Johnny "Hammond" Smith – The Stinger

Johnny "Hammond" Smith – The Stinger (Prestige PR 7408)

updated 11/06/2026

Prestige records 1965   ‎– PR 7408

Album Description

Released in 1965 on Prestige Records, The Stinger showcases 
the distinctive Hammond organ playing of jazz musician 
Johnny “Hammond” Smith. Recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio 
in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, this six-track album blends soul jazz, 
blues, swinging rhythms and earthy organ grooves.

Smith leads a compact quintet featuring tenor saxophonists Houston Person 
and Earl Edwards, guitarist Floyd Smith, and drummer John Harris. 
The two saxophonists appear on different tracks, adding 
contrasting textures to the album’s sound.

From the energetic title track and the funky drive of “Benny’s Diggin’” to 
the blues-inflected atmosphere of “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” the record 
captures the warm, groove-oriented sound of mid-1960s Prestige jazz. 
It is an appealing LP for collectors of Hammond organ jazz, rare groove, 
bluesy jazz and vintage soul jazz.

Line-up and Musicians

Johnny “Hammond” Smith – Hammond organ
Houston Person – tenor saxophone on tracks 1, 4 and 6
Earl Edwards – tenor saxophone on tracks 1, 2, 3 and 5
Floyd Smith – guitar
John Harris – drums

Production and Recording
The Stinger was recorded on May 7, 1965, at Van Gelder Studio 
in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The session was produced by 
Cal Lampley and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder, whose recordings 
became a defining part of the Prestige jazz catalog.

Trackslist:

A1        The Stinger
Written-By – Smith*
    6:40
A2        There Is No Greater Love
Written-By – Jones*, Symes*
    5:30
A3        Brother John
Written-By – Smith*
    3:55
B1        Cleopatra And The African Knight
Written-By – Smith*
    4:55
B2        You Don't Know What Love Is
Written-By – Raye*, DePaul*
    6:50
B3        Benny's Diggin'
Written-By – Smith*
    4:15

Link available upon request

  

Wes Montgomery – Movin’ Wes (1965)

Wes Montgomery – Movin’ Wes  Verve Jazz Vinyl LP

updated 11/03/2026

Verve Records 1964  V6-8610

Album description:

Released in 1965 on Verve Records, Movin’ Wes is a fascinating 
chapter in the discography of jazz guitar legend Wes Montgomery.
Combining Montgomery’s unmistakable guitar sound with the 
sophisticated orchestral arrangements of Johnny Pate, this album 
brings together swinging jazz, soulful melodies, Broadway 
standards and Brazilian influences in a polished, accessible setting.

Recorded at A&R Studios in New York City in November 1964, the album 
features an expanded ensemble of outstanding jazz musicians. 
Montgomery’s warm, thumb-picked guitar remains at the centre of the music, 
surrounded by brass, woodwinds, piano, bass, drums and 
Latin-flavoured percussion.

The result is a rich blend of hard bop, soul jazz and orchestral jazz, 
reflecting the musical direction that Montgomery explored during his years 
with Verve. Producer Creed Taylor was instrumental in presenting jazz artists 
to a broader audience, while arranger and conductor Johnny Pate gave t
his session its distinctive big-band colour and rhythmic momentum.

The programme moves effortlessly between familiar standards and original 
compositions. Duke Ellington’s Caravan becomes a lively showcase for 
Montgomery’s rhythmic precision, while People, from the Broadway musical 
Funny Girl, receives a sophisticated instrumental treatment. Matchmaker, 
from Fiddler on the Roof, demonstrates how Broadway material could be 
transformed into swinging jazz.

The two-part title track, Movin’ Wes, highlights Montgomery’s own 
compositional voice, while Moca Flor introduces a Brazilian flavour. 
The album also includes Senza Fine, Theodora, In and Out, Born to
 Be Blue and Montgomery’s celebrated composition West Coast Blues.

For collectors of vintage jazz vinyl, soul-jazz enthusiasts and admirers 
of Wes Montgomery, Movin’ Wes offers an excellent example of the 
meeting point between small-group jazz improvisation and carefully
 arranged orchestral sound. The original Verve LP, catalog number V6-8610, 
is a particularly interesting addition to a collection devoted to 1960s jazz, 
guitar masters and the evolution of sophisticated, groove-oriented instrumental music.

Line-up and musicians:

Wes Montgomery    Guitar, leader
Bobby Scott    Piano
Bob Cranshaw    Double bass
Grady Tate    Drums
Willie Bobo    Percussion
Ernie Royal    Trumpet
Clark Terry    Trumpet
Snooky Young    Trumpet
Jimmy Cleveland    Trombone
Urbie Green    Trombone
Quentin Jackson    Trombone
Chauncey Welsch    Trombone
Jerome Richardson    Woodwinds, saxophones and flute
Don Butterfield    Tuba, credited alternative
Harvey Phillips    Tuba, credited alternative

Arrangements and conducting: Johnny Pate
Producer: Creed Taylor
Recording studio: A&R Studios, New York City
Recording dates: November 11 and 16, 1964,
Engineer  Phil Ramone
Engineering For Verve Val Valentin
Re-recording Engineer Rudy Van Gelder
 

tracklist:

 A1        Caravan
Written By – Mills-Ellington-Tizol
Written-By – Ellington*, Mills*, Tizol*
    2:35
A2        People
Written By – Styne-Merrill
Written-By – Merrill*, Styne*
    4:15
A3        Movin' Wes (Part I)
Written-By – Wes Montgomery
    3:15
A4        Moca Flor
Written By – Luiz Freire-Durval Ferreira
Written-By – Durval Ferreira, Luiz Freire*
    3:10
A5        Matchmaker
Written By – Sheldon Harnick-Jerry Bock
Written-By – Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick
    2:50
A6        Movin' Wes (Part II)
Written-By – Wes Montgomery
    2:37
B1        Senza Fine
Written-By – Gino Paoli
    3:20
B2        Theodora
Written-By – Billy Taylor
    3:55
B3        In And Out
Written-By – Wes Montgomery
    2:55
B4        Born To Be Blue
Written-By – Mel Torme*, Robert Wells (2)
    3:37
B5        West Coast Blues
Written-By – Wes Montgomery
    3:12   

Link available upon request

Dodo Greene – My Hour of Need Blue Note BLP 9001

Dodo Greene – My Hour of Need   Blue Note BLP 9001

updated 10/07/2026

Blue Note records 1962 ‎– BLP 9001

Description

My Hour Of Need is Dodo Greene's sole album as 
a Blue Note leader and one of the label's more 
obscure early-1960s vocal releases. Recorded in 
April 1962 at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in 
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, the album combines 
Greene's soulful, blues-inflected voice with a superb
 small group featuring tenor saxophonist Ike Quebec,
 guitarist Grant Green, organist Sir Charles Thompson,
 bassist Herbie Lewis or Milt Hinton, 
and drummers Billy Higgins or Al Harewood.

The music sits comfortably between jazz, blues, 
soul and R&B, with Quebec's warm tenor and 
Thompson's organ providing an understated,
 gospel-tinged backdrop for Greene's expressive vocals. 
The program mixes standards, blues material
 and popular songs, including “Trouble In Mind,”
 “You Are My Sunshine,” “Lonesome Road,”
 “Down By The Riverside” 
and the title track “My Hour Of Need.”

Line-up & Musicians

Dodo Greene – vocals
Ike Quebec – tenor saxophone
Grant Green – guitar
Sir Charles Thompson – organ
Herbie Lewis – bass
Milt Hinton – bass
Billy Higgins – drums
Al Harewood – drums

The personnel changes between the two April sessions. 
On April 2, Milt Hinton and Al Harewood played
bass and drums; on April 17, Herbie Lewis and 
Billy Higgins replaced them.

Recording Dates & Studio

April 2, 1962
Van Gelder Studio
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA

Tracks recorded:

“Trouble In Mind”
“Let There Be Love”
“Down By The Riverside”
“Little Things Mean A Lot”

April 17, 1962
Van Gelder Studio
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA

Tracks recorded:

“My Hour Of Need”
“You Are My Sunshine”
“I'll Never Stop Loving You”
“I Won't Cry Anymore”
“Lonesome Road”
“There Must Be A Way”

Recording engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Producer: Alfred Lion

tracklist:

A1        My Hour Of Need
Written-By – Ira Kosloff
A2        Trouble In Mind
Written-By – R. M. Jones*
A3        You Are My Sunshine
Written-By – Mitchell*, Davis*
A4        I'll Never Stop Loving You
Written-By – Brodszky*, Cahn*
A5        I Won't Cry Anymore
Written-By – Frisch*, Wise*
B1        Lonesome Road
Written-By – Austin*, Shilkret*
B2        Let There Be Love
Written-By – Grant*, Rand*
B3        There Must Be A Way
Written-By – Saxon*, Gallop*
B4        Down By The Riverside
Written-By – D. Jordan*
B5        Little Things Mean A Lot
Written-By – Strutz*, Lindeman*

Link available upon request

The 3 Sounds – Feelin’ Good | Blue Note BST 84072

The 3 Sounds Feelin’ Good | Blue Note BST 84072

updated 10/03/2026

Blue Note Records 1960 ‎– BST 84072

Description:

The 3 Sounds – Feelin' Good is a classic Blue Note jazz album featuring
 the soulful piano trio of Gene Harris, Andrew Simpkins, and Bill Dowdy.
 Originally released in 1961 as Blue Note BLP 4072 and BST 84072, 
the album was recorded on June 28, 1960, at the Van Gelder Studio
 in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

With Gene Harris on piano and celeste, Andrew Simpkins on bass,
 and Bill Dowdy on drums, the trio combines hard bop, blues, swing,
 and soul-jazz with a warm, highly rhythmic sound. The program includes
 standards such as “When I Fall in Love,” “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart,”
 “It Could Happen to You,” and Thelonious Monk's “Straight, No Chaser,” 
alongside Gene Harris's “Parker's Pad” and the trio's interpretations
 of “Blues After Dark,” “I Got It Bad,” and “Two Bass Hit.”

Line-up:

Gene Harris – piano, celeste
Andrew “Andy” Simpkins – bass
Bill Dowdy – drums

Recorded    : June 28, 1960
Studio    Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Engineer    Rudy Van Gelder
Producer    Alfred Lion

tracklist:

A1        When I Fall In Love
Written By [Miscredited] – Seldon Albert
Written-By [Uncredited] – Edward Heyman, Victor Young
A2        Parker's Pad
Written-By – Gene Harris
A3        Blues After Dark
Written-By – Benny Golson
A4        I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
Written-By – Ellington*, Webster*
B1        Straight No Chaser
Written-By – Monk*
B2        I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
Written-By – Ellington*, Nemo*, Mills*, Redmond*
B3        It Could Happen To You
Written-By – Burke-Van Heusen*
B4        Two Bass Hit
Written-By – Gillespie*, Lewis*

Link available upon request

Funk Inc. – Hangin’ Out | Prestige PR 10059

 Funk Inc. – Hangin’ Out (Prestige Records, 1972)

 

updated 09/28/2027

Prestige records 1972  PRST10031

Album Description:

Released by Prestige Records in 1973, *Hangin’ Out* is the third studio album by Funk, Inc., blending jazz-funk, soul-jazz, organ groove and deep funk. The album was recorded on December 1, 1972, at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, with Rudy Van Gelder engineering and Ozzie Cadena producing.

The group features Gene Barr on tenor saxophone, Bobby Watley on organ, Steve Weakley on guitar, Jimmy Munford on drums, Cecil Hunt on congas, and Gordon Edwards on electric bass on selected tracks. Watley and Munford also 

provide vocals on “We Can Be Friends.”

The six-track album opens with “Smokin’ At Tiffany’s” and includes Funk, Inc.’s versions of Curtis Mayfield’s “Give Me Your Love,” Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now,” and the Bell/Hurtt composition “I’ll Be Around.” “We Can Be Friends” was written by Cecil Hunt, Jimmy Munford and Bobby Watley, while “Dirty Red” 

is credited to Robert Watley.

With its combination of Hammond organ, tenor saxophone, guitar, percussion and powerful drums, *Hangin’ Out* is an important example of early-1970s jazz-funk and soul-jazz on the Prestige label. The original US LP is highly relevant to collectors interested in rare groove, jazz-funk and vintage soul-jazz vinyl.


Released by Prestige Records in 1973, Hangin’ Out 
is the third studio album by Funk, Inc., blending jazz-funk,
 soul-jazz, organ groove and deep funk. The album was
recorded on December 1, 1972, at Van Gelder Studio in
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, with Rudy Van Gelder
 engineering and Ozzie Cadena producing.

The group features Gene Barr on tenor saxophone, 
Bobby Watley on organ, Steve Weakley on guitar,
Jimmy Munford on drums, Cecil Hunt on congas, and 
Gordon Edwards on electric bass on selected tracks. 
Watley and Munford also provide vocals on “We Can Be Friends.”

The six-track album opens with “Smokin’ At Tiffany’s” 
and includes Funk, Inc.’s versions of Curtis Mayfield’s 
“Give Me Your Love,” Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now,” 
and the Bell/Hurtt composition “I’ll Be Around.” 
“We Can Be Friends” was written by Cecil Hunt, 
Jimmy Munford and Bobby Watley, while “Dirty Red” 
is credited to Robert Watley.

With its combination of Hammond organ, tenor saxophone,
 guitar, percussion and powerful drums, Hangin’ Out is an
 important example of early-1970s jazz-funk and soul-jazz 
on the Prestige label. The original US LP is highly relevant 
to collectors interested in rare groove, jazz-funk and vintage soul-jazz vinyl.

Line-up :

Gene Barr — tenor saxophone
Bobby Watley — organ, vocals on “We Can Be Friends”
Steve Weakley — guitar
Jimmy Munford (Jimmy Mumford) — drums, vocals on “We Can Be Friends”
Cecil Hunt — congas
Gordon Edwards — electric bass on “Smokin’ At Tiffany’s,” “Dirty Red” and “I’ll Be Around”


  Recorded:

December 1, 1972 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
 Producer  Ozzie Cadena
 Engineer  Rudy Van Gelder

     

Trackslist:

A1        Smokin' At Tiffany's
Electric Bass – Gordon Edwards
5:30
A2        Give Me Your Love    5:35
A3        We Can Be Friends
Vocals – Bobby Watley, Jimmy Mumford*
5:15
B1        Dirty Red
Electric Bass – Gordon Edwards
6:05
B2        I Can See Clearly Now    6:00
B3        I'll Be Around
Electric Bass – Gordon Edwards
4:55

 

 

 

Link available upon request

Sonny Stitt – Black Vibrations | Prestige PR 10032

Sonny Stitt – Black Vibrations | Prestige PR 10032

updated 9/27/2026

Sonny Stitt - Black Vibrations Prestige Records PR 10032

notes:

Black Vibrations captures Sonny Stitt in a hard-driving early-1970s 
soul-jazz setting, combining his alto and tenor saxophones with 
trumpet, organ, guitar and drums. Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's 
famous Englewood Cliffs studio on July 9, 1971, the Prestige 
session features a powerful rhythm section led by organists
 Leon Spencer and Don Patterson, guitarist Melvin Sparks 
and drummer Idris Muhammad.

The album contains six tracks, including the groove-oriented 
originals “Goin' To D.C.,” “Black Vibrations,” “Calling Card” and 
“Them Funky Changes,” alongside “Aires” and Lionel Bart's “Where Is Love?”. 
The organists alternate by track: Leon Spencer appears on
 tracks 1, 3, 5 and 6, while Don Patterson plays on tracks 2 and 4

Line-up / Musicians

Sonny Stitt – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
Virgil Jones – trumpet
Leon Spencer Jr. – organ, tracks 1, 3, 5 & 6
Don Patterson – organ, tracks 2 & 4
Melvin Sparks – guitar
Idris Muhammad – drums

Recorded 9th July, 1971 at Rudy Van Gelder Studio,

 Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Producer  Bob Porter
Recording Engineer  Rudy Van Gelder

Tracklist:

A1. Goin' To D.C. {Leon Spencer Jr.} (7:23)
A2. Aires {Don Patterson, Sonny Stitt} (5:33)
A3. Black Vibrations {Leon Spencer Jr.} (6:41)
B1. Calling Card {Sonny Stitt} (6:26)
B2. Where Is Love? {Lionel Bart} (2:22)
B3. Them Funky Changes {Leon Spencer Jr.} (7:55)

Link available upon request

Etta Jones – Hollar!

 

 

 

 

Etta Jones – Hollar! | Prestige Records PR 7284

 

 

  

 

Prestige records 1962    ‎– PR 7284

 

 notes:

Etta Jones – Hollar! is a soulful jazz and blues album released on 
Prestige Records as PR 7284. Jones delivers her distinctive, 
expressive vocal style across a set that blends jazz, blues, 
soul and standards. A strong example of the intimate, 
emotionally direct vocal jazz associated with Prestige Records.

credits:

Etta Jones – vocals

September 16, 1960 session

Oliver Nelson – tenor saxophone
Lem Winchester – vibraphone
Richard Wyands – piano
George Duvivier – bass
Roy Haynes – drums

March 30, 1961 session

Jimmy Neeley – piano
Wally Richardson – guitar
Michael Mulia – bass
Rudy Lawless – drums

November 28, 1962 session

Jerome Richardson – flute and tenor saxophone
Sam Bruno – organ and piano
Kenny Burrell – guitar
John “Bucky” Pizzarelli – guitar
Ernest Hayes – bass
Bobby Donaldson – drums

 Recording Dates

The album was recorded during three separate 
sessions at Rudy Van Gelder's studio:

September 16, 1960 – “I Got It Bad,” “The More I See You,”
 “Love Is Here to Stay,” “They Can't Take That Away from Me”
March 30, 1961 – “And the Angels Sing,” “Give Me the Simple Life,”
 “Reverse the Charges,” “Answer Me, My Love,” “Looking Back”
November 28, 1962 – “Nature Boy”

All three sessions were recorded at Van Gelder Studio, 
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, the renowned recording 
facility operated by engineer Rudy Van Gelder.


    

tracklist:

A1        And The Angels Sing
Written-By – Mercer*, Elman*
A2        I Got It Bad
Written-By – Ellington*, Webster*
A3        Give Me The Simple Life
Written-By – Ruby*, Bloom*
A4        The More I See You
Written-By – Warren*, Gordon*
A5        Our Love Is Here To Stay
Written-By – G. & I. Gershwin*
B1        Reverse The Charges
Written By – Feyne, Wright
Written-By – Webster*, Williams*
B2        They Can't Take That Away From Me
Written-By – G. & I. Gershwin*
B3        Answer Me My Love
Written-By – Sigman*, Winkler*
B4        Looking Back
Written-By – Hendricks*, Benton*
B5        Nature Boy
Written-By – Eden Ahbez

 

 

link

 

 

Morris Nanton – Something We've Got (Prestige PRST 7409, 1965)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morris Nanton – Something We've Got | Prestige PRST 7409 

 

 

 

 

Prestige records 1965 – PRST 7409

 

 

 notes:

Morris Nanton’s Something We’ve Got is a distinctive 
1965 jazz album released by Prestige Records as PRST 7409.
 The album showcases Nanton on piano with Norman Edge
 on bass and Al Beldini on drums, creating an intimate 
piano-trio sound with strong blues, gospel and soul-jazz influences.
The sessions were recorded at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs,
 New Jersey, during May and June 1965. The album is particularly 
notable for Nanton’s expressive piano playing and his 
treatment of standards alongside the title track.

credits:

    Bass – Norman Edge
    Drums – Al Beldini
    Piano – Morris Nanton
   Recording Studio: Van Gelder Studio
Location: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Recording Dates: 
May 13, 1965 – “Mood Indigo” and “Taboo”
June 16, 1965 – “Something We've Got,” “Any Number Can Win,”
 “The Masquerade Is Over,” and “My Man's Gone Now”
Recorded by: Rudy Van Gelder
Producer: Cal Lampley

tracklist:

A1. Something We've Got    Morris
written by Nanton    
A2. Any Number Can Win
written by    Jimmy McGriff    
A3. The Masquerade Is Over    
written byAllie Wrubel / Herbert Magidson    
B1. Mood Indigo    
written by Duke Ellington / Barney Bigard / Irving Mills    
B2. My Man's Gone Now    
written by George Gershwin / DuBose Heyward / Ira Gershwin    
B3. Taboo    
written by Margarita Lecuona  

 

 

 

link

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Morris Nanton – Soul Fingers (Prestige PRST 7467, 1967)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Morris Nanton – Soul Fingers | Prestige PRST 7467

 

 

 

 

Prestige records 1967 ‎– PRST 7467

 

 

 notes:

Soul Fingers captures Morris Nanton at the intersection 
of soul jazz, hard bop and Latin-inflected grooves. 
His relaxed but highly rhythmic piano is supported by the
 long-standing partnership of bassist Norman Edge and 
drummer Al Beldini, with Johnny Murray Jr.'s congas 
adding extra drive. The unusual appearance of 
Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers on “Troubles Of The World”
 gives the opening track an especially distinctive Latin-soul character.
 Contemporary DownBeat praised the trio while 
noting the contrasting effect of Pucho's appearance.

credits:

Morris Nanton – piano
Norman Edge – bass
Al Beldini – drums
Johnny Murray Jr. – congas
Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers – additional percussion/
band personnel on “Troubles Of The World” only

Recorded: May 13, 1965 – Van Gelder Studio, 
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Producer: Cal Lampley
Recording engineer: Rudy Van Gelder

tracklist:

A1        Troubles Of The World
Backing Band – Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers*
Written-By – Douglas*
    2:15
A2        The Shadow Of Your Smile
Written-By – Mandel*, Webster*
    4:17
A3        Georgia
Written-By – Carmichael*
    6:00
A4        Fly Me To The Moon
Written-By – Howard*
    5:21
A5        I'll Remember April
Written-By – Raye*, De Paul*
    4:32
B1        Whistle Stop
Written-By – Morris Nanton
    2:30
B2        The Summer Wind
Written-By – Bradtke*, Mercer*
    4:05
B3        L-O-V-E
Written-By – Kaempfert*, Gabler*
    2:35
B4        The Lamp Is Low
Written-By – Ravel*
    3:15
B5        Soul Fingers
Written-By – De Coteaux*
    8:39

 link

 

 

 

 

Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers – Saffron & Soul (Prestige PR 7502)

Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers – Saffron & Soul  

Prestige records 1967 ‎ ‎– PRST 7502

notes:

Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers' Saffron & Soul is one of 
the distinctive Latin soul and soul-jazz recordings from 
Prestige's mid-1960s catalogue. Led by timbales player 
Henry "Pucho" Brown, the group combined Afro-Cuban 
percussion with jazz, soul, pop and R&B influences, 
creating a hard-grooving sound that later attracted 
attention from the acid-jazz scene.

The session features Pucho on timbales with Vincent McEwan 
on trumpet, Claude Bartee and Harold Alexander on tenor saxophone,
Alexander also contributing flute, William Bivens on vibraphone, 
John Spruill on piano and arrangements, James Phillips on bass,
 William Curtis on drums, Richard Landrum on congas and 
Norberto Apellaniz on bongos.

credits:

Henry “Pucho” Brown    Timbales, leader
Vincent McEwan    Trumpet
Claude Bartee    Tenor saxophone
Harold Alexander    Tenor saxophone, flute
William “Willie” Bivens    Vibraphone
John Spruill    Piano, arranger
James Phillips    Bass
William Curtis    Drums
Richard Landrum    Congas
Norberto Apellaniz    Bongos

Recorded: November 8–10, 1966
Studio: Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Recording engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Producer: Cal Lampley
Arranger: John Spruill

tracklist:

A1        Aye Ma Ma
Written-By – Pucho*
3:25
A2        Reach Out, I'll Be There
Written-By – Dozier / Holland / Holland*
4:15
A3        Soul Yamie
Written-By – Bivens*
3:15
A4        Alfie
Written-By – David / Bacharach*
6:20
B1        What A Piece
Written-By – Douglas*
1:50
B2        Early Autumn
Written-By – Mercer*, Burns*, Herman*
3:35
B3        Something Black
Written-By – Phillips*
4:25
B4        The Groover
Written-By – McEwan*
3:15
B5        Caravan
Written-By – Ellington*, Mills*, Trizol*
4:20

link

 

 

Byrdie Green – I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good) | Prestige PRST 7509

Byrdie Green – I Got It Bad | Prestige PRST 7509

Prestige records 1967 ‎– PRST 7509

notes:

Byrdie Green’s I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good) is a 
soulful 1967 Prestige Records vocal album that brings 
together Green’s powerful blues-inflected voice 
with a superb jazz backing group led 
by organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith.

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, 
New Jersey, on April 20, 1967, the album features 
Houston Person on tenor saxophone, Thornel Schwartz
 on guitar, Jimmy Lewis on Fender bass, and 
John Harris on drums. Ralph Jones is credited as arranger.

Released as Prestige PRST 7509, the LP contains ten tracks 
ranging from blues and soul material to sophisticated pop 
standards, including “See See Rider,” “I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good),” 
“Cry Me a River,” “This Bitter Earth,” and “People.”

Green’s deep, expressive contralto places the album at the 
crossroads of jazz, blues and soul, making I Got It Bad an 
especially interesting record for collectors of rare vocal jazz, 
soul jazz and vintage Prestige vinyl.

credits:

Byrdie Green – vocals
Johnny “Hammond” Smith – organ
Houston Person – tenor saxophone
Thornel Schwartz – guitar
Jimmy Lewis – Fender bass
John Harris – drums

Arranger: Ralph Jones

Recording date: April 20, 1967
Recording studio: Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, 
New Jersey, USA
Engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Released: 1967

trackslist:

A1     See See Rider
Written-By – Ledbetter*, Rainey*
A2     I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
Written-By – Ellington*, Webster*
A3     Yesterday's Kisses
Written-By – Bruno*, Bruno*
A4     The Poor Side Of Town
Written-By – Rivers*, Adler*
B1     (I've Been) Lonely Too Long
Written-By – Brigati*, Cavaliere*
B2     I Had A Man        
B3         Hold On To Him        
B4     This Bitter Earth
Written-By – Otis*
B5 People

Written-By – Styne, Merrill

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Eddie "Blues Man" Kirkland – It's The Blues Man! 1962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Eddie Kirkland – It's The Blues Man!  Tru-Sound LP

 

 

 

 

Tru-Sound records 1962  – TRU 15010

 

 Notes:

Few blues artists enjoyed a career as long and adventurous as Eddie .
 Having performed alongside blues pioneers including John Lee Hooker, 
Kirkland developed a distinctive guitar style blending Delta blues,
 Detroit blues, Chicago blues and modern electric blues.
Released on Tru-Sound Records as TRU 15010, It's The Blues Man! 
captures Kirkland's powerful vocals, expressive guitar playing and
 decades of musical experience. His performances combine raw emotion 
with driving rhythms, slow blues ballads and energetic shuffles 
that showcase why he remained one of the genre's most respected performers.
Unlike many contemporary blues albums, It's The Blues Man! emphasizes
authenticity over studio polish. Kirkland's passionate singing and fiery 
guitar solos reflect the tradition established by post-war blues masters 
while maintaining his own unmistakable identity.
Today, It's The Blues Man! has become a desirable collector's item among
 blues enthusiasts and vinyl collectors, particularly original Tru-Sound pressings.

credits:

Recording dates: 
December 8, 1961 – Side B (tracks 7–12)
February 15, 1962 – Side A (tracks 1–6)

Recording studio:
Van Gelder Studio
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA
Recording engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Recording supervisor / producer: Esmond Edwards

Line-up / Musicians:
Eddie Kirkland
Vocals
Electric guitar
Harmonica
Horns
King Curtis – tenor saxophone
Oliver Nelson – tenor saxophone
Guitar
Billy Butler – rhythm guitar
Bass
Jimmy Lewis – electric bass
Piano

February 15, 1962 (Side A)
George Stubbs – piano

December 8, 1961 (Side B)
Herman Foster – piano
Drums

February 15, 1962 (Side A)
Ray Lucas – drums

December 8, 1961 (Side B)
Frank Shea – drums


December 8, 1961
I Tried • Man Of Stone • I'm Going To Keep Loving You • 
Train Done Gone • Something's Gone Wrong In My Life • Baby You Know It's True
Eddie Kirkland, King Curtis, Oliver Nelson, Herman Foster, 
Billy Butler, Jimmy Lewis, Frank Shea

February 15, 1962
Down On My Knees • Don't Take My Heart • Daddy, Please Don't Cry •
 Have Mercy On Me • Saturday Night Stomp • I'm Gonna Forget You
Eddie Kirkland, King Curtis, Oliver Nelson, George Stubbs, 
Billy Butler, Jimmy Lewis, Ray Lucas

tracklist:

written by Eddie Kirkland

A1        Down On My Knees    2:20
A2        Don't Take My Heart    2:22
A3        Daddy Please Don't Cry    3:10
A4        Have Mercy On Me    3:00
A5        Saturday Night Stomp    2:20
A6        I'm Gonna Forget You    3:25
B1        I Tried    3:00
B2        Man Of Stone    1:55
B3        I'm Goin' To Keep Loving You    2:25
B4        Train Done Gone    2:30
B5        Something's Gone Wrong In My Life    2:50
B6        Baby You Know It's True    2:55

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Baby Face Willette – Face To Face (Blue Note BLP 4068)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Face Willette – Face To Face (Blue Note BLP 4068): Soul Jazz Masterpiece on Vinyl 

 

 

 

 

Blue Note records 1960  – BLP 4068

 

 

notes:

 

 Face To Face is the remarkable Blue Note debut by Baby Face Willette,
 one of the finest Hammond B-3 organists of the early 1960s. 
Recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio, the album combines
 gospel feeling, blues intensity and hard bop sophistication. 
Supported by guitarist Grant Green and drummer Ben Dixon, 
Willette delivers one of Blue Note's most soulful organ sessions,
 making this LP a cornerstone of the soul jazz movement.
his was Baby Face Willette's debut album as a leader for Blue Note. 
Recorded just two days after Grant Green's debut session 
(Grant's First Stand), the album reunites Willette, Green, 
and Ben Dixon, with tenor saxophonist Fred Jackson added to create
 a powerful soul-jazz quartet. The session is regarded as one of the 
defining early Hammond organ recordings on Blue Note and helped 
establish the label's signature soul-jazz sound of the early 1960s.

Credits:
Recording Date:

January 30, 1961
Recording Studio
Van Gelder Studio
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA
Recording Engineer: Rudy Van Gelder

Personnel (Line-up)

Baby Face Willette – Hammond B-3 organ
Fred Jackson – tenor saxophone
Grant Green – guitar
Ben Dixon – drums
Production!

trackslist:

written by "baby face " Willette 

A1        Swingin' At Sugar Ray's    6:35
A2        Goin' Down    7:24
A3        Whatever Lola Wants
Written By [Miscredited] – Frank Loesser
Written-By [Uncredited] – Jerry Ross (2), Richard Adler
    7:21
B1        Face To Face    6:17
B2        Somethin' Strange    6:42
B3        High 'N' Low    7:07

 

 

 

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The Ramsey Lewis Trio – Barefoot Sunday Blues (Argo Records LPS-723)

The Ramsey Lewis Trio – Barefoot Sunday Blues (Argo Records LPS-723) | Classic Jazz Album Review 

Argo Records ‎1963 – LPS-723

notes:

The Ramsey Lewis Trio – Barefoot Sunday Blues (Argo Records LPS-723)
Few jazz pianists have blended soulful blues, gospel warmth, and sophisticated 
swing as naturally as The Ramsey Lewis Trio. Released on the legendary
 Argo Records label as LPS-723, Barefoot Sunday Blues captures the trio
 during one of its most creative periods, delivering a collection 
of expressive performances that remain fresh decades later.
This album showcases the unmistakable piano style of Ramsey Lewis, whose
 melodic touch and rhythmic feel helped introduce jazz to wider audiences. 
Supported by a tight rhythm section, the trio effortlessly moves between blues,
 gospel-inspired grooves, and swinging jazz standards.
Whether you're an experienced jazz collector or discovering vintage vinyl for 
the first time, Barefoot Sunday Blues is an essential recording that highlights
 the elegance and accessibility of classic piano trio jazz.

credits!

Ramsey Lewis - piano
Eldee Young - bass, cello
Christopher White - bass (tracks 1 & 7)
Issac "Red" Holt - drums

Supervised By – Esmond Edwards

Recorded     
August 20, 1963 Van Gelder Studio, 
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder

This album marks one of the Ramsey Lewis Trio's early sessions at 
Rudy Van Gelder's famous Englewood Cliffs studio after recording 
previous albums in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
The only personnel variation from the working trio is bassist 
Christopher White, who substitutes for Eldee Young on tracks 1 and 7.
The repertoire mixes originals by Ramsey Lewis and Eldee Young 
with compositions by Cannonball Adderley, Charles Lloyd, 
Dave Grusin, and Doc Pomus.
  

tracklist:

A1        Lonely Avenue
Written-By – Doc Pomus
    2:56
A2        Don't Even Kick It Around
Written-By – R. Lewis*
    4:26
A3        Salute To Ray Charles
Written-By – R. Lewis*
    5:51
A4        Barefoot Sunday Blues
Written-By – Julian Adderly*
    3:35
A5        Island Blues
Written-By – Charles Lloyd
    2:47
B1        I Spend My Life
Written-By – Eldee Young
    3:42
B2        Act Like You Mean It
Written-By – Eldee Young
    2:23
B3        Sarah Jane
Written-By – Dave Grusin
    5:20
B4        The Train Won't Wait
Written-By – Ramsey Lewis
    3:02
B5        Come On Baby
Written-By – Lewis*, Holt*
    2:30

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Hank Mobley – A Caddy For Daddy (Blue Note BST 84230)

Blue Note ‎records 1965 – BST 84230

notes:

Released in 1966 on the legendary Blue Note label,
A Caddy For Daddy stands as one of tenor saxophonist 
Hank Mobley's most engaging hard bop recordings. 
Featuring an all-star lineup and sophisticated arrangements,
this album captures the essence 
of mid-1960s Blue Note jazz at its finest.
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's famous Englewood Cliffs studio, 
the album showcases Mobley's warm tenor tone, memorable
 compositions, and exceptional interplay 
among some of the era's greatest jazz musicians.
For fans of Blue Note Records, hard bop, and classic jazz vinyl,
 A Caddy For Daddy is a must-hear album. Its exceptional musicianship, 
timeless compositions, and superb recording quality 
ensure its place among the most rewarding jazz LPs of the 1960s.

credits:

Hank Mobley – tenor saxophone
Lee Morgan – trumpet
Curtis Fuller – trombone
McCoy Tyner – piano
Bob Cranshaw – bass
Billy Higgins – drums  

Recording date: December 18, 1965
Studio: Van Gelder Studio
Recording engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Producer: Alfred Lion

tracklist:

A1 A Caddy For Daddy
Written-By – Hank Mobley     
A2 The Morning After
Written-By – Hank Mobley     
B1 Venus Di Mildew
Written-By – Wayne Shorter     
B2 Ace Deuce Trey
Written-By – Hank Mobley 
B3 3rd Time Around
Written-By – Hank Mobley 

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