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Alejandro Almenares: Casa de Trova – Cuba 50’s
Stereo Recording
La Casa de Trova. The house of the troubadours. It’s a place of almost mythical status in Cuban music, the home of so many of the glorious songs that have come out of the island. Even Paul McCartney has made his pilgrimage there. For Alejandro Almenares, it’s a place he visits every single day, still carrying his guitar as he goes to play and talk with friends. And it’s the inspiration behind his album Casa De Trova. For Almenares, the connection to the house is deep. His musician father, Angel Sanchez Almenares, was one of the founders of the Casa.
Allen Toussaint Life, Love And Faith – Speakers Corner 180g Vinyl
This Speakers Corner LP was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head.
Allen Toussaint had it all around him – the voices and spirits of black music, rhythm ’n’ blues, funk and soul. He was born in New Orleans and grew up there, the birthplace of jazz. As from 1960, he worked as a record producer and an A&R man at Minit Records, an independent label, which was closely associated with the transformation of the New Orleans Sound. His compositions for fellow musicians landed them in the charts, he frequently participated by performing with them on the piano, and so became a connoisseur and master of all possible sounds.
Andy Bey : Experience And Judgment – Speakers Corner 180g Vinyl
This Speakers Corner LP was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head.
This album inspired numerous jazz singers, including Gregory Porter. Jamie Cullum says: »What I love about Andy Bey is that he creates an atmosphere. As soon as he opens his mouth, you’re transported to another place.«
Archie Shepp & Mal Waldron : Left Alone Revisited – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
Blues Jam At Chess Blue Horizon – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
No introduction needed for this fabulous release. Arguably one of the greatest blues recordings laid down in the last 40 years! Just checking out the track listing and personnel says it all. Originally released on Mike Vernon’s highly collectable and revered Blue Horizon label in 1969, this pressing will become a must for all serious collectors and muso’s alike!
Remastered from the original ¼ inch tapes. The sound quality is awesome!
Bobbie Gentry – Ode to Billy Joe – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
Buddy Guy & Junior Wells – Going Back To Acoustic – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
“…These classic songs are matched by an impeccable re-master of the kind of recording which constantly reminds me exactly just why I own a turntable. Fantastic transparency, a jaw dropping presentation of rough hewed vocal dynamic shifts and the kind of inner details that scream ‘intimacy’ recreates the atmospheric roots of the Deep South – making this a must own record from a sonic perspective as well.” Recording = 9.5/10; Music = 9/10 – Reuben Parry, Hi-Fi+, Issue 45
Cassandra Wilson – New Moon Daughter – Pure Pleasure Records 180g 2 LP Vinyl
Re-mastering by Ron McMaster at Capitol Studios.
This is no easy listen… sparse, complex, often brooding arrangements coupled with Cassandra Wilson’s deep, earthy voice and complicated phrasing demand your attention. Waver and you’re lost. But… give this album the listening time & space it deserves and reap the rewards. Unusual, highly atmospheric tracks that combine superb singing and marvellously “distant” musical backings to weave real magic.
Cecil McBee Sextet feat Chico Freeman : Music From The Source – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
Recording with a sextet at the New York jazz club Sweet Basil in August 1977, McBee’s band included Chico Freeman on reeds, Dennis Moorman on piano, Joe Gardner on trumpet, Steve McCall on drums, and Famoudou Don Moye on percussion. Two complete albums of music were released by Enja Records from this engagement, the ground breaking recordings Music From the Source [1978] and Compassion [1979].
Dave Brubeck Trio, Gerry Mulligan: Blues Roots – Pure Pleasure Records 180g Vinyl
Although this is a blues-oriented set, there is plenty of variety in tempos and grooves. The 1968 Quartet featured the leader/pianist, baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, bassist Jack Six and drummer Alan Dawson. The repertoire on this LP ranges from “Limehouse Blues” (which is not really a blues) to “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be” and several originals. These songs are average for 1968, but the soloing is remarkable and the musicians here are some of the best. “Journey” is a remarkably beautiful piano ballad, while “Blues Roots” narrowly rises above in it’s epic scope, and over-the-top ending. It’s probably my favourite song here. But, “Broke Blues” is also exceptional. This one, along with “Cross Ties” and “Blues Roots”, are fairly progressive, drawing as much from post bop as blues and traditional Jazz, pushing toward avante-garde. G. Skate/S. Yannow
Duke Ellington: The Great Paris Concert – Pure Pleasure Records
This set came about, in part, as a result of Ellington's signing to Frank Sinatra's Reprise label in November 1962, with the ending of his exclusive contract to Columbia. Six numbers from the three Paris dates were initially edited and released by Reprise as part of the ten-song Duke Ellington's Greatest Hits, but the bulk of the performances from those shows didn't surface until many years later as The Great Paris Concert on two LPs.
Eric Bibb – Friends Pure Pleasure Vinyl
Friends is the accurate and revealing title for New York Bluesman Eric Bibb's tenth album since 1997. The cuts here feature rootsy folk and blues collaborations with different 'friends' in differering small group settings. The set starts with a killer accoustic slide duet between Bibb and Guy Davis on the nugget '99 1/2 Won't Do'. The control between Davis' sweet and smoky delivery and Bibb's husky wail - akin to Blind Willie Johnson's in places - offers a double-sided dimension in interpretation for the listener, as well.
