PRE-ORDER FROM RUN OUT GROOVE VINYL (COVER ART TBD BY YOUR VOTE!)

Every month, Run Out Groove Vinyl lets music fans vote on a new high-quality vinyl release selected from the Warner Music vault. Last month, three jazz recordings — Chick Corea’s Tones for Joan’s Bones, The George Wallington Quartet’s The Prestidigitator , and a set of Sonny Stitt outtakes — were in the running. Jazz fans selected Sonny Stitt’s Lone Wolf: The Roost Alternates to be the next limited-edition, numbered LP release by Run Out Groove. The album is available for pre-order now through January 8 direct from the label.

Sonny Stitt made a name for himself as an architect of bebop. While he recorded albums for Verve, Prestige, Argo, and Impulse!, his takes for Roost Records will be given the deluxe vinyl treatment. Recorded from 1952 to 1957, the 1-LP collection of sessions spotlight Stitt’s talents in a variety of contexts: tenor and alto saxophone, combo and orchestra, standards and new compositions. While some Roost outtakes were released on the 1986 LP Symphony Hall Swing; and the rest were collected on Mosaic’s The Complete Roost Sonny Stitt Studio Sessions CD set, all of the takes selected for Lone Wolf have never been presented on vinyl before.

The tracks will be cut to lacquers at Sam Phillips Recording Studio, pressed onto 180-gram black vinyl at Record Industry, with the disc housed in a single-pocket, tip-on jacket. The title will also include liner notes by Michael Cuscuna and new artwork featuring photos by Francis Wolff. Jazz fans are invited to vote between four possible cover designs through a Facebook Messenger-based poll. The results of the cover art contest will be revealed on December 19.

Speaking of voting, Run Out Groove has announced the options for the album that will follow Sonny Stitt collection as their next limited-edition, deluxe vinyl reissue. Fans are invited to cast their vote on Run Out Groove’s website.

The first contender is Cher’s classic 1969 Atco title, 3614 Jackson Highway. 3614 Jackson Highway was Cher’s sixth album and the only one she released on Atco as a solo artist. The album was considered a commercial flop, even though it received praise from the music press at the time. The album featured a more mature vocal delivery and sophisticated arrangements featuring the legendary Muscle Shoals session band. If selected, Run Out Groove will create the first-ever vinyl reissue of this album, pressed on 180-gram colored vinyl and housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve. In addition to the album cuts, ROG’s reissue would be expanded with a bonus LP of sessions for a planned 1970 Atco title. These 11 bonus selections were previously released on a Rhino Handmade CD issue of 3614 Jackson Highway, but would make their vinyl debut on Run Out Groove, should the album be selected.

Also in the running is Sonny Bono’s only solo album, Inner Views.  If voted to win, Run Out Groove will reissue Bono’s forgotten album for the first time on vinyl since its original release. The deluxe set would be pressed on 180-gram colored vinyl and feature a bonus LP of rarities originally included on 1999 Rhino Handmade CD reissue but never before pressed on vinyl. The discs would be housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket.

The final nominee is The Meters’ Rejuvenation. The 1974 album was the funk group’s second on Reprise Records. With Allen Toussaint handling production and arranging duties, Rejuvenation boasts strong material that seemed more polished than earlier albums. Among the jams on the album are “Jungle Man” and “Africa,” both of which were later covered by Red Hot Chili Peppers. If selected, Run Out Groove will release a half-speed mastered, 180-gram LP cut from the original tapes and housed in a deluxe, single-pocket tip-on sleeve.

Run Out Groove invites listeners to vote for their favorite among the three stellar options. Polls are open until January 8. So get your votes in before it’s too late! You can find track listings for all three options, as well as the confirmed Sonny Stitt release, below.

Sonny Stitt, Lone Wolf: The Roost Alternates (material originally appeared on Mosaic Records CD MD9-208, 2001) (Pre-order from Run Out Groove)
Side A
1. They Say It’s Wonderful – Alternate Take
2. Why Do I Love You – Alternate Take
3. Symphony Hall Swing – Alternate Take
4. Sonny’s Bunny – Alternate Take
5. The Nearness of You – Alternate Take
6. If I Should Lose You – Alternate Take
7. Sweet Georgia Brown – Alternate Take

Side B
1. Blues for Yard – Alternate Take
2. Harlem Nocturne – Alternate Take
3. Engos, The Bloos – Alternate Take
4. People Will Say We’re In Love – Alternate Take
5. It Might As Well Be Spring – Alternate Take

Cher, 3614 Jackson Highway (Originally Atco LP SD 33-298, bonus material from Rhino Handmade CD RHM2 7733, 2001)

Side A
1. For What It’s Worth
2. (Just Enough To Keep Me) Hangin’ On
3. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay
4. Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You
5. I Threw It All Away
6. I Walk On Gilded Splinters