The Bebop Shop Billy Taylor & Other Unsung Keyboard Masters

The Bebop Shop : A Swingin' Affair: Blue Notes & Hard Bop Classics : Billy Taylor & Other Unsung Keyboard Masters


	Billy Taylor Trio with Candido (CD: Prestige) Taylor was quite conversant with Afro-Cuban rhythms, having worked with Machito’s orchestra in the mid-Forties. He had recorded with his unit in that idiom for Roost and then, on Prestige--with Machito’s rhythm section--in a mambo session. Candido, after arriving in New York from his native Havana in the early Fifties, almost immediately became part of the jazz scene. He and the Taylor trio were well-suited to one another and as Taylor says, he is another solo voice as well as an extension of the rhythm section. (Fantasy, Inc.) Price: £11.99


Billy Taylor Trio: Custom Taylored (CD: Fresh Sound) 'Originally done for a radio transcription service, and curtailed in running time, the crispness and snap of these blues and riff pieces comes fizzing through. Lightweight, maybe, but one of Billy's most enjoyable sessions'. (The Penguin Guide To Jazz) Price: £17.99


	Ramsey Lewis Trio: The Early Years 1956-59 (CD: Acrobat, 2 CDs) Ramsey Lewis is a jazz pianist, composer and bandleader who was highly influential in popularising jazz through his crossover chart successes during the 1960s. This 37-track compilation focuses very much on his first recordings, when he was still in his early 20s, mas leader of his highly-regarded trio which stayed together for the first decade of his recording career. The trio, completed by Eldee Young on bass and Redd Holt on drums, enjoyed success with the LPs Gentlemen of Swing, Gentlemen of Jazz, Down To Earth and An Hour With The Ramsey Lewis Trio. The repertoire represents a cross-section of interpretations of standards and original compositions. (Discovery Music) Price: £12.99


Jutta Hipp with Zoot Sims (CD: Blue Note RVG) Price: £11.99


	Barbara Carroll Trio: Complete 1951-1956 Recordings (CD: Jazz Connections, 4 CDs) This set is a sincere homage to an unfairly forgotten jazzwoman whose style brought a refreshing and individual voice in the tumultuous New Yorks jazz scene of the 50s. Barbara Carroll is known among female piano players, as the first to venture into the progressive Bop style that was especially associated with Bud Powell. These 4 CDs hold Barbara Carrolls complete trio recordings under her leadership between 1951 and 1956. A successful recoding period which spans sixteen studio sessions and 77 tunes originally released in 6 LPs, 2 EPs and 2 anthologies, cut for two of the best labels in the genre: Atlantic and RCA Victor. The set includes comprehensive biographic notes on 16-page book let, full of historic pictures, original vinyl art work and session details. (Fresh Sound Records) Price: £49.99


Bobby Timmons Trio: This Here Is Bobby Timmons + Easy Does It (CD: Fresh Sound) Bobby Timmons was one of the leading exponents of the funky school of jazz piano, who also contributed heavily to the so-called ‘soul’ movement with his three hit compositions: ‘Moanin’, ‘This Here’, and ‘Dat Dere’, which are all on the first of the 2 albums on this CD : “This Here Is Bobby Timmons’ (1960) But he was much more than that. As his second album, here, ‘Easy Does It’ (1961) shows : , he was an imaginative, creative bop pianist with a richly varied repertoire. Both albums are models of unaffected, driving trio jazz. Bassist Sam Jones and drummer Jimmy Cobb provide sterling rhythm support, plus a bonus live track from 1956, with Jimmy Bond (b), Peter Littman (d). (Discovery Records) Price: £17.99


	Freddie Redd: Music For You (CD: Steeplechase) One of the last of the classic bop generation, pianist and composer Freddie Redd at the age of 86, fragile yet debonair, still performs with lyrical clarity and sensitivity on this superb trio recording. He is joined by bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Billy Drummond on a programme of jazz and popular standards. Due to his sporadic career Freddie Redd has kept a low profile for the last several decades. His name, however, stayed in people's memory as the composer for the haunting music that accompanied The Connection (1959), a controversial play written by Jack Gelber, which was released on LP by Blue Note records. (Proper Note) Price: £16.99


Freddie Redd: With Due Respect (CD: Steeplechase) On 'With Due Respect' Freddie Redd presides over a sextet of much younger generations as performer and composer of old and new compositions embodied here to render a remarkable reminder of jazz's longevity. Featuring saxophonist Chris Byars, trombonist John Mosca, bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Billy Drummond. (Proper Music) Price: £16.99


	Ray Bryant Trio (CD: Prestige- US Import) 'This session with Carmen McRae's rhythm-section provides several examples of Bryant's happy-sounding approach on such tunes as Clifford Brown's "Daahoud". (The Rough Guide To Jazz) Price: £15.49


Ray Bryant Trio (Vinyl LP: Jazz Workshop) Audiophile grade 180g vinyl. Price: £33.99


	Ray Bryant: Four Classic Albums (CD: AVID, 2 CDs) AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by Ray Bryant, complete with original artwork and liner notes. "Ray Bryant Trio 1956"; "Alone With The Blues"; "Little Susie" and "Hollywood Jazz Beat". (AVID Entertainment) Price: £8.99


Les McCann: The Truth (Vinyl LP: Jazz Workshop) 180g Vinyl Pressing. Price: £33.99


	Lennie Tristano: Tristano (CD: Atlantic) Price: £9.99


Lennie Tristano: The New Tristano (CD: Atlantic) Price: £9.99


	Barry Harris Trio: Chasin' The Bird (CD: Riverside- US Import) Long before leaving his native Detroit, Barry Harris knew the musical path he intended to pursue--that of his idols Charlie Parker and Bud Powell. At the time of his early Sixties Riverside recordings, of which Chasin' the Bird is a stellar example, this reverence for the masters of bebop placed him slightly out of step with other, more radical stylists who were also making their mark on the New York scene; yet few demonstrated the depth of concept that the pianist already commanded, and Harris quickly established the position of model modernist that he holds to this day. Everything was in place on this trio date, including the relaxed and infectious flow of Harris's improvisations (which suggest Bud Powell with a less extreme metabolism), the pithy eloquence of his three originals (especially the unusual 12-bar opus "Around the Corner"), and his ability to lock into a groove with a most sympathetic rhythm section. (Fantasy, Inc.) Price: £15.49


Barry Harris Trio: Magnificent! (CD: Prestige- US Import) Price: £15.49


	Barry Harris: Live In Tokyo (CD: Xanadu) Price: £15.99


Elmo Hope Sextet: Homecoming! (Vinyl LP: Jazz Workshop) Limited edition 180 g vinyl stereo LP re-issue with original cover and liner notes. Price: £33.99


	Elmo Hope Trio: Plays His Own Compositions (CD: Fresh Sound) Price: £17.99


Junior Mance: Three Classic Albums Plus (CD: AVID, 2 CDs) AVID Jazz here presents three classic Junior Mance albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. "Junior"; "The Soulful Piano Of Junior Mance"; "At The Village Vanguard" and7 of 9 tracks from "Big Chief". Welcome to the natural unforced piano stylings of Junior Mance. Recorded in New York in 1959 "Junior" finds Mance in the company of Lex Humphries on drums and the inimitable Ray Brown on bass. Junior has a new trio for the 1960 date "The Soulful Piano Of Junior Mance". Joining him are Ben Tucker on bass and Bobby Thomas on drums who form a tightly knit trio as evidenced in the mere 2 ½ hours it took them to record the album! February 1961 saw the club debut of a new Junior Mance Trio at the Village Vanguard. Alongside Junior was bassist Larry Gibbs and drummer Ben Riley both on "loan" from the bands of Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Johnny Griffin. The Mance Trio, having played with all the above musicians as a quintet was able to create its own strong impression, as noted in the original liner notes "he may not have a big band but he does have a very big trio". "Big Chief" recorded in New York in 1961 finds Mance in another trio with Jimmy Rowse on bass and Paul Gusman on drums. On this set the trio play the music of WC Handy and Thelonious Monk. All four albums have been digitally re-mastered. (AVID Entertainment) Price: £8.99


	Junior Mance: The Albums Collection 1959-62 (CD: Acrobat, 4 CDs) Julian “Junior” Mance, who died in January 2021 at the age of 92, was a modern jazz pianist who began his career in the bebop era, and whose playing was characterised by a soulful bluesy style. He worked in the bands of Gene Ammons and Lester Young before army service, and then accompanied Dinah Washington, Cannonball Adderley and Dizzy Gillespie in the 1950s before forming his own trio. This 64-track collection offers a substantial and enjoyable showcase for his notable skills as a distinctive piano stylist. (Trapeze Music) Price: £19.99


Junior Mance: Junior (Vinyl LP: Verve) Pianist Junior Mance, a veteran of albums and dates with Dinah Washington and Cannonball Adderley, was offered his own recording date by Norman Granz during a session with Dizzy Gillespie. The result is this 1959 debut album, a bluesy and swinging date with Gillespie's drummer Lex Humphries and bassist Ray Brown. Highlights include the original "Jubilation" and Cole Porter's "Love For Sale". This Verve By Request title is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Third Man in Detroit. (Universal Music) Price: £34.99


	The Three Sounds & Gene Harris: Groovin' Hard - Live At The Penthouse 1964-1968 (CD: Resonance) Groovin' Hard is a collection of previously unreleased live recordings of the legendary jazz trio, The Three Sounds, led by groove-master Gene Harris. Captured live at Seattle's Penthouse Jazz Club from 1964-1968, featuring bassist Andrew Simpkins and drummers Bill Dowdy, Kalil Madi and Carl Burnett, this set contains soulful originals like "Blue Genes" and standards like "The Shadow Of Your Smile," which was never released on any other Three Sounds' albums. The group's song "Put On Train" was prominently sampled in the Beastie Boys song "What Comes Around" on the album Paul's Boutique. Deluxe package features rare photos and memorabilia - including the classic image on the cover of the trio performing at the club taken by photographer Egill Gustafson - plus essays by journalist Ted Panken, producer Zev Feldman, Seattle Jazz DJ Jim Wilke and others. The Three Sounds were one of the most popular artists on the iconic Blue Note label during the late 50s and early 60s, and you can hear why on these infectiously swinging recordings from The Penthouse. (Proper Music) Price: £13.99


George Wallington: Complete 1956-57 Quintet Sessions (CD: Fresh Sound, 2 CDs) The pianist George Wallington led quintets on the four LPs included here, recorded in 1956/57.The first three are shining examples of mainstream modern “hard bop”, with distinctive solos from Wallington, Phil Woods (alto sax) and Donald Byrd (trumpet). The music on the fourth album, recorded in stereo, evokes the atmosphere of a typical set at one of the old 52nd Street clubs. (Discovery Records) Price: £25.99


	Mose Allison: Four Classic Albums Plus (CD: AVID, 2 CDs) AVID Jazz presents four classic Mose Allison albums plus, including original liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD."Transfiguration Of Hiram Brown"; "Creek Bank"; "I Love The Life I Live"; "Sings And Plays V-8 Ford Blues" plus 8 mono tracks from"Young Man Mose". Price: £8.99


Mose Allison: Complete 1957-62 Vocal Sides (CD: Essential Jazz Classics, 2 CDs) Price: £17.99


	Mose Allison: Sings (CD: Prestige RVG) Price: £9.99


Mose Allison: The Complete Atlantic / Elektra Albums 1962-1983 (CD: Strawberry/ Cherry Red, 6 CDs) Strawberry Records are proud to present the 12 albums that Mose Allison issued on Atlantic Records and Elektra Musician between 1962 and 1982 on 6CDs. Although these albums have all appeared on CD reissues at different times over the years this is the first box set to gather together all of the albums from this period in one set. The original LPs are featured two per CD in chronological order. Produced by Bob Fisher whose detailed essay covers the entire history of Mose Allison’s career with quotes and endorsements from artists like Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, Pete Townshend, Georgie Fame, Van Morrison and many others who were inspired by his music. The booklet includes complete recording details and supporting personnel for each album along with numerous reproductions of advertisements, reviews and news stories from music industry magazines. (Cherry Red Records) Price: £39.99


	Herbie Nicholls: Four Classic Albums (CD: AVID, 2 CDs) AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release of Four Classic Albums by Herbie Nichols, complete with original artwork and liner notes. "Prophetic Vol. One"; "Trio"; "Prophetic Vol. Two"; and "Love, Gloom, Cash, Love" When it comes to jazz pianists the name Herbie Nichols may not immediately spring to mind! You may have noted his name on the writing credits for the classic Billie Holiday number "Lady Sings The Blues" but probably nowhere else. Starting out learning piano at age nine, Herbie would serve in World War Two before going on to play with a number of groups where to pay the bills he would play in the Dixieland style. He was however good enough to be present at the beginning of the bebop movement. His Monk-ish style and unorthodox structures were too much for the jazz public at the time and he struggled to make his break-through. Eventually Herbie was signed to Blue Note and would produce the three fine Trio albums featured on our 2CD set as well as the classic "Love, Gloom, Cash, Love" for the Bethlehem label, also featured here. Commercial success eluded him however and he began to slip back into obscurity until avant garde musicians began to pick up on his genius. Unfortunately it all came too late for Herbie who sadly died from Leukemia in 1963 at age 44. So here is your chance to judge for yourselves, the genius of Herbie Nichols, we think you will be impressed. (AVID Entertainment) Price: £8.99


Herbie Nichols: The Prophetic (Vinyl LP: Blue Note) Herbie Nichols was one of the most highly original and under-recognized pianists and composers in Jazz history. Blue Note founder Alfred Lion consider him to be every bit as unique and important as Thelonious Monk, another singular talent who Lion was the first to record just a few years before he signed Nichols in 1955. Little-known during his lifetime, recognition has begun to grow in recent years for Nichols’ incredibly hip, angular compositions like “The Third World,” “2300 Skidoo,” “Step Tempest,” and “Dance Line,” each of which were miniature marvels built with their own sturdy inner logic. In May 1955, Nichols recorded two sessions with Al McKibbon on bass and Art Blakey on drums which were originally released as The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vol. 1 and The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vol. 2. The two 10” LPs are combined here onto a single 12” LP that’s presented in gatefold packaging with the two covers on the front and back with the liner notes on the inside. This Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal. (Blue Note Records) Price: £28.99


	Tommy Flanagan: Four Classic Albums (CD: AVID, 2 CDs) AVID Jazz here presents four classic and some hard to find or expensive Tommy Flanagan albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. "Jazz……It’s Magic", "The King And I", Trio Overseas" and "The Cats". Never the most high profile or highly regarded jazz pianist, possibly because of his undynamic approach, self effacement and modesty, Tommy Flanagan is however highly regarded amongst his fellow musicians. He has been the pianist of choice for many classic jazz albums including Coltranes "Giant Steps" and Sonny Rollins’ "Saxophone Colossus". "For Jazz…..It’s Magic", recorded in 1957 when Tommy was just 27 years old he is joined by a fine group of up and coming musicians. Curtis Fuller on trombone, Sonny Redd on alto, George Tucker on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. This is a hard to find or expensive early classic which is even difficult to find as the re-issue bearing Tommy Flanagan’s name as the leader! "The King And I" was originally released under trumpeter Wilbur Harden’s name in 1958 and is now also very difficult to find. The re-issue under Tommy Flanagan’s name and titled "Plays the Music Of Rodgers & Hammerstein is again, also hard to find or expensive! The quartet which includes Tommy on piano, Wilbur Harden on trumpet, George Duvivier on bass and G.T.Hogan on drums take on the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "The King And I" and brings to the classic tunes a jazz edge all the while leaving the fine melodies in tact and recognisable! "Trio Overseas" recorded in Stockholm in 1957, is often best remembered for its clever cover artwork (check it out and work it out, on our cover)! However the music is of course paramount and here we have another classic Flanagan outing. The trio comprises Tommy on piano, Wilbur Little on bass and the legendary Elvin Jones on drums, all from the J.J.Johnson band who had been touring Europe when Tommy started to garner rave revues and had decided to go out on his own after Johnson had disbanded the group back in the States. "The Cats" recorded in April 1957 and aptly named as it features one of the greatest jazz cats who ever played the tenor…………Mr..John Coltrane. Fellow cats include Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, Kenny Burrell on guitar. Doug Watkins on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. All four albums have been digitally re-mastered. (AVID Entertainment) Price: £8.99


Tommy Flanagan: Plays The Music Of Harold Arlen (CD: Inner City) Whether it is "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea," a medium-tempo version of "Ill Wind" (which is usually taken as a ballad), "Get Happy" or "Over The Rainbow," this is a highly enjoyable outing that features Tommy Flanagan and Harold Arlen's music at its best. Tommy Flanagan was known as an accompanist par excellence in the jazz world, playing with Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, and many others. Flanagan's brilliant yet subdued playing lent a distinct sound to those recordings, but this album is perhaps the clearest example of his fine musicianship. In this intimate trio setting, he is harmonically complex, melodically intricate, and musically sensitive. (Discovery Records) Price: £12.99


	Tommy Flanagan: Solo Piano (CD: Storyville) Tommy Flanagan was known for his tasteful, flawless and swinging piano playing. He added class to every session that he was involved with and fortunately it was well documented during the latter part of his career. 'Solo Piano' was not initially released until decades after its 1974 recording and this is a timely reissue with the original CD being unavailable for some time. (Proper Music) Price: £13.99


Tommy Flanagan, Red Mitchell & Elvin Jones: Super Session (CD: Enja) This CD reissues a session that teams together three "super" players: pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Elvin Jones. On two of Flanagan's better originals ("Minor Perhaps" and "Rachel's Rondo") and four jazz standards (including "Django" and "Things Ain't What They Used to Be"), the musicians communicate quite well (Flanagan and Jones had played together back in the mid-'50s in Detroit) and often think as one. Fine straight-ahead music. (Proper Music) Price: £11.99


	Tommy Flanagan: In His Own Sweet Time (CD: Enja) Previously unreleased solo recording from American jazz piano great Tommy Flanagan, from October 9th, 1994 at the Birdland Jazz Club in Neuburg on the Danube in Germany, playing on a Bösendorfer Grand Piano. This is the story of a concert, which almost didn't happen. A story of a culture shock that struck somewhere between an American metropolis and a Bavarian small town. A story of a strong woman, who wants to shelter her husband at any price. And a story of a very special recording, which slumbered in the archives for over 26 years and would now see the light of day for the first time. Now that the legendary solo recording has been released the happy end is perfect. A quiet, deliberate, wonderful final point closes the incredible career of Thomas Lee Flanagan, who everybody called Tommy, and who passed away on November 16th, 2001. (Proper Music) Price: £13.99