sidewinder

WHOA.. Missed this the first time. I'd give my right arm for the box and booklet

Looks like the Art Pepper Galaxy set is still listed on zweitausendeins. I picked up pretty well all of these when they were originally listed a few years ago (both Tatums, the two Peppers, Coltrane Prestige, Evans Riverside, Monk Riverside, Montgomery Riverside). An incredible deal, even though the booklets were microscopic. They also did very good deals on the (non ZYX) Lester Young Verve and JATP 40s box sets which I took advantage of at the time.

Currently spinning: Pete LaRoca 'Basra' (BN NY USA stereo) Then: Gigi Gryce 'Saying Somethin' (Esquire mono )

That's the crunch - you have to find them in very good condition. After nearly 50 years and with use on old UK gramaphones, they can sound shagged out.. As mentioned, the pressings are very heavy and almost 'Lexington Flat Edge' standard. They don't make 'em like that any more. One thing I like about them is that they usually list the Esquire telephone number ('MUSeum 1810') at the back. Images of olde worlde manual exchange operators at the British Museum ! (I guess Carlo Kramer and Co. must have been located in the vicinity of Bedford Square).

Happy Birthday !!! (bring back the moggie)

Jess Stacy Benny Goodman Wardell Gray

Here's hoping that Sam gets some more good tours in for 2006. 2005 was a great year for him !

Ah - the Stuff Smith set. That is the one that eluded me.. Have been giving the Wynton Kelly/Paul Chambers Veejay set a good spin over the past few days. This is a mighty fine set, very well re-mastered and with the Kelly/Chambers/Cobb combo operating like a well-oiled engine away from the Miles Davis environment. The inclusion on some tracks of Wayne Shorter, Booker Little, Lee Morgan and Frank Strozier is the icing on the cake. Both this and the Morgan/Shorter Veejay are great sets.

Big John Patton 'Along Came John' (BN NY USA stereo original). Great though this session sounds on the Mosaic Select, it truly comes to life on the vinyl. The depth of the B-3 sound and the pedal-work was captured superbly by RVG.

Yes, have a very great birthday and hope you spin some good vinyl on it !

Continuing in the Dexter 'vein', BN mono originals of 'Dexter Calling', 'Gettin Around' and the stereo 'Our Man In Paris' on deck next. Currently spinning Freddie Redd 47W63rd DG 'The Connection'

Yes, a typical problem with well-played Esquires is that they have been played on old 1950s gramaphones with knitting needles wired to tin cans. Fortunately, I think this one was treated with kid gloves. In good condition they usually sound very full and with lots of 'body'.

Esquire!? And it's still audible? MG Yes, actually sounds fantastic - the clarity of cello and bass is amazing. Most likely better than the original New Jazz in terms of audio quality (not too difficult). 'RVG' in the runout. Now spinning Tubby Hayes Orchestra '100% Proof' (Fontana mono)

Yes, Honest Jon's has operated for many years from the Portabello Road location and they have also issued some good Ska music compilations on their own label as well. Haven't been in for quite a while but I heard that the jazz section had shrunk somewhat in size (used to be in the basement) so doesn't sound to good. Anyone been there of late? Just down the road from Honest Jon's in Portabello is Intoxica, outlet for the world's most expensive Blue Note and rare British Jazz vinyl ( ).

Thanks - Just checked, I have all of those so I'll pass.

Eric Dolphy 'Out There' (Esquire)

'Honest Jons' used to operate on the High Street in Camden Town, just by Camden Market but they are now long gone from there. The basement of that place was just busting to the seams with great LPs (including Japanese King imports) when I was a poor student living literally round the corner (sort of 'Withnail and I'). The same store was until about a year ago also operating as a (primarily R&B) vinyl and CD outlet, with a bit of nice jazz but was literally on the point of closing up when I was last in there. Managed to pick up a vinyl Sonny Fortune A&M Horizon though.

Hi Andy - I would be interested in the Mosaic catalogues. I think I have most of those listed though, will check later and let you know.

The 3 sets often go for the $1k-ish mark but an earlier post had winning bid for all 3 of $500, which must be an all-time record.

Joe Henderson 'Mode For Joe' (BN NY USA mono, earless) Cedar Walton 'Spectrum' (Prestige Blue Label original) Pat Martino 'El Hombre' (Prestige Blue Label original)

They seem to be pretty well matched in terms of age (35, 41).

Don't miss the Eddie Gales. 'Black Rhythm Happening' and 'Ghetto Music'. Water have done a fine job on these. Vinyl option courtesy of 4MWB.

Looks like it. From what I could see when I saw this one in the racks it's a straight facsimile of the original LP sleeve. Same shade o' brown as Patton's 'Oh Baby !'

'Montara' is very unlikely, I think. More of a latin fusion session and also fairly recently reissued by Blue Note on CD.

By way of contrast I was sunbathing at Lake Windermere (Northern England) on New Years Day. Got a bit of mild sun-burn and it was also warm enough to eat an ice cream. Unbelievable - it had snowed there 2 days earlier.