I went a bit farther afield than usual on a weekend outing just for records. It was relaxing. I ended up with the aforementioned typewriter in the process.

The number of jazz records in the haul surprised me. The fact that I’m listening to a lot of records during work means it’s nice to have a lot of instrumental music. Jazz is also just great anyway. The number of friends I have who dislike jazz is too high. What is wrong with them? Is the palate so childlike as to allow only three-minute verse-pre chorus-chorus-verse-pre chorus-chorus-bridge-chorus-outro pablum?

Masayoshi Takanaka—*The Rainbow Goblins*

Masayoshi Takanaka is a guitar virtuoso. This album has a strange British-accented narration element to it that fills the spaces in the wildest fashion between some tasty guitar music. It’s weird and great.

Yellow Magic Orchestra—*Solid State Survivor*

This is very good.

I am told this band is great. I have not yet given it or the next album a listen, but look forward to it.

See previous album comment.

George Shearing and The Montgomery Brothers—*George Shearing and The Montgomery Brothers*

I can’t get enough Wes Montgomery, but knowing that Shearing is also great has me looking forward to this.

His music is elite-tier at being perfect for both intently listening and working with the music as background.

Oscar Peterson—*Exclusively For My Friends, Volume I: Action*

This is excellent. I love the way he glides up and down the keys. Also watch this footage of him exploring early electronic music.

The Falco versions are great and all, but this one deserves praise too.

Willie does more standards beautifully. This album follows up the choice album Stardust, which I listen to a lot, especially on rainy days.

Jacksons are underrated because of MJ’s later success. This album is a perfect storm: Truckloads of money for personnel, star producers (such as Mick Jagger), MJ wasn’t stratosphere-famous yet (Edit: Never mind, he was, wasn’t he?), it was 1984—that delectable era between disco and later styles, and Lord this artwork.

“Don’t sleep on middle-aged Billy Joel.”

—Middle-aged Derek

Churning out this many bangers later became illegal under a variety of Cold War-era nonproliferation treaties.

Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony—*Disco Baby*

Incredible album cover. Looking forward to a listen.

I had known I was sleeping on Manhattan Transfer, and listening to this in full the other day confirmed that grave state of affairs. More albums will be picked up as they come into my sphere of activity.

Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea—*An Evening With Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea In Concert*

Surprisingly subdued playing by Herbie, which further reveals how incredible he is at music.

Kenny Drew Quartet—*Talkin' and Walkin' with The Kenny Drew Quartet*

I have a good feeling about this.

Glen Campbell did not care what you or anyone thought of him. I love this so much.

Count Basie—*Count Basie and The Kansas City 7*

She is a great songwriter. This is good, although it is from a weird era that does not resonate with me completely.

I saw a Bob James interview in which he expressed the desire to talk to Keith Jarrett, and admiration for his music. This was good on the first listen while I did some work.