Rabshakeh

One of the great records of all time, in a large part down to the production.

I thought this was a little known Sam Rivers record for a second. Identical wardrobe.

I only recently discovered Straight Ahead, which is on New Jazz rather than Prestige proper. As far as can tell it is basically a gift date to Eric Dolphy, who gets almost more solo time than Nelson. One of Dolphy's best early albums, I think.

I'm currently listening to Low Flame. Stitt's playing is great - precise, yet emotional, but also capable of little unexpected steps, like tweaks in embouchure that you don't expect. For all that, it is noticeable how uninterested he sounds in the date. There's a sense that he just turned up, played, and left, without giving it a moment's thought.

Michael Gregory Jackson - Clarity (Bija, 1977)

Andre Hodair - American Jazzmen Play Andre Hodeir's Essais (Savoy, 1953) Looking at Discogs, I'm surprised at the very low price for which this one goes. Most of the records that were referred to in the recent European jazz modernism thread seem to go for inflated values (possibly due to be highly prized rarities in the Japanese market, as someone noted on that thread). This one goes for £3.

The George Adams / Don Pullen Quartet - Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. 2 (Soul Note, 1983)

In view of the excitement around the Seattle set, what on earth is the reason that the remaining Half Note recordings haven't been released formally? They're a revelation.

Again, on the funkier side, Tilahun Gessesse (spellings vary) is a name that's worthwhile investigating.

All three thumbs up.

RIP. Apart from the dub albums under his own name he produced some of my favourite roots records ever.

Lee Konitz and Matt Wilson - Gong with Wind Suite (Steeplechase, 2002). I'm re-reading the Konitz interview book at the moment. It's weird what happy vibes he has about this one. Certainly an enjoyable release, but it occupies a disproportionate amount of space in his recollections about his career, compared to all the other great records he put out.

Welcome!

David Murray - Flowers for Albert (India Navigation, 1976) I'm always surprised at how easy this one is to find. Surely it can't have been that big a seller.

What was that moustache?!

It's what you'd imagine. It's in a room in the middle of a new build that does brunch, presumably to make the freehold more marketable in future. It's only new vinyl. All very "curated" etc etc.

My favourite early Pepper record. I'm currently listening to this one: Gonzalo Rubalcaba's Inner Voyage (Blue Note, 1999)

It's not ... high end. A lot of water damaged, torn or scratched stock, in cardboard boxes. In jazz terms, Alan tends to stock Chicago stuff, trad, soul jazz and "mainstream" as that term used to be used. It's that kind of place. The price is right, stock turns over quickly and Alan is incredibly nice. It's a sort of antidote to shops like Stranger Than Paradise on Mare Street where everything's an ultra fashionable shrink-wrapped reissue starting at £40. Plus, it isn't quite as grotty as Merlin's (no mold / cooking fat, etc). Last time I was there I bought a wretched quality Electrifying Eddie Harris and a Lockjaw and Griffin at Minton's twofer, but also got lucky and chanced upon an underpriced Residuals by Hemphill, in good shape.

That was always part of the charm for me. The country rock albums they did benefit from being completely ramshackle. Those are some of the only older rock albums that I still listen to, along with the Stooges, and the New York Dolls.

P’nk J’zz is not one that I’ve heard of. I shall check it out. It seems to have the same photo on its cover as Junk Trap. Sweet Space is a great favourite of mine, and has been since I bought it without knowing anything about it a couple of years ago, just on the basis of the players.

Evan Parker - Monoceros (Incus, 1978)

Cecil Taylor - Air The European CBS issue from the 70s.

This is a great record. A real favourite.

It was a total mess! But they seemed very proud of what they had there. The best stuff involved squatting down in the area right in front on the till. Hard on the knees, but as I say above, I'm happy with the trip. The WSQ in particular is much better on vinyl. When I get the odd day off I like to make trips. My next plan is to revisit Alan's in Finchley, where I haven't been in a couple of years.

I don't know! There were CDs and LPs. The good stuff was in baskets at foot level below the display area in the jazz area in the front, and in the store room in the back, which they were happy for me to roam around, but which was in no apparent order. Eventually I found the seam I wanted. It was a schlep, but the price was right and I was happy with what I found.