Argo

Argo on vinyl: jazz from Chicago

In short: Argo was the jazz label of Chess Records in Chicago – the house that also stood for blues and rock ’n’ roll. From the mid-fifties it released Ramsey Lewis, Ahmad Jamal, Art Farmer and many others; in 1965 Argo was renamed Cadet. The Vinyl Room currently has 12 Argo records.

From our stock

First pressings

Hard bop

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→ Cadet · Chess · Ahmad Jamal · Hard bop

What makes Argo special?

Chicago’s pianists shaped the label: the Ramsey Lewis Trio with “Bossa Nova” and “Sound Of Christmas” and the Ahmad Jamal Trio with “Count ’Em 88”. Art Farmer is here with “Art” and with Benny Golson on “Meet The Jazztet”, which first featured Golson’s “Killer Joe”.

Plus Max Roach with “Max”, Sonny Stitt with “Rearin’ Back”, trombonist Al Grey with “Night Song” and “The Last Of The Big Plungers” and organist Milt Buckner with “Please, Mr. Organ Player”. And an R&B hit: Clarence Henry with “You Always Hurt The One You Love”.

FAQ

What is the difference between Argo and Cadet? It is the same Chess jazz label – in 1965 Argo was renamed Cadet.

What is “Meet The Jazztet”? The first album by Art Farmer and Benny Golson’s Jazztet, from 1960.

Which pianists were on Argo? Among others Ramsey Lewis and Ahmad Jamal.

What do you have on Argo? Mostly records from the sixties – 12 records in all.