UPDATED May 20th, 2024 |
|
 |
1. ALLEN, DEAVID & EUTERPE: “Good Morning” (Virgin – VIP-4053) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint). Top shape Japanese press issue by Gong head honcho. Awesome. Price: 30 Euro |
 |
2. AMMONS, GENE: “The Happy Blues” (Prestige/ Victor Records – SMJ-6611) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Excellent – some foxing spots visible/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Clean Japanese press original. Gene Ammons in a mighty nice setting -- working here in an open-ended jam session style that brings all his best live energy into play at the studio of Rudy Van Gelder! The set's got a crackle that really goes beyond the earlier, shorter bop recordings from Ammons -- and a bit more darkness than some of his 60s sessions too -- a really wonderful balance of open and tight playing, not just from Jug's tenor, but also from Art Farmer on trumpet, Jackie McLean on alto, and Duke Jordan on piano! Rhythm's handled by Addison Farmer on bass and Art Taylor on drums -- and the mighty Candido also adds in some congas, to really give things a kick. Price: 35 Euro |
 |
3. AMMONS, GENE And His All Stars: “Groove Blues” (Prestige/ Victor Records – SMJ-6555) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Clean Japanese press issue with obi of classic slide. One of the tasty blowing session albums that Jug cut for Prestige – remarkable in the quality of the players (Coltrane, Mal Waldron, Pepper Adams, and others), and in the relaxed easy groove of the solid soulful tracks. There's 4 long cuts, and they all swing nicely nicely nicely! Price: 35 Euro |
 |
4. AOYAMA MICHI: Manhattan Blues – Onna Blues b/w Otoko Blues – Jonetsu No Hatoba” (Crown Records – LW-1115) (4 Track EP Record: Excellent/ Flip Back Picture Sleeve: Near Mint). First original pressing from November 1967 in great condition. Absolutely ear-blisteringly awesome four track EP by Aoyama Michi, the unsung queen of the soulful rock bottom Enka blues with a voice that seems to emanate out of the darkest depths of the bottom of the well. The lid is off, Aoyama emerged, singing in a highly like a wintered through witch singing from out of the grave. She is deep, her parental Afro-roots blood lineage also seeps through and give her that soulful character no other Enka singer ever possessed. The backing is fabulously executed, giving the whole an extra deep resonating dimension as if it came from beyond the depths of the ocean. Listening to Aoyama just makes the hairs on your neck rise up, while you desperately make a last run for that strychnine syringe in order to administer that last fatal shot towards heaven and subsequently hell. This one throws together 4 tracks that initially appeared on 4 different single issues. Still a tough one to unearth in nice shape so….go for it, you won’t regret it. Price: 40 Euro |
 |
5. ART BLAKEY et les Jazz-Messengers: “Saint Germain Vol. 2” (Victor Records – LS-5170) (Record: Near Mint/ Flip Back Jacket: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Rare Japan very first press issue from 1959 (!!!!!) – same as the one listed above but obi is missing in action so you have a steal here. Top condition copy and follow-up volume for the Messengers gig at Saint Germain. Rarely surfaces this perfect and with obi present. Those early (first) Japanese pressings sound ballistically awesome. Super pressing and mastering. Price: 35 Euro |
 |
6. AYLER, ALBERT TRIO: “Spiritual Unity” (ESP Records/ Victor Records – MJ-7101/ ESP-7001) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Excellent). Rare Japan first original pressing – MONO in great shape. Killer with absolutely no filler that will clear the cobwebs out of the empty canyons of your deserted mind! Price: 40 Euro |
 |
7. BLEY, PAUL: “Open To Love” (ECM/ Trio Records – ECM-4006) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ 2 Inserts: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Pristine and virginal copy all complete with obi and inserts. Price: 25 Euro |
 |
8. BURTON, GARY: “Seven Songs For Quartet And Chamber Orchestra” (ECM/ Trio Records – PAP-9009) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Promo issue – Japan original. Sounding as fresh today as it did in 1973, Seven Songs places the Gary Burton Quartet in an orchestral context, with compositions of Michael Gibbs – inspired by Messiaen and Charles Ives as well as Miles and Gil Evans – and exceptional soloing by Mick Goodrick, Steve Swallow and Burton himself. The production is exemplary: Seven Songs set a new standard for recordings of orchestral jazz. Price: 25 Euro |
 |
9. CARTER, RON: “Pastels” (Milestone/ Victor Records – SMJ-6162) (Record: Near Mint/ gatefold Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Virginal condition Japan original pressing all complete with obi. Price: 25 Euro |
 |
10. CHARLATANS: “The Ones Who Started It All” (Shark – Shark001) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint). Amazing LP by Frisco’s finest. Unreleased recordings by the Charlatans dating back to 1966 ~ 1968. Codeine and the rest, killer no filler. Has been a while since I came across a copy of this one. In need of a massive re-appreciation. Price: 30 Euro |
 |
11. CLARKE, STANLEY: “Children Of Forever” (Polydor – MP-2325) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Excellent). Awesome Japanese original pressing. A dead cheap record but also quite an amazing slide!!! Quite possibly the hippest album that Stanley Clarke ever cut – a stretched-out soulful batch of jazz-tinged tracks – very much in the same spirit as the more righteous soul jazz underground of the time! In a way, the record would be much more at home on a label like Strata East than it would at Polydor – thanks to vocals from Andy Bey and Dee Dee Bridgewater – and a group lineup that includes Pat Martino on guitars, Art Webb on flute, Lenny White on drums, and Chick Corea on keyboards! Corea produced, and there's a bit of the free-floating style of Return To Forever here – but the overall vibe is a lot more soulful too, and reminds us a fair bit of some of the earliest work by Norman Connors or Carlos Garnett – both of whom used Bridgewater as a vocalist in similar settings. For all of those out there who stare blindly at dick-enlarging wall pieces of records to impress there Instagram followers with but who fail to recognize amazing music at dead cheap give-away-prices, this one is for you!!! A real stunner of an album, so don’t look away in disgust because you know it will floor you and devaluate your Instagram respectability in a flash, so yes….you need this, do yourself a favor. Price: 30 Euro |
 |
12. COLEMAN, ORNETTE: “The Shape of Jazz To Come” (Warner Pioneer/ Atlantic – P-7510A) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Top condition Japanese press issue of subliminal jazz slide. Price: 30 Euro |
 |
13. COLTRANE, JOHN: “The Believer” (Prestige/ Victor Records – SMJ-6558) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Clean like your bride on her wedding night Japanese pressing with obi of all time classic. “The Believer offers an early glimpse at the talents of a still-developing Coltrane. Recorded in the late '50s while he was still a member of the Miles Davis Sextet, this early solo outing finds Coltrane confident but just beginning to explore the kind of modalities with which he would soon revolutionize the world of jazz. One of the reasons Coltrane is so at ease here is the familiar setting: he's joined by fellow Davis cohorts Paul Chambers and Red Garland among others. Drummer Louis Hayes provides a Latin-inflected beat on "Nakatini Serenade," as Coltrane and Donald Byrd soar above the rhythm section. The understated Rogers & Hammerstein standard "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful" presents Coltrane the balladeer waxing lyrical over the subtle dynamics. Things to come are hinted at briefly in flurries of notes here and there, and it's fascinating to listen to the early work of this developing genius.” (All Music Guide). Price: 40 Euro |
 |
14. JOHN COLTRANE: “Impressions” (Impulse Records – SH-3020) (Record: Near Mint/ Flip Back Jacket: Excellent/ Insert: Near Mint). Very first 1964 Japan original press issue,1st original press issue from 1964. Great condition. “Impressions is an album that, more than just giving the listener certain sensations, plumbs the depth of Coltrane's feelings. It does this while providing an incredible array of his musical concerns which makes this record indispensable. There's an A-flat blues; the stunning original ballad "After the Rain," and "India," on which two bassists simulate a drum choir. Finally, there's the remarkable title track, on which Coltrane develops several motifs in succession, moving in and out of a maze of tonalities - but always with the inevitable fervor and logic of a charging train.” (John Doe, Excerpted from the liner notes of the CD issue). Rarely seen 1st Japanese stereo pressing!!!! Price: 50 Euro |
 |
15. COLTRANE, JOHN: “Live At The Village Vanguard” (Impulse/ King Records – SH-3021) (Record: Near Mint/ Flip Back Jacket: Near Mint). Equally scarce 1964 press issue. Again another always-elusive pressing that comes housed in a fragile laminated flip back sleeve with matching obi. These birds are so shy one needs serious binoculars to spot them at all but here is one flying low enough for you to catch it before it remains hidden for another decade or so. Top shape! Price: 50 Euro |
 |
16. COLTRANE, JOHN: “Africa / Brass” (Impulse – IMP-88090) (Record: Near Mint/ Gatefold Jacket: Excellent ~ Near Mint – some foxing inside the gatefold/ Obi: VG++ - upper seam split/ Insert: Near Mint). Original Japan second press issue Impulse pressing all complete with obi. WHITE label PROMO issue. First Japanese pressing to be housed in a gatefold sleeve. Coltrane’s first release for the Impulse label. Rare Japanese pressing that sounds fantastic. They are getting damned scarce these last years and hardly ever turn up anymore as clean as this one. Archival copy. Price: 50 Euro |
 |
|
 |
17. COLTRANE, JOHN: “Africa Brass” (Impulse/ MCA Records – VIM - 4609) (Record: Near Mint/ Gatefold Jacket: Excellent ~ Near Mint with some faint foxing inside gatefold/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Later Japan press issue all complete with obi and insert. Price: 25 Euro |
 |
18. COWELL, STANLEY & DAVE BURRELL: “Questions/ Answers” (Trio Records – PA-7089) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Excellent ~ Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint) Amazing duo improvisations from two of the hippest pianists of the early 70s -- Stanley Cowell and Dave Burrell, coming together here on a rare Japanese-only album -- one that features two long tracks that each take up a side of the disc! The vibe is maybe a bit more avant at times than some of Stanley's work on Strata East, but there's also a great balance between the voices of the two players too -- and the sense of spontaneous creation is wonderful throughout, and always balances individual expressions with deeper ideas -- ringing out in the loud, lively space of Ino Hall in Tokyo. The record contains two long tracks -- "Questions" and "Answers" -- both long improvisations by the pair. Price: 20 Euro |
 |
19. DOLLAR BRAND: “The Children Of Africa” (Enja/ Polydor Japan – 28MJ3240) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Virginal Japan original press issue from 1983 all complete with obi and insert. Incredible 1976 LP from South African jazz musician Abdullah Ibrahim aka Dollar Brand with his The Children Of Africa LP. Workings as a trio with Abdullah on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Roy Brooks on drums, the LP is steeped in themes of Africa with deeply moving moments of deep, meditative musicianship, occasionally reduced to just a plucked bass and tickling of drum. The highlight is surely the extended, spiritual 'Ishmael', where Ibrahim also picks up soprano sax and sings, whilst 'Yukio-Khalifa' and the more wistful 'The Dream' focus more on the dynamic pairing of piano and bass. Beautiful and future-proof late-night listens. Pristine Japan original. Price: 30 Euro |
 |
20. DOLPHY, ERIC: “Eric Dolphy In Europe Vol. 1” (Prestige/ Victor Records – SMJ-7212) (Record: Near Mint/ Flip Back Jacket: Near Mint). Rare Japan very first original pressing from 1964. The first of set recorded during in Copenhagen during Sept. 1961 by the unique Eric Dolphy, this date has the strongest program of the trio. Dolphy is heard on a definitive "God Bless the Child" playing unaccompanied bass clarinet, switches to flute for "Glad to Be Unhappy," romps on the bass clarinet on "Oleo," and plays alto for a duet with bassist Chuck Israel on Randy Weston’s "Hi-Fly." Joined by a supportive Danish rhythm section (pianist Bent Axen, bassist Erik Moseholm and drummer Jorn Elniff) on the two quartet tracks, Dolphy is in excellent form throughout the well-rounded release. So an essential set it hurts not having this. Very first Japan original press issue. Pristine condition! Price: 50 Euro | Price
 |
21. DOLPHY, ERIC: “Last Date” (Mercury / Nippon Phonogram – SFX-10572) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Japanese press with obi. On June 2, 1964, Eric Dolphy played bass clarinet, alto saxophone and flute with a trio of Dutch musicians for a Netherlands radio show called "Jazz Magazine." Most of the time, the show's sessions were broadcast live and were not recorded; Dolphy's set was taped because he was leaving before the day of the show. It was fortuitous. On June 29 he died in Berlin after collapsing onstage; the doctors assumed that the black American jazz musician was on drugs. But Dolphy had slipped into a diabetic coma, and without treatment he never regained consciousness. The Dutch recordings became his album "Last Date." The all-Dutch rhythm section features renowned drummer Han Bennink, the closest living personification of the Muppet's Animal. For someone who later worked with Peter Brötzmann and Derek Bailey, Bennink really sits back on this one. Still, the whole of the recording is astonishing and breathes out an intimate improvisatory feeling, delicate yet brimming over with poetic and shamanistic beauty that keeps you on the edge throughout the session. Misha Mengelberg rules on the ivory keys and his idiosyncratic playing style fuses neatly with Dolphy’s free floating avant-outings. One of the most beautiful jazz records ever to put down on wax. Price: 25 Euro |
 |
22. DOLPHY, ERIC: “At The Five Spot” (Prestige – SMJ-6572) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Japan pressing with obi. Rare Japan 1964 original 1st pressing in amazing condition. “This is the second of three sets that document the Erik Dolphy/ Booker Little quintet's playing at the Five Spot. It features a group made up of pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Richard Davis and drummer Ed Blackwell really stretching out during long versions of Little’s "Aggression" and the standard "Like Someone in Love." Dolphy’s playing -- whether on alto, bass clarinet or flute -- always defied categorization, while Little (who passed away less than three months later) was the first new voice on the trumpet to emerge after Clifford Brown’s death in 1956. An excellent set that records what may have been Dolphy’s finest group ever, as well as one of that era's best working bands.” (All Music Guide) Indispensable! Price: 30 Euro |
 |
23. DORHAM, KENNY: “Quiet Kenny” (Prestige/ Victor – SMJ-6513) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Excellent – repaired upper seam tear). Insanely clean Japanese later pressing of cornerstone jazz killer. Comes dead cheap so… Price: 40 Euro |
 |
24. EVANS, GIL: “Out Of The Cool” (Impulse – YP-8505-AI) (Record: Near Mint/ Gatefold Jacket: Excellent ~ Near Mint – mild foxing inside gatefold/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Japan Impulse pressing – PROMO issue in top shape. Price: 25 Euro |
 |
25. GATO BARBIERI: “The Third World” (Flying Dutchman Records/ King Records – SR-3165) (Record: Near Mint/ Gatefold Jacket: Excellent ~ Near mint – has some minor foxing inside gatefold/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Mint/ Additional Tour Obi: Near Mint). Clean as a whistle Japan high-quality original press issue all complete with 2 obis. Price: 25 Euro |
 |
26. HARRIS, BARRY: “At the Jazz Workshop – Recorded Live in San Francisco with Sam Jones, Louis Hayes” (Riverside/ Nippon Victor – SR-6123) (Record: Near Mint/ Jacket: Near Mint/ Insert: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Damned rare Japan 2nd pressing from 1976 –all complete with obi + WHITE label PROMO issue. Pianist Barry Harris’ second recording as a leader (he led a set for Argo in 1958) finds him at the age of 30 playing in the same boppish style he would have throughout his career. Teamed up with bassist Dam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes, this live recording is an excellent example of Harris’ playing. Highlights of the enthusiastic straight-ahead set include "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby," "Moose the Mooche" and "Woody'N You." Top notch condition with obi. Price: 50 Euro |
 |
|
