – but the sound is still plenty darn great, thanks to some fuller arrangements from the great Brad Baker – of B Baker Chocolate Company fame! The whole thing's quite electric – with Lonnie on Fender Rhodes and other keyboards on most tracks, and rhythms that bring in bits of strings amidst the smaller jazz combo vamping – a blend that's smoothly soulful, but still more than funky enough to please our ears. Lonnie even sings a bit on the record, too – in this slightly-spacey quality that has echoes of Stevie Wonder – but the main focus overall is on his keyboards, which step out nicely over the backings. Titles include "Keep On Lovin", "What I Want", "No Tears Tomorrow", "Sizzle Stick", "Lean Meat", and "Filet O Sole". Gotcha is smooth later work from Lonnie Smith – but still pretty darn great, with a feel that's in the late 70s Kudu/CTI mode! Arrangements are bigger than ever before – with large backings arranged by Lonnie, and some vocals that have a really wonderful, warm, Stevie Wonder-esque quality to them. The best tracks groove along at a nice midtempo pace, with strong work on keyboards by Lonnie, and a warm, dreamy, soulful quality that's quite different from his Blue Note work, but equally pleasing in another sort of way. Titles include "What's Done Is Done", "I Need Your Love", "Sweet Honey Wine", "My Latin Sky", and "Journey To Within". CD

Partial matches88
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✨✧ StruttTime Moves On ... LP
Brunswick, 1975. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Part funk, part disco, and all the way soul – served up in this one and only album from Strutt! The group were an obscure New Jersey combo from the 70s, but they step out beautifully on this rare Brunswick album – which has the same sort of funk club groove you'd find on a few of the label's other gems from this late period – like work by Tony Valor or Marilyn Farra & Satin Soul! All cuts have vocals, but the real strength of the group lies in their funky combo backings – an approach that's really honed to a "t" here, in a style that shows that the best early club music always had plenty of live, spontaneous instrumentation in the mix! Willie Bridges turns in a few great sax solos on the set – and titles include "Funky Sign", "Funky Baby Feet", "We've Come A Long Way Baby", "Said You Didn't Love Him", "If Wishing Made It So", "Time Moves On", and "Front Row Romeo" – in both vocal and instrumental versions. LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches89
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✨✧ Leon ThomasBlues & The Soulful Truth ... CD
Flying Dutchman/RCA (France), 1972. Used ... Out Of Stock
Leon Thomas takes his vocals to new heights – moving past the straight spiritual jazz modes of his work with Pharoah Sanders, to embrace a whole host of new styles too! There's a slight trace of the blues promised in the title, but always inflected through a more soulful approach overall – thanks to backings arranged by Pee Wee Ellis – known best for his work with the James Brown band of the late 60s! Pee Wee handles reed solos on the tunes, and the group also features some great work on keyboards from Neal Creque – from Pucho's band – plus some guitar from Cornell Dupree and Larry Coryell. Yet Thomas is clearly the main attraction – sounding beautifully expressive at that level that no other jazz singer could ever hope to touch – that genre-starting style that continues to amaze us after all these years. Titles include the classic "China Doll" – plus "Love Each Other", "Boom Boom Boom", "Gypsy Queen", and "Shape Your Mind To Die". CD

Partial matches90
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✨✧ VariousDust On The Nettles – A Journey Through The British Underground Folk Scene 1967 to 1972 (3CD set) ... CD
Grapefruit (UK), Late 60s/Early 70s. Used 3cd ... Out Of Stock
British folk music got really weird and wonderful at the end of the 60s – light years from the crew cut versions of The Kingston Trio, or the twangy modes of Bob Dylan wannabees – but also very different from the more rockish directions that American folk acts were taking at the time! If anything, the British artists showed an even deeper commitment to acoustic modes – and far more ancient ones than American groups had access too – a thousand year legacy of British Isles music, but reworked into an often-trippy style would find more famous iterations in groups from Fairport Convention through Current 93, and even in the Wicker Man soundtrack as well! Most of the music here is much more obscure than those references – groups that were big in the UK, but maybe didn't have as much of an impact over here during the period – which makes this 63 track box set a real treasure trove of discovery – filled with many tunes we'd never heard before, and put together in a very special way. Titles include "Black Girl" by Mary Anne, "Till The Morning Comes" by Dando Shaft, "Roses For Columbus" by Mark Frhy, "Love Is A Funny Thing" by Spyrogyra, "Come All You Travellers" by Wight, "Willow's Song" by Nagnet, "Cruious Crystals Of Unusual Purity" by Bridget St John, "Prisoners Victims Strangers Friends" by Paper Bubble, "Gabilan" by Duncan Browne, "Meeting By The Moonlight Mill" by Dry Heart, "Silence Returns" by Beau, "Me & My Kite" by Fuschia, "The Colour Is Blue" by Country Sun, "Welcome To The Citadel" by Marc Brierley, "Garden Song (demo)" by Bill Fay, and "Upon Reflection" by Heron. CD

Partial matches91
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✨✧ VariousReggae Funkyfied ... CD
Rockashacka (Japan), Late 70s/1980s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A killer collection of reggae remakes of famous soul and funk tunes – all served up from a later generation of the scene, which makes a nice change from some of the more ska and rocksteady collections of this nature! It's no secret that Jamaican music was initially given a strong inspiration from American soul – and even in this generation, when the Kingston scene had really found its own groove, other influences would still come into the music in a really great way – as you'll hear on these really cool reworkings of themes from Ohio Players, McFadden & Whitehead, Barry White, and others! The production of most of these cuts is great – different than some of the more disco-oriented material that would copy American work – more laidback, with some currents of lovers rock as well – and funky, but in a laidback way. Titles include "Midnight" by Willie Lindo, "Skin Tight" by Lloyd Charmers, "Strange Compulsion" by Sheila Hylton, "Moving On" by Leslie Butler, "Funky Rasta" by Ronnie Butler, "Crowded City" by The Messengers, "Chemistry Of Love" by Susan Cadogan, "Can't Stop Rasta Now" by Ras Midas, and "Deeper & Deeper" by Lloyd Charmers. CD
Also available Reggae Funkyfied ... LP 32.99

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✨✧ VariousStudio One Classics ... LP
Soul Jazz/Studio One (UK), 1960s/1970s. New Copy 2LP ... Out Of Stock
A set that's way more than just another dip into the legendary catalog of the Studio One label – as there's a well-chosen selection of cuts here that go well past the hits, and really live up to the kind of "classics" promised in the title! It's no secret that Studio One was one of the first and most important studios and labels to rise up on the Kingston scene at the end of the 60s – pioneering impeccable production, tight musicianship, and the kind of soul-drenched vocals that helped Jamaican music rich a much larger global audience – music that's given a fantastic showcase here on titles that include "No Man Is An Island" by Dennis Brown, "Simmer Down" by The Wailers, "I'm Just A Guy" by Alton Ellis, "Rocking Time" by Burning Spear, "Confucious" by Don Drummond, "Rub A Dub Style" by Michigan & Smiley, "Fever" by Horace Andy, "School" by Prince Jazzbo, "Love Me Forever" by Carlton & The Shoes, "Rockfort Rock" by Sound Dimension, "Pretty Looks Isn't All" by The Heptones, and "El Pussycat Ska" by The Skatalites. LP, Vinyl record album

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✨✧ Betty BennettNobody Else But Me (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD
Atlantic (Japan), 1955. Used ... Out Of Stock
An obscure vocal jazz gem from the LA scene of the 50s – recorded for Atlantic, but done in a style that's a fair bit like the best work for Bethlehem or Mode at the time! Betty Bennett sings here with backings from Shorty Rogers on one side, and Andre Previn on the other – often in a mode that's slightly dark, and subdued – gently moving forth with a nice sense of restraint. Betty's vocals burst out nicely at times – showing a nicely illustrative style, especially on some of the more story-based tunes – and there's a nice choice of material here that's a refreshing change from some of the overdone standards on other vocal albums. Tracks include "Sidewalks Of Cuba", "Island In The West Indies", "Tomorrow Mountain", "This Is The Moment", and "Treat Me Rough". CD

Partial matches94
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✨✧ Leon BridgesComing Home (180 gram pressing – includes download) ... LP
Columbia, 2015. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
An album with a very classic look on the cover – and an equally classic sound to match – one that takes us back to some of the hippest, coolest work by early 60s singers like Sam Cooke or Marvin Gaye! Both artists are a good comparison here, as Leon Bridges is unabashedly in the same territory – cool, classy, yet undeniably soulful – at this level that never has to overstate itself, or try too hard to reach for facile funky parts, or any kind of party-moving sort of vibe. Leon's vocals are wonderful – clearly born to sing music this great – and the backings are a nice change from the usual retro soul modes, and instead have this deep soul vibe that's perfectly captured in a Texas small studio setting. Titles include "Better Man", "Brown Skin Girl", "Lisa Sawyer", "Pull Away", "Flower", and "Twistin & Groovin". LP, Vinyl record album
Also available Coming Home ... CD 2.99

Partial matches95
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✨✧ CheeseCheese ... CD
Good Sounds/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... 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 the time – but all the charm of a more heartfelt indie – the kind of obscure record that still holds onto an AOR vibe, yet really shows us all the best potential of that genre when it's not being pointed to strongly towards the charts! Backings have some nice jazzy inflections, and the vocals are recorded in this way that slides them right down with the grooves – on titles that include "I Got Love", "Sweet Harmony", "Man In Love", "City Life", "Time Is An Arrow", and "Lady Of The Night". CD

Partial matches96
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✨✧ Aretha FranklinGospel Soul Of Aretha Franklin ... LP
Checker, 1972. Very Good ... Out Of Stock
A collection of earlier work by Aretha Franklin – issued by Chess after her fame on Atlantic, but featuring tunes cut when a younger woman, working with famous father Reverend CL Franklin! Given that CL was one of the biggest stars of Chess' gospel recordings, there was plenty of material recorded back in the day – and Aretha's heard here on some great live tunes that mostly just feature piano backings. Nice raw energy here – 9 tracks in all, including 'Precious Lord", "You Grow No Closer", "The Day Is Past And Gone" and "He Will Wash You White As Snow". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches97
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✨✧ Devon GilfillianLove You Anyway ... CD
Fantasy, 2023. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
The record that may well push Devon Gilfillian over the top – and a set that might also set a whole new standard in soul music as well! Devon's got a way of embracing the sensual presence of male soul stars from years back, while also presenting himself with a fragile, open quality that's really unique – one that comes through in the slight crackle of his vocals, and in the way the backings handled by producer Jeremy Lutito really fit the mode of the lyrics – this style that's crisply contemporary, but which feels as if it's come from a really special place in the spectrum – uniquely suited to the needs of Devon's vocals and lyrics. Titles include "Follow The Leader", "Brown Sugar Queen", "All I Really Wanna Do", "The Recipe", "Right Kind Of Crazy", "Imma Let My Body Move", "Love You Anyway", and "Let The Water Flow". CD
Also available Love You Anyway (clear vinyl pressing) ... LP 16.99

Partial matches98
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✨✧ Julie LondonSwing Me An Old Song (second cover) ... LP
Liberty, 1959. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Old songs, but swung the Julie London way – and given a really cool feel here, thanks to jazzy backings from the great Jimmy Rowles! The group's clearly got some key west coast hornmen in the lineup – as some points feature some standout sax or trumpet bits that really help flavor the tunes – taking them way past Julie's usual sensual style, and offering up a great second element that really makes the record worth checking out! The tunes come across in ways you'd hardly expect – and titles include "Row Row Row", "By The Beautiful Sea", "Comin Thru The Rye", "After The Ball", "Cuddle Up A Little Closer", and "Old Folks At Home". LP, Vinyl record album

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✨✧ MonyakaClassical Roots Showcase ... LP
Hornin Sounds (France), 1983. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A dubbed up take on tracks recorded in Kingston in 1983 – work done at Channel One and Joe Gibbs studios, and given some slight augmentation here to stretch out the original tracks in a really great way! There's definitely plenty of roots, as promised in the title – hardly any classical at all – and the group features lead guitar and vocals from Errol Moore, plus more vocals from William Brown and Danny Miller – singers who slide back and forth with all sorts of cool inflections and phrasing. Titles include "Unity & Love", "Jah Rules", "All The Love Is Gone", "this Plantation", "Lamentation", and "Questions Of Life". LP, Vinyl record album

Partial matches100
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✨✧ NashenasLife Is A Heavy Burden – Ghazals & Poetry From Afghanistan ... LP
Strut (UK), 1970s. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
Hauntingly beautiful work from Nashenas – a singer whose name literally translates as "unknown" – although that may not be the case after this well-done collection gets his music out to the western market! Nashenas was something of a minor star in his own sphere – these tracks were recorded in Afghanistan, but also issued by the Royal label in Iran – and there's a really universal sense of spirit in the music, even if you can't understand the lyrics – as Nashenas sings with a subtle, but powerfully emotive quality over spare backings that include tablas, harmonium, and some other elements you might know from Indian music. The vibe is very much in keeping with the titles of the tunes – and tunes include "O Beloved The Sorrow Of Your Love Destroyed Me", "Flower Had A Thorn", "I Am Happy Alone", "Your Sorrow Is Killing Me", "The Author Of Destiny", and "Life Is A Heavy Burden". LP, Vinyl record album
 
 
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