Apo World

Since the early 1950s, Willie Dixon has been the studio kingpin of Chicago blues, having written, produced, and played bass on countless classics by Muddy Waters, Howlin? Wolf, Otis Rush, Koko Taylor, and many others. Dixon has always managed to find time away from the studio to work as a performer, slapping his upright bass and singing his own tunes in a highly compelling, conversational baritone. He was working the coffeehouse circuit with pianist Memphis Slim when he cut this, his first album as a leader, in 1959. Besides his unique interpretations of "Nervous" and "Built for Comfort", it includes eight lesser known compositions from Dixon?s prolific pen. It is unlike all other albums by Dixon, as he and Slim are accompanied, not by the usual crew of Chicago blues players, but by a group of New York mainstream jazzmen, including tenor saxophonist Hal Ashby, guitarist Wally Richardson and drummer Gus Johnson.

Where Did Everyone Go? is a 1963 studio album by Nat King Cole, arranged by Gordon Jenkins. This was the fourth and final album that Cole and Jenkins recorded together. The initial Billboard review from April 13, 1963 commented that "Here he is in a superb collection of ballad tunes, many of them in a lonesome, blue mood, with standout backing provided by Gordon Jenkins…Great mood wax for buyers and spinners".

One of two albums released from the same 1959 sessions, Duke Ellington and alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges come together to play the blues, as the album's subtitle announces. Consisting entirely of covers, the recording features three tunes by classic American blues composer W.C. Handy, including a rendition of "Beale Street Blues".

One of the most beautiful albums of Manos Hadjidakis, where the unforgettable composer created real hymns to love, writing elegiac music on the poetry of Odysseas Elytis, Frederico Garcia Lorca, the ancient Greek poet Sappho, Konstantinos Kavafis, the 'National Greek Poet' Dionysios Solomos and many others. The singers are Flery Dandonaki and Dimitris Psarianos, two young artists who "wrote history" with this timeless masterpiece. Their duet at track no 5 "Lianotragouda" is considered among one of the most beautiful songs ever performed. The last 5 tracks of the album belong to the cycle "Village named desire" composed by Hadjidakis in 1977. They are interpreted by the fresh voice of the young singer Eftychios Hadjitofis. Enjoy a real gem.

"The time of Melissanthi" is one of the most tender works of Manos Hadjidakis. He started working on it since mid 60's and the completed album was released in 1980. This inspirational cycle of songs and instrumental pieces is dedicated by the composer to the "sacred memory of his mother" and the rich arrangement is for 3 voices, a bouzouki player, two choruses, a small millitary band, and an orchestra. The musical genius of Hadjidakis and the charismatic interpretation of Maria Farandouri and Vassilis Lekkas, create a precious gem. Nice booklet with rare photos included. Enjoy.

Recorded on location at Carnegie Hall on May 2 and 3, 1963, at two historic concerts celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Weavers featuring Bernie Krause, Frank Hamilton, Pete Seeger, Erik Darling, Ronnie Gilbert, Lee Hays and Fred Hellerman.

No Room For Squares is comprised of two unforgettable 1963 sessions by Hank Mobley. The star-studded performances feature Lee Morgan, Donald Byrd, Andrew Hill, Herbie Hancock, John Ore, Butch Warren and Philly Joe Jones. Standouts include “Me 'N You”, “Carolyn” and the title-track. This is gritty hard-bop at its finest. Essential.