Rapper Turk was sitting in prison on the release date for Penitentiary Chances, his strongest solo album yet. With the album still unfinished, the rapper was arrested and accused of shooting a police officer during a drug raid (Turk says he was hiding in the closet the whole time without a gun). According to Turk's label, Koch, "Music Makes Me High" is the "antidrug" song that the rapper recorded in jail. It's a great cut with a slow reggae beat and the fantastic couplet "I'm like a No...   [ read more ]

CD $17.08

This highly enjoyable Dixieland CD reissues all of the music from the earlier Merry Maker LP, Turk Murphy's San Francisco Jazz Band, and seven of the dozen selections (leaving out four vocals plus "Harlem Rag") from Vol. 2. Trombonist Murphy's group made very few recordings during the 1960s (their music was considered out of style), but fortunately was better-documented during the following decade. His sextet (featuring the powerful cornetist Leon Oakley, clarinetist Phil Howe, pian...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

All of trombonist Turk Murphy's Good Time Jazz recordings of 1947-1952 (all the studio sides he led prior to 1953) are now available on two CDs. The first volume has material from five different sessions and is filled with likable and swinging performances. In addition to the leader, the bands include either Bob Scobey or Don Kinch on trumpet; Bob Helm or Bill Napier on clarinet; and on piano either the legendary Burt Bales, Skip Anderson, or Wally Rose. The music is essentially ...   [ read more ]

CD $14.23