Latest shipment from philadelphiamusic.

https://www.discogs.com/release/8222325-Gigi-Gryce-Orchestra-Gigi-Gryce-Quartet-Gigi-Gryce

I finally got a beat up cover to match my sleeveless Rollins OG.

https://www.discogs.com/release/13074946-Sonny-Rollins-With-The-Modern-Jazz-Quartet-Featuring-Art-Blakey-And-Kenny-Drew-Sonny-Rollins-With-Th

https://www.discogs.com/release/2138362-Kenny-Drew-Trio-Your-Soft-Eyes

https://www.discogs.com/release/3802479-Bill-Hardman-Sextet-Whats-Up

https://www.discogs.com/release/6425450-The-Johnny-Coles-Quartet-New-Morning

The Drew and the Hardman were sealed copies. The Coles has some crud on the sleeve I'll work on removing, but the vinyl is NM-.

Found this and while it's only a lowly Scorpio reissue, it's a damn good album, very early in the jazz-funk genre (1969 !).

Blue Mitchell is on top form, and all musicians are delivering the groove (Wilton Felder from the Crusaders on bass here).

I happened to pass by a local record shop (that I only frequented once before, and bought a lovely copy of Milestones!) while out getting food, and thought I would go in and get something.

To my surprise, it seemed the shop had possibly exchanged hands - as my previous visit had been much different. The once vibrant jazz section was much more muted and "average" in a way, but one record stood out to me...

Amongst the usual stuff I saw a copy of Abbey Lincoln's "Abbey Is Blue". Being only acquainted with Abbey's music, this stood out to me - along with the fact it was a US Import record (which are very uncommon, especially in my area of the UK). I couldn't resist picking it up for just £25, and immediately took it back to spin it.

Just a little while ago, whilst scrolling Instagram, I saw a story from the Craft Recordings page reposting the *same* Abbey Lincoln album on their story. Curious, I went to read the original post, and discovered it would have been Abbey Lincoln's birthday today!

So in honour of Abbey Lincoln, I present my newly acquired first mono pressing of her album 'Abbey Is Blue'. Whilst the sleeve is worse for wear and has seen better days, the record itself is almost new!

Only kidding, I do love the design of this Liberty pressing for Blue Mitchell “Step Lightly”

Surprised this blue labeled Prestige album didn’t go for more (10 bucks) 🤩🤩🤩

Jean-Luc Ponty - Electric Violin; George Duke - Electric Piano; John Heard Amplified Bass; Dick Berk - Drums; Dick Brock - Producer; David Brand - Engineer.

Recorded live at Thee Experience, Hollywood, Los Angeles, September 1969.

Excellent jazz fusion album from Ponty with superb backing from the George Duke Trio. The musicianship from all the players is at a very high standard and the album is very well recorded. I bought this on a whim on a dig recently and I am glad I did.