Billy Wooten Vinyl Records Lps For Sale
Check out these new and used Billy Wooten vinyl records LPs for sale. We recommend starting your Billy Wooten vinyl collection with the essential albums The Wooden Glass Recorded Live, In This World and Lost Tapes. Our inventory is always changing, so check back often, or browse our list of vinyl records for sale from jazz musicians.
In This World
$271.70 (as of July 6, 2025 12:58 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Generic Cartoon Billy Name Sticker - Vinyl Waterproof Decal Quirky Gift Idea for Car, Laptop, Wall, Window, Book Cases, Gift Box, Smartphones, Water Bottle, Bumper Sticker Size - 8'' Longer Side
$4.99 (as of July 6, 2025 12:58 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Billy Wooten: The Soul-Jazz Vibraphonist Who Turned Groove Into Gold
Introduction: The Underrated Master of the Vibes
Billy Wooten is one of those rare musicians whose name might not be instantly recognized by the masses but whose sound has resonated deeply with crate-diggers, soul-jazz lovers, and modern producers alike. A master of the vibraphone, Wooten brought a warm, percussive energy to the jazz-funk and soul-jazz scenes of the 1970s. His style—deeply rooted in rhythm and groove—bridged the worlds of jazz, funk, gospel, and soul with spiritual depth and dancefloor-ready energy.
Although he never enjoyed widespread commercial fame, Wooten’s music has endured thanks to its infectious grooves and timeless vibe. His albums, especially those recorded with The Wooden Glass and The Indianapolis Jazz Stars, have become coveted by collectors and sampled by DJs and producers around the world.
Early Career and Musical Roots
Billy Wooten was born in the United States and came up during a time when jazz was evolving rapidly. He was heavily influenced by the soul-jazz movement of the 1960s and the spiritual jazz of the early ’70s, taking cues from vibraphonists like Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson, but forging his own voice in the process.
Wooten started his career performing in R&B and soul groups, eventually joining forces with notable acts like The Meters and working in various jazz ensembles. His musical philosophy was always grounded in emotion and feel. While many vibraphonists focused on cool, airy textures, Wooten’s playing was earthy, passionate, and rooted in the pulse of the people.
The Wooden Glass: Funky, Raw, and Real
Billy Wooten’s most well-known recordings came with his group The Wooden Glass, a band formed in the early 1970s. Their live performances were electric, fusing jazz improvisation with funk grooves and spiritual intensity.
- The Wooden Glass Recorded Live (1972) – This album is a crown jewel in Wooten’s discography. Recorded at a club in Indianapolis, it captures the raw, unfiltered energy of the band in full swing. Tracks like “In the Rain” and “Day Dreaming” showcase Wooten’s melodic sensibility, while the group’s rhythm section lays down hypnotic, head-nodding grooves. The album’s blend of jazz, funk, and soul makes it a standout example of 1970s underground jazz-funk.
Though initially obscure, The Wooden Glass Recorded Live became a cult classic decades later, rediscovered by rare groove collectors and hip-hop producers. The album’s organic sound and deep rhythms have made it a favorite sample source, helping introduce Wooten’s music to a new generation.
The Indianapolis Jazz Stars: Community and Collaboration
Following his work with The Wooden Glass, Wooten continued his mission of community-based, spiritually-infused jazz by forming the Indianapolis Jazz Stars. This ensemble blended local jazz talent with Wooten’s vision for accessible, people-centered music.
- The Indianapolis Jazz Stars (1983) – On this album, Wooten stepped into the role of leader and spiritual guide, combining jazz standards with originals that spoke to the struggles and hopes of everyday life. Songs like “Love Is Here” and “Dedication” reflect his grounding in gospel traditions, while his vibraphone lines float above with a shimmering, celestial tone.
This group wasn’t about flash or virtuosity—it was about communication. Wooten brought together musicians from different generations and backgrounds to create something deeply rooted in place and purpose. He saw music as both celebration and service, and that ethos permeated every note he played.
A Unique Voice on the Vibraphone
What sets Billy Wooten apart from other vibraphonists is the emotional directness of his playing. He didn’t approach the vibes as a technical exercise; he approached them as a storyteller. His touch was firm but sensitive, and he used space as effectively as he used notes.
Wooten often used the vibraphone not just to carry melodies, but to anchor the rhythm. In funkier tunes, he would lock into the groove like a guitarist or a keyboardist, creating patterns that propelled the music forward. In ballads or more spiritual pieces, he’d let the tones ring and shimmer, drawing out the emotion with subtle shifts in dynamics.
His style was raw and unpolished in the best way—more concerned with feeling than perfection. He gave the vibraphone a grounded, human voice that could speak of both joy and pain.
Influence and Legacy
Though Billy Wooten never became a mainstream jazz star, his music has had a long-lasting impact. In recent decades, he’s been embraced by the rare groove, acid jazz, and hip-hop communities. DJs and producers have mined his albums for samples, drawn to the warm analog tones and soulful energy of his work.
Artists and bands influenced by Wooten include:
- Roy Ayers, who shares a similar fusion of jazz, funk, and R&B, and also brought the vibraphone into more accessible musical spaces.
- Jamiroquai and The Brand New Heavies, whose acid jazz explorations echo the funky, soulful vibes of The Wooden Glass.
- Contemporary vibraphonists like Joel Ross and Warren Wolf, who continue to push the instrument forward, blending tradition with genre-blurring creativity.
Producers and beatmakers from J Dilla to Madlib have pulled from Wooten’s grooves, appreciating the depth, soul, and rhythmic clarity of his recordings.
Resurgence and Recognition
In the 2000s, reissues of The Wooden Glass Recorded Live brought new attention to Wooten’s work. Collectors hunted down original pressings, and new listeners discovered a body of music that felt both timeless and fresh. The album’s raw production and spiritual vibe struck a chord with listeners craving something real and resonant.
Though Wooten never chased the spotlight, his work has quietly influenced musicians across genres and continents. He represents a kind of grassroots artistry—local, spiritual, and powerful.
Conclusion: A Hidden Gem in the Jazz-Funk Universe
Billy Wooten remains one of jazz’s hidden treasures. His music, filled with rhythm, soul, and intention, continues to inspire those who find it. Whether grooving through a funky jam with The Wooden Glass or leading a reflective ballad with the Indianapolis Jazz Stars, Wooten brought something rare to the vibraphone: a pulse you could dance to and a message you could feel.
His legacy lives on not just in samples and reissues, but in the hearts of listeners who understand that groove and spirit can go hand in hand. Billy Wooten didn’t just play jazz—he preached it with his mallets, and the echoes still ring today.
Minecraft Volume Alpha (Transparent Green Vinyl)
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AM
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Anjuna25 Anniversary Vinyl Box Set
$189.98 (as of July 6, 2025 02:21 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Hybrid Theory
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Abbey Road (Anniversary Edition)[LP]
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Grace
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Back to Black [Vinyl]
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The Stranger (30th Anniversary Legacy Edition)
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Nevermind
Audio-Technica At-LP60X-GM Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Gunmetal/Black, Hi-Fidelity, Plays 33 -1/3 and 45 RPM Vinyl Records, Dust Cover, Anti-Resonance, Die-Cast Aluminum Platter
$199.00 (as of July 6, 2025 03:19 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)![[Exquisite Appearance] Built from wood and metal materials with a unique sense of layering; The streamlined corner design is truly atmospheric and stylish(Note: long hold the start button to turn the power on, and press again to start) [All in 1] Thi...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vovGjFkeL._SL160_.jpg)
1 by ONE High Fidelity Belt Drive Turntable with Built-in Speakers, Vinyl Record Player with Magnetic Cartridge, Bluetooth Playback and Aux-in Functionality, Auto Off
$219.99 (as of July 6, 2025 03:19 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Direct-Drive Turntable (Analog & USB), Fully Manual, Hi-Fi, 3 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital, Anti-Skate and Variable Pitch Control Black
$449.00 (as of July 6, 2025 04:05 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player,3-Speed Turntable with Stereo Speakers Vintage Phonograph Record Player, with RCA Line Out AUX in Headphone Jack (Brown)
$39.99 (as of July 6, 2025 03:19 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT-BK Fully Automatic Wireless Belt-Drive Turntable (Black) (ATLP60XBTBK)
$299.00 (as of July 6, 2025 04:05 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
1 by ONE Belt Drive Turntable with Bluetooth Connectivity, Built-in Phono Pre-amp, USB Digital Output Vinyl Stereo Record Player with Magnetic Cartridge, 33 or 45 RPM
25% Off
Udreamer Vinyl Record Player, Turntable with 40W Speakers, Bluetooth Input Output and USB Record, Vintage LP Player with AT-3600L Cartridge, Built-in Phono Preamp, Counterweight and Pitch, Black
$249.99 (as of July 6, 2025 03:22 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
