Doug Watkins – Watkins At Large- Blue Note Tone Poet Series 180g Vinyl
Recorded in 1956 for producer Tom Wilson's short-lived Boston-based label Transition Records, Watkins At Largewas the first of only two albums that the great bassist Doug Watkins would make as a leader. The Detroit native had moved to New York and begun to garner recognition for his contributions to the Art Blakey-Horace Silver co-led iteration of the Jazz Messengers as well as Bud Powell's trio when Wilson decided to give him the opportunity to front his own recording date.
Along with a first-rate ensemble featuring trumpeter Donald Byrd, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Duke Jordan, and drummer Art Taylor, Watkins swings through a stellar set of blues, ballads, and more including originals written by Jordan, Burrell, and Thad Jones.
Dream With Dean – The Intimate Dean Martin – Analogue Productions 45RPM Vinyl
Duke Ellington – Berlin Jazz Festival 1969-73 – The Lost Recordings 180g Vinyl
On November 8, 1969, on the stage of the great hall of the Berlin Philharmonic, the Duke, whose portrait is the poster of the Jazztage Festival which celebrates his 70th birthday, slowly joined his piano. His orchestra is at the orders, adorned with a gleaming section of which some have accompanied him for 30 years, such as Cootie Willams and Cat Anderson. The legendary saxophonists Paul Gonsalves and Johnny Hodges and Russell Procope are also present.
Duke Ellington – Duke’s Big 4 – Analogue Productions 180g Vinyl LP
An outstanding Pablo pressing (A++ sound) featuring jazz piano legend Duke Ellington at the helm of a small group session with Joe Pass on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Louie Bellson on drums, recorded in January 1973 and released in 1974. Considered a timeless classic, Duke’s Big 4 is described by AllMusic as “One of Duke Ellington’s finest small group sessions from his final decade … Ellington’s percussive style always sounded modern and here he comes up with consistently strong solos. … Highly recommended.”
Duke Ellington – Ellington Indigos – Impex Records Numbered Limited Edition 180g 45rpm 2LP (Indigo Purple Vinyl)
Now in stock
65th Anniversary Edition 180g Double LP! First Time on AAA 45rpm Vinyl! Mastered by Chris Bellman & Pressed at RTI! Includes 4 All-Analog Mono Bonus Tracks on Vinyl for the First Time!
Special Los Angeles and Orange County Audiophile Society Edition Indigo Purple Vinyl Strictly Limited to 1,000 Numbered Pressings!
Very, Very Short Supply, Demand Will Be Massive
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane – Duke Ellington & John Coltrane 180g Analogue Productions Vinyl
“Genius + Soul = Jazz is a winner, now sounding better than ever. I like this reissue so much I’ll probably not play my original again since it isn’t in quite as nice condition. In fact, I’m not sure if I really need to even keep my original in the collection at this point given the quality of this reissue. And that is probably the best complement I can offer.” — Mark Smotroff, Audiophile Review, May 17, 2021.
Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges – Back to Back – Analogue Productions 45RPM 200g 2LP
Several times in his career star alto-saxophone soloist Johnny Hodges struck out on his own, only to return each time to Duke Ellington’s band. There seemed to be a constant tension between them, though it was old hat by the time of this recording. In the enclosed notes, critic Michael Ullman examines this complex relationship, suggesting that the blues classics chosen for this program may have been neutral ground. A place where Ellington’s unique piano playing could come to the fore and Hodges’ irrepressible sensuality could have free rein. This is one of the very best small-group records Ellington ever made — a relaxed, perfectly integrated set of music that truly swings the blues.
Duke Ellington & Ray Brown – This One’s For Blanton – Analogue Productions 180g Vinyl
Duke Ellington teams up here with bassist Ray Brown in a set reminiscent of Duke’s work with Jimmy Blanton three decades before. In addition to the four-part “Fragmented Suite for Piano and Bass,” the duo plays five standards (including “Pitter Panther Patter” from the Blanton days and three other Ellington-associated tunes).
Duke Pearson – The Right Touch LP (Blue Note Tone Poet Series) – Blue Note Vinyl
Perhaps the perfect starting point for a reappraisal of Duke Pearson’s underrated career is his fantastic and aptly titled 1967 album The Right Touch. The album stands as perhaps the finest in Pearson’s discography and is a showcase of his sublime talents as a pianist, composer, and arranger. The Right Touch is comprised of six memorable Pearson compositions arranged for a dynamic 8-piece band featuring trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, trombonist Garnett Brown, alto saxophonist James Spaulding, alto saxophonist/flutist Jerry Dodgion, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Grady Tate.
