Brimming with the spirit of some of the most legendary jazz and funk/soul sounds of the ‘60s, Jackpot Records is pleased to announce our first vinyl bundle of the year. Enjoy two must-have records in Bill Evans & Jim Hall's Undercurrent, a collaboration between two giants of jazz, and Mel Brown’s Chicken Fat, a funk/soul/jazz masterpiece capturing the energy of the ‘60s Sunset Strip.
These notable re-issues are an all-analog production affair—AAA mastered and cut live by audio guru Kevin Gray (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Charles Mingus)—and they’ve never sounded better.
As usual, we’re offering a discount when you spring for both copies. Start the year off strong and save when you pre-order the bundle before February 9th 2024.
In 1962, legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans collaborated on record for the first time with jazz guitarist Jim Hall to create the landmark album Undercurrent. At the time of this recording, Evans was one of the top jazz pianists – his performance with Miles Davis on Kind Of Blue is still a high-water mark – while Hall had gained renown working with Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins and Chico Hamilton. After taking a break from music following the death of his peer, bassist Scott LaFaro, Evans would make his return, and this was one of the first recordings he made. Recorded over two sessions in April and May 1962, the thoughtful interplay between these two musicians created such a beautiful, lush, and emotional journey that their work influenced many. This is a great addition for both the novice listener wanting to dip their toe into the genre or the audiophile who needs to replace their well-worn vinyl copy.
Undercurrent is available on black vinyl with the original gatefold artwork.
Initially working as a guitar player for such greats as Sonny Boy Williamson & Etta James, Impulse Records offered Mel Brown the chance to record his own material. The record would eventually become the legendary funk/soul instrumental masterpiece album Chicken Fat. Recorded in 1967 in Hollywood, Brown amassed a group of session musicians who had played with Charles Mingus, Marvin Gaye, and Dizzy Gillespie. Much of the album was arranged by Oliver Nelson, who worked with Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Smith and more. These recording sessions reflected the Sunset Strip and the energy of late ‘60s Los Angeles so incredibly you can almost hear the go-go boots hit the floor to dance ‘til they drop.
Chicken Fat is available on limited edition color vinyl with the original gatefold artwork.
MARTIN DENNY
3 classic albums from the Father of Exotica reissued on tropically colored vinyl. Sourced from the original master tapes.
There’s a reason why Martin Denny remains a cultural touchstone – his records are as earthly as they are from outer space. Generation after generation, we still love listening to his music. Discover the original Exotica craze that is Martin Denny for yourself on Jackpot Records’ latest 3-album vinyl bundle set. This brings our total Denny releases to ten stellar full-length albums for your continued collection.
The 3 LP bundle features Forbidden Island (on Dark Lava vinyl), The Enchanted Sea (on Tiki Green vinyl), and Exotic Percussion (on Sea Glass vinyl), all sourced from the original master tapes. On full display throughout is the breadth of Denny’s talents: Forbidden Island reinforces his title as “the Father of Exotica”, The Enchanted Sea contrasts and brings you back to earth as one of his most grounded and earthly works, and Exotic Percussion is the most playful of them all.
All three releases have been out of print since the '60s and find their way back to shore in this Jackpot-exclusive collection.
Get these records on the turntable and experience the exotic sound that still engulfs the genre over half a century later.
MARTIN DENNY • FORBIDDEN ISLAND
Forbidden Island reinforces Denny’s title as “the Father of Exotica” as he stands on the cusp of becoming a household name, a period where his records would shortly become certified Gold. On Forbidden Island, you are well into the comfort zone and legacy of Martin Denny. You’ll find the most traditional showcases of his unique style of exotic instrumentation and auditory cinema techniques, from a Japanese stringed instrument—the samisen—to a bagpipe-type instrument—the musette—all on full display. These reissues include the original iconic album artwork featuring model/actor Sandy Warner.
MARTIN DENNY • THE ENCHANTED SEA
The Enchanted Sea is one of Denny’s most grounded and earthly works. Unlike many of his other Exotica records, filled with the lush sounds of jungle wildlife, this one feels like a tumbler full of ice and walks barefoot on a sandy beach in the twilight as you breath in the salt air. You can catch early glimpses of the future of Exotica as Denny would paint it: psychedelic-treated pianos, ethereal female vocals, and abstract orchestration. Out of print on vinyl since the 1960s, this ultimate sundown record will make you open the windows and turn up the stereo. You can’t lose when you get this one.
MARTIN DENNY • EXOTIC PERCUSSION
The third reissue joining Jackpot Record’s ever-expanding Martin Denny collection is the hypnotic Exotic Percussion, likely the most playful and cinematic of his discography. Excitingly, Denny’s use of pre-psychedelic stereo is in full swing here. His production is ambitious, adventurous, and fascinatingly futuristic. Xylophones and chimes swim from ear to ear; traditional jazz instrumentation collides with such musical oddities as boo bas, shamisens, Manga harp, and Burmese gongs. You’ll find iconic tracks like “Moonlight On The Ganges,” still playing on a loop at Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise attraction, and “Misirlou,” made famous by Dick Dale and even decades later in cult classic Pulp Fiction. For the first time since its release in 1961, find Exotic Percussion on vinyl at Jackpot Records.
LIMITED TIME OFFER: SAVE WHEN YOU PRE-ORDER ALL 3
Offer only available until September 6th, 2024
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