Cornbread Vinyl, CD & Tape 37 Artikel

Marcos Valle's incredible 1963 debut, Samba ''Demais'', established him as one of the premier performers and composers in the emerging Brazilian popular music landscape. Barely out of his Rio high school, where classmates included fellow Brazilian musical legends Edu Lobo and Dori Caymmi, Valle caught the eye of label executives and had a debut record out before his 20th birthday. Though he would later go on to be a massive superstar across his native country and a cult figure throughout the rest of the world, these humble beginning show Valle already had a complete mastery of the samba songwriting form and was already a brilliant performer. An essential Brazilian title on 180 gram vinyl with 1 bonus track from Cornbread.

Minneapolis/St. Paul, May 1960: a young Bob Dylan, still known as Robert Zimmerman and not yet even 19 years old, decides to drop out of college to move to New York City and pursue a career in folk music. That same month he plays a small gathering at Karen Wallace's apartment in St. Paul - Karen's sister, Terri, was an early fan and supporter of Dylan's - mostly covering American folk and blues standards, which he'd become obsessed with since starting at the University. Still a few years before his self-titled debut, this tape is one of the earliest documents of early Dylan, and since Karen Wallace attempted to sell the tape for $10,000 in the 1970s and subsequently disappeared along with the tape, its life is another great story in the history of Bob Dylan, one of the most enigmatic and idiosyncratic celebrities of the 20th Century.

The inimitable Big Maybelle, born, Mabel Louise Smith, had worked for nearly 2 decades in the music business before even releasing her first single, “Gabbin’ Blues” in 1952, although, to be fair, she started at the age of 12. The 1958 LP Blues, Candy & Big Maybelle, collects singles from the mid-50s on, including one of her biggest hits, “Candy”. Killer jump blues and R&B from one of the finest, Jackson, Tennessee’s own Big Maybelle. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download code and 2 bonus tracks.

Furry Lewis was a Mississippi native who found his first success in Memphis in the 1920s, recording now highly sought after sides for labels like Vocalion and Victor. Throughout the Depression and WWII Lewis maintained his day job as a street sweeper for the City of Memphis, a job he kept for over 40 years, even after the folk revival hit and he began performing and recording again. This album, originally released in 1961, is one of his earliest revival efforts and remains one of his strongest recordings to date. Featuring his unique country blues guitar style and soulful voice, this is a forgotten gem from a blues legend that deserves to be named with the greats like Patton, Johnson, Hopkins, and Hooker.

Recorded in 2 days in October of 1960, The Centaur and The Phoenix is one of reeds player Yusef Lateef's most innovative early albums. Featuring modal and hard bop material, arrangements from a young Kenny Barron, and accompaniment from Curtis Fuller, Clark Terry, Joe Zawinul, and more, the album marks a bit of a turning point for Lateef as he expanded his sound, vision, and composing talents. With songs and arrangements clearly influenced by Charles Mingus' contemporaneous work, The Centaur and The Phoenix is a near perfect album from one of the most innovative jazz players of the mid 20th century

Collecting several recordings from 1961, the year that a young Minnesotan became the epicenter of the nascent Greenwich Village folk scene, Come Back, Baby is a great view into the development of one of the greatest American songwriters ever. This great set features his first ever radio performance, part of a 12-hour hootenanny, on 29 July, two songs and interviews for Oscar Brand's radio show, as well as alternate takes from Carolyn Hester's third album recording sessions, on which Bob plays harmonica. Mostly covering traditional folk and blues, this is a beautiful and crucial collection for any Dylan fan.

Featuring the Miles Davis Sextet and the Thelonious Monk Quartet recorded in 1958 and 1963, respectively, this classic album features two of jazz music's most famous groups at the peak of their powers. This 1958 recording from Miles Davis is, in fact, one of the finest live documents of the classicKind Of Blueera group featuring Coltrane and Adderley, along with the great Bill Evans on piano. Monk's group as usual featured tenor-man Charlie Rouse, with help from Pee Wee Russell on clarinet, and they really stretch out on two 10+ minute tracks. Another great American jazz classic from Cornbread on 180 gram LP.

Jazz By Sun Ra Vol. 1 is one of the earliest and finest release from Birmingham by way of Saturn pianist, bandleader, and composer, Sun Ra. Featuring many of the usual suspects including Priester, Gilmore, and Patrick, the album, originally released in 1957, features some of Ra's finest compositions. From swinging to subdued, Jazz By Sun Ra Vol. 1 is a unique pieces of mid-50s like only Ra could do it. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download card.

In classic Sun Ra fashion Angels And Demons At Play collects recordings made 4 years apart (1956 and 1960) but still sounds like a perfect, cohesive album. That's the beauty of the Arkestra, though it lasted decades and featured dozens of different musicians, Sun Ra's unique vision maintained a free-form order that unified all the various incarnations and countless recordings into a whole. Featuring Arkestra mainstays like Pat Patrick, Marshall Allen, Ronnie Boykins, and John Gilmore, Angels And Demons At Play features mostly shorter tracks, in a swinging and dark mood that exemplified Ra's late 50s work. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download card.

By 1959 the folk revival was nearly in full swing, pushed forward by the likes of Pete Seeger, and was in fact the first year of the Newport Folk Festival. In that light, John Lee Hooker took a break from his Chicago electric blues recording career and returned to his country blues roots with an acoustic blues LP that featured the stripped down sound of just Hooker and his acoustic guitar. Essential acoustic blues reissued on 180 gram LP with download code.

Collecting material recorded between 1955 and 1959 in the de facto capitol of the blues, Chicago, this is John Lee Hooker at his absolutely finest. Already some 40+ years old at the time of recording, Hooker was a veteran of the blues and a man that had seen his fair share of pain and suffering, the son of a Mississippi sharecropper, and these are some of his most evocative recordings ever. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download code.

At age 28, prior to her fame as a poet and author, Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Annie Johnson) was performing modern dance and singing calypso tunes in San Francisco nightclubs. Harry Belafonte had just hit the big time and made calypso a household name, and Angelou followed suit in 1956 with a record of her own, her first and only attempt to hit the big time in the music business. By 1959 she had moved to NYC and joined the Harlem Writers Guild and the rest, as they say, is history. That, however, is not to dismiss this record as merely a footnote in her history, it is in fact a fine piece of exotica, a killer LP of pop calypso that should appeal not only to fans of her writing, and lovers of 50s kitsch exotica, but calypso fans in general. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download code.

A truly legendary release, the second ever album from the immortal Staple Singers, Will The Circle Be Unbroken? was originally released in 1961. Featuring Pop Staples’ instantly recognizable tremelo’d guitar, and the vocals of Mavis and co., this album might contain the definitive version of the title track, a gospel standard that dates back to 1907 and has been covered countless time, so that’s no short order. This is the group, along with the Soul Stirrers, to influence an entire generation of future gospel performers, and this LP is one of their absolute peaks. Reissued on 180 gram vinyl with download code.

The Brazilian born master guitarist Bola Sete (literally translated to “Seven Ball” and a snooker reference) originally studied music at the Conservatory of Rio while playing in his own jazz sextet and small samba combos. Sete spent time in Italy and also absorbed jazz influences as he was a avid fan of Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt. It was these influences, along with the local samba and bossa nova flavor he was absorbing on a daily basis in Brazil that form the foundation of his sound. This record, his debut album from 1957, combines those influences beautifully in a perfect jazz samba setting, a fully formed artist who had been a professional musician for years before releasing this album. Sete counted among his admirers and fans such disparate legends as Dizzy Gillespie and John Fahey, and one listen to this masterful debut will tell you why. An absolute essential on 180 gram vinyl.

Lightnin' (The Blues Of Lightnin' Hopkins) was originally released in 1960. Featuring, as usual, his brilliant acoustic guitar work, Hopkins is accompanied here by a low key rhythm section of acoustic bass and mostly brushed drumming. The results of this minimal sound is some of the purest and most engaging blues music of the early 1960s. Though Hopkins had been recording blues and R&B for labels like Modern and Aladdin for over a decade, it was not until the folk revival firmly implanted itself into America's psyche that he crossed over to a larger audience. This is one of Hopkins earliest albums following his breakout onto the national stage and it's one of his finest performances of all-time.

In 1958 the Dave Brubeck Quartet traveled to Europe and Asia on a state department funded tour to promote jazz music across the continents. They played 80 concerts in 14 different countries and this album is directly informed by that tour. Brubeck's compositions here draw from the folk idioms of countries they toured and incorporates them into a jazz structure. All the compositions here were written by Brubeck while on that tour and as soon as they returned the group, featuring of course on alto sax the wonderful Paul Desmond, entered the studio to get them down on tape. Featuring early explorations into Indian and Middle Eastern musical forms within the jazz genre, this album often does not get the credit it's due for helping to expand the musical palate of jazz. Essential jazz from an American legend.

1963 album from the Cuban conguero Mongo Santamaria. Featuring his brilliant cover version of Herbie Hancock's classic title track, along with numerous compositions of his own, this is one of Mongo Santamaria's most famous and coveted albums. From the iconic cover to the brilliant grooves contained within, this album has the whole package. Excellent latin jazz and latin-soul groovers from a Cuban hero, and one of the most famous performers, full stop, of the middle 20th Century.

Originally released only in France on a very rare 10" record in 1958, this is the first taste of the unique Screamin' Jay Hawkins to reach the European market. Featuring his early classics like "I Put A Spell On You", "Alligator Wine", and "Hong Kong", this is the great Hawkins at his raw and unhinged best. Truly transcendent American blues, R&B, and rock and roll reissued on 180 gram LP.

One of the most beguiling and enigmatic figures in popular music, Scott Walker (born Scott Engel) began his career in Los Angeles playing as a session bassist and recording demos. This eventually led to several singles under his birth name ranging across the popular teen sounds of the time, from rockabilly to doo wop to pure pop. Though these are decidedly of the time, you can hear in his voice the truly mind-bending work that was to come from Mr. Walker. A fascinating look at the early work of a truly brilliant cult figure. Released on 180 gram LP + download code.

While filming in Trinidad in 1957, Robert Mitchum soaked up local music talent like Lord Melody and Mighty Sparrow, resulting in this amazing experiment of pure Caribbean calypso in which the number one icon of Hollywood coolness insists on imitating the broken English of many of the original calypso artists (this is 'dis' and 'the' is often dropped), while singing a bunch of traditional Caribbean songs (complete with the requisite steel drums, congas and backing horns) along with a few Elvis-styled rockers. 180 gram LP + download code.

When Elvis joined the Army in 1958 his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and label scrambled for material to release to quell the demands of his maniacal, adoring fans. A Date With Elvis is comprised of singles and unreleased material ranging from his early Sun days in 1954 up to 1957. Featuring songs all the way from Bill Monroe and Charlie Feathers, to Lieber and Stoller, this may be a filler singles compilation but it's all classic material from one of rock's all-time legends at the prime of his career. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download card.

The very first rock and roll album to reach #1 on the charts and sell over a million copies, Elvis’ debut LP is a classic piece of American music history, from the iconic cover to the unforgettable track listing. Recorded in Nashville, New York, and at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, this is THE KING’s most famous moment, a debut LP that changed the course of music history. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download card.

Recorded in 1961 at the Choreographers' Workshop, New York, Bad And Beautiful features outstanding performances from Arkestra veterans John Gilmore and Pat Patrick. Though Sun Ra is clearly the leader and founder of the Arkestra, it's records like this one that show the truly collaborative and communal nature of the group. Gilmore and Patrick's performances result in beautiful, flowing pieces that perfectly complement the playing of Ra and the group, showing us that there never has and never will be another jazz group quite like the Sun Ra Arkestra. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download card.

Before they hit it big with Phil Spector and his Phillies label, the vocal trio from Harlem (best) known as The Ronettes recorded numerous sides for Colpix Records. This LP on 180-gram vinyl (including a download) contains a fine collection of tracks from those days (early '60s), in many cases recorded as Ronnie & The Relatives.

The seventh studio album from the godfather of soul, Mr. Dynamite himself, the hardest working man in show business, James Brown. Prisoner Of Love is pure R&B and soul mid-tempo pain and pleading. Featuring his first big pop hit in the title track, Prison Of Love is another classic piece of early 60s R&B reissued by Cornbread on 180 gram LP with download card.

The Unique Thelonious Monk, recorded in 1956, is the pianist’s second LP of standards. Though the recording was his label’s attempt at reaching a larger audience, this is in no way watered down; Monk takes his unique interpretive approach to tracks from the likes of the Gershwins, and Rodgers & Hart. With the help of a crack rhythm section of Blakey and Pettiford, this is one of Monk’s early career highlights and a truly unique piece of 50s piano trio jazz, back in print on 180 gram LP with download card.

Recorded on the 1st of January, 1962, in London, this is maybe the most famous audition tape in popular music history, an audition that altered the course of 20th century rock music. The Beatles, in their Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Best incarnation, recorded these 12 rollicking covers for the Decca label in just under an hour. They were eventually rejected by the label and went on to sign with EMI subsidiary, Parlophone, and the rest, as they say, is history. Had they signed with the label in the winter of 1962, would they have become the band that changed the world? Who knows... but what is clear is that this was a great band, even in infancy, and these great rock and roll covers not only show their potential, they're a damn fun listen in their own right. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download card.

Recorded at the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach, CA, on September 13, 1953, this is a historic recording for many reasons, and one of the earliest meetings of East and West Coast jazz artists. While Miles Davis and Chet Baker need no introduction, Harold Rumsey might. He was a West Coast jazz bassist who formed the Lighthouse All Stars in 1949, a long standing group that performed at the Hermosa Beach club every Sunday night for nearly a decade. Though he might not be a household name, his group featured such alumnus as Jimmy Giuffre, Shorty Rogers, Max Roach, Bud Shank, Sonny Criss, Hampton Hawes, Shelly Manne, and more. Featuring rousing renditions of “’Round Midnight”, “Night In Tunisia”, “At Last”, and the killer drum solo from Roach, “Drum Conversation”, this is a brilliant window into the 1950s LA scene, and Miles’ particular ability to fit into nearly any jazz setting with ease. Reissued on 180 gram vinyl with download code.

By far one of the most outrageous performers of the early years of rock, prone to emerging from coffins on stage, with a flaming skull named Henry as his constant companion, Screamin' Jay was an insanely theatrical figure long before it was even remotely acceptable. His 1958 debut, At Home, featuring his legendary 'I Put A Spell On You,' along with surreal hits like 'Hong Kong,' 'Take Me Back To The Boot And Saddle,' or his wild-ass reinventions of old standards like 'I Love Paris' and 'Deep Purple' is a carefully arranged yet gritty, Ray Charles-gone-crazy styled, full band rhythm and blues masterpiece, filled with enough howls and groans to send chills down your spine. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download code.

Originally released in 1962, this compilation is the definitive collection of Wanda Jackson’s rocking, rockabilly sides. Featuring her finest singles, including "Fujiyama Mama," "Mean Mean Man," and "Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad," this is Wanda at her lascivious, snarling best. Often referred to as “The Queen Of Rockabilly” if ever there was a need to prove that title for Wanda Jackson, this compilation is Exhibit A. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download code and 4 bonus tracks.

Following up Tonight's The Night was a difficult thing to do for New Jersey girl-group The Shirelles, but they did it the very same year with great The Shirelles Sing To Trumpets And Strings. Featuring further songwriting from Luther Dixon - who had previously written for Elvis, and more, and wrote the great "16 Candles" by The Crests - The Shirelles Sing... includes his all-time classic "Mama Said" which marched to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. More amazing girl-group from The Shirelles reissued on 180 gram vinyl with download code and a bonus track.

The pride of Passaic, New Jersey, the girl group The Shirelles was formed in 1957 by four friends from high school. After some early singles with chart success, they released their debut album in 1961, Tonight's The Night. Blending pop with doo-wop and R&B sensibilities, and with songwriting from the classic team of Goffin/King, Tonight's The Night is notable for "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", the very first Billboard #1 hit pop single from an African-American girl group, making this a truly groundbreaking record. Essential girl-group pop from one of the genre's true innovators, reissued on 180 gram LP with download code and 2 bonus tracks.

Though she had been performing professionally since the late 1920s, as a teenager in Harlem, during its Renaissance, the immortal Billie Holiday didn't play a single night on the European continent until 1954. It was in that year that the great journalist and musician Leonard Feather, and a Swedish promoter organized the Jazz Club U.S.A. tour, named after Feather's wildly popular radio program. Featuring Red Norvo, Sonny Clark, and more, the centerpiece of Jazz Club U.S.A. was, undoubtedly, Lady Day. Recorded at various dates across the tour,Lady Loveshows Holiday still had it, despite the turmoil, and drug and alcohol abuse, her voice remained strong, a stunning document of one of America's greatest treasures on her first ever tour of Europe. Reissued on 180 gram LP with download code, with 5 bonus tracks.

Dion, “The Wanderer” himself, came back in 1962 with a follow-up to that historic tune, another massive hit entitled “Lovers Who Wander”, which reached #3 on the charts. Featuring Dion DiMucci’s unforgettable voice, and his classic NYC R&B/doo-wop backing, this is the sound of the Bronx circa 1962. Though one might dismiss Dion as merely teeny-bopper fare, he’s a massively talented songwriter which is born out by his introspective work from the mid to late 60s. Reissued on 180 gram vinyl with download code.

Released on the heels of the immortal hit title track which went to #1 on the charts in 1962, He’s A Rebel is the second album from one of the greatest girl groups of all-time, The Crystals. Lead by legendary vocalist Darlene Love, and produced by Phil Spector, this record IS the sound of baby boomer teenagers. Nobody alive in the early 60s could avoid the infectious dance pop of The Crystals and the sound has held up and been emulated by retro-girl-groups for decades since. But nothing can top Phil Spector and The Crystals. Essential early 60s pop reissued on 180 gram LP with deluxe jacket, two bonus tracks, and a download card.

Los Angeles high school buddies, The Olympics, first hit it big in 1958 with the classic single, "Western Movies". Soon after that they started a dance craze with "(Baby) Hully Gully", the inspiration for the title of this LP. "Big Boy Pete" was also a big single and a huge influence on pacific northwest garage rock group, The Kingsmen. Included here are many of those classic early singles, with bonus tracks, on 180 gram vinyl with a download code.