Two CD set. This never-released-before project from The Owsley Stanley Foundation and Claddagh Records is the last ever by the legendary member of The Chieftains, Paddy Moloney. Bear's Sonic Journals: The Foxhunt, The Chieftains Live in San Francisco 1973 & 1976 was recorded live by legendary soundman Owsley "Bear" Stanley, at Boarding House on 1st October 1973, where The Chieftains appeared at the personal invitation of The Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia.

Double 180gm vinyl LP pressing housed in gatefold jacket. The duo that critics have called "a match made in heaven" are in peak form on the sequel to their 1956 debut. Ella's voice - warm and sweet as honey - and Louis' gravelly croon formed a sound built for commercial success. Ella & Louis Again is a key element of what could be considered the most iconic jazz duo of all time. Verve Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes.

Vinyl LP pressing. 2012 sophomore album from the singer, songwriter and international superstar. The album includes production from Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, Emile Haynie, Diplo and Supa Dups, as well as the Smeezingtons, Mars' three-man songwriting and production team. He notes that the album is more musically varied and refuses to "pick a lane". "Locked Out of Heaven" was released as the lead single from the album. It has been described as having strong influences of New Wave, with striking resemblances to "Message in a Bottle" and "Roxanne" by the Police, the Romantics' "Talking in Your Sleep", and even Michael Jackson's "Beat It", while some have mildly referenced it to the Outfield's "Your Love".

Vinyl LP pressing including digital download. 2016 release, the highly-anticipated third album from critically-acclaimed, multi-Grammy winning international megastar Bruno Mars. 24K Magic is Bruno's first solo release in nearly four years. Written and produced by Shampoo Press & Curl, the first single and title track, 24K Magic sees Bruno bringing the bounce to his adoring fans. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age and performed in various musical venues in his hometown throughout his childhood. After being dropped by Motown Records, Mars signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 2009. The rest is history

2016 release, the highly-anticipated third album from critically-acclaimed, multi-Grammy winning international megastar Bruno Mars. 24K Magic is Bruno's first solo release in nearly four years. Written and produced by Shampoo Press & Curl, the first single and title track, "24K Magic" sees Bruno bringing the bounce to his adoring fans.

A contrafact is a method of composing a new melody and arrangement on a pre-existing musical composition using its chord progression. In jazz, one of the most famous examples is “Hot House” (Tadd Dameron) based on “What Is This Thing Called Love?” (Cole Porter). Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan has been intrigued by this particular way of composition for a number of years. His first album on SteepleChase last year SCCD 31844 “Alternative Contrafacts” is a superlative example of his interest. Here on this new release “Our Contrafacts” is a collection of new contrafacts by contributed by each member of the trio. “While there are occasional short solos by Wong and Green, the focus throughout is on Smulyan, who has yet to record an unworthy record or play an uninspired chorus. His passionate sound and fresh ideas make Alternative Contrafacts a set well worth picking up, particularly by straight ahead jazz collectors.” (Scott Yanow – NYC Jazz Records on SCCD 31844)

Ella Fitzgerald - "Let No Man Write My Epitaph (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series)" - Verve Label Group; Jazz; Considered one of Ella's greatest recordings, she's backed on this 1960 release by pianist Paul Smith. Let No Man Write My Epitaph was a 1960 Hollywood movie featuring Fitzgerald. The album hits at a rare depth of emotional understanding and once again establishes Fitzgerald as one of the supreme interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.

Jazz critic Owen Cordle once described Dick Oatts as “an uncompromising jazz musician, one who possesses monster chops without trumpeting them.” Dick Oatts has, since his move to NYC in the late 70s, been one of the most sought-after soloists on alto sax on both the NY scene and the international stage. Dick Oatts’ sensitive and cerebral approach to music enhanced by his “monster chops” manifested here again on his 11th leader album on SteepleChase. “… maybe the best showcase we've ever heard for the alto sax work of Dick Oatts!” (Dusty Groove on Sweet Nowhere SCCD 31778)

“…The late Whitney Balliett dubbed jazz as "the sound of surprise". Well, Jack Walrath surprises us here on every selection. He deals in the unexpected and delivers it to us with a flowing flourish - and no concessions.” (Mark Gardner- from the linernotes) “Jack Walrath not only displays tremendous trumpet playing, a rich and varied approach to composition and wonderful band, he also puts something into this fantastic CD that's missing from too much new jazz: a sense of fun and humor. That's not to say that it isn't sensitive and touching at times—"An Hour Blessed" is arguably as gorgeous as anything ever recorded…” (Francis Lo Kee – allaboutjazz-New York)

Nina Simone - "Nina's Back" / Recorded in 1985 after a break from recording and time spent living in Barbados and Liberia, Nina's Back features a rejuvenated Nina Simone reaching out to a wider musical audience. Featuring a number of memorable Simone compositions, the band includes horns and backup singers for a unique recording in Nina's catalog. Now available again on vinyl with new album artwork.

The first of The Art Ensemble of Chicago's renowned trio of albums for BYG's Actuel series now returns in a deluxe edition. Housed in a CD gatefold digi-sleeve that echoes the vibe of the original LP, it includes a 16-page booklet and an inner printed wallet, along with a new and insightful essay by renowned author & music journalist John Masouri. This album is the Art Ensemble's most celebrated release, capturing the American avant-garde jazz collective at their most sensational, provocative, and startlingly original in a historic June 1969 session at Studio Saravah in Paris. Recorded in the aftermath of widespread anti-government protests and student riots, this album showcases what happens when four highly intuitive and accomplished musicians-driven by Black Nationalism and dreams of liberation, and armed with an array of diverse instruments-let their inspiration run free. The tracks on A Jackson in Your House challenge us to view music in a different light-not just as a source of entertainment, but as enlightenment, wonderment born of togetherness, courage, beauty, and surprise, all mixed with terrifying honesty.

Vinyl LP pressing. 2024 release. Vintage George Benson vocals float over an orchestral reimagining of beloved American Standards & Soul Classics in this incredible collaboration with renowned composer and conductor, Robert Farnon. The brand new 10-track collection, once thought to be lost to history, was recently discovered in Benson's personal vaults and remastered to their original glory. With this new release, Benson also marks a musical return to the Warner Family - where he recorded such classic hits as "On Broadway" and "Breezin".

Deluxe vinyl LP pressing. 2019 release. Cuz I Love You is the third studio album and major label debut by rapper and singer Lizzo. The album is Lizzo's first release since her 2016 Coconut Oil EP. Lizzo stated at the album preview party at the Crazy Girls strip club in Hollywood on January 30 that she has been working on the album for three years. She also previewed a collaboration with Missy Elliott titled "Tempo". Along with the lead single "Juice", the album includes the empowering dance track "Like a Girl" and a song dedicated to an ex titled "Jerome".

Walrath calls this his first in 26 years on this label “Ballroom”, “…it’s swinging and you can dance to it..”… The way how jazz started. “Welcome back, Jack, to SteepleChase! It’s a terrific return, and listeners will want many more entries from this singular talent…” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)

In October 2012, Mars premiered the first single, "Locked Out of Heaven," from his highly-anticipated sophomore album UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX. On October 20th, Mars made his comeback to national television when he joined the elite club of hosts and performers for SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE alongside the likes of Mick Jagger, Justin Timberlake and Elton John. Mars not only showcased his comedic talent to the millions watching, but also debuted the first live performance of "Locked Out of Heaven" and premiered a brand new song, "Young Girls," from the historic stage in New York City. UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX is due in stores December 11th. Mars and his songwriting/production team the Smeezingtons (Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine) partnered with heavyweight producers including Jeff Bhasker, Mark Ronson and Diplo to create the 10-track album.

For this latest and the fifth album on SteepleChase Ronnie Cuber brought his working band to the studio to appraise the classic BeBop repertoire, “proving in the process the viability of material that has weathered more than 60 years and still sounds super hip and contemporary” (Mark Gardner). On Cuber’s previous release “RONNIE (SCCD 31680) Ken Drydon of AllAboutJazz wrote, “This is his fourth CD for Steeplechase and one of his best sessions.” and London’s Sunday Express commented, “it is the intelligence and subtlety of his playing that shines through …An astonishingly lyrical player on that most unforgiving of instruments…” “Ronnie Cuber is a baritone sax player strong enough to bring out the lyricism of the weighty instrument.” (Aaron Cohen – Downbeat)

The legendary baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber is, as Bill Milkowski of JazzTimes observes, “ still very much on top of his game at age 70”. One summer night of the famed Berlin JazzFest of 2008 finds Ronnie and his group in a relaxed and joyous mood backed by the responsive and enthusiastic audience. “An astonishingly lyrical player on that most unforgiving of instruments … It is the intelligence and subtlety of his playing that shines through…” (Sunday Express UK on Ronnie SCCD 31680) “…while Cuber’s ability to blow over the changes remains unquestioned, it’s his restrained approach and melodic penchant…… that come as a welcome surprise. We all knew Cuber could wail with unparalleled authority, we just didn’t know he could sing so pretty on his big horn.” (Bill Milkowski – JazzTimes on Boplicity SCCD 31734)

The Messengers expanded to a sextet with the addition of Curtis Fuller in 1961 and went into their most fruitful period. This Copenhagen live concert from 1962 could be arguably “the best edition of the Jazz Messengers ever” as liner-note author Neil Tesser suggests. Hubbart, Shorter and Fuller on the front line flexing their young muscles were all on their way to stardom. Recorded during their 1962’s European tour this album with all unissued recordings will be a valuable addition to Messengers’ legacy.