So today has brought some FANTASTIC records. One of these packages was close to a dream haul, perhaps the best collection of rarities I have ever had in one go, and one that I don't think I will likely stumble across again. So here we go....
Charlie Rouse / Paul Quinichette - The Chase Is On (Bethlehem Records, 1958 First Mono 'Sample Copy' Pressing)
Yusef Lateef - Before Dawn (Columbia Records, 1958 First UK Mono Pressing)
Dexter Gordon – Daddy Plays The Horn (Bethlehem Records/London Records, 1956 First UK Mono Pressing)
These 3 are the creme of the crop. I was once bidding on a copy of the Charlie Rouse / Paul Quinichette and it went for over £150 which is insane imo. The line-up is amazing and its an album I have streamed countless times. I was most excited for the Yusef Lateef and didn't even realise which pressing it was until it arrived. The seller was an antique dealer and had no clue how to 'date' the records, and the photos they sent were so bad I couldn't even see the label, all they said was that there were no scratches on the record and I could return if I wasn't happy........well I'm VERY happy. The Dexter Gordon is a classic and likely up there on a great number of want lists. This pressing is the first UK mono pressing and looks fantastic. The laminated sleeve made cleaning it super easy and the sleeve went from being super grubby to pretty clean!
Oliver Nelson Orchestra - Afro/American Sketches (Esquire, 1962 First UK Mono Pressing)
Gene Ammons - Boss Tenor (Esquire, 1963 First UK Mono Pressing - But its the wrong jacket)
Coleman Hawkins - The Hawk Returns (Savoy, 1955 First Mono Pressing)
Funnily enough, I ordered the Oliver Nelson record then VMP announced his Skull Sessions the next day so I'm getting a good amount of his music! The Gene Ammons is a funny one as its actually the 'Boss Tenor' record with the 'Boss Tenors (with Sonny Stitt)' jacket. This was from the antique dealer but for what I paid I'm still happy to keep it, it was a steal either way. I have been listening and reading a lot about Coleman Hawkins lately and I've found his music to be fantastic. I only had a couple of records which he appears on and decided to pick up this record with him as lead.
Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Himself (Riverside Records, 1957 Mono Pressing)
Muriel Grossmann – Elevation (Jazzman Records, 2020 First Pressing)
Dizzy Gillespie / Tony Douglas - Cabinet Ministers At The BBC Jazz Society (Acetate Test Pressing)
The Monk was a cheapo eBay win and having streamed the album a few times over the past few days its a great solo session. The Muriel Grossman was pre-ordered ages ago and I've been excited for it ever since. I expected the quality to be lower as it's on a different label to her normal one, but surprisingly it looks to be a really solid, high-quality set! I will give it a proper listen when I get a free moment and hopefully the pressing sounds as good as it looks! This acetate test pressing is an eBay obscurity. I have no clue about the origin of the music, or who the musicians are (I can only assume its not really Gillespie - maybe its just his compositions?). It was a cheapo spur of the moment bid which ended up winning. If anyone has any info it would be much appreciated if you could message me, the seller included a print out from Popsike showing another copy was sold in 2017 for £155 so there must be some interest in it.
Hollywood Jazz Session - Vol. 1 (Savoy, 1952 First 10" Pressing)
Zoot Sims - Tenor Sax Favorites (Prestige, 1951 First 10" Pressing)
Blue Note Records by Frederick Cohen (Jazz Record Centre, Revised Edition)
The Lady Who Shot Lee Morgan by Larry Reni Thomas (UBS Publication, Signed Copy)
This Hollywood Jam Session looks to be fantastic, with a killer line-up of Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Howard McGhee, Trummy Young, Barney Kessell, Hampton Hawes, Ken Kennedy & LeRoy Gray. The Zoot Sims has another great line-up (although the title is misleading as he's the only tenor saxophonist playing) including Art Blakey & John Lewis. These 2 books come from the Jazz Record Center in New York and I've been after both for a while. The Blue Note guide is written by Fred Cohen, owner of the Jazz Record Center, and its seen as the essential guide for Blue Note records. I have been wanting it for years but the price and shipping always seemed high until now. I also bought a second book from Fred, one which I was interested in since I first watched the Lee Morgan documentary. For those who have seen the doc, Larry Reni Thomas was the person that interviewed Lee Morgan's wife (just before she passed away) years after she killed Lee. This book was written before the documentary using the interview tapes. Unexpectedly this copy is signed by Larry.
because it taste phenomenal. Jam Doughnut flavour and Tropical Mango Pineapple flavour IPA 5.5 ABV so goood 
do you generally like craft beers? How about blue moon?
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