Saturday, April 18th is Record Store Day worldwide. I’ve gone through the offerings in the United States and have assembled a list to help guide in your purchases for RSD APRIL 2026.
All listings are single LPS unless otherwise noted. Listings are in alphabetical order by artist. My top picks are highlighted.
DADDY BUG – Roy Ayers – Nature Sounds – RSD Exclusive Release
This is a return to vinyl for vibraphonist Ayers’ 1969 album. He’s joined on the album by Bruno Carr on drums; Ron Carter on bass; George Marge on sax; Herbie Hancock on piano; Hubert Laws on flutes; Romeo Penque on sax; Jerome Richardson on clarinet; Mickey Roker on drums; Sonny Sharrock on guitar; Freddie Waits on drums; Buster Williams on bass and more.
Three Jobim songs are performed along with This Guy’s In Love With You by Burt Bacharach and Hal David; Emmie by Laura Nyro; Shadows by Buster Williams (who also has a RSD album); Edwin Birdsong’s I Love You Michelle and the title track which was composed by Ayers.
LIVE IN JAPAN 1987 (FUKUI, VOL. 1) – Chet Baker – SOLID / Spin This Now! – RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release
Five tracks can be found on this live recording from Baker’s second trip to Japan. They are: Broken Wing, I Remember You, Leavin’; Conception/Deception and My Funny Valentine.
This title is imported from Japan.
This was from the first set of his June 6th show. But wait, there’s more….
LIVE IN JAPAN 1987 (FUKUI, VOL. 2) – Chet Baker – SOLID / Spin This Now! – RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release
Four tracks can be found on Volume 2 from the same June 6, 1987 performance. They are: These Dilemmas, Portrait in Black and White, You Are My Thrill and For All We Know (There’ll Never Be Another You).
As with Vol. 1, this is imported from Japan.
MTV UNPLUGGED – Tony Bennett – Legacy Recordings – 2LP – RSD Exclusive
This is the first-ever vinyl release of Bennett’s brilliantly orchestrated (by his team) MTV appearance. There are 21 tracks including Rags to Riches, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Steppin’ Out With My Baby, A Foggy Day and more.
Bennett was backed by the Ralph Sharon Trio and had two special guests: k.d. lang for Moonglow and Elvis Costello for They Can’t Take That Away From Me.
GOLD SOUNDZ: A JAZZ TRIBUTE TO PAVEMENT – James Carter / Cyrus Chestnut / Ali Jackson /Reginald Veal – Modern Harmonic – 2LP – RSD First Release
Saxophonist Carter, keyboardist Chestnut, drummer Jackson and bassist Veal pay tribute to the indie rock band Pavement. This album was released in 2005. For this release, additional material has been added.
There were 8 tracks on the original release. There are 15 here.
Fans of free jazz will want to explore this one.
BLUE LAKE – Don Cherry – Charly Records – 2LP – RSD Limited Run /Regional Focus Release
This album was only ever released in Japan in 1974. It features flutist Cherry in a Paris concert from April 22, 1971. He was joined by Johnny Dyani on bass and Okay Temiz on percussion.
There are only three tracks spread out over the 2 records. They are Blue Lake, Dollar and Okay’s Tunes and East. The last two take up three sides and part of side one.
If you got last year’s RSD release of Orient, you heard other songs performed at this same concert.
AT THE EARL OF OLD TOWN – Terry Callier – Time Traveler Recordings – 2LP – RSD Exclusive Release
I wasn’t familiar with singer/guitarist Callier before hearing this live recording from a 1967 show at Chicago’s At The Earl of Old Town club. Callier mixes several genres of music in this solo performance. He’s got some blues, some jazz and folk qualities.
His is a voice that sounds like a life already filled with ups and downs. He was only 22 at the time of this recording. It shows a star on the rise as his first album would not be released until the following year.
Amongst the eleven tracks on this recording are Work Song, The Seventh Son, 900 Miles and Gallows Pole.
Callier had a great voice and the intimate setting of this concert fully showcases all that would come as his crew grew.
THE TIBERI TAPES: A PREVIEW OF THE MYTHIC RECORDINGS – John Coltrane – Verve/Impulse! – RSD Exclusive
Frank Tiberi followed Coltrane and his classic quartet into multiple jazz clubs and recorded them. They are the source for the two songs on this album: Giant Steps and Satellite.
The three musicians who completed that classic quartet are Jimmy Garrison on bass, Elvin Jones on drums and McCoy Tyner on piano.
If these two tracks have been found, how many other tracks might there be?
FRANCE 1965: THE COMPLETE CONCERTS – John Coltrane Quartet – Charly Records – 4 LP – RSD Exclusive Release
On June 26th, Coltrane and the classic quartet performed the first of three consecutive concerts in Antibes, France.
The first night they performed A Love Supreme in its entirety. According to the Record Store Day website, this was the first and only time they performed the complete work live in order.
The second concert features Naima, Ascension (Quartet Version, AKA Blue Valse), My Favorite Things and Impressions. The third concert they played Blue Valse, Afro Blue and a second version of Impressions.
Clearly this RSD offering will be highly desired by fans of Coltrane and A Love Supreme.
THE NEW SOUNDS – Miles Davis – Craft Recordings – 10” Mono – RSD Exclusive Release
This record was originally released in 1951 on Prestige Records and it was the first album where Davis was the bandleader.
Joining Davis were Walter Bishop, Jr. on piano; Art Blakey on drums; Jackie McClean on alto sax; Tommy Potter on double bass and Sonny Rollins on tenor sax.
The are four songs: Conception, Dig?, My Old Flame and It’s Only a Paper Moon.
Note that this is a 10” record and is mono.
AT THE BBC: THE COMPLETE 1965 LONDON SETS – Bill Evans – Elemental Music Records – 2 LP – RSD Exclusive Release
There are 16 tracks on this first official release from the March 19, 1965 performances by the Bill Evans Trio on the Jazz 625 show on the BBC.
Five of the eight songs from Trio ’65 are performed here along with other songs closely associated with Evans including Waltz for Debby and How Deep Is the Ocean.
Evans is joined by Larry Bunker on drums and Chuck Israels on bass.
WICKED: ONE WONDERFUL NIGHT (LIVE) – Ariana Grande/Cynthia Erivo – Republic Records – RSD First Release
As part of last year’s promotion for the second Wicked film, NBC televised this concert featuring the stars of the film. This includes, beyond the two actresses who played Galinda and Elphaba, Marissa Bode, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang and a 37-piece orchestra.
If you didn’t see the special, you don’t know about the major surprise guests, but if you did (spoiler alert) they were Kristin Chenoweeth and Idina Menzel and all four women sang For Good together.
Clearly this will appeal to all of you who can’t get enough of this Stephen Schwartz musical.
BERN: ROY HARGROVE – Time Traveler Recordings – RSD Exclusive Release
If you love jazz and can only buy one Record Store Day release this month, without question Bern featuring the late trumpeter/composer Roy Hargrove, would be the one. I say that without the slightest of hesitation. I’ve listened to it almost on repeat since first getting access to it.
This is a live recording from May 4, 2000 at the International JazzFestival in Bern, Switzerland. Hargrove was joined by Gerald Cannon on bass, Sherman Irby on alto saxophone, Willie Jones, III on drums on Larry Willis on piano. Not one moment of music is wasted in this incredible recording. It’s as if they all knew this was their moment.
There are five tracks on the album: Stranded, Depth, Never Let Me Go, Caryisms and Circus. Hargrove wrote Depth and Caryisms.
Could there be more in the vaults somewhere? I certainly hope so!
For those in New York, there will be a screening of the full concert at The Jazz Gallery on April 28th at 7 PM. You can get tickets and more information HERE.
A TRIBUTE TO PHAROAH SANDERS – Wendell Harrison & Tribe – Org Music – RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release
During last year’s Concert of Colors festival in Detroit, this concert by Harrison and his ensemble celebrated legendary saxophonist Sanders. He and Harrison were close friends. Perhaps you saw the PBS broadcast of this concert?
There are nine songs on this album. Amongst the songs performed are Thembi from Sanders’ seventh album; The Creator Has a Master Plan from his album Karma and Love Is Everywhere from Wisdom Through Music.
Harrison was joined on this concert by Michael Abbo, Sky Covington, Allen Denard, Edward Gooche, Stephen Grady, Kevin Dalton Jones, Sam Melkonian, Roberto Warren, Pamela Wise and special guests
CONSONANCE: LIVE AT THE JAZZ SHOWCASE – Joe Henderson – Resonance Records – 3LP – RSD Exclusive Release
Here’s another great release. This features tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson joined by Joanne Brackeen on piano, Steve Rodby on bass and Danny Spencer on drums.
This 3-LP release captures a concert in February of 1978 at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, IL. What a concert this was! I’ve listened to this one a few times and find something new each time I do.
The songs performed are Mr. P.C., Inner Urge, Invitation, Relaxin’ at Camarillo, Recorda Me, ‘Round Midnight, Good Morning Heartache, Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise and Isotope. That show offered up songs by John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, three by Henderson and plenty more.
Fans of Henderson will undoubtedly want to get this album. Those who aren’t will soon be after hearing this extraordinary concert.
AT THE JAZZ SHOWCASE: LIVE IN CHICAGO – Ahmad Jamal – Resonance Records – 2 LP – RSD Exclusive Release
Here’s another jewel from The Jazz Showcase in Chicago. This concert took place in 1976 and joining pianist Jamal were Frank Gant on drums and John Heard on bass.
He chose an eclectic line-up of songs for this gig that include Ahmad’s Song, Duke Ellington’s Prelude to a Kiss (a gorgeous solo piano version); Herbie Hancock’s Dolphin Dance, Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Wave, Johnny Mandel’s Theme from M*A*S*H and more. Nine total tracks.
By the way, see if you hear what I hear around the 2:30 mark of Theme from M*A*S*H.
Over the years there have been several Ahmad Jamal releases and this is absolutely one of the finest.
FEELING ALRIGHT: THE COMPLETE 1975 NANCY JAZZ PULSATION CONCERTS – Freddie King – Elemental Music – 3 LP – RSD First Release
If you’re feeling the blues, this album is for you. 16 tracks of Freddie King doing what he does best. He was joined at this concert by Calep Emphrey on drums; Alvin Hemphill on organ; Ed Lively on guitar; Lewis Stephens on piano and Benny Turner on bass.
Amongst the songs are Have You Ever Loved a Woman, Stormy Monday, Sweet Home Chicago, Whole Lotta Lovin’ and plenty more.
By the way, the Nancy Jazz Pulsation Festival took place in Nancy, France just fourteen months before King would pass away.
ALIGHT UPON THE LAKE: LIVE AT THE JAZZ SHOWCASE – Yusef Lateef – Resonance Records – 3LP – RSD Exclusive Release
The mid-70s were clearly a great time to be at Joe Segal’s club in Chicago. Here’s another great live recording. Multi-instrumentalist Lateef was joined for this show by Kenny Barron on piano; Bob Cunninghma on bass and Albert “Tootie” Heath on drums.
They perform The Untitled, Mutually Exclusive, Eboness, Inside Atlantis, Remember Webster, Opus 1 & 2, Golden Goddess, Straighten Up and Fly Right and Yusef’s Mood. If you want to hear a crowd having a great time, listen to how they get into Yusef’s Mood.
In addition to his own originals, Lateef performs two songs written by Barron (and always slightly underrated composer in my humble opinion). Nat King Cole fans certainly know Straighten Up and Fly Right.
THAT’S HIM – Abbey Lincoln – Craft Recordings – RSD Exclusive Release
Singer Abbey Lincoln was one of a kind. As anyone who heard That’s Him!, her second record, would attest.
She had a way of singing that only got deeper and more nuanced as she got older. She always was able to add her own unique spin on the songs she chose.
Lincoln chose great ones on this one: Strong Man, Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe, My Man, Tender as a Rose, That’s Him, I Must Have That Man, Porgy, When a Woman Loves a Man and Don’t Explain. You’ve probably heard many of these songs dozens of times, but I can assure you that you haven’t heard them sung the way Lincoln does.
Lincoln was joined on this recording by Paul Chambers on bass, Kenny Dorham on trumpet, Wynton Kelly on piano, Max Roach on drums and Sonny Rollins on tenor sax.
Note that this is a mono release.
FRAGMENTS: THE COMPLETE 1969 SALLE PLEYEL CONCERTS – Cecil Taylor Unit – Elemental Music – 3 LP – RSD Exclusive Release
This is the first release of this concert by pianist Cecil Taylor who was considered one of the foremost advocates and pioneers of free jazz.
This concert featured Andrew Cyrille on drums, Jimmy Lyons on alto sax and flutist Sam Rivers who also played tenor and alto saxophone.
There were two shows: one in the afternoon and one at night. In each the Cecil Taylor Unit performed Fragments of a Dedication to Duke Ellington. This album opens with the evening set first which is significantly shorter than the afternoon one.
I don’t know about you, but I can clearly hear Taylor’s classical upbringing amidst the cacophony of sound coming out of these four musicians. Do you?
RIGHT NOW…AND THEN – Charles Tolliver All Stars – Strata-East Records – RSD Exclusive Release
What a line-up for a young musician’s debut album: saxophonist Gary Bartz, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Joe Chambers and pianist Herbie Hancock. That they joined trumpeter Tolliver for this album has to tell you something.
This reissue finds them performing Earl’s World, Peace with Myself, Right Now, Household of Saud, Lil’s Paradise and Paper Man. Almost 52 minutes of music here.
It’s quite a good album and will certainly sound much improved on this RSD release. A high-res digital release took place on April 25th of last year.
THE SEEKER – McCoy Tyner – Red Records – 2LP – RSD First Release
Pianist/composer Tyner was joined drummer Aaron Scott and bassist Avery Sharpe who made up his trio during the 1980s and 1990s. What makes this unreleased recording so compelling is the addition of Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone.
This rare meeting of the two took place at the Umbria Jazz Festival in 1993.
The show begins with Hutcherson’s I Wanna Stand Over There and continues with I Should Care by Alex Stodahl, Paul Weston and Sammy Cahn. Thelonious Monk’s Reflections follows.
This leads to three Tyner compositions: Home, The Seeker and Peresina. Closing out the concert was a medley of Irving Berlin’s How Deep Is the Ocean and Tyner’s Blues Stride.
I haven’t heard this one yet, but would certainly love to. Wouldn’t you?
STARDUST & STARLIGHT: AT THE JAZZ SHOWCASE – Mal Waldron – Resonance Records – 2LP – RSD Exclusive Release
Here’s yet another fine recording from the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. This one features pianist Mal Waldron in concert from August of 1979.
Joining him Wilbur Campbell on drums and Steve Rodby on bass. The album concludes with two tracks with saxophonist Sonny Stitt joining in.
The tunes that appear on this album are All Alone, All God’s Chillun Got Rhythm, Fire Waltz, I Thought About You, It Could Happen to You, Round Midnight, Stella by Starlight and the two tracks with Stitt: Old Folks and Stardust.
As befits the musician that Waldron was, this is a very introspective approach to jazz. One that I’ve always apprecaited. I loved this album.
PINNACLE – Buster Williams – Time Traveler Recordings – RSD Exclusive Release
This is a first-ever reissue of bassist Williams’ 1975 album. For his debut recording Williams worked with Guilherme Francon percussion, Billy Hart on drums, Sonny Fortune on soprano sax and flute, Onaje Allan Gumbs on keyboards,Earl Tubinton on sax and Woody Shaw on trumpet. Two singers: Suzanne Klewan and Marcus join for two tracks.
The five tunes on Pinnacle are The Hump, Noble Eagle, Pinnacle, Tayamisha and Batuki. Williams wrote four of these tunes.
Pinnacle certainly has a groove to it and marked the arrival of an artist who was willing to follow where his muse took him, but never forgot those who came before him.
Those are the titles I’ve unearthed for you for RSD April 16th.
If you’re like me, your interests aren’t limited to just jazz or musicals or any one genre. There are great RSD releases from artists like David Bowie, Jeff Buckley, George Harrison, Joni Mitchell, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen and more.
You can find the complete list HERE.
Good luck and happy shopping on RSD April 2026.
Main Photo: Part of the album art of Roy Hargrove Bern (Courtesy Time Traveler Recordings)