Taras Jazz Records

Taras Jazz Records, jazz vinyl in the United Kingdom

Taras Jazz Records is an independent British shop specialising in jazz vinyl that presents itself as a sector specialist and record label. Its catalogue combines reissues of classics with new releases and collaborations by contemporary artists, and the website allows you to buy, subscribe and explore the selection.

New releases and featured artists

The shop gives visibility to recent releases and current jazz figures. Among the new releases shown on the site are After Midnight, by Nat King Cole, presented as a lesser-known side of the musician, with relaxed small-group jazz and swing; Linger Awhile, by Samara Joy, described as a modern take on the jazz vocal tradition; and Live from Mt. Fuji, by The Yussef Dayes Experience, which the website positions as an example of contemporary British jazz performed live.

Catalogue classics

The catalogue includes fundamental jazz titles with reissues and special editions. The shop details for each one the interest of the work, its context and the characteristics of the edition.

• John Coltrane – Giant Steps: new and sealed copy, 2014 European reissue of the album originally released by Atlantic, with WEA International copyright noted on the sleeve. Price indicated: £19.99.
• Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – Ella & Louis: limited edition 180-gram picture disc, with the complete original 11-track album, recorded in Hollywood on 16 August 1956 and produced by Norman Granz for Verve. Price indicated: £24.99. The website marks it as low stock.
• Bill Evans Trio – Sunday at the Village Vanguard: vinyl reissue on Jazz Images within the William Claxton Collection, in a gatefold sleeve, with two bonus tracks from the same performance. Price indicated: £19.99.
• Miles Davis – Kind of Blue: limited edition on blue vinyl, released by Columbia / Sony Music, new and sealed. Sale price indicated: £24.99, compared with £29.99.

Anniversaries and editorial context

The website takes advantage of anniversaries to contextualise part of its catalogue. It notes that August marks 125 years since the birth of Louis Armstrong and 70 years since the recording of Ella and Louis, recorded in Los Angeles in August 1956 with Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Buddy Rich. It also recalls the 65th anniversary of Sunday at the Village Vanguard, recorded live in New York on 25 June 1961 with Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, and presents it as a tribute to LaFaro, who died days after the recording. In the case of John Coltrane, the site reviews his career from his collaborations with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk to his own recordings, and cites the term "sheets of sound" that Downbeat associated with his style.

Shipping and care of vinyl

The shop states that records are packaged with specific vinyl mailers and that additional care is taken to protect corners and sleeves during transit. Editions are described as new and sealed where applicable, and details such as the label, reissue year, format and bonus tracks are specified.