ART PEPPER + Eleven – Contemporary Records (Acoustic Sounds Series)180g Vinyl
Throughout the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, Lester Koenig’s artist-friendly Los Angeles-based audiophile jazz label documented career-defining performances by some of modern jazz’s most influential and accomplished improvisers, including Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Harold Land and Benny Golson. No musician is more closely identified with Contemporary than Pepper, whose cool tone and simmering lyricism made him one of the very few mid-century alto saxophonists to forge a path independent of bebop patriarch Charlie Parker’s pervasive influence.
Produced by Koenig and recorded in 1959, Art Pepper +Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics is one of the saxophonist’s masterpieces. Featuring brilliant arrangements by Marty Paich, the album elaborates on the lush but lithe sound introduced by the epochal Birth of the Cool sessions, which Miles Davis started to record almost exactly a decade earlier (like Birth, +Eleven kick offs with Denzil Best’s “Move”). Surrounded by the cream of the LA scene, including fellow saxophone masters Herb Geller, Bill Perkins and Med Flory, Pepper brings all his scorching lyricism to a program of modern jazz standards by Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan and Sonny Rollins.
Art Taylor – Taylor’s Wailers – Analogue Productions (Prestige 7117) 180g Vinyl
In 1956 drummer Art Taylor formed a group called Taylor’s Wailers. Donald Byrd and Charlie Rouse were members of the working group that debuted at The Pad, a Greenwich Village nightclub on Sheridan Square booked by Bob Reisner, the man who had run the legendary Open Door Sessions. In 1957 Taylor recorded the Wailers for Prestige, adding the alto saxophone of Jackie McLean to the front line. Two of the highlights are the Thelonious Monk compositions, “Well, You Needn’t” and “Off Minor,” with arrangements by Thelonious himself. One track, “C.T.A.,” by Jimmy Heath, is from another session featuring John Coltrane backed by Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Taylor, a potent Prestige studio combination in those days. There have been many distinguished drummer-leaders in jazz. One expects their groups to be rhythmically exciting. Taylor’s Wailers are no exception to this swinging heritage.
Arthur Fiedler / Boston Pops Orchestra – Chopin: Les Sylphides / Prokofieff: Love For Three Oranges – Analogue Productions 200g Vinyl
Arturo Michelangeli – Concerto For Piano – The Lost Recordings 180g Vinyl
For decades now pianists and other musicians have acclaimed the recording of this concert, only available on video. It was of utmost importance to us to publish it as a record. While we were looking for the video recording in the BBC archives, we stumbled upon the analog stereo tape that had fallen into oblivion. We used it to bring this emotion-filled, historical evening back to life.
Bach Cello Suites – PS Audio Gold SACD
Bad Company – Burnin’ Sky – Analogue Productions Atlantic 75 Series 45 rpm 180g Vinyl
Ben Webster – At the Renaissance – Concord Records 180g Vinyl
Ben Webster – Gentle Ben Analogue Productions 200g 45RPM Vinyl
"The soundstage is intimate and inviting, Webster's horn beautifully captured with sweet, rich overtornes, the bass liquid, chugging, and textured, piano and drums easy and natural. As with each title, the music emerges from QRP's beautifully flat and wonderfully silent surfaces with that much more "there-ness." Sonics = 4/5; Music = 3.5/5 — Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, January 2013
Ben Webster – See You at the Fair (Verve Acoustic Sounds) 180g Vinyl LP Gatefold Sleeve
Ben Webster’s final American recording was one of his greatest. At 55, the tenor saxophonist was still very much in his prime but considered out of style in the U.S. He would soon permanently move to Europe where he was better appreciated. Webster’s tone has rarely sounded more beautiful than on “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Our Love Is Here to Stay.”
Bill Withers – Live At Carnegie Hall – 2 LP Gatefold Vinyl LP
Bill Withers – Live at Carnegie Hall – Legendary 1973 Soul Performance on 2LP Gatefold Vinyl
This 2LP gatefold edition captures Bill Withers’ legendary 1973 performance with rich, warm analogue sound. The recording includes classics such as “Lean On Me,” “Use Me,” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The vinyl presentation highlights the intimacy of the concert and the strong interplay with his band. With generous groove spacing, the dynamics and live ambience come through with natural clarity. A superb addition to any soul, live-album or audiophile vinyl collection.
Bill Withers His Ultimate Collection – Vinyl LP
Bill Withers – His Ultimate Collection – Soul Classics with Warm Analogue Presence on Vinyl LP
A warm and well-curated vinyl collection of Bill Withers’ greatest songs. Classic tracks like “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lovely Day” shine with smooth analogue clarity. The LP delivers relaxed, natural sound that suits his soulful vocals and gentle arrangements. Ideal for those discovering Withers or adding a reliable classic to their shelves. A strong, easy-listening addition to any collection.
