Argo (6)

Argo on vinyl: jazz from Chicago

In short: Argo was the jazz label of the Chicago record company Chess – the home of Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry. From the mid-fifties Ahmad Jamal, the Ramsey Lewis Trio and Roland Kirk came out here, along with Etta James and “At Last!”. In 1965 Argo was renamed Cadet. The Vinyl Room currently has 48 Argo records, mainly from the fifties and sixties.

From our stock

Argo first pressings

Soul jazz

Bebop & cool jazz

New in

→ Soul jazz · Jazz on vinyl · How to spot a first pressing · Grading explained

What makes Argo special?

Pianist Ahmad Jamal made Argo big: his live album from the Pershing Lounge in Chicago with “Poinciana” became a bestseller in 1958, and his sparse, airy playing even influenced Miles Davis. In our stock you’ll find Jamal with, among others, “Chamber Music Of The New Jazz” and “Macanudo”.

The Ramsey Lewis Trio brought jazz and soul together on Argo, Roland Kirk introduced himself with “Introducing Roland Kirk”, and Etta James recorded “At Last!”, an album whose title song still plays at weddings today. Add swing and bebop records by Budd Johnson, Al Grey and Sonny Stitt.

FAQ

What is Argo Records? The jazz label of Chess Records in Chicago, from the mid-fifties. In 1965 it was renamed Cadet.

Why was Argo renamed? Because there was already a label called Argo in Britain.

Did Etta James’ “At Last!” come out on Argo? Yes, Etta James’ album “At Last!” came out on Argo.

What music do you have on Argo? Mostly jazz – soul jazz, bebop and cool jazz –, plus soul and blues, 48 records in all.