OK – let’s just jump right in.
https://www.discogs.com/release/3318190-John-Jenkins-2-Kenny-Burrell-John-Jenkins-With-Kenny-Burrell – here’s the big boy in the pile…and yes, I did verify the pressing (DG both sides, no inc or copyright, 63rd st address). Believe it or not, I had 2 of these, and sold the other one for $1300 (it was pretty flawless). This one, however, is going to be priced out MUCH less, because there is a scratch on side one thru tracks 1-2 that clicks) random-ish (not steady/constant), but definitely there. On side two, the opening track has some weirdness for maybe 3/4 of an inch – I thought it might be a factory pressing thing, but it wasn’t (I compared them side by side)…it looks like it might have been played on a weird table for that long, or cleaned in a weird way perhaps – I don’t know. I am spinning it now, and it is not translated in the playback that I can discern, but again, it would be something to detract from a “whole” price. That said, the click didn’t bother me too much and side 2 definitely plays well (with some pops) – but given its rareness, this one even with its flaws will still be a few hundred bucks…so didn’t know if you might not wait for a cleaner one on that front. Burell’s playing on this one, both sides, is truly crazy great, so a real shame that the wax has any issues to consider like this, but it is what it is. Also know, I don’t put Blue Notes in the spin cleaner to protect the labels, so this one will definitely clean up better too. Ultimately, I don’t think I will have a problem selling this one even with its issues, but whether or not you wanna wait to find a better one, is for you to say here. The flaws will lower it to a much more managable price, though – a super clean one here is almost $1500 out there. I can take a couple video clips if you wanna hear it, too. KB has never played better though, to me. Great record…so if imperfections aren’t a bother to you, you can likely save a bunch picking this one up. If you wanted a cleaner one, this would be one to pass on, as you won’t clean that scratch out of it. The zoom is of side two, as the light caught the issue I was referring to – it is hard to see, but it is there, and I don’t think it will clean out…I did not really hear it though, that I could discern.
https://www.discogs.com/release/4819583-Herbie-Mann-Charlie-Rouse-Kenny-Burrell-Mal-Waldron-Just-Wailin – Cover is unfortunate here – top and spine totally split, strong death smell (I can alleviate a lot of that before it even leaves here, but it will be in this one a bit I think). The panels will be fine in a sleeve, but this will never function as a sleeve again unless you fix it in some way. The inner was replaced, so I pitched it and put it in a clean new one. Wax has a couple light storage scuffs each side for sure – it’s not major but it didn’t wash off either. I would grade it a soft VG as a result of the storage scuffs but will spin this to hear how it plays in there. I am anticipating some random pops – not sure they will be able to be cleaned out. [NOTE: play tested – some light random noise, but definitely heard one jump on track 2, side 1 (Blue Echo) right as the first piano break starts – replayed, and same. Lowered price as result. Random pops otherwise, with some passages quite lovely/silent…I spun it all and dug it quite a bit. Cool flute playing on it – he’s the Mann on it for sure. Part of its playback issues, is tied to the kinda cheap nature of the pressing too – this one simply has kinda tight flat grooves, so it plays like it does. It is a fun record – KB is stellar, as expected.]
https://www.discogs.com/release/5982086-The-Kenny-Burrell-Trio-A-Night-At-The-Vanguard – version verified – Blue label Argo deep groove, L8OY-6309. Cover shows only a minimal amount of wear – really pretty solid, overall. Looks like it’ll spin out at VG+ with maybe some occasional minor pops, but none that would present an obstacle. On this one, side 2 is really clean, side one track one has the scuffs to identify/evaluate – they don’t look bad, but they do look to be kinda concentrated on this song. [NOTE: spun this one, and man oh man…the playing on it is just WOW. It’s a really quiet record, and I didn’t find the noise in the background (an occasional pop) to be distracting at all…there were passages that were very sparse indeed, and the record’s quality didn’t impede my ability to really groove on it. This one is amazing as far as playing and songs – I loved this one more than most, and I tend to like all of his.]
https://www.discogs.com/release/2313263-The-Incredible-Jimmy-Smith-Midnight-Special – Cover is nice here – especially front panel. Back has a name, a little tear (look up top, center) and some dirt. The wax looks to be VG to VG+ (lower side of plus), a few storage scuffs on each side. Some dirt on it I cleaned (so dirt got inside the inner, causing some of these scuffs I am sure), but some light whisper scuffs will remain here. It will drop the price accordingly – I would expect random light crackle/pops on every song…didn’t really see that any were spared on this – you’ll get a great deal on this one.
https://www.discogs.com/release/12495745-Jimmy-Smith-Jimmy-Smith-At-The-Organ-Volume-1 – Version verified – DG both sides, no inc or copyright, 63rd/NYC 23 in label. This one is pretty nice, all around. Cover has some wear/age to it, but is still holding up well. Back has more wear than front – edges are worn but not fully splitting. Inner looks replaced. Wax is pretty nice here without showing much in the way of storage or play scuffs – and it wasn’t dirty either. A solid player for sure, this looks like it will be VG+ pushing right up on NM.
https://www.discogs.com/release/2556773-Jimmy-Smith-Jimmy-Smith-At-The-Organ-Volume-2 – Version verified – DG both sides, no inc or copyright, 63rd NYC address. Cover has wear, corners splitting, bottom edge flaking. Name and writing on back (upper right corner), rubbing on back cover. Replaced inner. Wax has some hairline scuffs on each side – there was inner dirt that I lightly cleaned too, but did NOT put it in the spin clean to protect the label ink. Looks like a solid VG+ playback, with some pops.
https://www.discogs.com/release/2005643-The-Incredible-Jimmy-Smith-Back-At-The-Chicken-Shack – version verified, no DG, has INC/NY USA labels, copyright. Cover is nice here – a little rubbing to the front and back but not much. Dirt near edges. A slight storage curl near bottom. Original inner, no major dirt cleaning. Wax looks like it’ll play at a strong VG+ bordering on NM. Just some light, whispery hairlines on it from storage…this looks like it is a solid good ‘un.
https://www.discogs.com/release/3443148-Wes-Montgomery-Full-House – version verified by confirming label details, DG, and using the runout matrix #. This one has a little wear to the cover – mostly to the back, not front. The back is yellowing some, has rubbing/wear to it, and has a couple random spots where tears happened. Original inner. Wax was a little dirty, so I ran it thru the spin clean and played it – wow – great record! It’s not without a few random pops here and there, but it really plays nicely and it is a super solid one – this is a cool bit of wax. The cover wear will pull the overall value down, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t play well. That the random pops are in there will also work well to pull the price down without really being in the way. [NOTE: played this one, and loved it. It is not without some pops, but this is a super minimalistic mix with a lot of room, so everything shows – it (the random surface noise pops) did nothing to pull me from really enjoying this. The playing by the band is wonderful, throughout – this is a really great record by a great ensemble. Last song totally kills!!]
https://www.discogs.com/release/781311-The-Montgomery-Brothers-Groove-Yard – Version confirmed using label, DG, runout matrix # and cover. Cover shows a little wear here, but holding up well. The bottom edge is splitting from the mouth, a little under halfway, a small split top edge too. Panels are both clean, especially back. Slight storage curl to bottom edge. Looks a LOT better after I wiped it down with a paper towel – was dusty, outside, so I replaced outer. Original inner – one of the wax paper ones I hate, so I slipped it in a new plastic lined paper one. Wax looks great.
https://www.discogs.com/release/4999004-Wes-Montgomery-Boss-Guitar – Version confirmed using label layout/color/icons, DG. Cover has a bit of wear to it, a couple marks front cover, a price tag front, spine solid – top and bottom edges wearing a bit toward the mouth but doesn’t look split. Back has some wear/rubbing but is still clear. Original inner. Wax looks great – some light storage marks, but nothing that looks like it’ll play.
https://www.discogs.com/release/2572487-Grant-Green-Shades-Of-Green – version confirmation by label, DG both sides and covers. Note, this is a cutout or promo (likely a cutout), so lower left corner is clipped. Otherwise cover is great – nice shape to both front and back and no real wear to the edges (some bumping to bottom, but very minimal). Inner was replaced with a good one I think, but not sure if Blue Note was using branded stuff this late or not. Wax is lovely – this one does not look like it was on a table at all – it is free from any storage or play marks.
