JOHN COLTRANE: Live In Berlin November 2nd 1963 (Clear Vinyl LP)

Audiophile Clear Vinyl is made using the highest quality co-polymer available and processed without any carbon additive in order to dramatically reduce the “electrical distortion” often found on records. By itself the co-polymer of vinyl is transparent. In order to make the record black in color the plant must use a carbon additive with trace […]

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VAN MORRISON: Moondance (Deluxe Edition 4 CDs/1 Blu-Ray Box)

We are told: Warner Bros. Records celebrate Van Morrison’s classic 1970 album in 1-CD, 2-CD and 4-CD/1-BD configurations.  The latter expanded versions comprehensively explore the album’s sessions via outtakes, alternate takes and previously unheard mixes. Following one 1967 album for Bert Berns’ Bang Records, Van Morrison made his debut at the famous Burbank label in […]

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JIMMY HUGHES / WORTHLESS: “As I look around my house and view vast number of shelves, all heaving with ‘worthless’ LPs and CDs, I can see the ….. “

Worthless As I look around my house and view vast number of shelves, all heaving with ‘worthless’ LPs and CDs, I can see the benefit of such an approach. You’re freer and less shackled. I sometimes think about moving house, but can’t face the prospect of shifting all those records. It’s not just a question […]

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MUSIC IS THE

JAN GARBAREK: Challenging listening, to say the least – but certainly worth the £3.00 I paid.

Yes, its Jan Garbarek time again. Another of my £3.00 bargain bin finds. Not what you might call ‘easily accessible ‘ – but it did survive the 3-in-a-row consecutive plays on my office system last Saturday by quite a high margin. Perhaps I was in the right mood for a bit of ‘ethereal’? Anyway – […]

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IAN CARR: Old Heartland (CD)

We are told ….. Ian Carr (21 April 1933 ? 25 February 2009) was a Scottish jazz musician, composer, writer, and educator. Carr performed and recorded with the Rendell-Carr quintet and jazz-rock band Nucleus, and was an associate professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Old Heartland is completely different to […]

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Dr. John – Ultrasonic Studios 11/6/73 (2CD)

  We are told ….. Originally broadcast by Hempstead, Long Island’s WLIR-FM, this superb set captures Dr. John at the height of his powers, as he transitioned from his psychedelic phase into a full embrace of New Orleans R&B. Backed by Sugar Bear Welch on guitar, Darrell Leonard and Jerry Jumonville on horns and John […]

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BLUE NOTE FOCUS

The new generation of talent meets a jazz institution as we play out tracks from the Blue Note re:imagined session. The session was recorded at the BBC’s Radio Theatre and features Ezra Collective as the house band, with guest performances from the likes of Yasmin Lacey, Jordan Rakei and Poppy Ajudha. We speak to Ezra […]

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NICHOLAS PAYTON: In conversation

New Orleans trumpeter Nicholas Payton has never conformed to anyone or anything. Reading his Facebook posts and Twitter “tweets”, you sort of get an idea about how un-traditional he is. He speaks his mind and, should someone attempt to challenge him on his views, is hardly lost for words. His outspoken nature has allowed him […]

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SNOBS, ADDICTS and ROYALTY

Ian Patterson: Jiyoung Lee, pianist/keyboardist and leader of Korean jazz-funk sextet Jazz Snobs Funk Addicts probably has to pinch herself from time to time. Encouraged from a young age by her parents to pursue a life as a classical pianist, Lee instead opted for the greater expressive freedom—and the economic uncertainty— offered by jazz. Her […]

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LARRY CARLTON; Then and Now (3CD)

    “This 3 CD set is the perfect introduction to the work of guitar maestro Larry Carlton who has been one of the most in-demand guitarists in the worlds of jazz, smooth jazz, jazz fusion, pop and rock since his earliest recordings in 1968. CD1 features tracks from 3 classic recordings – Larry Carlton […]

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Beats & Pieces Big Band make a splash at Ronnie Scott’s, review

Ivan Hewett, Chief Classical Music and Jazz Critic 3 January 2018 • 12:06pm Beats & Pieces Big Band, Ronnie Scott’s ★★★★☆ Few sounds are as instantly recognisable as a big band. And that’s its problem. Those choirs of trumpets and horns raised in ecstatic harmony carry one irresistibly back to a different, more glamorous age. It […]

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GREG ADAMS: In Conversation

  Denis Poole writes: Much of the early buzz surrounding the release of ‘East Bay Soul 2.0’ was about how a sensational campaign to raise the $25,000 necessary to record the album hit its target.  However, now it’s all about the music.  Make no mistake; this is a collection of the highest order and everything […]

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DINAH WASHINGTON: Back to the Blues – Parlophone/ PurePleasure vinyl

Audiophile Audition / Jeff Krow writes ….. Towards the end of her career, songstress Dinah Washington was panned by some critics for recording weak pop music with overly commercial string backing. Washington’s inimitable voice overcame these limitations but her reputation still suffered. Recorded a little over a year before her tragic death at age 39, […]

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