Three new 1LP releases from Craft Recordings available at independent music shops on Record Store Day (RSD) 2025 are as different as can be, but all are high-quality, thoughtful productions spanning bluesy country-soul and jazz. Included are the first time vinyl issue of “Queen of Memphis Soul” Carla Thomas’ legendary unreleased 1970 Sweet Sweetheart, an in-demand Thelonious Monk collaboration with Gerry Mulligan and a fine curated collection of late 1950s / early ‘60s jazz moods.
Jazz Dispensary: Night Lights
(Limited Edition of 4400, midnight blue vinyl)
This bluesy batch of sultry, sexy, night-moves originally appeared on 11 different LPs from Prestige Records’ Moodsville subsidiary: buttery-rich introspective sides from the likes of Yusef Lateef, Kenny Burrell, Coleman Hawkins, Gene Ammons as well as under-appreciated players like Willis Jackson and Arnett Cobb. I especially loved discovering vibraphonist Lem Winchester here, an artist I’d never heard as a leader who I’ll be seeking out.
A transportive mood-setter, listening to Night Lights is like sipping sweet Manhattans (two cherries, on the rocks, thanks) before stepping out into NY’s lonely-but-inspiring nightlife. For a color vinyl issue, my pressing was remarkably quiet until the very end of Side 2 when some surface noise broke the spell. Hopefully yours won’t have this issue as its otherwise a fine album.
Carla Thomas: Sweet Sweetheart
(Limited Edition of 1200 on translucent milky-light blue vinyl)
In 1970, Stax Records’ Carla Thomas — aka “The Queen of Memphis Soul” — recorded with Stax-aligned producer/songwriter/musician Chips Moman at his American Sound Studios. Not a throwaway session, its perplexing why this lovely album wasn’t released at the time. The music did eventually see the light of day on an expanded CD set but this RSD edition of Sweet Sweetheart marks its long overdue vinyl debut!
Not really a country record but also not quite a straight soul experience either, here Ms. Thomas transforms pop of the times such as James Taylor’s “Country Road” and The Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody” into her own thing. Even her take on the soon-to-be-overplayed pop gem “Everything Is Beautiful” (winner of two Grammys that year for writer/singer Ray Stevens, it reaching #1 for two weeks that year) sounds inspired here.
Gerry Mulligan and Thelonious Monk – Mulligan Meets Monk
(Limited Edition of 3400)
This new edition of Mulligan Meets Monk is a must-get title for RSD jazz fans. The highly desired original 1957 mono mix was pressed on dark 180-gram black vinyl at the respected RTI facility, new lacquers cut all analog (AAA) from original tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. It comes in a “tip-on” jacket in the original cover design (black bar across the top half of the cover, no photo). Period-accurate, they even re-create Riverside Records’ blue label.
The pressing I was sent for preview was dead-quiet and well centered. The music was mastered at a somewhat lower level than my original stereo edition, so don’t be afraid to pump up the volume as it opens up nicely and sounds quite terrific! As to which I like better, I’m not sure yet. I do like the wide stereo separation on my old copy but the tight mono presentation is punchy.
Originally released on Riverside Records in 1957, despite Mulligan being featured this is very much Monk’s show. Four of the six tracks are Monk’s including “‘Round Midnight,” “Straight, No Chaser” and “Rhythm-a-ning.” Essential listening.
Tip: See what else Craft Recordings is releasing on RSD 2025
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
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Randy Andy
April 9, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Are people really going to stand in the dark at 5 am for these?
Why?
Buy the regular versions from Craft for slightly more.
Have better things to do on a Saturday morning. #sleep
Ian White
April 9, 2025 at 5:32 pm
Randy,
Yes — consumers will stand outside in-line on Saturday for these and they will sell out. Craft always does a great job with their RSD releases. I do agree that the standard versions are a better value. Craft is actually have a sale now — buy one for $30 and get one free.
IW