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.
John Coltrane – Coltrane – Analogue Productions Prestige 180g Mono Vinyl
"Another fine-sounding Prestige mono, Coltrane crackles with spontaneous intensity. Al Heath's drum triplets spark "Bakai," as Coltrane's throaty tenor introduces the repetitive, Arabic-influenced theme. "Violets For Your Furs" is sort of precursor to Coltrane's fine Ballads album (1963), whlle a string of mostly up-tempo tunes follow." Sonics = 4/5; Music = 3.5/5 — Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, January 2013
Kenny Burrell – Guitar Forms – Acoustic Sounds Verve 180g Vinyl Gatefold Sleeve
1966 Grammy nominee for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance — Large Group or Soloist with Large Group, and Best Album Cover — Photography.
A cornerstone of any jazz library. Kenny Burrell's concept for this album was to demonstrate a variety of jazz guitar styles. And he does so, masterfully. Of particular interest "Moon and Sand" by Burrell and the Gil Evans Orchestra showcases an engaging guitar performance with a Latin combo.
Kenny Burrell and Jackie McLean – Inta Somethin’ – Blue Note Tone Poet 180g Vinyl
Kenny Dorham added stellar entries to the catalogs of Blue Note, Riverside, and New Jazz throughout the 1950s as he solidified his reputation as a leading trumpeter and composer on the jazz scene. He began 1961 in the studio for Blue Note recording his excellent album Whistle Stop and later that year cut his first date for Pacific Jazz, Inta Somethin', a spirited live recording that captured Dorham leading a quintet with alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, pianist Walter Bishop Jr., bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Art Taylor at The Jazz Workshop in San Francisco.
The band is firing on all cylinders throughout this set of four standards bookended by the Dorham originals "Us" and "San Francisco Beat." A buoyant version of "It Could Happen To You" is performed quartet as a Dorham showcase, while the trumpeter lays out on "Let's Face The Music And Dance" and "Lover Man" to give the spotlight to McLean.
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
