MY TOP JAZZ VINYL FINDS OF 2021. BINGO!

More than audiophile releases, actual jazz records found in the wild by a human digging with fingers and a pair of glasses. And water.
JOE HENDERSON “In N Out” (Blue Note Tone Poet) 2021
ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE “Be Known Ancient/Future/Music” (Spiritmuse Records)
ELLIS MARSALIS JASON MARSALIS “For All We Know” (Newvelle) 2021
MILFORD GRAVES “Meditation Among Us” (Kitty)
SONNY ROLLINS “Live In Holland” (Resonance) 2021
ART BLAKEY AND THE JAZZ MESSENGERS “The Witch Doctor” (Blue Note Tone Poet) 2021
ART BLAKEY AND THE JAZZ MESSENGERS “Golden Boy” (Colpix)
DONALD BYRD “Childs Play” (Polydor)
RAMON MORRIS “Sweet Sister Funk” (Groove Merchant)
HAROLD LAND “Westward Bound” (Reel to Reel) 2021
PAT METHENY “From This Place” (Nonesuch) 2021
BINKER AND MOSES “Dem Bones” (Gearbox)
BILL EVANS “Some Other Time” (Resonance)
Various 10” records from Double Decker Records, Allentown PA
JOE HENDERSON “Complete Blue Note Sessions” (Mosaic)
CONSENTING ADULTS (Criss Cross Jazz) 2021
ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO “Chi Congo” (Paula)
JOHN COLTRANE ALICE COLTRANE “Cosmic Music” (Coltrane Records)
BINKER AND MOSES “Journey to the Mountain of Forever” (Gearbox)
ANDREW HILL “Passing Ships” (Blue Note Tone Poet) 2021
CHARLES MINGUS “Ah Um” (Sony Legacy Music) 2021
CHARLES MINGUS “Pithecanthropus Erectus” (Atlantic)
GREGORY PORTER “Take Me To The Alley” (Blue Note)
JAZZACTUEL “A Collection of Avant Garde….” (BYG Actuel)
FLORIAN ARBENZ “Oracle” Conversation #2 + “Neologism” Conversation #3 (Hammer Recordings)
EMMA-JEAN THACKRAY “Yellow” (Movement) 2021
MILDRED ANDERSON “No More In Life” (Prestige Bluesville)
VERONICA SWIFT “This Bitter Earth” (Mack Avenue) 2021
BOBBI HUMPHREY “Fancy Dancer” (Blue Note) 2021
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB (Nonesuch) 2021
MILES DAVIS “Miles Smiles” (Columbia Speakers Corner)
HENRY GRIMES “The Call” (ESP Disk) 2021
Like This Content? Please Like And Subscribe..Thanks!!

[@GOODFINDRECORDS]

What?? Places and Spaces is a classic!

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

A classic disco downer

[@Valleyplant]

One of Donald byrds best!

[@jeshurunabinadab6560]

I wouldn’t say Places and Spaces is one of Byrds best but I do enjoy it when I’m in the mood. Never really found it to be disco but whatever it is, Byrd pulls it off well.

[@joex2504]

Ken, It's always a pleasure to spend some time with you and to hear speaking about music with passion and respect. Thank you !

[@clintmiller1]

Two huge thumbs up for Kahil El'Zabar and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble! Everything El'Zabar puts out is well worth it!

[@beerybill]

I have the Mingus LP...original. During the early sixties I was stationed in Europe and the PX stocked jazz LPs on Columbia, Atlantic, and Riverside. Bought every one. Still have them.

[@chinaphone]

You mentioned Sonny Meets Hawk! on RCA. Incredible album.

[@jim6214]

You're welcome. Thank you for all the valuable information you provide us with every week.

[@KindOfBird]

Great list Ken! You’re videos are a step above the all rest. A lot of these prominent vinyl KZbinrs have zero knowledge and too much money. Thanks again Ken!

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thanks a lot. People seem to lap up these channels by people who don’t know anything about music or even about pressings. They like pretty pictures of expensive object. It’s weird. Thanks for your comment

[@Gavinyl]

The Sonny Rollins record is recorded in the Netherlands, Hilversum with Han Bennink and Ruud Jacobs in 1967.

[@helgar791]

Thanks man. This list is a public service to those of us that are still vinyl lovers and want new jazz vinyl. Also your turntables are beacons of light for us audiophiles and non-audiophiles.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Those are really lovely comments. Thank you very much.

[@ChrisGiarratano]

Joe Henderson Mode for Joe - is a life changer.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Go Ken go!

[@fts81]

Both Resonance releases are great, indeed, thanks for showing.

[@marcuswinesalot8594]

Love this.

[@Danielvanderpoll]

Thanks Ken, informative and enlightening as usual !

[@roscoejones4515]

Such great information at an accessible level! Thanks Ken!

[@DocJJohnson]

Great show...

[@schlidenglickstein3633]

Fantastic. I love these music reviews..

[@dippin1523]

I have to admit it, Ken, you know your Jazz, no doubt.

[@ergloo6660]

"10 inches are a lot of fun to play with......." you might want to reconsider that :-)

[@anthonyanello1244]

Ramon Morris Sweet Sister Funk- Love it! Thanks for the obscure pick. Incredible.

[@iblamesummers]

never thought Donald Byrd could be so polarizing !!! nonetheless: I love later period Byrd & am thankful the records from this period are being reissued or not particularly hard or pricey to track down.

[@kkm67]

Great Video Ken.

[@bretsowden1913]

Great work! I'm really enjoying your videos!

[@jocknarn3225]

See? The tactile experience of opening & exploring a gatefold, it’s artwork, the liner notes, the recording session details .. if ur lucky as with early RCA Victor Living Sounds, they’ll tell u the recording techniques/mics etc .. real interesting. Bit harder 2 appreciate with CD but @ least it’s “hard copy”. Either way, if u can afford good dare I say audiophile gear, the musical experience rewards & draws u in. I agree with critique of DByrd’s Spaces & Places .. got rid of mine little whiles ago .. the ones to look 4 r those around 1969-71 .. title escapes me but 1970, blue cover, birds on it, where Byrd transitions from Soul Jazz to Funk Jazz .. but not the disco, yeah I agree .. yuk/no disco!

[@DonHamlin]

This was a really fun and informative video. Thanks for putting it together and Merry Christmas.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Merry Christmas to you and yours Don. Thank you

[@Sleevemonger]

This installment was wonderful, Ken!

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thx broski!

[@alansenzaki4148]

Great stuff Ken. Keeping me aware of new sounds. I agree with you on all the milestone joe henderson albums, have found most of them except in pursuit of blackness and shouldnt be forgotten.

[@Valleyplant]

That second album you showed looks incredible

[@mad4vinyl802]

I love your channel. I couldn't agree more with your viewpoint on the audiophile craze. I own many of those titles but they represent a small percentage of great jazz titles to be had. I love digging for early pressings. Buying a Tone Poet will never excite me in the way that coming across an early Blue Note or Contemporary will.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Perfectly stated. Thank you very much for watching

[@paulpavlou9294]

Thanks Ken, I’ve got some new records to keep an eye out for on my next record digs. I might if overlooked a couple of those you showed on my last adventure.

[@georgealanlpsandcds9311]

I am really interested in your comparison of Milford Graves to Keith Moon - especially since Keith did have a very unusual style of drumming - I will certainly be hunting down Milford's work :)

[@schlidenglickstein3633]

Thanks again Ken. Mildred Anderson - No More In Life ! What a fantastic album.. Mingus Ah Um also a ripper and Veronica Swifts voice is sublime !

[@johnlamarca3339]

Great video Ken. There are so many wonderful records out there besides the usual suspects, and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. I’ll listen on Tidal to the ones that I don’t already have and then start hunting for my favourites. Thank you!

[@stephenparker4735]

I've lost my way a little atm and can't seem to 'hear' the music. Ken's enthusiasm gives me such a lift. I'm checking some of these out tonight. Thank you.

[@SonicFlare]

found a sealed copy of the Ramon Morris - cheers for the recommendation, love your channel and how crazy you are!!! 🤘🏻😎

[@artyfhartie2269]

The Xanadu and Muse labels put out some knock out albums. Just been listening to Sam Noto. Act one with Joe Romano, Barry Harris, Sam Jones and Billy Higgins. I have had these jewels for decades now

[@hansthijs]

Ha, Holland is the Netherlands of course😉 With Dutchies Ruud Jacobs and Han Bennink. Must be nice indeed!

[@dustinshaver3173]

Ken! I just listened to that Milford Graves and that shit is wild 😳 I don't understand it but iam trying. I really look forward to seeing what you are spinning and reviewing and it give me some knowledge about jazz , vinyl pressing and your audio equipment! This shit can get complicated! Thanks Ken!

[@markjacobsen8335]

Great video, Ken. Thank you. As a Seattlelite I am disappointed and shocked that I never heard about the Harold Land RSD release from The Penthouse. Will have to rectify that immediately. And I could listen to Rosemary Clooney sing the phone book and be enthralled. That voice, eyes, and smile!

[@icebergsift]

Digging these picks! Just found out about Kahil El'Zabar when he dropped 'America the Beautiful' during covid. His cover of Express Yourself on there is a lot of fun. More recently picked up 'The Ritual' from 1986 which is more on his experimental side. Glad you shined some light on him!

[@chrisarmbruster3650]

Nice to meet you at Capital Audiofest...Glad you liked the Actuel lp we had..

[@thomass.9167]

This video makes me happy that I have so much new music to discover and it makes me frustrated that I have so much new music to discover.

[@Relias]

It's an never ending trip .

[@brianlewis5042]

Awesome stuff Ken. Some of those reissued records I purchased myself. Seeing non-reissued albums is what record collecting is all about. You have turned many of us on to music out in the wild. Maybe you could cover more of the UK jazz scene as the are many talented young musicians producing some great stuff.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

I’d like to cover that scene but buying that vinyl from the UK is way too expensive.

[@raymclaughlin2739]

I got the Harold Land RSD record, it is really good.

[@Baz63]

It would be great if labels reissued more albums from the big bands like Kenton and Herman. Seems that only small groups and 'solo' artists get the attention.

[@EricBarstad]

Glad to see the MTB shoutout! On Twitter Criss Cross said they have plans to follow up with a vinyl press of Mark Turner's "Yam Yam," which should be great.

[@jeffbakalar1535]

So much agree about Mingus.... I love the big Ms, and each is hugely significant, but Sir Charles touched me early on. Bass players are too overlooked, I am not one, but Mingus helped me reconsider their role as divining rods for melodic and rhythmic invention. Fun run-through overall, Ken...

[@tjtotheb]

Great video, Ken, honestly left the facebook group because there didn’t seem to be anyone digging and just people complaining their tone poet didn’t come in the mail yet. I can’t express to people enough TO GO DIGGING! the expensive originals for sale are found by someone, it can be anybody if they just go out there and roll the dice! plus what better way to be surprised! also love that you went to princeton, i’m there often.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

That’s great. Yes a lot of bitching and moaning over there extremely well priced and generally great sounding re-issue. They tend to forget the 10 years ago none of this existed except for music matters.

[@henryoliver2833]

I’ve got that Jazzactual compilation as a 6LP. 🤯🤯🤯

[@mymixture965]

Agree with you again, audiophile pressings is fetish (in parts), there is no bad Joe Henderson record, great record finds. I had a great year too, we live in great times for collecting Jazz Vinyl.

[@FleagleSangria]

Thanks Ken for the thinking outside the box approach. Once again, fairly unique to the youtube vids! Binker and Moses is new to me so thanks also for turning me on to this group. After sampling, right up my alley. Will most likely get all their stuff now🤙🏻 The Florian Arbenz set is another one that from what Ive heard I like. Cant seem to find the lps online. Any clues? Reminds me I need to pick up that Henderson Mosaic set. Man I wish Craft would do the Joe Hendersons also. Some great albums on the Milestone label. MPS was done with such titles as Mirror Mirror and they sound great. So why not? 
Thanks again Ken!

[@mpmcruz]

I agree with you 100%! That Mizell Brothers production for Donald Byrd it’s more disco oriented than funk or jazz. It’s not bad but I rather prefer the more jazzy things.

[@jazzbumsmike]

great video! fyi, i am returning my places and spaces

[@maheiherp]

Hi Ken - i totally agree with you: Mingus is one of the prominent figures of jazz...member of the mount "jazzmore"

[@Joe-yi8xj]

Golden boy is a fucking classic. Pure magic.

[@garygray9223]

I agree with your observation about audiophile records and the tendency to be fetish. It’s easy to get caught up in that audiophile label ownership becoming more important that the actual music. IMOP the crazy prices encourages me to go back to digging in the wild. Thanks again, I look to Steve G and you as the voices of reason.

[@PieterKleij]

Rollins in Holland. Where was this recorded? Norway? 🤣At least you didn't say Denmark.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Hahaha!!!

[@jim6214]

Love your picks for 2021. Just some added information about "Child's Play". It was originally issued in 1962 as "Hush!" on the Jazz Line label with seven tracks with Duke Pearson on the front cover, and then later the same year it was reissued by Polydor with Donald Byrd on the front cover with only six tracks. This is the issue you have. In 1979, there was a Japanese pressing of "Hush!" with Duke Pearson back on the front cover with another track added, for a total of eight. And then there was the first issue of the album on CD in 1987 with a total of eleven tracks, three of them being alternate takes from the 1979 vinyl reissue. Finally in 1989, there was a German CD release under the Black Lion Label with a picture of Donald Byrd back on the front cover. It has the same eleven tracks from the 1979 vinyl release, but it's titled "Groovin' for Nat". (Both Duke Pearson and Donald Byrd were under contract with Blue Note starting in 1959, so this may explain the early label changes from one issue to another. The original front cover of the 1962 Jazz Line recording with Duke Pearson on the front looks a lot like a Blue Note issue. The back doesn't, but the front certainly does. ) Just thought you'd like to know.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

That is an amazing information. Thank you sir.

[@therevrockinrollin]

Fo real fetishism on audiophile pressings - particularly jazz. The same thing is done with HiFi equipment. Guuuuud video as always.

[@wilseph1]

Ken Micallef out in the wild!

[@jasonhoffer9017]

Love the fact that you are breaking away from just new release audiophile records and showing that Jazz is more than just Blue Notes. I do need to push back on the Rollins in Holland Resonance Records with Zev Feldman Record Store Release - This release is everything I hate about Record Store day, collecting vinyl records in today's market and the record industry. Had this not have been sold as a "buy now or cry later" by a self proclaimed audiophile record label who made a short "mini-documentary" film praising the amazing unbelievable fortune at uncovering European studio recordings of an American legend in his prime to be release only on Record Store Day. A day that you need to procure at all cost this limited numbered edition record on this one day only or pay flipper prices I might have a different outlook on it. I feel totally hosed on this purchase and for good reason. I had to go through really expensive channels (crossing borders, paying expensive shipping and duties during covid-19 lockdown) just to get this - I personally will never buy another Resonance Record or believe Zev Feldman's praise. Please understand, my beef isn't with Sonny Rollins or even the music contained in Rollins in Holland it's the way it was sold and what was not said that burns me. The fact that you still have multiple copies of this limited edition speaks to the fact that I am not alone in my thoughts.

[@auggysimcity]

Great call! Did you listen to Floating Points featuring Pharaoh Sanders and London Symphony Orchestra.

[@jmal5390]

I guess it just depends which world you circulate in, but among jazz guitar players Johnny Smith is certainly not forgotten. He's almost universally loved and far from forgotten or even under the radar.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Forgotten by the great majority of jazz record buyers. But Mary Halvorson knows who he is that’s for sure.

[@jmal5390]

@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 I just looked at the numbers on Spotify, and it's pretty astounding how low they are for Smith vs someone like Freddie Hubbard. In the guitar world he's an icon and looms large. I guess that's fortunate because it probably keeps him in circulation. His Roost recordings are mandatory listening.

[@everettkalafatis1005]

You should pick up on of the editions of The Penguin Guide to Recorded Jazz. Needless to say, you will not be disappointed!

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

I prefer the Jazzhound, but thanks.

[@WillKimbroughLick14]

SONNY MEETS HAWK!

[@Metranger-xd4bt]

"10"'s are fun to play with" HeHe.

[@vcp93]

I'm with you 100% with you on that "Places and Spaces" LP. That Bobby Humphrey LP is a perplexing choice for the "Classics Series" as well. I was told that they were "classics" because they were sampled in so many hip hop recordings. Following that logic, I guess Campbell soup labels are "high art". (sigh) 🙄

[@charlesdavis5542]

Another "good ol' good one" as they say. Some things: I'm pretty sure it's Mikey Bass(as in "fish",not the instrument). That Bueno Vista lp looks like a well-produced version,thanks 4 the feature. Lastly,anything with "Etnic Heritage Ensemble " on it has got me on board,no question. Some of their cds( on Silkheart?) are well worth checking out. As are,of course,your videos. Keep swingin'..

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thank you so much. And I am surprised at the response I’m getting for the ethnic heritage ensemble who I thought were generally below the radar. Guess not

[@charlesdavis5542]

@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Yeah,if you haven't already checked out a cd they did with Pharaoh Sanders,please do. Nice!

[@markh.9822]

Is the Speakers Corner Miles Smiles comparable to the MOFI, if you have that one?

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

I will do that comparison. Thank you for asking

[@vinylarchaeologist]

Speakers Corner uses the original vintage stereo mix, which has a muddy sounding side B. Mofi uses a modern remix by Mark Wilder.

[@samhite3653]

Check out Bongos , bongos, bongos. I find it very interesting.

[@donfisher8979]

As the kids used to say, word up!

[@Shawn_the_GREAT]

I firmly prefer Sonny at VV 2, I’m not as a jazz player just as a listener

[@jasondeen]

No Black Acid Soul?

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Nope.

[@duanedavidson7219]

lol but but ken bas lps matter, until they don't 😂, maybe jd will give us a top 10 list of his 2021 bas lps. anyway this was a great list to check out. personal fave lists from a knowledgeable tasteful person can be pretty entertaining/educating and this was no exception. can't wait for the spring record shows to start up post covid hysteria. perhaps a vid on these as they are probably the best way to discover "in the wild" scores @ great value.

[@JLeeeP]

C’mon, Ken. Even a mediocre ‘70s pressing of “In N Out” on Discogs is $90, and ‘60s pressings cost hundreds. At $34, Tone Poet is the only sane option, by far. That’s why they’re so popular.

[@tjtotheb]

He knows why they’re popular, go out and dig, the originals that are for sale are for sale by someone who found em, go do the same.

[@JLeeeP]

@@tjtotheb He said to go buy them on Discogs, dude. That’s not crate digging. Just stop.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

I understand completely. That’s why the Tom Port series is so popular. They offer incredible value for dollar.

[@tjtotheb]

@@JLeeeP Princeton Record Exchange is a store, so is the Jazz Vinyl Center, do you only do what master tells you to?! Go dig, lazy bones! 🤣

[@richarddennie8413]

Someone who calls Byrd's Spaces and Places a disco record can't know too much about music beyond what looks good and may be a talking piece.

[@miketomlin6040]

Jazz Funk, not one of Byrd's finest moments, G Peterson hyped it up yrs ago.

[@AndersBakfeldt]

Not an expert, but I guess is perfectly fine for a jazz artist to go do a jazzy Funk/Disco record such as Spaces and places without it being a crime? Looking at it that way it's great (and features a TONNE of famous samples used elsewhere)

[@Sleevemonger]

Audiophile pressings are often disappointing. One does expect something "better" in an audiophile pressing, but that doesn't always happen and it's a big letdown.

[@princeofjanox]

JOE HENDERSON “In N Out” (Blue Note Tone Poet) 2021. ???????? TONE POET ?????

[@petervandijk8139]

Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series.

[@princeofjanox]

@@petervandijk8139 I thought so. So there is an error in the description under the movie. Regards.