u/Accomplished-Sell892

Mr Alexander has to be up there. Such a unique, scatting style. Second is Bobbi Humphrey. Third is Hubert Laws.

There are up to 21 performers driving this beaut along.

Apologies if I’m too off topic, but any fellow, Jazz heads here that have a highly selective interest in blues? If so, what are your prized albums?

Here are three I picked up today (all OGs - I traded in a stack of crap for them).

The Lonnie Johnson is the real get here. Piercing simple blues, with Wendell Marshall on bass (see - jazz!).

In fact, anything on Prestige’s Bluesville imprint between 1960-1963 is worth seeking out!

And what a blinder to end on!

This is a swinging and completely forgotten 1965 bop jam. Fun fact: Les McCann took the photo on the back cover.

Criminally underrated Billy Harper! My favorite album of his is The Awakening, followed by Capra Black, but this is a close third.

But this 2023 Craft pressing sounds phenomenal!

The Joe Gordon is obviously the grail here. An OG 1961 press, a fantastic rare example of great early stereo.

But lots of gold here!

- a 1961 mono press of Africa/Brass
- the significantly cheaper 1962 reissue of the Sonny Clark Trio album
- Earland at his most “Norman Connors-like” with The Great Pyramid
- an adventurous live album of the criminally overlooked John Handy
- a straight, almost cool jazz affair from Shepp & Parlan in the solemn Steeplechase album, Trouble in Mind

Plays so much better than the sleeve looks, and it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg!

UK original. A little beaten up but plays through beautifully. This album swings!

If The Shape of Jazz to Come was Coleman starting up the gumption to explore new terrain, Change of the Century is him planting the flag down.

Seminal. Elastic. Free.

Incidentally, I picked up this Danish first pressing for $12. It’s immediately in rough condition to look at, but place very well.