Two fantastic Roulette Records sessions from Sarah Vaughan – both featuring backings by Benny Carter! CD

Includes selections with Count Basie and his orchestra; with a quartet that includes Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Ray Brown, and Louie Bellson; small group backing by Jimmy Rowles, Grady Tate, Andy Simpkins, and Frank Wess; and with orchestra conducted and arranged by Billy Byers. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the last great records ever made by Sarah Vaughan – a really solid session of Brazilian tunes, one that's produced by Sergio Mendes, arranged by Dori Caymmi, and which features guest vocals by Milton Nascimento! The general approach is west coast mellow – as the group features Alphonson Johnson, George Duke, Hubert Laws, Tom Scott, and Ernie Watts – and most of the tunes are English translations of older Brazilian tracks from the 60s and 70s, done by Sarah in an easy, jazzy tone. Titles include "Love & Passion", "Your Smile", "Obsession", "Make This City Ours Tonight", "Nothing Will Be As It Was", and "Photograph". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes tracks recorded with Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Teddy Wilson, and others. CD

A perfect title for a perfect album from Sarah Vaughan – one of those wonderful dates from the singer's second chapter of her career – a time when she was finding newly sophisticated ways to spin out her songs! The music here is arranged by Jimmy Jones – who makes things lush, but never too much so – this beautiful balance he brought to other records of the time, such as his work with Basie – in a way that has Vaughan very much out front in the mix, working her voice with effortless ease, announcing to the world that she's one of the all-time greats, but never has to hit anyone over the head to prove it! Harry Sweets Edison provides some great trumpet lines to underscore the jazz in the music – and titles include "Dreamy", "Hands Across The Table", "Moon Over Miami", "I'll Be Seeing You", "Star Eyes", "Trees", and "Crazy He Calls Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Sarah Vaughan takes on the work of Duke Ellington – almost presented here in a style that's similar to some of the Songbook albums on Verve from the 50s! Billy Byers handles most of the arrangements here – especially on the larger group numbers – but some tracks are also in a small combo mode, and are often the most interesting, because Sarah opens up with a looser feel than on some of the more "respectful" big group tracks. Titles on this second volume include "Black Butterfly", "Chelsea Bridge", "What Am I Here For", "Tonight I Shall Sleep", "Mood Indigo", "Everything But You", and "Rocks In My Bed". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the fuller-sounding albums recorded by Sarah Vaughan for Emarcy in the 50s – a set of George Gershwin numbers, mostly set to large studio backings directed by Hal Mooney! The lush approach is a nice one for Vaughan, and an early hint of her talents in such a setting – one that makes for sophisticated sounds and phrasing that really sets her apart from the pack! Jimmy Jones plays piano on most numbers, and titles include "Of Thee I Sing", "Bidin My Time", "Summertime", "Lorelei", "My One & Only", "Do It Again", "Love Walked In", "He Loves & She Loves", "Looking For A Boy", and "But Not For Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection – classic Sarah Vaughan recordings of material from famous shows, set to arrangements from Hal Mooney! LP, Vinyl record album

A great little date – one that's presented here with a really classic sense of jazz vocal recording, but oddly the kind of record that Sarah Vaughn hardly ever got to make back in the 50s! The setting is spare and simple – backing by a quartet that includes Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Ray Brown, and Louis Bellson – but all players are nicely relaxed here, and never too uptight, or trying to over-express their place in the lineup – and instead step forward gently, quietly, to match Sarah's wonderfully mature vocals on the record. Titles include "Easy Living", "You're Blase", "More Than You Know", "Teach Me Tonight", "Body & Soul", "How Long Has This Been Going On", and "Midnight Sun". LP, Vinyl record album

A hip album from Sarah Vaughan – one recorded with great jazz backings from Ernie Wilkins, and featuring a young Cannonball Adderley as the main soloist! The addition of Adderley's alto definitely brings a swinging sound to the set – a sense of soul that's even deeper than usual for Vaughan, and which helps the album live up to its hi-fi promise! Wilkins arrangements have a bit of a Basie bounce at times, but never overwhelm Sarah's vocals – and Jimmy Jones is also on the set, handling the piano lines. Titles include "An Occasional Man", "Oh My", "Soon", "How High The Moon", "It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream", and "Maybe". LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty obscure Sarah Vaughn album – and a nice one! The album's got Sarah singing with arrangements by Hal Mooney, who'd done work for her before in a more standard way, and who here is opening up a bit, at times almost hitting a groovy late 60s mode. Players in the group include Bob James (who also arranged a few numbers), Phil Woods, Benny Golson, and Freddie Hubbard – and titles include "The Man That Got Away", "Alfie", "For Every Man There's A Woman", "Jim", and "My Man". CD

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A 70s set from Sarah Vaughan, but one that's recorded in a classic small combo mode – acoustic overall, and a bit of a change from her other sessions for Mainstream Records! The date's a live one, and the tracks are taken at a looser level than some of Vaughan's studio work – a bit more open, and with a bit of conversation too – which is a nice surprise. The group's a trio – with Carl Schroeder on piano, John Gianelli on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – and titles include "I Could Write A Book", "Love Story", "The Nearness Of You", "Bye Bye Blackbird", "Wave", "Misty", "There Will Never Be Another You", "A Foggy Day", and "Round Midnight". LP, Vinyl record album

A jazz vocal masterpiece from Sarah Vaughn – one of her greatest albums ever, and a record that raised the bar for countless vocal sessions in years to come! Sarah's working here in an intimate group arranged by Ernie Wilkins – filled with famous trumpet solo work by Clifford Brown, during his last few years on the planet - plus tenor from Paul Quinichette, flute from Herbie Mann, and piano from Jimmy Jones. Sarah's vocals are incredible – curving, turning, and lilting with a tremendous amount of jazz-based inflection – and titles include "Lullaby Of Birdland", "April In Paris", "September Song", "He's My Guy", and "I'm Glad There Is You". CD

A jazz vocal masterpiece from Sarah Vaughn – one of her greatest albums ever, and a record that raised the bar for countless vocal sessions in years to come! Sarah's working here in an intimate group arranged by Ernie Wilkins – filled with famous trumpet solo work by Clifford Brown, during his last few years on the planet - plus tenor from Paul Quinichette, flute from Herbie Mann, and piano from Jimmy Jones. Sarah's vocals are incredible – curving, turning, and lilting with a tremendous amount of jazz-based inflection – and titles include "Lullaby Of Birdland", "April In Paris", "September Song", "He's My Guy", and "I'm Glad There Is You". CD

Arrangements by Thad Jones and JJ Johnson – with titles that include "Sposin", "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", "All Alone", "The Sweetest Sounds", "On The Other Side Of The tracks", "I Had A Ball", and "I Want To Be Happy". CD

Includes 17 tracks accompanied by Clifford Brown, Herbie Mann, Roy Haynes, and others. CD

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Very nice jazz-oriented material that has Sarah working with Jimmy Jones, one of her best accompanists, or John Malachi, who was in Billy Eckstine's band at the same time Sarah was with the group. All the tracks have nice small combo instrumentation – and Sarah keeps things nice and warm vocally, free to get a bit more intimate than usual in the album's casual setting. Titles include "All Of Me", "Lover Man", "Polka Dots & Moonbeams", "Prelude To A Kiss", and "You Hit The Spot". CD includes the non-LP bonus track "Linger Awhile". CD

Basie joined by Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Ben Webster, Illinois Jacquet, and more. CD

A pretty striking album from vocalist Melanie Charles – a set that's even more musically dynamic than you might guess from its title! Charles is a singer who can take things straight, but also change them up with some really inventive arrangements – which you'll hear on a few of the album's "reimagined" cuts – which begin with a classic jazz vocal cut at the core, then layered over with new music from Charles, who then takes over the lead from the older singer – stealing the spotlight from Marlena Shaw, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington – a pretty brassy move! The arrangements are a strong mix of jazz and contemporary soul – and titles include "All Africa", "Woman Of The Ghetto", "The Music Is The Magic", "Jazz Ain't Nothing But Soul", "God Bless The Child", "What A Difference", and "Beginning To See The Light". CD

A pretty striking album from vocalist Melanie Charles – a set that's even more musically dynamic than you might guess from its title! Charles is a singer who can take things straight, but also change them up with some really inventive arrangements – which you'll hear on a few of the album's "reimagined" cuts – which begin with a classic jazz vocal cut at the core, then layered over with new music from Charles, who then takes over the lead from the older singer – stealing the spotlight from Marlena Shaw, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington – a pretty brassy move! The arrangements are a strong mix of jazz and contemporary soul – and titles include "All Africa", "Woman Of The Ghetto", "The Music Is The Magic", "Jazz Ain't Nothing But Soul", "God Bless The Child", "What A Difference", and "Beginning To See The Light". LP, Vinyl record album

A collection of recordings in various settings – with his sextet including Dexter Gordon, Frank Paparelli, Chuck Wayne, Murray Shipinsky, and Shelley Manne from 1945, with his quintet including Charlie Parker, Curly Russell, Al Haig, Sid Catlett, and Sarah Vaughan from 1945, with his orchestra in 1946, and his sextet including Sonny Stitt, Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, Kenny Clarke, and Alice Roberts in 1946. LP, Vinyl record album

Mari Nakamoto is a jazz singer with a wonderful sense of tone – a musicality in her voice that comes through on the first few notes of the record, then continues throughout as she transforms familiar tunes with that special sort of magic that marks a rare breed of jazz vocalist! Nakamoto really understands the tunes, and clearly sees her voice as much as an instrument as just the conveyor of lyrics – very much in a Sarah Vaughan sort of school, although Mari's certainly got her own sense of phrasing too. Instrumentation includes lots of great touches that bring out the best in her voice – including vibes from Kazuhiro Matsushi, and guitar from Shoji Yokouchi – on titles that include "Love For Sale", "On A Clear Day", "Day By Day", "On Green Dolphin Street", and "No Moon At All". CD

Feature work by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Fats Navarro, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

A really cool set that looks at the rise of late 50s beatnik culture from a variety of different styles – not just the jazz and poetry that marked that scene's biggest contribution to music – but also the wealth of modes that inspired those years too! The 3CD package features a stunning 57 titles in all – and begins in the late 30s with hard-edged small combo work and jive-heavy vocal tracks – then runs past WWII to include some bebop, R&B, and very cool vocal numbers – before moving into Greenwich Village classic sounds in a mix of spoken word, jazz poetry, and even a bit of folk! The booklet is filled with notes and history in both English and French – and titles include "The Beat Generation" by Bob McFadden, "High School Drag" by Phillipa Fallon, "The Nazz" by Lord Buckley, "American Haikus" by Jack Kerouac & Al Cohn, "Route 66" by Bobby Troup, "Gator Tail (part 2)" by Cootie Williams, "Rock & Roll" by Wild Bill Moore, "Killin Jive" by Cats & The Fiddle, "You'se A Viper" by Stuff Smith, "Scrapple From The Apple" by Les Double Six, "Kookie's Mad Pad" by Ed Byrnes, "So What" by Eddie Jefferson, "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg, "I Sing Of Olaf" by Roger Steffans, "Say Man" by Bo Diddley, "Shulie A Bop" by Sarah Vaughan, and "The Rocket Ship Show" by Jocko Henderson. CD

Features Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Luiz Bonfa, Astrud Gilberto, Wes Montgomery, Shirley Horn, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dizzy Gillestpie – 15 tracks in all. CD

Music from Dinah Washington, Shirley Horn, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Merrill, Bill Henderson, Anita O'Day, Sarah Vaughan, Blossom Dearie, Fred Astaire, Billy Eckstine, and more. CD

Music from Miles Davis & His Orchestra, Lennie Tristano Quintet, Gene Norman's "Just Jazz" featuring Red Norvo & Stan Getz, Sarah Vaughan, Thelonious Monk Quartet,Horace Silver Quintet, Charles Mingus Quintet, Modern Jazz Quartet, and Sonny Rollins Plus Four. CD

A wicked dip into the catalog of 70s powerhouse Mainstream Records – a set that brings together the funkiest tracks from the label – not just from their electric jazz albums, but also their more obscure funky 45s from the same time too! The package is a strong blend of jazz, funk, and soul – and alongside familiar breaks sampled from the Mainstream label, you'll also hear some funky nuggets that are long overdue for greater exposure – all laid out in a way that really gets at the diversity of the company's great ear for heavy grooves! Long tracks mix with shorter ones, in a way that really keeps things fresh – and titles include "TB's Delight" by Dave Hubbard, "Miss Fatback" by Saundra Phillips, "Kissing My Love" by Afrique, "These Memories" by Almeta Lattimore, "Mother McCree" by Reggie Moore, "Make It With You" by Maxine Weldon, "Blue's Blue" by Blue Mitchell, "Livin Way Too Fast" by December's Children, "This Moment" by Hal Galper, "Bird & The Ouija Board" by Pete Yellin, "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" by Jay Berliner, and "Just A Little Lovin" by Sarah Vaughan. CD

Funky jazz and a touch of soul – all pulled from the short-lived but legendary Mainstream Records – home to a whole host of hip artists in the early half of the 70s! Mainstream picked things up from Impulse, Prestige, and other soulful labels of the 60s – allowing jazz musicians to stretch out with a new sense of expression, but often in ways that hit a mighty nice groove – kind of a 70s update of the soul jazz modes of the generation before, but with a few spiritual jazz touches too! You'll know a few names here from older Blue Note recordings, and they've got an updated 70s vibe, and are matched with some hip younger talents too – all in a great array of grooves that's superbly selected throughout. Titles include "Inner City Blues" by Sarah Vaughan, "M'Bassa" by Lamont Johnson, "Last Tango In Paris" by Blue Mitchell, "Betcha Can't Guess My Sign" by Prophecy, "Family Affair" by Dave Burrell, "Right Off" by John White, "Betty's Bossa" by Johnny Coles, "Little Heart Of Pieces" by Barry Miles, "Quiet Afternoon" by Buddy Terry, "Matrix" by Mike Longo, and "It's The Right Thing" by Pete Yellin. CD

Funky jazz and a touch of soul – all pulled from the short-lived but legendary Mainstream Records – home to a whole host of hip artists in the early half of the 70s! Mainstream picked things up from Impulse, Prestige, and other soulful labels of the 60s – allowing jazz musicians to stretch out with a new sense of expression, but often in ways that hit a mighty nice groove – kind of a 70s update of the soul jazz modes of the generation before, but with a few spiritual jazz touches too! You'll know a few names here from older Blue Note recordings, and they've got an updated 70s vibe, and are matched with some hip younger talents too – all in a great array of grooves that's superbly selected throughout. Titles include "Inner City Blues" by Sarah Vaughan, "M'Bassa" by Lamont Johnson, "Last Tango In Paris" by Blue Mitchell, "Betcha Can't Guess My Sign" by Prophecy, "Family Affair" by Dave Burrell, "Right Off" by John White, "Betty's Bossa" by Johnny Coles, "Little Heart Of Pieces" by Barry Miles, "Quiet Afternoon" by Buddy Terry, "Matrix" by Mike Longo, and "It's The Right Thing" by Pete Yellin. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Billie Holiday, Helen Merill, Sarah Vaughan, Bing Crosby, Betty Carter, Joe Williams, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Fred Astaire, Shirley Horn, and more. CD

One of the few albums ever cut as a leader by pianist Ronnell Bright – a player best known for his accompaniment behind famous vocalists, like Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson! This rare date was cut in Paris – at a time when Bright was visiting the city with Vaughan – and it's a stripped-down trio date with a nicely relaxed feel – one that has Bright really opening up on the keys, in ways you don't always hear on his material with singers. Other players in the trio include Richard Davis on bass and Art Morgan on drums – and titles include "Johnnie Pate's Blues", "Sail Em", "Doxology", "Chasing Sarah", and "R&R Groove". LP, Vinyl record album

A big set of work from the lovely Blossom Dearie – one of the most unique singers in jazz, and a great pianist too! Blossom first rose to fame on the scene in Paris, but quickly returned home to the US – where she cut some beautiful albums for Verve in the 50s – sprightly vocal sides that were very different than some of the torchy modes of the previous generation, and even different than other 50s work by singers like Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan! The charms of Blossom are impossible to describe in words, but they'll grab you right away upon first listen – and you'll get plenty of listening here – as the 3CD set begins with material from her Paris years, including the album Miss Blossom Dearie Et Sa Musique Jazz Sweet, the EP Blossom Dearie Piano, and then moves onto verve albums that include Blossom Dearie, Give Him The Ooh La La, Once Upon A Summertime, My Gentleman Friend, and Sings Comden & Green. 71 tracks in all – with notes in French and English! CD

A really fantastic collection of funky jazz from the Mainstream Records label – a funky powerhouse that was maybe only second to CTI in the early 70s – and which had a great way of moving forward older soul jazz players to a sweet electric sound for the new generation! The choice of cuts here is superb – some of our favorites from Mainstream, including a lot of lesser-known gems from their more obscure LPs – packed in a collection that runs for nearly 80 minutes in length, with never a letup on the funky moments! Titles include "El Torro Poo Poo" by Charles Kynard, "Red Clay" by Jack Wilkins, "House Of The Rising Funk" by Afrique, "Naima" by Charles McPherson, "Equipoise" by Roy Haynes, "Quadrivium" by Hadley Caliman, "Mambo Au Go Go" by Joe Cain, "Hot Peppers" by Mauricio Smith, "Mi Hermano" by Blue Mitchell, "Inner City Blues" by Sarah Vaughan, "M'Bassa" by Lamont Johnson, "The Loud Minority (edit)" by Frank Foster, "Babylon" by Buddy Terry, and "Ain't Got Nobody" by Maxine Weldon. CD