Saturday Vinyl Finds

It would be kinda funny, if it wasn't sad in my eyes but for the records that I'm interested in, the used bookstore is turning out to be a better source for interesting and surprise finds than the two record stores in town.

Late 60's, post-bop jazz from Germany. 

'Blues Happening' by The Klaus Doldinger Quartet.

A complete unknown and purchased for the album cover image and the potential gleamed from a quick speed reading of the back cover liner notes ..... and very pleasantly surprised at what I've heard. Causing a re-thinking of my avoidance lately of soprano saxophone recordings.

A 1969 release on the World Pacific Jazz Records label and with vinyl in near mint condition. (I love when that happens.) This is proving to be a priority with this bookstore's used record buyer.

Also from 1969 ..... 'Another Voyage' from The Ramsey Lewis Trio. On Cadet Records.

I've only listened to a couple cuts but there's a funk-jazz sound and vibes present here that I've always associated with the late 1970's. Possibly a decade ahead of its time.

So, I'm thinking with these weekend vinyl finds, that I'm about to venture down an additional record collecting rabbit hole with late 1960's, early 1970's period post bop recordings. 

I returned the next day to take home a record that I left behind on Saturday. I first noticed it in another guy's hands. He eventually decided against it and put it back into the racks. Not sure of the sound and unwilling to take a leap of faith at the asking price, I previewed it at home via YouTube. It may be the highlight of the weekend finds ....

'Outback' from Joe Farrell. Released in 1972 on CTI Records. A huge bonus that Chick Corea is playing electric piano on the album. Also present is Elvin Jones, who played drums on classic John Coltrane records. It's certainly jazzier than what became the normal CTI (soft jazz) sound.

Horace Tapscott

On the turntable, a recent jazz find ....

'Live at Widney High, December 26, 1971' by Horace Tapscott & Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra. 

Spiritual jazz. A recording of one of what were free community performances in early 1970's, south Los Angeles.

Horace Tapscott on piano. Linda Hill with vocals.

Record Store Day 2026

I don't get overly excited about it these days. I never have and never will spend hours overnight or early morning, in line waiting to get in the store. Electing instead to stroll in late afternoons or the next day to sift through what remains.

My sole contribution this year to the Record Store Day craziness .....

An old favorite band for the past 25-30 years. The latest album from Son Volt, being officially released on RSD 2026, (from what I gather), and on sky blue opaque vinyl and it's a return to their original sound, which is great news!!

I was actually looking for the RSD release by The Jayhawks, which after scouring two different stores, I came up empty handed but I did stumble across the Son Volt record at stop number two, which I vaguely had a clue was going to be one of the days releases but have to admit that I forgot about so it was a 'win one, lose one' type of affair. There was also a live John Coltrane recording on my radar but there were no copies available .... if they received any at all. 

I've listened to side one so far and greatly enjoyed what I heard.

I also came across 'Sleepless Night' by Yo La Tengo in the used new arrivals bins. Only to discover upon returning home that I already have on my shelves. It's a vinyl ep and all six songs are on one side of the record.

From 2020. Another favorite band from the last thirty years. Initially excited thinking that I didn't have it .... but I was wrong. But still excited!!

I laugh about it today because when I first came across the record, I was like: Oooooh far out! I don't have this!!" Then as I was paying at the cash register: "I don't think I have this." Then while driving home: "Do I have this?" (Experiencing increasing fear with each passing mile that I did.) Then while pulling into my driveway: "Oh geez. I think I may already have this record." 

Such is the scale of excitement that often comes with searching for used vinyl records .... along with increasing age, decreasing memory and the sheer volume of records at home.