Album #9

Roc-a-Fella Jazz's newest signed artist, Miles Davis, chose to pay tribute to one of America's first settlers on his debut release.

"Listen.

"Back in East St. Louis, m*$!f*&@!*s always call me 'Standish'," said Davis. "I never liked it, but now I'm starting to take ownership of that sh*t. Yuh know? F*@^ you, m*#%@f*@#*s. This Standish m*@#&f*^@* helped ensure the safety of the Pilgrims against Indian attacks. It was only fitting that I pay tribute to this m@#$%f*@#$* on this album."

Thanks, Miles!

with Mike Wofford, piano; Colin Bailey, drums; Jim Hughart, bass; Miles Standish, blunderbuss.

Available for $36.70 (LP only) at Plimoth Plantation.

Album #8

After a brief hiatus in production, Roc-a-Fella Jazz proudly presents its debut effort from its latest signing, legendary drummer Elvin Jones.

Quoth Jones, "I strive to communicate with Mother Nature in my work, but this is the first time I've actually worked with her kids. Making music with these chipmunks has been a blessing. Simon's work ethic in particular is inspiring. We spent 10 hours a day for 2 weeks shedding these tunes. Theodore was aight, too, but he kept nodding off. He's gotta great quarter note, but we've gotta get that cat in a program."

Elvin Jones - drums; Simon - piano; Theodore - bass.

Available for $32.55 (Laserdisc ONLY) at Tower Records.

Album #7

Roy Haynes was pleased that Roc-a-Fella Jazz offered him a chance to record an album inspired by his life's other passion: underwear modeling.

"This is the most ridiculous record I've ever done," said Haynes. "I honestly can't believe I made this record. I mean, look at me - I'm in my underwear in a bunch of these pictures. There's that one picture where I look like Medusa. And is that Michael Jordan?"

Roy Haynes, drums; Roy Haynes, briefs; Roy Haynes, boxers; Roy Haynes, bra; Michael Jordan, stand-up bass.

Available for $8.99 for a 3-pack at participating Marshall's retailers.

Album #6

Jim Hall's debut on Roc-a-Fella Jazz is the product of a long-awaited collaboration with American pop legend John Oates.

"I've always really dug 'Maneater' - I really identified with the lyrics on a personal level," says Hall. "It was only a matter of time before John and I worked together to 'Make My Dreams Come True'. Plus, it gave me an excuse to grow my hair back."

Jim Hall - guitar; John Oates - guitar; Mike Stern - guitar; Hiram Bullock - guitar; James Brown - guitar; Liza Minelli - guitar (track 4 only).

Available now for $14.99, or for $199.99 from Mosaic Records in 30 years.

Album #5

In a stunning co-production of Roc-a-Fella Jazz and the Roc-a-Fella Jazz Heritage Series, Sonny Rollins presents an updated take on his famous NEWK'S TIME record - concerning a theme that certainly would have rung as true when NEWK'S TIME was released in 1957.

Sonny Rollins, tenor sax and EWI; Pee Wee Russell, clarinet; Red Allen, trumpet; Dave Tough, drums.

Recorded live at the Green Mill, August 2011.

Available for $35.45 - OR for only $5 when you turn in a nuclear bomb to your local Tower Records.

Album #4

Grover Washington, Jr.'s classic Mister Magic deserved to be re-released - and what better steward to present it to the public than Roc-a-Fella Jazz's new Heritage series? Grover and the label both agreed that the famous cover photo deserved a special new touch-up to celebrate - see if you can tell where it is!

Special thanks to Caroline Davis for the suggestion - it's a great look for you, Grover!

Available for only $3.68 per gallon at all Shell gas stations.

Album #3

Paul Motian dives into his Roc-a-Fella debut record by adopting a nautical theme. It's a good thing he brought those sticks in the water!

Paul Motian - drums; Benny Green - piano; Milt Hinton - bass; Miguel Zenon - alto sax (Track 7).
Available at Tower Records for $26.78.

Album #2

Roc-a-Fella Jazz's follow-up to their extremely successful label debut, Welcome to the Hamptons, features another classic pianist exploring unfamiliar musical terrain.

Oscar Peterson - Fender Rhodes; Jimmy Blanton - bass; Billy Kilson - drums.
Available for only $25.98 at Tower Records.

Album #1

This is Roc-a-Fella Jazz's debut record - featuring the wonderful Hampton Hawes.

Hampton Hawes - piano; Bruce Gertz - bass; Max Weinberg - drums.
Available for only $22.99 at Tower Records.