Howard McGhee – Maggie’s Back In Town! – Contemporary Records (Acoustic Sounds Series) 180g Vinyl
Just in time for summer comes this reissue featuring the criminally unsung Howard McGhee, the dexterous bebop trumpeter who’s frequently compared to greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro. Maggie’s Back in Town!! (Maggie was McGhee’s nickname), captures the musician’s triumphant return to music in 1961. AllMusicrates the album as, “McGhee’s finest recording of the period.” He overachieves in rhythmic fluidity, a through line that’s particularly potent in seemingly carefree songs such as “Sunset Eyes” and the title track.
This new edition, released as part of the Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds Series, features (AAA) lacquers cut from the original master tapes by Bernie Grundman and is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at QRP, and presented in a Stoughton Printing tip-on jacket.
Illinois Jacquet – Swing’s The Thing (Mono Version) 180g 45rpm Verve Re-Issue Vinyl
Illinois Jacquet's 1956 album Swing's The Thing features Roy Eldridge, Jimmy Jones, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Jo Jones.
"...these are all truly classic Verve titles that you simply don't want to miss...most importantly, the sound of these reissues is nothing short of astounding. Particularly the early Billie and Ella mono records are incredible treasures of sonic beauty. I'd definitely ask Santa for the whole set, or, if you want to cherry pick, the most classic titles. Whatever you decide, you owe yourself at least a half dozen!" Winner of a 2012 Positive Feedback Online Writers' Choice Award - Danny Kaey, Positive Feedback Online, November/December 2011
Jack Wilson – Easterly Winds – Blue Note (Tone Poet) 180g Vinyl
he six-song set presented four Wilson originals including the groovy opener “Do It” and the sublime ballad “Nirvanna” in addition to a tender rendition of the Johnny Mandel tune “A Time for Love” and “Frank’s Tune” by Frank Strozier, which was recently reimagined by Makaya McCraven on his 2021 Blue Note remix project Deciphering the Message.
Jackie McLean – Action Blue Note Tone Poet Series 180g Vinyl
The albums leaps out of the gate with McLean's searing title track followed by two pensive Tolliver originals: "Plight" and "Wrong Handle." On a highly original version of the standard "I Hear a Rhapsody" the melody is answered by discordant interjections from the horns before the album comes to a close with McLean's grooving minor key piece "Hootnan."
Jackie McLean – Demon’s Dance – Blue Note (Tone Poet) 180g Vinyl
Jackie McLean’s music weaved in and out of the avant-garde throughout the 1960s with the brilliant 1963 inside-out dates One Step Beyond and Destination… Out! eventually leading to full-throated free jazz of the 1967 dates New and Old Gospel (featuring Ornette Coleman on trumpet) and ‘Bout Soul. Demon’s Dance, which was recorded in December 1967, found the alto saxophonist maintaining a decidedly post-bop edge with a spirited quintet comprised of trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist LaMont Johnson, bassist Scott Holt, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. The six-song set presented a pair of tunes each by McLean, Shaw, and composer Cal Massey with highlights including McLean’s churning title track, Shaw’s tuneful bossa “Sweet Love of Mine,” and Massey’s brightly swinging “Message from Trane” in tribute to the great John Coltrane who had passed away early that year. But the album’s most striking feature may be the unforgettable cover artwork by Mati Klarwein whose work also graced the cover of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew.
Jackie Mclean – Tippin’ The Scales Lp (Blue Note Tone Poet Series) Blue Note 180G Vinyl
Recorded in 1962 but not released until 1979, Jackie McLean’s album Tippin’ The Scales found the alto saxophonist and Blue Note stalwart leading a quartet with Sonny Clark on piano, Butch Warren on bass, and Art Taylor on drums through a stellar set of hard bop including originals by McLean, Clark, and Vernon Duke’s “Cabin in the Sky.”
This stereo Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Incorporated (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.
Jazz at the Pawnshop Deluxe Edition 200g 2xHD Audiophile Vinyl 2LP
Jazz at the Pawnshop is a multi-session recording made by Swedish sound engineer Gert Palmcrantz on December 6-7, 1976, at Jazzpuben Stampen (Pawnshop) in Stockholm, Sweden. A pawnshop had operated on the site prior to the jazz club. Proprius Records founder Jacob Boethius produced the album, and it has been issued several times under multiple labels and formats.
The album is regarded by many audiophiles as one of the best jazz recordings of the 20th Century.
The recording features Arne Domnérus (alto sax, clarinet), Bengt Hallberg (piano), Lars Erstrand (vibes), Georg Riedel (bass), and Egil Johansen (drums).
Jazz at the Pawnshop: Late Night – 2xHD (200g 2LP 45rpm)
Jazz at the Pawnshop is a multi-session recording made by Swedish sound engineer Gert Palmcrantz on December 6-7, 1976, at Jazzpuben Stampen (Pawnshop) in Stockholm, Sweden. A pawnshop had operated on the site prior to the jazz club. Proprius Records founder Jacob Boethius produced the album, and it has been issued several times under multiple labels and formats. The album is regarded by many audiophiles as one of the best jazz recordings of the 20th Century.
Jazz Side Of The Moon – The Music of Pink Floyd – Chesky Records – 180G Vinyl LP
A homage to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, Jazz Side Of The Moon is one of the brightest jewels in the catalog of noted audiophile label Chesky Records. It was recorded in 2007 in St. Peter’s Church, New York, by a jazz supergroup consisting of organist Sam Yahel, drummer Ari Hoenig, guitarist Mike Moreno, and tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake.
Jazz Side Of The Moon – The Music of Pink Floyd – Chesky Records – SACD
A homage to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, Jazz Side Of The Moon is one of the brightest jewels in the catalog of noted audiophile label Chesky Records. It was recorded in 2007 in St. Peter’s Church, New York, by a jazz supergroup consisting of organist Sam Yahel, drummer Ari Hoenig, guitarist Mike Moreno, and tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake.
