Not Now Vinyl, CD & Tape 103 Items

Just 3 Words: Stone Cold Classic!

A solar flare of cosmic sounds heralded the rising star Sun Ra when the pianist, composer and band leader first shone over the musical landscape in the 1950s and 1960s. He caused quite a stir with innovative albums that introduced electronics, special effects and unusual arrangements into a jazz world that sometimes slid into comfortable conservatism, despite its radical roots. This comprehensive collection of the best recordings from the formative stages of his career, enables the listener to hear with fresh ears the legendary Mr. Ra’s unique contribution.

All he was buyin’ was rags’n’old iron….’ When Nina Simone waltzes into a song that exudes such bitter-sweet poignancy, her extraordinary singing voice sends chills down the spine and grips the imagination in a way few others can. The Oscar Brown Jnr. composition Rags And Old Iron was a perfect vehicle for Simone, and its inclusion on this 1961 solo album demonstrated her admiration for Brown’s work as a lyricist, as well as his roles as a singer and activist. It is one of a selection of superb performances that helped establish Nina’s reputation as a singer and pianist whose appeal would extend well beyond the realms of jazz and soul. Of course, these musical genres were the cornerstones of her work but, ultimately, she transcended categorisation. Simone was a woman of substance, a powerful personality and a singularly captivating artist.

A thunderous, pounding piano signals the start of an electrifying performance at one of the world’s most famous jazz venues: The Village Gate, home to dozens of visiting guest stars, but none quite so special as the girl they called ‘The Amazing Miss Nina Simone.’ It was one hot New York night in 1961 when the singer and pianist arrived at the club on the corner of Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, for a gig that would become legendary, thanks to this cherished, on the spot ‘live’ recording. This performance emphasises Nina’s joie de vivre and sense of humour - traits that offset her tendency towards anger and sorrow, and combine to make her such a commanding presence and magnetic, truly amazing, performer.

Since her death, the music of Billie Holiday has been championed by many high-profile artists who freely acknowledge her influence. Though Holiday’s career was relatively short, she created a musical legacy that has endured to the current day. Billie Holiday was an original, and this compilation brings together the very best of her output. After experiencing these 42 tracks you will have an insight into the art and soul of a vocal artist who, Frank Sinatra insisted, touched every major American singer of their generation with her genius.

Chuck Berry created a body of work that stands today as not only the first but arguably the best in rock’n’roll. He was something of a child prodigy and gave his first public performance while still at school. His first release on the Chess label was in July 1955. Featured here are his greatest hits such as "School Day", "Sweet Little Sixteen", "Johnny B. Goode" and many more.

Mention the name of Nat ‘King’ Cole to most music lovers and they are likely to wax lyrical about his beautiful husky voice and his warm, relaxed way of singing. Any jazz buff, however, would be likely to give a very different response, for while Nat’s singing was what ultimately brought him fame and fortune, it was almost exclusively as a pianist that he began his career, and in this sphere he came to be regarded among the finest of the twentieth century. This magnificent collection compiles some of his best songs, including "Nature Boy", "Mona Lisa" and "Too Young" among others.

Why is the blues such an enduring strand of popular music? Eric Clapton simply called it 'a very powerful drug…I absorbed it totally, and it changed my complete outlook.' The 32 tracks in this collection are an enjoyable history lesson. With tracks such as "I Put A Spell On You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins or Otis Rush's "I Can't Quit You Baby", this compilation demonstrates why this genre, that evolved out of African-American work songs, became the foundation of virtually every mayor American music form of the 20th century.

The Newport Jazz Festival at Rhode Island was first established in 1954 and quickly became one of the main summer happenings in America’s jazz calendar. It became the place to be - a showcase for jazz performers, established stars and innovators alike… Nina Simone was booked to play the opening night at the seventh edition of the festival on 30 June 1960. However, it wasn’t the best of times to appear there - it was the year when the hooligans made their way to Rhode Island to gatecrash the festival. These tussles caused the cancellation of several performances. But whatever the circumstances, Nina Simone was confident that she could make an impact. At the conclusion of Simone’s set, the crowd rose to its feet and offered the kind of ovation that would only be surpassed when she returned to the festival again in 1966, causing an audience of 15,000 to stand and cheer.

A significant moment in the early career of Nina Simone came when she was invited to perform not just at a Town Hall, but the New York City Town Hall, one of the most prestigious venues in America. It happened on the night of 15 September 1959, when the young singer and pianist performed a selection of ballads, standards and traditional songs that perfectly suited her own musical tastes and talents. As a rising star and proud representative of African-American culture, Nina showed audiences and critics alike, her prowess as a commanding and gifted performer.

Charismatic showman Richard blazed a trail with his sequined jackets and frenetic pounding of the piano keys.His breakthrough track, "Tutti Frutti", would not only make him a star and kick off an influential career that would span over half a century, but was one of the templates for what we now know as popular music. Indeed, as People magazine proclaimed"There could not have been a Michael Jackson if there had not been a Little Richard" .Enjoy this 3LP set including "Long Tall Sally", "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Tutti Frutti"

Few would argue with Frank Sinatra’s pole position in popular music. From the dark days of World War II to the fall of the Berlin Wall, Sinatra’s voice has always been there as the soundtrack to our lives. Such was his pre-eminence as icon and actor,that Sinatra’s status as a pop star is often overlooked. That omission is rectified here, with the release of The Singles Collection - 42 tracks bookending a decade of Sinatra hits, covering the period 1953-1962. Enjoy this magnificent compilation including "Three Coins In The Fountain", "Sentimental Journey" and "Young At Heart".

Roy Orbison was a rare solo hitmaker in the group-dominated Sixties, using the experience gained following in the footsteps of Elvis at Sun Records to register UK and US chart-toppers. His music will surely be enjoyed for many years to come, and this fantastic collection, covering the story from Sun to his Sixties heyday, gives you many good reasons why. Enjoy this excellent 2LP set including "Only The Lonely", "Running Scared", "Crying" and many more.

Bessie Smith dominated what has become known as ‘classic blues’. Living every day as though it were her last was hardly conducive to a long life, but it gave the singer experience of suffering which she brought out in her singing. Not that Bessie was lacking in humour; the recordings of more comic material are every bit as red blooded as her articulation of disillusionment and hurt. Enjoy this superb 2LP compilation including "Careless Love Blues", "Downhearted Blues", "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out", and many more.

180g Vinyl and gatefold Edition. Piaf’s recorded Olympia performances, which conclude with her final show there in October 1962, have never been out of print. They offer conclusive evidence to back up Charles Aznavour’s belief that ‘She lived with her chansons. They became part of her. That total dedication of hers was the strongest influence I ever had in my career.'

180g Vinyl. Mono Version. Few musicians can claim to rival John Coltrane in the tenor saxophone stakes, Sonny Rollins is one of those rare and talented men.

Includes: from genesis to revelation mono LP on 180g vinyl. Includes replica inner bag and lyric sheet, from genesis to revelation stereo LP on 180g vinyl, from genesis to revelation singles, demos and rarities LP on 180g vinyl, 3 7" singles and a 12 page booklet!

This 180g 2LP set documents James Brown’s early career on King records, there is more than a hint of the funk styling that saw the Godfather of Soul evolve into the Minister of the New Super Heavy Funk.

The King's first 45RPM release from 1954 featuring the two songs that started his incredible career and launched him into the showbiz stratosphere.