Blog Posts

Lou Donaldson – Mr. Shing-A-Ling: Soul-Jazz Manifesto Review

Deep dive into Lou Donaldson's 1967 soul-jazz classic Mr. Shing-A-Ling. Blue Note Tone Poet reissue review, pressing details, and collector insights.

Miles Davis Monterey 1963: The Quintet That Almost Never Was

Explore Miles Davis' transitional 1963 quintet with Herbie, Tony Williams & Ron Carter. A deep dive into an essential live recording on vinyl.

Cautious Clay – Karpeh: Blue Note's 2023 Synth-Soul Gambit

A deep dive into Cautious Clay's Karpeh vinyl pressing—Blue Note's bold 2023 bet on electronic soul. Mastering details, market data, and collector insights.

Dave Brubeck – Jazz at Oberlin: The 103-Degree Fever Session

The 1953 live recording that caught Brubeck's quartet before fame—played with a 103-degree fever. Essential vinyl for serious collectors.

Charlie Parker – Jazz at Massey Hall: The Night Five Gods Recorded Lightning

The complete Massey Hall recordings on vinyl—Bird, Dizzy, Bud, Mingus, and Max captured live. Why this Craft box set belongs in every collector's library.

Leroy Vinnegar – Leroy Walks!: The Walking Bass Masterclass

Deep dive into Leroy Vinnegar's 1957 debut. Original Contemporary pressings vs. the 2023 Bernie Grundman remaster. Collector insights & sonic breakdown.

Jeremie Albino - Our Time In The Sun: The Easy Eye Sound Discovery That Slipped Under Your Radar

A deep dive into Jeremie Albino's Our Time In The Sun on Easy Eye Sound. Contemporary soul-rock done right, pressed for vinyl collectors who care about quality.

Sonny Red - Out of the Blue: The Alto Sax Session Blue Note Forgot (Until Now)

Deep dive into Sonny Red's Out of the Blue, the 1959 Blue Note session with Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers & Jimmy Cobb. Why the Tone Poet reissue is essential.

Gil Evans - Out of the Cool: The Impulse! Gambit That Redefined the Big Band as a Sound Painting

Deep dive into Gil Evans' 1961 masterpiece Out of the Cool on Impulse!—modal orchestral jazz, RVG engineering, and why the Acoustic Sounds reissue matters.

Gil Evans - Out of the Cool: The Impulse! Debut That Rewrote the Rules of Jazz Orchestration

Deep dive into Gil Evans' 1961 Impulse! masterpiece Out of the Cool. History, pressing notes, and why this orchestral jazz landmark belongs in your collection.

Betty Carter - Out There: The 1958 Bebop Anomaly That Predicted a Revolution

Deep dive into Betty Carter's 1958 debut Out There—rare Peacock pressing history, Verve reissue review, and why this bebop vocal masterpiece matters to collectors.

Pat Metheny Group - Pat Metheny Group: The ECM Document That Rewrote Jazz Guitar's Quiet Revolution

Deep dive into Pat Metheny's ECM debut—the 1978 jazz guitar record that rewrote the rules. Original pressing analysis, sound notes, and collector insights.

Gov't Mule - Peace...Like A River: The Southern Rock Jam Band's 13th Studio Album Captured in All-Analog Glory

Gov't Mule's 13th studio album on double vinyl. All-analog mastering, guest vocals from Billy Gibbons & Ruthie Foster. Southern rock at its finest.

The Art of Jazz and Blues Album Covers: A Visual Journey

This article explores how jazz and blues album covers serve as powerful extensions of the music itself - visual stories that deepen the emotional and cultural experience of listening.

Falling for the Blues: A Beginner’s Guide to the Albums That Define the Genre

There’s something about the blues that grabs you by the soul and doesn’t let go. Maybe it’s the raw emotion in the guitar strings, the mournful wail of the harmonica,...