I've been collecting jazz CDs now for about three years, and have a few recommendations where to find the killer, hard-to-land titles- the albums that go into hibernation and dig down so deep you can't even spot the footprints. I hope these links will help you find what you're looking for.Cadence Records
http://www.cadencebuilding.com/Cadence/CenterSectHP.html
Outstanding selection at reasonable prices, though they charge an extra $2.50 on to orders from people who don't subscribe to their magazine (BOOOOO!!). Found two OP Chet Baker CDs on Criss Cross there, and they may still have some in stock (Blues For A Reason, and Live At Nick's).
Counterpoint Music
http://www.counterpoint-music.com/index.html#Home
Based in California, they stock a wide variety of imports, also at decent prices. Browsing the collection's easy and fun, once you find the right links. Landed two European Free Improv titles through them. (I'm still seeking out the Penguin Guide coronet titles, a little side item for me. The titles? Ganelin Trio, Ancora Da Capo, and Krzysztof Komeda, Astigmatic.) Check out their featured title lists, too.
Forced Exposure
http://www.forcedexposure.com/
Offers a wide variety of import and domsetic EFI CDs, intermixed with other experimental bands. Takes a bit of searching, but it's there. Prices are okay. Hard to find title of note: Peter Brotzmann and and Keiji Haino, Evolving Blush Or Driving Original Sin. Not for the squeamish.
Tower Records Web Site, Out of Print section
http://www.towerrecords.com/browse_out_of_print.asp
Found quite a few OP titles here. Helps to use the genre filters for either Instrumental Jazz or Jazz Vocals. Beware, though, some of what they say is OP may actually be commonly available. Find: Albert Ayler, Spritual Unity on ESP.
Sound City 2000
http://soundcity2000.com/index.asp
Pending, but looks like they have a handle on a few good titles. Just put in a request for Woody Herman, Woody's Winners, available in the UK only last I checked. We'll see how this comes out.
MyMusic.Com
http://www.mymusic.com
Excellent selection and killer prices. Very good shipping and handling charges. Browsing section doesn't work well, but the search section does.
And if anybody knows where I can lay a hand on a copy of Chet Baker's Chet's Choice on Criss Cross 1016, I'd be eternally grateful.
