Solid State Records (2)

Solid State Records on vinyl: big band and jazz of the late sixties

In short: In the late sixties Solid State was an American jazz label run by producer Sonny Lester – before he founded Groove Merchant. Its flagship was the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the big band that played Mondays at New York’s Village Vanguard. Alongside came new editions of older recordings by Ellington, Mingus and Coltrane. The Vinyl Room currently has 17 Solid State records.

From our stock

First pressings of these editions

Big band & swing

Bop, hard bop & jazz-funk

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→ Groove Merchant · Jimmy McGriff · Big band · Jazz on vinyl

What makes Solid State special?

The Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra is at the centre: “Presenting”, “Live At The Village Vanguard” and “Monday Night” show a big band that sounded modern and free. Plus Duke Ellington’s “70th Birthday Concert”.

“Money Jungle” – Ellington in a trio with Charles Mingus and Max Roach – was recorded in 1962 and first released by United Artists; Solid State reissued it later, as it did Mingus’ “Wonderland” and “Coltrane Time”. First pressing here means the first Solid State edition. From the late sixties come Jimmy McGriff’s “A Thing To Come By”, Joe Williams and flautist Jeremy Steig.

FAQ

Who was behind Solid State? Producer Sonny Lester, who later founded Groove Merchant.

What is the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra? A New York big band that from the sixties played every Monday at the Village Vanguard.

Is “Money Jungle” on Solid State an original edition? The album was recorded in 1962 and first came out on United Artists; the Solid State record is a later edition.

What do you have on Solid State? Mostly late-sixties jazz – 17 records in all.