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LP
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DOL 929HG-LP
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"Howlin' Wolf's second album brings together some of the blues great's best singles from the late '50s and early '60s. The so-called Rockin' Chair Album represents the cream of Wolf's Chicago blues work. Those tracks afforded classic status are many, including 'Spoonful,' 'The Red Rooster,' 'Wang Dang Doodle,' 'Back Door Man,' 'Shake for Me,' and 'Who's Been Talking?' Also featuring the fine work of Chess house producer and bassist Willie Dixon and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Rockin' Chair qualifies as one of pinnacles of early electric blues, and is an essential album for any quality blues collection." --Stephen Cook, AllMusic
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2LP
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DOL 933H-LP
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180 gram vinyl. "King of the Delta Blues Singers is a compilation album by American Delta blues musician Robert Johnson, released in 1961 by Columbia Records. It is considered one of the most influential blues releases. In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked it number 374 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time."
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LP
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DOL 954HC-LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1964. 180 gram vinyl.
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LP
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DOL 882HG-LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1962. 180 gram vinyl. "Herbie Hancock's debut as a leader, Takin' Off, revealed a composer and pianist able to balance sophistication and accessibility, somewhat in the vein of Blue Note's prototype hard bopper Horace Silver. Yet while Hancock could be just as funky and blues-rooted as Silver, their overall styles diverged in several ways: Hancock was lighter and more cerebral, a bit more adventurous in his harmonies, and more apt to break his solos out of a groove (instead of using them to create one). So even if, in retrospect, Takin' Off is among Hancock's most conventional albums, it shows a young stylist already strikingly mature for his age, and one who can interpret established forms with spirit and imagination. Case in point: the simple, catchy 'Watermelon Man,' which became a Hancock signature tune and a jazz standard in the wake of a hit cover by Latin jazz star Mongo Santamaria. Hancock's original version is classic Blue Note hard bop: spare, funky piano riffing and tight, focused solo statements. The other compositions are memorable and well-constructed too (if not quite hit material); all have their moments, but particular highlights include the ruminative ballad 'Alone and I,' the minor-key 'The Maze' (which features a little bit of free improvisation in the rhythm section), and the bluesy 'Empty Pockets.' The backing group includes then up-and-coming trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon, bassist Butch Warren, and drummer Billy Higgins. All in all, Takin' Off is an exceptional first effort, laying the groundwork for Hancock to begin pushing the boundaries of hard bop on his next several records." --Steve Huey, AllMusic
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LP
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DOL 890HG-LP
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Reissue, originally released in 1959. 180 gram vinyl. "There is a remarkable amount of variety on this disc, Nina Simone's second recording. Her repertoire ranges from a swinging 'Stompin' at the Savoy' and an emotional 'It Might as Well Be Spring' to an English folk ballad ('Tomorrow'), spirituals, an R&B song ('You've Been Gone Too Long') and the theme song from the movie Middle of the Night. Somehow Simone brings credibility to each of these very different songs. She does not play much piano (just cameos on two songs) and is backed by a subtle orchestra arranged by Bob Mersey that is effective accompanying her vocals. This session finds Nina Simone's voice in top form and with a few exceptions is generally jazz-oriented." --Scott Yanow, AllMusic
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LP
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DOL 1453LP
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2014 release. "Willie Dixon was a songwriter / guitarist during the heyday of Chess Records, writing material for such artists as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Bo Diddley. His songs not only laid the foundation for the Chicago blues sound, but also helped shape rock and roll as well. Walkin' the Blues is a collection of Dixon songs taken from recordings made in 1951-1956 for Chess and performed with some of the greatest artists of the day: Little Walter, Eddie Boyd, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, to name a few. Dixon, who was also an accomplished singer, can also be heard singing on four of the 18 tracks."
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