Record Store Day 2023 35 Items

Emerald City Nights: Live At The Penthouse 1966-1968 is the third set of previously unreleased recordings of the iconic pianist Ahmad Jamal, captured live at the Penthouse jazz club in Seattle with bassist Jamil Nasser and drummer Frank Gant. This RSD Black Friday release features a deluxe 2 LP on 180g vinyl in gatefold jacket includes an extensive booklet with rare photos and essays. Also included are interviews with pianists Les McCann, Monty Alexander and Emmet Cohen, plus producer Marshall Chess of Chess/Argo Records and others.

1975 Iconic, Very Rare Live Recording from The Massy in France. Archie "Vernon" Shepp American is a tenor saxophonist, composer, dramatist, teacher, and pioneer of the free jazz movement, known not only for his creative improvisation and colorful sound but also for his Afrocentric approach to music. The National Endowment for the Arts named Shepp a Jazz Master in 2016. This double LP set, has deluxe packaging that will include an OBI strip, gatefold album jacket with two pockets, printed inner sleeves, original record labels and specialty color vinyl. 1st Opaque Pink & 2nd Opaque White Color Vinyl

Record Store Day 2023 first time ever on vinyl exclusive release limited to 500 copies with OBI strip. Rare Private Pressed Dutch Recordings From 1972

Tenor saxophonist Ben Webster (born Kansas City, 1909) needs little introduction, Webster is regarded as one of the three foremost swing era tenor saxophonists – the two others being Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. His ballad playing and sound inspired such later fellow saxophonists as Archie Shepp, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. Webster became famous for his unique sound, quick tempos, his solos that contained great virile rhythmic momentum, a rasping timbre and an almost brutal aggressiveness filled with growl, while his ballad playing was breathy, tender and sensual.

The list of his collaborations is long, Ben Webster worked, recorded and played with legends from the likes of Art Tatum, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Roy Eldridge and Dexter Gordon…but a dream came true when he was offered a permanent job in Duke Ellington’s orchestra where his personal style matured. Webster stayed with Ellington until 1943, after which he formed his own groups and played with other small ensembles. From 1952 on he spent his time between Los Angeles and New York playing, freelancing and recording with a variety of soloists, among them high-profile singers like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae and Frank Sinatra.

Despite excellent reviews of his albums, it was difficult for Webster to find steady work in the US during the early 1960’s, and when in 1964 he got offered to play for a month in London he accepted and sailed to England. Webster never returned to the United States. In Europe he found plenty of work, playing residences in Scandinavia, settled in Amsterdam (1966-69) and then in Copenhagen (where he even has a street named after him). He toured frequently, playing in clubs and at big festivals with local bands or with visiting American musicians.

Ben Webster suffered a stroke in Amsterdam in September 1973 following a performance in Leiden and died on September 20. Even when his health started to decline during his last years, his playing never did. To the last day Webster played with passion and intensity, delivering weight on every note.

Webster is the subject of two renowned documentaries and two extensive biographies have been published about his legacy. Responsible for a plethora of excellent recordings he remains THE best-selling tenor saxophonist in jazz. Ben Webster was one of those unique jazz musicians whose presence came through on every recording (He recorded for prestigious labels including Verve, Impulse!, Prestige, Reprise, Blue Note…and countless others.

On the album we are proudly presenting you today (‘In Hot House’ recorded at Leiden, May 1972) you will find mind-blowing rare Dutch sessions recorded at the Hot House club in Leiden. Hot House is one of the oldest jazz venues of The Netherlands (It has existed since 1969.) The album includes an international all-star line-up featuring Rob Langereis (Toots Thielemans), Eric Ineke (George Coleman) and Tete Montoliu (Rashaan Roland Kirk). Webster is in constant musical dialog with the rhythm section creating a unique back and forth with these musicians at the top of their game.

Ben Webster played a total of three shows in Leiden, the first one dating back to 1967, then the recordings we are presenting you today (from 1972) and then the last one in 1973 (just two weeks before his untimely death). Needless to say the venue was packed with loyal fans…and the love an audience has for Webster can be clearly heard on this album. The musicians are constantly being fired up by a spirited crowd (almost making the audience a 5th bandmember).

Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the First ever vinyl reissue of this fantastic album (originally released as a limited private pressing by the Dutch Ben Webster fan club society back in 1979). This unique record comes as a deluxe 180g vinyl edition (strictly limited to 500 copies) with obi strip and features the original artwork. Released exclusively for Record Store Day (uk/europe) 2023 and available in participating stores on April 22, 2023.

Quantity: 2000
Release type: 'RSD First' Release

Catch The Groove: Live At The Penthouse 1963-1967 is a collection of previously unreleased live recordings of the iconic vibraphonist Cal Tjader from the Penthouse jazz club in Seattle, with the legendary percussionist Armando Peraza and bassist Monk Montgomery. This release is culled from six different performances, recorded by Seattle radio DJ Jim Wilke and broadcast live. Deluxe 3 LP set on 180g vinyl includes an extensive booklet with rare photos, essays and interviews for RSD Black Friday.

Catch The Groove: Live At The Penthouse 1963-1967 is a collection of previously unreleased live recordings of the iconic vibraphonist Cal Tjader from the Penthouse jazz club in Seattle, with the legendary percussionist Armando Peraza and bassist Monk Montgomery. This release is culled from six different performances, recorded by Seattle radio DJ Jim Wilke and broadcast live. Deluxe 3 LP set on 180g vinyl includes an extensive booklet with rare photos, essays and interviews for RSD Black Friday.

Quantity: 1000
Release type: RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release

With his big, warm, round-toned sound, sophisticated phrasing, and hip quotes, Dexter Gordon was one of the major forces on the tenor saxophone from the mid-1940s until his death in 1990. Gordon was cited by both Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane as a major influence on their playing and is acknowledged as a jazz icon.

The popularity of mainstream jazz was on the decline in the States during the 1960s. The Vietnam war and racial turmoil were in high gear, and many of the music’s top-flight musicians, including Gordon, migrated to Europe in order both to escape and to make a living playing jazz. Gordon eventually settled in Copenhagen, Denmark. During this period, he usually played and recorded backed by a piano trio, but this 1969 recording is different. The usual quartet has been expanded with some of those premiere jazz ‘refugees’, each a major voice on his instrument, assembled for the session.

One of the great modern jazz trombonists, Slide Hampton, is also a composer/arranger of note. The album was a collaborative venture between Gordon and Hampton, and three of the compositions and all the arrangements on the album are his. The classy Jamaican trumpeter Dizzy Reese completes the front line. The rhythm section includes two jazz giants who were Gordon’s constant companions at Copenhagen’s famous Club Montmartre, fellow American expatriate pianist Kenny Drew and the great Danish bassist N-H Örsted-Peterson. The Gordon/Drew pairing is one of the classic horn-/piano matchups in jazz, and has often been compared with the Miles Davis/Red Garland and John Coltrane/McCoy Tyner pairings. Art Taylor, who “helped define the sound of modern drumming”, was brought in from Paris to complete the all-star rhythm section.

Quantity: 2200
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release
Iron Man (aka the Eric Dolphy Record), originally released in 1968, is known as an extraordinarily complex and challenging recording. A jazz multi-instrumentalist who gained prominence in the 1960s, Dolphy extended the vocabulary and boundaries of the alto saxophone and was among the earliest significant jazz flute soloists. Vinyl for the album ALL MUSIC calls “ESSENTIAL” has been long out of print and unavailable. This deluxe package for RSD Black Friday includes an OBI side strip, single album jacket, original album art work, printed inner sleeve, original record labels and specialty color vinyl.

Record Store Day 2023 first release limited to 1750 copies worldwide.

All Analog Lacquer by Bernie Grundman. Also Features An Extensive Booklet By Now-Again’s Eothen Alapatt The definitive reissue of Hair composer Galt MacDermot’s masterpiece - a quirky instrumental album originally created as the soundtrack to a film about fashion designer Yves St. Laurent. Long loved by hip hop samplers - one of the first to use it was the legendary J Dilla - funk and rare groove aficionados and those into the shapes of rhythm. Woman Is Sweeter is one of the few releases to feature drummers Bernard Purdie and Idris Muhammad on the same album. Presented for RSD 2023 in the first ever reissue from master tapes, lacquered in an all-analog transfer by Bernie Grundman with an extensive booklet written by Now-Again’s Eothen Alapatt, who worked with Galt Mac-Dermot since the 1990s, about the composer’s life in music.

The rare Mono version of Gil Evans’ classic album on Prestige Records, featuring lacquers cut from the original tapes (aaa) by Kevin Gray, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI and housed in a tip-on jacket

Having spent the majority of his career in the world of jazz fusion backing up the likes of Sun Ra and Ahmad Jamal, Larry Bright climbed out from behind the kit on his sophomore solo album New Dimensions. Self-released in 1987, an original of the eight-song LP will set you back £150 and finds Bright experimenting with spaced out synths, pop song structures, and drum machine-led electro-funk beat, pushing the boundaries of nu-jazz to the absolute edge. Remastered 180g Heavyweight vinyl.

Accompanied by guitarist John Grant, bassists Tony Bunn and Mark Easley, and dueling trumpeters Jimmy Wilson and Ivan Smart, the resulting album reads like a score to an afro-futurist sci-fi film. Float out into deep space and let Larry Bright’s smooth jazz-terpiece greet you like a warm wind hitting a docking bay in a far-off galaxy. Expertly remastered for your audiophile pleasure. LP in original picture sleeve.

Never A Dull Moment! - Live from Coast to Coast (1966-1967) is a previously unissued collection of live recordings of unsung piano and vocal icon Les McCann captured at the Penthouse jazz club in Seattle from January 27 and February 3 & 10, 1966 with Stan Gilbert, Paul Humphrey and Tony Bazley; also including recordings by Resonance founder and co-president George Klabin from the Village Vanguard on July 16, 1967 with Leroy Vinnegar and Frank Severino. This is an official release in cooperation with Les McCann. Transferred from the original tape reels and mastered for vinyl by the legendary Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios

Official RSD UK Release. RSD 2023 indie exclusive.

Attn.: We did not receive this record in time for RSD, but we will get it this week.

M.E.B. (formerly Miles Electric Band) led by Vince Wilburn, Jr is a progressive All-Star ensemble of Miles Davis alumni and players Miles inspired. This never-before-released studio recording captures a multi-generational Who’s Who of acclaimed artists performing new Miles-inspired compositions.

Produced by Miles alumni Lenny White and Wilburn, the album features music legends including Ron Carter, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Donald Harrison, Darryl Jones, Vernon Reid and John Scofield, and two of the five tracks include unreleased trumpet performances by Miles Davis himself.

This album is dedicated to the memory of Wallace Roney and Bernard Wright and contains some of their final recordings. The cover is an original painting by Miles Davis associate/artist Mikel Elam. Pressed on opaque pink vinyl, this is the exclusive vinyl release for this title.

Attn.: We did not receive this record in time for RSD, but we will get it this week.

Record Store Day 2023 first release limited to 2000 copies.
Queen Talk: Live at the Left Bank is an official, never-before-released concert recording from one of the greatest female jazz organists of all-time, Shirley Scott, featuring a powerhouse trio with George Coleman on tenor saxophone and Bobby Durham on drums, plus special guest vocalist Ernie Andrews on three tracks. This hand-numbered, limited edition (3000 worldwide), double LP set was transferred from the original tape reels and is pressed on 180g vinyl. It features 100 minutes of music and is packaged in a gatefold sleeve with an extensive booklet with liner notes by acclaimed music writer A. Scott Galloway, rare photos by Don Schlitten and Raymond Ross, and memorabilia from the Left Bank archives plus interviews with jazz organ icon Joey DeFrancesco, former Shirley Scott bandmate, saxophonist Tim Warfield, and pianist Monty reminiscing about drummer Bobby Durham. The set is co-produced by label owner/musician Cory Weeds and renowned archival recording producer Zev Feldman.

The show was recorded at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore Maryland on August 20, 1972 and hasn't ever been previously available. Philadelphia-born Scott rose to fame in the late 1950s playing the Hammond B-3 organ influenced by blues and gospel evolving into '60s soul jazz. She recorded numerous albums for Prestige, Impulse!, Atlantic, Cadet and Candid performing with countless jazz legends including Stanley Turrentine, Oliver Nelson, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Clark Terry and Kenny Burrell.

The 10-track set cooks on songs of the day like "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "You Don't Mess Around With Jim," and "Never Can Say Goodbye," along with standards such as "Smile," "Witchcraft" and John Coltrane's "Impressions."

Record Store Day 2023 first release limited to 1000 copies wordlwide.

The late, great Terry Callier was an icon and inspiration to many; his work on Cadet Records with Charles Stepney and Elektra in the 70s made him a cult artist. After coming out of musical semi-retirement and returning to the stage in the 90s, Terry's light continued to shine, wowing both old and new audiences with the exquisite beauty his music and voice channelled.
Following his stunning performance at the 2008 Meltdown Festival, curated by Massive Attack, Terry teamed up with the legendary British trio, which resulted in ‘Hidden Conversations'. Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja co-wrote ‘Wings’, ‘John Lee Hooker', and ‘Live With Me’. The combination of Robert Del Naja’s haunting production and Terry’s captivating, emotive vocals fused beautifully. Terry collaborated with the producers Christopher Grabowski and Mark Hardy on the remaining other songs on the album.

Official RSD UK Release. RSD 2023 indie exclusive.

Behind The Dykes 3 (Even More, Beat, Blues And Psychedelic Nuggets From The Lowlands 1965-1972) presents another 34 rare and much-sought-after Dutch bands such as Golden Earring, The Spectacles and artists from the era 1965-1972, many of which have not seen reissues since their original, often limited single releases. All tracks have been newly transferred from tape for optimal quality. The gatefold sleeve features unique new artwork with photos and tape box scans on the inside. The printed inner sleeves contain track-by-track liner notes and single artwork.

Behind The Dykes 3 (Even More, Beat, Blues And Psychedelic Nuggets From The Lowlands 1965-1972) is available for Record Store Day 2023 as a limited worldwide edition of 2500 individually numbered copies on 180g double vinyl: LP 1 on solid Blue and LP 2 on solid Red.

The cratediggers of Jazz Dispensary have been set loose on an archive of classic midnight movies, and they’ve brought back a treasure trove of jams with them. Lay back on the couch, grab a giant tub of popcorn, and surrender to a marathon of grooves from Melvin Van Peebles, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & The M.G.’s, and many more legends who graced the silver screen with irresistibly funky melodies.

Record Store Day 2023 first time on vinyl release limited to 500 copies on 180g vinyl. Rare 1990 Detroit Jazz Album by Tribe Founder Wendell Harrison

Wendell Harrison was born in Detroit in 1942 where he began formal jazz studies for piano, clarinet and tenor saxophone. At 14, while still in high school, Harrison started performing & recording professionally with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Grant Green, Sun Ra, Hank Crawford … and many others.

In 1971, Harrison began teaching music at Metro Arts (a multi-arts complex for youth) where he also connected with Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney and Phil Ranelin…soon after they formed the (now legendary) Afro-centric Tribe record label and artist collective. Tribe used the Metro Arts complex as a vehicle to convey a growing black political consciousness. Wendell Harrison also published the very popular Tribe magazine, a publication dedicated to local and national social and political issues, as well as featuring artistic contributions such as poetry and visual pieces.

In 1978 Harrison and McKinney co-founded Rebirth, a non-profit jazz performance and education organization, in which many notable jazz artists have participated. Around the same time Wendell Harrison also created the Wenha record label and publishing company, which released many of his (now classic) recordings as well as those of other artists, such as Phil Ranelin, Doug Hammond and Reggie Fields (The Real ShooBeeDoo).

In the early 1990s, Wendell Harrison was awarded the title of “Jazz Master” by Arts Midwest. This distinction led Harrison to collaborate with fellow honorees and gave him the chance to tour throughout the United States, Middle East and Africa. Even to this day Wendell Harrison's recordings for the Tribe, Wenha and Rebirth labels have a large worldwide fanbase.

It is on Wehha in 1990 that Harrison released (and self-produced) the opus: ‘Fly By Night’ which we are proudly presenting you today. ‘Fly By Night’ is a monster of an album featuring an all-star line-up that includes Doug Hammond (Mingus, Lonnie Liston Smith) on drums, Kirk Lightsey (Chet Baker, Calvin Keys) on piano, Cecil McBee (John Hicks, Pharoah Sanders, Alice Coltrane) on bass, Jaribu Shahid (Sun Ra) on contrabass and Pamela Wise (Tribe) on Piano. Harrison is killing it here with this selected ensemble (guys he grew up with in Detroit in the late 50’s, when hard bop was the thing and Miles and Coltrane were the heroes of the day). This group of talented veterans are taking this classic album to unseen heights.

On ‘Fly By Night’ the gloves come off…no more jazzy-funk or poppy-jazz. Wendell picks up his tenor for one tune but the remainder of the sessions he performs on clarinet. Wendell’s mastery coaxes the sweet piquant sound of the instrument and as it re-emerges in the contemporary jazz scene. The eight handpicked tunes demonstrate the fertile new directions Wendell Harrison has been working on, combing standards with a fresh new approach.

On these amazing recordings (recorded at the Rebirth Studios in Detroit) the listener is invited to experience a synthesis of what has been and what is now. The record shows Wendell’s trademark proficiency. All of the above makes this incredible record both timeless and as relevant today as it was back when it was initially released.

Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents ‘Fly By Night’ for the First Time on vinyl (the album was only released as a limited compact disc back in the early nineties). This unique record comes as a deluxe 180g vinyl edition (strictly limited to 500 copies) with obi strip. This vinyl edition also features the original painted front cover artwork by Virgil Grady (known for his work with Tribe records) and back photography by acclaimed Detroit scene photographer & author Barbara Barefield, whose work has appeared in many renowned publications such as The New York Times, LA Times, People magazine and countless others. Released exclusively for Record Store Day (uk/europe) 2023 and available in participating stores on April 22, 2023.

Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings is the first official release of the complete previously unissued recordings from jazz guitar giant Wes Montgomery with the Wynton Kelly Trio at the famed Half Note jazz club in New York City in 1965 with drummer Jimmy Cobb and bassists Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Herman Wright and Larry Ridley. Including over 2 hours from the original radio broadcasts with host Alan Grant, the limited-edition 3-lp 180-gram (and deluxe 2-cd) set will be mastered by Matthew Lutthans and come in a deluxe triple gatefold with an elaborate booklet containing previously unpublished photos taken at the Half Note by Raymond Ross; plus a new essay from acclaimed journalist and author Bill Milkowski; interviews with jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter, who both recorded with Wes; guitar icons Bill Frisell and Mike Stern; plus bassist Marcus Miller, who is Wynton Kelly’s cousin! 2023 marks Wes Montgomery’s Centennial (born March 6, 1923), and this is Resonance’s 7th release of Wes Montgomery recordings in cooperation with the estate. Now Wes Montgomery fans can hear the rest of the music from the Half Note that was only broadcast on the radio nearly 60 years ago.

"Gilles Peterson has been given the keys to Warner’s impressive Jazz back-catalogue and hand-selected Yusef Lateef’s legendary Detroit Latitude 42° 30' Longitude 83° for Arc Records next release. This is the first time the album has been reissued on vinyl since its originally came out in 1969. The album is Lateef’s nostalgic love-letter to his hometown and one of the rawest works in his catalogue but the record looks forward as well as back. The compositions are laced with the seeds of 70s Jazz Funk that would come to dominate the following decade. Arc Records have given this overlooked piece in Lateef’s oeuvre a bespoke reissue treatment. The audio has been remastered in mono from the original tapes by legendary engineer Bernie Grundman - best known for personally mastering industry landmarks such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, Prince’s “Purple Rain” and Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” among many others. The artwork, printed on heavy-weight card, is faithful to the original down to the 1960’s-style tip on sleeve and features the original sleeve notes alongside updated liner notes. The record itself is pressed on 180-gram black vinyl. The release is physical only and limited to just 2000 copies."