The personal highlight of my collection: The first two singles by Randy Crawford from 1972 and 1973 for the Columbia label.
For reasons unknown to me, these regular releases, "Knock On Wood" and "Don't Get Caught (In Love's Triangle)", have been produced in much smaller quantities than the corresponding promo singles. While these contain the respective title song in stereo and mono, the songs "If You Say The Word" and "Magic Wand Of Love" can only be found on the B-Side on the regular singles.
After these two releases, Randy Crawford left Columbia.
It took me more than 20 years to find them.
Amii Stewart
In Concert For IBM In Malta
Released:
2000
/ Medium:
CD
Mega rare CD, nearly impossible to find.
Artist:
Connie Han
The Richard Rodgers Songbook
Released:
2016
/ Medium:
CD
Connie Han's first album is very hard to find as a CD version.
Artist:
Diana Krall
From This Moment On
Released:
2006
/ Medium:
CD
Available at Target and Best Buy, each with different bonus song, now very hard to find.
Artist:
Jane Monheit
Surrender
Released:
2007
/ Medium:
CD
Available at Target, Barnes & Noble and Borders, each with different bonus song, now very hard to find.
Artist:
Kandace Springs
EP
Released:
2014
/ Medium:
CD
The CD was only available in very limited quantities.
Artist:
Marcus Johnson
For The Love Of - Holiday
Released:
2010
/ Medium:
CD
Only available as a gift for a limited time in certain shops when buying a box of coke.
Artist:
Mica Paris
BBC Transcription Service - Live At Dominion Theatre
Released:
1989
/ Medium:
LP
Very rare LP with the otherwise unavailable song "Sweetness Of My Weakness".
Artist:
Sade
Lovers Live
Released:
2002
/ Medium:
2CD
Available at Borders, Best Buy, Circuit City and Wherehouse, each with different bonus songs, now very hard to find.
Artist:
Soundtrack
Blue Giant (Limited Campaign Cassette)
Released:
2023
/ Medium:
Cassette
Only 50 of these cassettes could be won in an advertising campaign in Japan. The song with Hiromi Uehara on piano is exclusively available on this cassette only.
Artist:
Swing Out Sister
Les Étrangers
Released:
2009
/ Medium:
CD
Swing Out Sister sold this limited edition CD on their website during a short period of time.
Artist:
Tokyo Y's Club
Tokyo Y's Club
Released:
1999
/ Medium:
CD
Very rare japanese CD with Charito on one song.
Artist:
Whitney Houston & Stevie Wonder
We Didn't Know
Released:
1992
/ Medium:
Maxi-CD
The Extended Version of "We Didn't Know" is only available on this rare Promo-CD.
Artist:
Atlantic Starr
BBC Transcription Services - Live At Hammersmith Odeon
Released:
1986
/ Medium:
LP
Very rare and the only live recording with Barbara Weathers.
Artist:
Crusaders
BBC Transcription Services - In Concert
Released:
1981
/ Medium:
LP
Exremely rare and the only recording that contains the almost 30 Minutes long Live-version of "Street Life" with Randy Crawford!
Artist:
Iguazu
Iguazu
Released:
1984
/ Medium:
LP
Mike Lindup appears on six of the ten songs on this rare LP.
Artist:
Kandace Springs
Live At The Supersense Living Room
Released:
2016
/ Medium:
Acetate
Only available on acetate disc, limited to 77 copies.
Artist:
Mark Thomsen
New Beginning
Released:
1982
/ Medium:
LP
The first LP with compositions from Jim Brickman.
Artist:
National Scene
Florida / America
Released:
1982
/ Medium:
7"-Single
Impossible to find, lead vocals by Nicole McCloud.
Artist:
Sampler
The Tip Sheet #399
Released:
2001
/ Medium:
CD
The song "Amazed" by Mica Paris can be found exclusively on this very rare CD.
Artist:
Stephanie Mills
Budweiser Concert Hour
Released:
1986
/ Medium:
LP
Very rare LP with the otherwise unavailable songs "Love Brought Me Back" and "If You Love Somebody (Set Them Free)".
This is the number 86-16 for broadcast the week August 25, 1986, I also have a Double-LP (88-13) "Night Scene" with the same show for broadcast the week June 13, 1988.
Artist:
Terry Burrus
Jazz Commissioners
Released:
2003
/ Medium:
CD
It took me years to find this rare CD. Phyllis Hyman sings on "My Heart Goes Out To You".
Artist:
Tony Comer
Tony Comer And Crosswinds
Released:
1980
/ Medium:
CD
Even the LP is rare but the CD is nearly impossible to find.
Artist:
Whitney Houston
Where Do Broken Hearts Go
Released:
1989
/ Medium:
Maxi-CD
This is the much sought after CD with a unique Live-Version of "Didn't We Almost Have It All" - extremely rare.
Artist:
Barbara Weathers
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Released:
2011
/ Medium:
CD
The CD was only available in very limited quantities.
Artist:
David Benoit
Live At The Cubby Bear Chicago
Released:
1991
/ Medium:
2CD
Rare Promo-2CD, not released officially.
Artist:
Incognito
Maracuja Uja
Released:
2013
/ Medium:
CD
Only 1000 copies of the LP exist, the remastered CD was intended for an official release but it didn't happen.
Artist:
Joshua Kadison
Saturday Night In Storyville
Released:
1998
/ Medium:
CD
The CD was available on Joshua Kadison's website for a short period of time.
Artist:
Karin Jones
Under The Influence Of Love
Released:
1982
/ Medium:
LP
The first pressing on LP is a gem and one of the most sought after records, even the re-releases on LP and CD are now very rare and expensive.
Artist:
Mark Thomsen
The Door Is Open
Released:
1985
/ Medium:
LP
The second LP with compositions from Jim Brickman. Both LPs are very hard to find.
Artist:
Phyllis Hyman
Sing A Song
Released:
1978
/ Medium:
CD
Very hard to find and expensive CD.
Artist:
Ox
Gotta Be Willing To Lose / Black Eyed Lady
Released:
1975
/ Medium:
7"-Single
The first recording from Seawind, still under their name Ox - very rare!
Artist:
Sunday
Advance CD
Released:
2000
/ Medium:
CD
Whitney Houston is listed as Producer and Manager of the group Sunday and she sings background vocals on "All Of A Sudden". The CD was never released officially.
Artist:
The Hicks Sisters
The Answer Is Christ / He's All You Need
Released:
1984
/ Medium:
7"-Single
Very rare and hard to find single with D'Atra Hicks.
Artist:
Tracks
Tracks Tracks Tracks
Released:
1978
/ Medium:
LP
Only 100 copies of the LP exists, the CD with two bonus songs is also extremely rare. Tracks later became Shakatak.
Artist:
Yog & The Sex Band
People
Released:
1988
/ Medium:
7"-Single
Only 300 copies exist with the unreleased George Michael-song "People", recorded live at the St. Paul Civic Center on Sept. 13, 1988.
Artist:
Buck Clarke
Hot Stuff!
Released:
1988
/ Medium:
LP
Rare private pressing, with Russ Freeman on Guitar.
Artist:
Diana Krall
I'll Make It Up As I Go
Released:
2001
/ Medium:
Maxi-CD
These rare "Oscar Score" CDs were sent to members of the academy for voting purposes - never released officialy.
Artist:
Incognito
Naschmarkt
Released:
2013
/ Medium:
CD
Same as "Maracuja Uja", even with four unreleased tracks. Peter Legat (Count Basic) was a member of Incognito.
Artist:
Joshua Kadison
Troubadour In A TimeQuake
Released:
1999
/ Medium:
CD
The CD was available on Joshua Kadison's website for a short period of time.
Artist:
Leata Galloway
Tenderly
Released:
2011
/ Medium:
CD
The CD was only available in very limited quantities.
Artist:
Matt Bianco
BBC Transcription Service - On Stage
Released:
1986
/ Medium:
LP
Very rare Live-Recording with Matt Bianco and singer Jenni Evans.
Artist:
Sade
BBC Transcription Services - Live At Hammersmith Odeon
Released:
1985
/ Medium:
LP
Very rare and very much in demand LP.
Artist:
Soundtrack
That Night
Released:
1992
/ Medium:
CD
Much in demand and rare Soundtrack from Australia. Contains the track "Ruler Of My Heart" by Lisa Fischer.
Artist:
Swing Out Sister
Remixes And Others
Released:
1991
/ Medium:
CD
Only available as part of the rare 4CD-box-set "The Splendid Collection".
Artist:
The Rodger Fox Big Band feat. Randy Crawford
Live In Concert
Released:
2002
/ Medium:
CD
Only available from Rodger Fox from New Zealand, now impossible to find.
Artist:
Wet Wet Wet
BBC Transcription Service - In Concert
Released:
1987
/ Medium:
LP
Very rare LP with the otherwise unavailable song "Still Gonna Miss You (Instrumental)".
Artist:
Yutaka feat. Pauline Wilson
The Best Of
Released:
1995
/ Medium:
CD
Mega rare compilation from the Phillipines. It contains Pauline Wilson's appearences on Yutaka's albums "Yutaka", "Brazasia" and "Another Sun".
Artist: