The Viscaynes & Friends

This superior reissue combines together two sessions led by vibraphonist Milt Jackson. The first side of Plenty, Plenty Soul, which features a nine-piece group, is highlighted by the contributions of the exuberant altoist Cannonball Adderley, while the flip side has a sextet that is not hurt by the solos of tenor-saxophonist Lucky Thompson. With pianist Horace Silver helping out on both sessions, these all-star dates still sound fresh and enthusiastic decades later. Mastered from original analog tapes and pressed on 180 gram vinyl, this is THE essential pressing of this classic album.

 

1. Plenty, Plenty Soul
2. Boogity Boogity
3. Heartstrings
4. Sermonette
5. The Spirit-Feel
6. Ignunt Oil
7. Blues at Twilight

 

The rare opportunity to hear Milt Jackson step out from behind his familiar vibraphones to play piano, and partner Ray Charles, in addition to manning the 88s, blow on the alto saxophone for two numbers, shouldn't be missed. Particularly on this LP, which portrays the 1957 collaboration within a huge, naturally vibrant soundstage. Mastered from the original master tapes and press on 180 gram vinyl, this edition lays bare the relaxed, bluesy, often-boppish jazz on display from these two giants. With stellar support, the two headliners treat this affair as a backroom woodshedding session. Mastered by Bernie Grundman Studios.

 

Billie Holiday is captured live at Storyville in Boston in 1951 and 1953. The discreet recordings capture Lady Day in prime emotive voice. On most selections she is accompanied by the Carl Drinkard Trio, but six others find her joined by Buster Harding’s Trio; the great tenor Stan Getz sits in on three of these numbers. Previously out of press for over 25 years, this historic recording has now been remastered and pressed on audiophile-grade vinyl at Pallas Group in Germany.

 

Tracklist:

A1 I Cover The Waterfront
A2 Too Marvelous For Words
A3 I Love You Porgy
A4 Them There Eyes
A5 Willow Weep For Me
A6 I Only Have Eyes For You
A7 You Go To My Head
B1 He's Funny That Way
B2 Billie Blues
B3 Miss Brown To You
B4 Lover Come Back To Me
B5 Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do
B6 You're Driving Me Crazy

Born in Mississippi, “Big Bill Broonzy” – the name refers to his 6’ 6” physical stature – remains largely unsung as far as a household name, despite recording several hundred songs, many of which he wrote. From the late 1920s through the late 1950s, this immensely prolific blues performer won over fellow musicians and “race music” fans alike. As mentor to Muddy Waters and a major influence on artists like Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Rod Stewart, Broonzy’s impact on music cannot be understated. This solo performance captures Big Bill’s affable personality and ability to hold the attention of an appreciative audience with his storytelling, acoustic guitar licks, and a strong singing voice that leaves an indelible impression that this man had experiences in the fields, the factories, and the railroads. The record was mastered from original analog tape by Dave Gardner at Infrasonic Mastering, and pressed at Furnace Record Pressing. Liner notes by Larry Jaffee.

 

Track List:
A1 This Train
A2 Trouble In Mind
A3 Willie Mae
A4 In The Evening
A5 Glory Of Love
A6 The Midnight Special
A7 What Kind Of Man Jesus Is
B1 Keep Your Hands Off It
B2 Nobody's Business
B3 Hey! Bub
B4 The Feasting Table
B5 C.C. Rider
B6 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
B7 Goodnight Irene

As Ron Wynn wrote for AllMusic, “Fred McDowell played simple, haunting blues with vivid, demonstrative passion and power.” This is music that owes nothing to artifice, but simply makes its impact through the total honesty of the performer. Of all the blues singers of the older school who have been discovered or rediscovered in recent years, McDowell may well be the most impressive, and this LP affords ample proof of his stature. “Mississippi Delta Blues” was recorded in Como, Mississippi, late in 1965, by producer Alan Bates. The LP was originally issued by Bate’s Black Lion label in 1965. It has now been remastered by Infrasonic Mastering, and pressed on audiophile-grade vinyl at Pallas Group in Germany.

Track List
A1 Some Day Baby
A2 Milk Cow Blues
A3 The Train Ride
A4 Over The Hill
B1 Goin' Down To The River
B2 I Wished I Were In Heaven Sitting Down
B3 Louise

Howlin’ Wolf recorded some of his finest work while in Memphis, TN with legendary producer and Sun Records founder, Sam Phillips. This album features the very best of those sessions from 1951 and 1952, all in one place. The recordings were remastered and pressed on audiophile-grade vinyl at Pallas Group in Germany.

Tracks:
A1 All In The Mood
A2 Bluebird
A3 Drinkin' C V Wine
A4 Mr. Highway Man
A5 Chocolate Drop
A6 Well That's Alright
A7 I Got A Woman
B1 Oh Red
B2 My Troubles And Me
B3 Dorothy Mae
B4 Come Back Walked Home
B5 My Baby Walked Off
B6 Getting Old And Grey
B7 My Last Affair