Curtis Mayfield - Curtis / Live! (Curtom 1971 / 2023 reissue) A live album so intimate and visceral I can almost smell the liquor and wooden tables at the Bitter End. Hard to think of a live R&B record that tops it, though Donny's at the same club comes close. #nowplaying #randbsky #vinylcommunity

The McCrary - Emerge (Cat’s Eye 1973 / 2025 BBE reissue) A record so rare I’ve never even heard more than a few minutes of it digitally, until this reissue (the first since 1973). The McCrary family were a gospel group and this is their first secular R&B / funk record. Mind blowing stuff! #funksky

Miles Davis - Nefertiti (Columbia, 1968) Miles’ second great quintet in absolutely peak form, featuring what may be the greatest recorded drum solo in jazz history by Tony Williams on the title track. OG two-eye stereo copy. #nowplaying #vinylcommunity #jazzsky #vinyl #milesdavis #wayneshorter

Ahmad Jamal Trio: The Awakening (Impulse 1970). I happened upon a somewhat beat up OG copy of this legendary record. But it’s just as glorious even with a bit of snap, crackle, and pop. As usual for this period, Ahmad is joined by Jamil Nasser on bass and Frank Gant on drums. #nowplaying #jazzsky

Don Blackman: Don Blackman (1982 / 2024 VMP) Relentlessly funky album from one of the core members of the “Jamaica Kats” crew from Queens behind so many killer early 80s cuts on Arista GRP (folks like Marcus Miller, Omar Hakim, etc). Dennis Chambers is monstrous on the drums! #nowplaying #funksky

Etta James: Losers Weepers (Cadet 1970) Few artists poured their heart and soul into a song like Etta James. Her 70s albums don’t get the acclaim of her great 60s work like “At Last,” but this is an Etta who has been through some stuff and she WILL make you feel it. #nowplaying #soulsky #randbsky

Robert Palmer: Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley (Island 1974) If you only know Palmer from the 80s music videos with the girls in tight dresses, you’ll be surprised how deep the funk gets on this one. Backed by The Meters on some tracks and Bernard Purdie + the crew from Stuff on others. #funksky

Elis Regina & Jair Rodrigues: Dois Na Bossa Número 2 (1966). #CDFriday Few countries put out as many live recordings (“ao vivo”) as Brazil, though sound quality is not always top tier. But some recordings radiate so much power and chemistry that it doesn’t matter. This one an old fav. #nowplaying

Ojiji: The Shadow (1979 / 2025 reissue) My pal Graham at Continued Sound just reissued this wild funk-jazz-reggae album by Rupert Ojiji Harvey, a Jamaican-Canadian artist who got his start playing in Jackie Mittoo’s band as a teenager. This record slaps, check it out! #nowplaying #funksky #vinyl

The Crownhate Ruin: Until The Eagle Grins (Dischord 1996) Feeling nostalgic today so I pulled out a record I’ve had for nearly 30 years. Great @dischord.com band I used to see all the time. Features members of Hoover and 1.6 Band. Some of the best musicianship you’ll find in this genre! #vinylsky

Donny Hathaway: Live at the Bitter End 1971, previously unreleased performances (Rhino, 2013) I can never get enough Donny. Especially this disc from the “Anthology” CD boxset, with unreleased cuts from the set featured on Side A of his legendary “Live” album. #nowplaying #randbsky #soulsky

Harold Land Quintet: The Peace-Maker (Cadet 1968). Truly gorgeous record from one of the all-time great jazz pairings: Harold Land and Bobby Hutcherson. Part of the fantastic Cadet box set, which is probably my favorite VMP release. #nowplaying #jazzsky #vinylcommunity

Dr. John: The Sun, Moon & Herbs (ATCO 1971) The last of Dr. John’s psychedelic Night Tripper albums, this one nicely captures the transition to his more funky, New Orleans influenced era (Gumbo, Right Place, etc). W/ appearances by Eric Clapton Mick Jagger & the Memphis Horns. #nowplaying #funksky

Marisa Monte: MM (EMI 1989). The debut album this legendary Brazilian singer. And only a next-level talent like Marisa could pull off releasing a live album as her first album! Showcases her range in a variety of styles (jazz, show tunes, Mutantes and Tim Maia covers, etc.) #nowplaying #vinylsky

Ray Bryant Trio: Piano Piano Piano … (Prestige 1957 / 1998 XRCD) #CDFriday A giant of a musician who deserves WAY more attention than he gets now. Chops for days, but also a gentle touch that worked just as well playing R&B with singers like Aretha. Great CD of one of my fav trio albums #jazzsky

Clifford Brown: The Quintet Vol. 1 (Mercury 1976) Fantastic sounding 2-LP set presenting the EmArcy recordings of the legendary Clifford Brown & Max Roach quintet in chronological order (there is also a second volume). One of the best bargains you’ll ever find in jazz vinyl. #nowplaying #jazzsky

Ahmad Jamal: Jamal Plays Jamal (20th Century, 1974) If you’ve never heard Ahmad Jamal lean into funk with percussion, fender rhodes, and Richard Evans string arrangements layered in with his usual trio, it is a breathtaking experience and one hell of an album! #nowplaying #jazzsky #vinylsky

Stevie Wonder: Innervisions (Tamla 1973). Been too long since I spun this classic, which is my personal favorite Stevie album. Simply perfect from start to finish, every track, every texture, every transition. Not a moment wasted. #nowplaying #vinylcommunity #randbsky #vinylsky

Curtis Mayfield: Curtis (Curtom 1970 / 2010 MoFi) #CDFriday While the world looks worse and worse everyday, I can at least turn to one of my very favorite albums for some solace (and a fantastic sounding Mobile Fidelity CD). As Curtis says, “if there’s a hell below…” #nowplaying #funksky #randbsky

I made a mini-doc for YouTube about my stepfather’s most sought after single, which he recorded in 1980 with the great Cornell Dupree on guitar and other top tier session musicians. If you have 7 minutes please check it out! 🙏🙏🙏 youtu.be/GAuNYLAADYw

Gwen McCrae: Melody of Life (Cat 1979 / 2025 SoulDisco reissue) I was lucky enough to get a copy of this SUPER LIMITED pressing from Germany from my friend Nadine, who just released her first reissue on her SoulDisco label. And WOW this one is an instant classic! 🔥🔥🔥 #nowplaying #randbsky #vinyl

King Curtis: Everybody’s Talkin’ (ATCO 1972) Late 60s / early 70s King Curtis should really be more revered. It has all the ingredients. Some of the best musicians in the world (Cornell Dupree, Bernard Purdie, Chuck Rainey, etc.), drum breaks, groove for days, etc. #nowplaying #vinylsky #funkaky

Masaru Imada Trio + 2: Green Caterpillar (TBM 1975 / 2025 reissue) #CDFriday I’m relatively new to Japanese jazz but I’ve been exploring the new Three Blind Mice reissues. This album is far and away my favorite that I’ve found so far. Give me Fender Rhodes jazz funk all day. #nowplaying #jazzsky

Elvis Presley: From Elvis in Memphis (RCA 1969) Whenever I play this record I think of the seller on eBay selling her late father’s collection. I knew from the way she described how he put library tape on the spines to keep his records organized that this man really loved his collection. #vinylsky

Blonde Redhead: Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons (Touch and Go, 2000). During college, before I dove fully into Brazilian music and R&B, I was mostly into indie rock and this was my favorite band. This is the most accessible album from their peak period. Great stuff! #nowplaying #vinylsky

Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars: Music For Lighthousekeeping (Contemporary 1957). I have a bold opinion that this is one of the great records in the history of West Coast jazz, outshining a lot more famous albums. Features a young Sonny Clark! #vinylcommunity #jazzsky #vinylsky #nowplaying

Larry Young: Unity (Blue Note 1966). OG mono copy of one of my all-time favorite jazz records, featuring top tier performances by every member of this post-bop organ quartet (Larry Young, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, and Elvin Jones) 🔥 Classic cover art too. #nowplaying #jazzsky #vinylcommunity

Toots & The Maytals: Funky Kingston (Island Records 1975, U.S pressing) This one has a special place of honor in my small reggae collection. A truly transcendent album that probably also qualifies as one of my favorite R&B records. #nowplaying #vinylcommunity #funksky #randbsky #vinylsky

Labi Siffre: Crying Laughing Loving Lying (Put Int'l 1972 / 2022 reissue) As popular as Labi Siffre is with film/TV music supervisors, he should be better known among music fans. IMO this is one of the best folk-pop albums of all time, up there with the best of Joni, James Taylor, etc. #nowplaying

Little Feat: Electrif Lycanthrope - Live at Ultra-Sonic Studios, 1974 (Rhino 2021) #CDFriday Outstanding live set from a band that's virtually impossible to dislike. Seriously, I'm having trouble picturing a music fan who can't find something to enjoy about Little Feat. #nowplaying #musicsky

Curtis Mayfield: Got to Find a Way (Curtom, 1974) Super underrated record, which I only recently added to my collection, filling one of the only holes on my 70s Curtis collection. All the music this man made was soulful, beautiful, and wise. #nowplaying #soulsky #funksky #musicsky

Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Curtis Fuller et al: Another Monday Night at Birdland (Roulette, 1959). Amazing live record I recently got for a steal on eBay. If this were on Blue Note it would be worth $1,000. Look at that lineup! Ray Bryant on piano too. #nowplaying #jazzsky #vinylcommunity #vinylsky

Joe Jackson: Look Sharp! (A&M 1979 / 2016 reissue) I recently heard Intervention Records was repressing Night and Day (due out in June) and that inspired me to pull out their reissue of Look Sharp! Both great examples of a really creative era for rock and pop. #nowplaying #musicsky #vinylcommunity

Curtis Mayfield: Roots (Curtom 1971). This album occupies an interesting place in Curtis’ 70s solo output. Arguably it doesn’t have quite as many memorable tunes as on “Curtis” and “Superfly,” but “Roots” has a uniquely hard edge that makes it every bit as important. #nowplaying #vinylsky #funksky

Leon Ware: Leon Ware (Elektra 1982) Grail achieved, and this thing smokes! YMMV, but for me this captures a high point in R&B, when everyone in the studio was at the absolute top of their game. And any album from Leon’s collab with Marcos Valle is a must-have for me! #nowplaying #randbsky

Dorothy Ashby: The Rubáiyát of Dorothy Ashby (Cadet 1970 / 2021 VMP reissue). This is the kind of boundary-pushing, experimental record I can dig anytime. With all the creativity and transcendence of any “spiritual jazz” album, but never getting too far from the groove. #nowplaying #jazzsky #vinyl

New 45 - Kip Carmen Reissued on Continued Sound - #soul #soulsource #northernsoul www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/sou...

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds (Capitol 1966 / 2021 AP stereo reissue) Sometimes it’s nice to give yourself a reminder why classics became classics. A truly creative work of art and a turning point in the history of rock and pop music. #nowplaying #vinylcommunity #vinylsky #musicsky

Andy Bey: Experience and Judgment (Atlantic 1974 / 2021 reissue) The news of Andy Bey’s passing inspired me to pull out this record, which I hadn’t listened to in a while. A powerful must-hear record that’s accessible yet unlike anything else in my collection. RIP. #nowplaying #funksky #jazzsky

Sabrina Malheiros: Equilibria (2005 / 2025 RSD vinyl reissue) One of my favorite pickups from #recordstoreday. The first ever vinyl pressing of this album by a wonderful “nu bossa” artist from Brazil who I’ve only recently started checking out. Great stuff! #nowlistening #vinylsky #musicsky #mpb

Hyldon: Sabor de Amor (1981 / 2025 reissue) The 4th album by the Brazilian soul legend gets a much needed reissue. Apparently the master tapes are lost and this was remixed and remastered using digital stem separation tech. The results are quite impressive all things considered! #nowplaying #mpb

I made and posted an 8-minute mini-doc on YouTube telling the story of a killer rare 45. Feedback has been very good so far … if you are into rare vinyl from the 70s check it out! youtu.be/OwD6Apy-oMo #vinylcommunity #vinylsky #musicsky #musicdocumentaries #musicdocumentary

Ennio Morricone: La Donna Invisibile (original soundtrack) #CDFriday I went through a huge Morricone phase after college, and this soundtrack always stood out to me as one of my absolute favs. Top tier Bacharach style orchestra bossa nova from the Maestro. #nowlistening #musicsky #morricone

Johnny Hammond: Gambler’s Life (Salvation 1974) Just received this great Larry Mizell-produced record on CTI’s seldom-used “Salvation” imprint. This one is quite a wild ride! Def a record to check out for fans of Mizell Brothers productions with Donald Byrd, Bobbi Humphrey, etc #nowplaying #jazzsky

V/A: The Westbound Sound - Foundations (Org Music 2025 RSD Exclusive). Great comp from my favorite reissue series, with amazing restoration and remastering of the Westbound Records catalog. Features #Funkadelic, Ohio Players, Junie Morrison, The Counts + more. #nowplaying #funksky #vinylsky

The Beatles: Abbey Road (Apple Records 1969 / 1971 2nd pressing). What can I say, the critics are right: this record is excellent. Also, the audiophiles are right, the YEX 749-2 / YEX 750-2 pressings rock. #nowplaying #vinylcommunity #musicsky #vinylsky

Kenny Dorham: Quiet Kenny (1960 / 2022 AP reissue) A beautifully understated hard bop record as the title suggests, with Flanagan, Chambers, and Taylor in the rhythm section. I always appreciate a horn player who solos like a composer, and that’s the sense I get from Dorham. #nowplaying #jazzsky

Kip Carmen: That’s Enough For Me (1973 / 2025 reissue) My stepfather released this AMAZING super rare psych/soul 45 shortly before he signed with Hi Records. OG copies go for $$$ but after 52 years the first ever reissue is out today and will be in stores worldwide ❤️ #nowplaying #vinylsky #soulsky

Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On (Tamla 1971). Part of a display (also includes Aretha + Prince) at the amazing NMAAHC, which I visited yesterday, both out of support as well as concern that Trump, Vance, and the other vandals in their administration will try to erase and destroy it. #vinylsky

Quincy Jones: You’ve Got it Bad Girl (A&M 1973) My personal favorite Q album, with so many highlights including the often-sampled“Summer in the City” organ riff, the incredible orchestration of “Manteca,” and the Sanford and Son theme. 70s jazz-funk bliss! #nowplaying #funksky #randbsky #jazzsky