Larry Coryell, Badi Assad, John Abercrombie – Three Guitars – Chesky Records – SACD
Lee Morgan – Infinity LP (Blue Note Tone Poet Series) – Blue Note Vinyl
Just two months after recording his exceptional sextet date Cornbread, the prolific trumpeter Lee Morgan was back in Van Gelder Studio in November 1965 with a slightly slimmed down—but no less robust—quintet line-up to record his next session Infinity, which wouldn’t be first released until 1981. Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean and drummer Billy Higgins—both of whom were featured on Cornbread—were at Morgan’s side once again along with pianist Larry Willisand bassist Reggie Workman for a five-song set that ventured to the far reaches of the hard bop tradition and beyond. Four compelling Morgan originals and McLean’s engaging ballad “Portrait of Doll” cover a wide expanse of musical terrain including the probing title track, the laid-back 6/8 groove of “Miss Nettie B,” the intricate interlaced lines of “Growing Pains,” and the hard-charging closer “Zip Code.”
Lee Morgan – Taru – Blue Note Tone Poet Series 180g Vinyl
Lee Morgan’s 1968 album Taru—which wouldn’t be first released until 1980 as part of the LT Series—found the trumpeter at a crossroads exploring a variety of styles. The band on this outstanding date is notable for several reasons including the elevating presence of guitarist George Benson who delivers inspired solos throughout. The session also marked Morgan’s first recorded collaboration with tenor saxophonist Bennie Maupin who would play an integral role on future Morgan albums including Caramba! and Live at the Lighthouse. Rounding out the sextet were pianist John Hicks, bassist Reggie Workman, and the ever-inspiriting drummer Billy Higgins. The six-song set covered a range of stylistic ground including modal jazz (“Avotcja One”), hard-charging post-bop (“Get Yourself Together”), beautiful balladry (“Haeschen” and “Taru, What’s Wrong With You?”), gospel-tinged numbers (“Dee Lawd”), and funky boogaloos (“Durem”).
Lee Morgan – The Sidewinder (Blue Note Classic Series) – Blue Note Vinyl
Lee Morgan’s magnum opus The Sidewinder—recorded in 1963 and release in 1964—was both a comeback and a coronation. The prodigious trumpeter had debuted on Blue Note in 1956 at the age of 18, but personal problems in the early-60s forced him off the scene temporarily. His rebound recording turned out to be The Sidewinder, an assured and energetic set of 5 indelible Morgan originals featuring tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Billy Higgins. The album became his biggest commercial success fueled by the irrepressible title track.
Les McCann & Eddie Harris – Swiss Movement – Analogue Productions Atlantic 75 Series 45 rpm 180g Vinyl
Available to Pre-Order
Imagine yourself in a smoky, vibrant jazz club in the 1960s. The album opens with Les McCann, a soulful and charismatic pianist and vocalist, playing the keys with infectious energy. He's accompanied by an equally talented group of musicians. McCann's music is deeply rooted in gospel, blues, and soul, and it shines through in his performance. His warm, expressive voice draws you in, making you feel like you're right there in the audience.
Livingston Taylor – Ink – Chesky Records 180g Vinyl LP
Experience the smooth, heartfelt storytelling of Livingston Taylor with Ink, now available on Chesky Records' 180-gram vinyl LP. Showcasing his signature blend of folk, pop, and jazz, this audiophile-grade pressing delivers an intimate, richly detailed sound, bringing Taylor’s warm vocals and masterful guitar work to life. Recorded with Chesky’s world-renowned high-fidelity techniques, this limited-edition vinyl release ensures a pure, immersive listening experience, making it a must-have for audiophiles, vinyl collectors, and fans of classic singer-songwriters.
Rediscover the magic of Livingston Taylor’s Ink—order your 180G Vinyl LP today!
Lonnie Smith – Turning Point – Blue Note 180g Vinyl
A stone killer from organist Lonnie Smith one of his completely cooking early albums for Blue Note, and a hard-burner all the way through! Smith’s working here with a really great group that includes Idris Muhammad on drums and Melvin Sparks on guitar both of whom give the album a really heavy bottom, and almost make the set feel like one of those classic Prestige jammers from the same time. But added to them is a great horn section of Lee Morgan on trumpet, Julian Preister on trombone, and Bennie Maupin on tenor all of whom give the record a slightly hipper, more modern feel in keeping with the Blue Note groove of the time. Tracks are all nice and long and titles include the originals “Turning Point” and “Slow High” plus versions of “See Saw”, “People Sure Act Funny”, and “Eleanor Rigby”.
Lou Donaldson – Midnight Creeper Blue Note Tone Poet Series 180g Vinyl
Alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson hadn’t recorded for Blue Note since 1963 when he returned to the label in 1967 and began a new chapter in his lengthy career. Sweet Papa Lou had helped lay Blue Note’s soul jazz foundation alongside Hammond B3 organists including Jimmy Smith, Baby Face Willette, and Big John Patton going back to the late-1950s thru the early-60s on standout dates including his own Here ‘Tis, Good Gracious!, and The Natural Soul.
Lou Reed – Berlin -Mofi SACD
An Intense Journey Into Toxic Relationships Balanced With Gorgeous Arrangements And Dark Humor: Lou Reed’s Conceptual Berlin Features A-List Cast And Bob Ezrin Production
Sourced from the Original Master Tapes and Strictly Limited to 2,000 Numbered Copies: Mobile Fidelity’s Hybrid SACD Presents the Singer-Songwriter’s 1973 Album in Audiophile Quality
Like the records he made with his first band, Berlin finds Lou Reed decades ahead of the times.Though dismissed upon its original release in 1973, the former Velvet Underground member’s third solo effort ultimately landed on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and remains one of his most lauded works.
Lou Reed – Transformer – Speakers Corner 180g Vinyl
‘Transformer’ is the second solo studio album by American artist Lou Reed, released in 1972. David Bowie offered Lou Reed some much needed help with his career, which was stuck in neutral after his first solo album came and went. The sound and style of ‘Transformer’ would in many ways define Reed’s career in the 1970s, and while it led him into a style that proved to be a dead end, you can’t deny that Bowie and Ronson gave their hero a new lease on life — and a solid album in the bargain.
