Aretha Franklin – Aretha with The Ray Bryant Combo – Speakers Corner 180g vinyl
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.
Delaney & Bonnie & Friends: To Bonnie From Delaney 180g vinyl
The married couple and musical duo Delaney & Bonnie ignited critics, fans and famous musical colleagues to veritable bursts of exultation. Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones talked matter-of-factly of »convincing white gospel song«, while Eric Clapton regarded the duo as the "best pop band in the world".
Pure Pleasure releases are created from the original artwork and re-mastered from the original tapes by engineers who on occasions, have mastered the originals. Some in the original studios! The sleeves are re-created from the originals. An exciting journey! The End Result?
The Touch. The Feel. The Look. The Craftsmanship. What could be better?
Grateful Dead – Workingman’s Dead Mofi 180g 45RPM 2LP
#264 On Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time: Airy Harmonies, Simple Structures, Concise Arrangements, And Burnished Tones 1/4" / 15 IPS / Dolby A analog master direct to lathe
Workingman's Dead defies the erroneous belief that the Grateful Dead never attained brilliance in the recording studio. Forever prized for natural sonics, Workingman's Dead attains audiophile reference status courtesy of this first-ever 45RPM version. As flawless as any rustic album ever released, the 1970 set now brims with soaring harmonies, organic execution, intertwined textures, and uncomplicated structures that furnish the songs a transcendence associated with timeless American music. Colorful, relatable characters seemingly torn from working-class histories and old-time fables inhabit the narratives.
Natalie Merchant – Tigerlily – 2 x 45RPM 180g Mobile Fidelity Vinyl
True to its title, Tigerlily balance fierceness and delicacy, creating a rare span of emotional territory. Listening to Tigerlily, a distinct songwriter’s voice emerges, one which possesses strength and vulnerability. The lyrics are personal, the arrangements stark and sparse. Tigerlily was engineered by John Holbrook, who has worked with The Band, Peter Tosh, and the Isley Brothers.
The Soulful Moods of Gene Ammons – Analogue Productions Prestige (Stereo) 180g Vinyl
Part of the ultimate audiophile Prestige stereo reissues from Analogue Productions — 25 of the most collectible, rarest, most audiophile-sounding Rudy Van Gelder recordings ever made. All cut at 33 1/3
All mastered from the original analog master tapes by mastering maestro Kevin Gray. 180-gram LPs pressed at Acoustic Sounds' state-of-the-art pressing plant, Quality Record Pressings, plated by Gary Salstrom
Tip-on jackets on thick cardboard stock
“One of the best efforts from Ammons' extensive catalog. A fat, warm, rich sax tone — you know, the one you immediately identify as Jug — is on display in all its glory on this great Moodsville release. Feeling tired and stressed out? Give Uncle Gene a spin. Besides perfect pitch, Ammons' other special gift was a melodic sense that allowed him to effectively convey feelings at slow tempos. Here is a great jazz ballad player given full scope to spin his charms." — Stereophile, February 1995
The Thelonious Monk Quartet – Straight No Chaser 180g Audiophile Vinyl
180-GRAM 33RPM 2LP SET
This mid-period masterwork from jazz piano’s most uncommon voice find Monk and his quartet ( Charlie Rouse on tenor, Ben Riley on drums and Larry Gales on bass) exploring every texture, tone and melodic turn of seven expansive tracks. This group was subtle, mature and confident, easily supporting Monk’s more idiosyncratic side-tracks (check out the solo on “Locomotive” or the restless exposition on “Japanese Folk Song”) while allowing listeners freedom to move through or contemplate all the sublime subtexts Monk conjures from the endless well of his inspiration.
