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A brilliant mix of jazz and world music! Abdul-Malik was the legendary bass player from the fifties who mixed straight jazz playing with traditional Middle Eastern rhythms -- and although he most famously recorded albums with Monk as a regular bassist, his albums on his own are amazing blends of... read more

A seminal world jazz crossover from bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik -- one of the first albums ever of its kind, and as fresh today as it was back in the late 50s! At the time of the set, Ahmed was working as Thelonious Monk's bassist -- but here, he also plays a fair bit of oud -- that lute-like... read more

Amazing stuff from Ahmed Abdul-Malik -- one of the early 60s most enigmatic jazz talents! Malik was Thelonious Monk's bassist for a few years, but by the time of this record, he was working in a very sophisticated cross-cultural mode -- pulling together many different strands of jazz and Eastern... read more

One of the most beautiful albums ever recorded by this legendary AACM pianist! The album was a rare Japanese-only session from 1975, but recorded in Chicago -- and it features Muhal playing solo -- in beautifully warm spiritual tones that are very different from his playing on many other albums... read more

Abrams recorded this set of seven songs in Chicago with Joseph Jarman and Douglas Ewart on saxophones and other woodwinds. Amina Claudine Myers contributes piano and voice in addition to Abrams' own. Thurman Barker plays drums and percussion. Song titles include "Bud P.", "Lifea... read more

One of the earliest Muhal Richard Abrams sessions for the Black Saint label -- and a set that's filled with unusual musical moments! The tracks here are somewhat freer than some of Abrams' work to come -- almost in the looser creative improvised mode of the first generation AACM -- expressed with... read more

A large group session from pianist Muhal Richard Abrams, but one that often has enough of a quietly individual feel to warrant its "view from within" title! The players are very well balanced here -- often given a bit of direction, but usually playing free -- although still with a... read more

Short bursts and more textured bits of dissonant jazz from Tom Abbs & Frequency Response -- balancing jarring, blunt force dynamics with more haunting, measured moments! Abbs plays bass, cello, tuba and handled the compositions with Brian Settles on sax & flute, Jean Cook on violin and... read more

Wonderful work from Idris Ackamoor -- a great indie set that we'd rank right up there with some of his best recordings of the 70s! The group here is only a quartet, but there's a richness to the sound that's really amazing -- a soaringly soulful style that often feels like Idris is working with a... read more

Way more than just a tribute to Cuba -- and instead, a set of work that's just about as spiritual and soulful as any of Idris Ackamoor's other recordings! The great Chico Freeman's on board this time around -- blowing tenor and soprano sax with Ackamoor's ensemble for the record -- a group that... read more

A treasure trove of spiritual jazz from saxophonist Idris Ackamoor -- featuring his famous 70s recordings with The Pyramids, solo material, and even some previously unissued titles! The bulk of the collection comes from The Pyramids' albums Birth Speed Merging, Lalibela, and King Of Kings -- all... read more

That's harp, as in harmonica -- played beautifully here by Angelo Adamo, in a jazz-based mode that few other players can match! There's a vibe here that takes us back to older albums by Toots Thielemans -- and possibly a few more recent releases by Mauricio Einhorn from Brazil -- a lean harmonic... read more

A trashy cover, but a great little record -- one that's filled with wonderfully sensitive sounds from the team of George Adams and Don Pullen -- working here in some really relaxed, soulful territory! The album's got a laidback feel that's a nice change from some of the more cerebral modes of both... read more

Tremendous work from saxophonist Pepper Adams -- quite possibly one of his most hard-blowing sets on record! The album's a live date, recorded at the legendary Five Spot -- and the group here is a swinging one with plenty of soul jazz touches -- a combo that includes a young Bobby Timmons on piano... read more

A real lost treasure from Pacific Jazz -- a rare late 50s west coast session from Pepper Adams, featuring the amazing baritonist in a group with Lee Katzman on trumpet, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums! The sound is incredible -- on a par with that rare few of... read more

A really great setting for Pepper Adams -- a rare European live date that has his baritone sax matched with the mighty talents of the George Arvanitas trio! Arvanitas' piano is always great, but we especially love the rhythm work here by bassist Jacky Samson and drummer Charles Saudrais -- two... read more

An exceptional set from baritonist Pepper Adams -- one of those great moments that artists hit only at a few spots in their career, especially during later years like this! The album's a live date that cooks with any of Pepper's classics from years back -- but it's also got a soulful complexity... read more

The second album from Chicago vibist Jason Adasiewicz and his Rolldown group -- giving us some of the best vibes-led jazz in years! The group features players from the Chicago scene that are truly at the forefront of an exciting wave of modern jazz in the city, and anywhere else on the planet --... read more

While this album isn't as afro-funky as other efforts from the time by other artists, it is an excellent chapter in Cannonball's funky work from the late 60s, and is proof that the Adderley/David Axelrod team was always willing to do the work to come up with new sounds. The long groovy tracks have... read more

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Well, Cannonball was doing great with his bigger concept albums -- like Soul Zodiac or Soul Of the Bible -- but he slipped a bit with this one, which is an exploration into the life of John Henry. Still, the record has all the elements of the classic Fantasy sound in place -- including production... read more

Originally, this set was issued as a double LP in the early 70s, pulling together sides Cannonball cut for Riverside and Capitol, but the set was subsequently split into 2 separate volumes, and this is the first of those. Touching on the many styles Adderley played throughout his career, though... read more

A hip little live set from Cannonball -- recorded at the end of the funky 60s, in Paris, with Joe Zawinul on keyboards, and in the same long electric tradition as his famous Country Preacher album! The tracks include some of the gems from the Capitol years -- stretched out and served up with a... read more

Cannonball Adderley recorded this nice little groover in 1962, when American musicans were just getting on the bossa tip, and still keeping things pretty authentic. The record was cut in New York with Sergio Mendes' early Bossa Rio group -- the legendary Brazilian jazz ensemble that featured Paulo... read more

A great lost chapter in the Cannonball/David Axelrod story! The record features Cannon's classic quintet performing some longer, more serious works with orchestral backing -- and the sound is vaguely similar to some of Axelrod's "high concept" work for Capitol. The record features a... read more

Fantastic work from the Cannonball Adderley Quintet -- one of their greatest performances from the seminal early 60s years! The band at this time includes Cannon on alto, Nat on cornet, Victor Feldman on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums -- and although Feldman's not as strong of... read more

One of the greatest Cannonball Adderley albums from the Riverside years -- a completely smoking live date recorded in San Francisco, often with long tracks that really let the group open up and do their thing! The lineup here is that classic one that first grabbed attention -- the group with... read more

One of the greatest Cannonball Adderley albums from the Riverside years -- a completely smoking live date recorded in San Francisco, often with long tracks that really let the group open up and do their thing! The lineup here is that classic one that first grabbed attention -- the group with... read more

Rock-solid live material from the classic Cannonball Adderley Sextet -- a combo who could usually groove even better on a concert date then they could in the studio! The album's one of a number of key live sides from Cannon in the 60s -- and although it pre-dates his work on Capitol, it's done in... read more

A hardbop classic from Cannonball Adderley -- and one of his harder to find albums from the Riverside days! The set has Cannon playing without his usual group, in the context of an all-star batch of players that includes Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb -- who he worked with in his time... read more

A key meeting of Cannonball Adderley and David Axelrod -- and one of the pair's first larger collaborations together! The album features Cannonball solos over larger backings by Oliver Nelson -- with some occasional help from brother Nat Adderley -- all produced with that dark Axelrod edge that we... read more

The title's a bit of a mouthful, but a good description of the way Cannonball was presented in the years before his soul jazz groove firmly kicked in! The "hi fi" is a bit overstated -- as the album's pretty much of a straight jazz record, featuring Cannon blowing lead solos in a large... read more

One of Cannonball Adderley's late funky sessions for Fantasy -- and a record that still features some mighty heavy production from David Axelrod! The album's got that core groove that Axe and Cannon first crafted together at Capitol in the 60s -- but the sound here has some definite 70s touches... read more

An early album that features Adderley's beautifully edgey alto sliding nicely through a set of standards conducted by Richard Hayman. The album's not as strikingly emotive as other Verve "with strings"outings -- such as the Charlie Parker & Strings sessions -- but it is a great... read more

If the 60's ever had a "hit" jazz record, it was probably this one! The album's a sparkling live session featuring the trademark soul jazz sounds of the Cannonball Adderley group with Joe Zawinul on acoustic and electric piano, and brother Nat Adderley on cornet. The tracks have a long... read more

If the 60's ever had a "hit" jazz record, it was probably this one! The album's a sparkling live session featuring the trademark soul jazz sounds of the Cannonball Adderley group with Joe Zawinul on acoustic and electric piano, and brother Nat Adderley on cornet. The tracks have a long... read more

A swingin' Japanese concert by one of Cannonball's best groups from the 60's. Joe Zawinul's on piano, brother Nat's on cornet, Sam Jones is on bass, and Louis Hayes is on drums. But the real treat here is Yusef Lateef, who does some excellent reed work on tenor, flute, and oboe -- and who's... read more

Sweet funky 70s work from Cannonball Adderley -- a record that has him revisiting older tunes from his early soul jazz years -- but in ways that give them a whole new electric vibe overall! The album's actually Cannonball's last full studio set, but it's also one of his greatest too -- a very hip... read more

Sweet funky 70s work from Cannonball Adderley -- a record that has him revisiting older tunes from his early soul jazz years -- but in ways that give them a whole new electric vibe overall! The album's actually Cannonball's last full studio set, but it's also one of his greatest too -- a very hip... read more

One of the coolest, baddest, funkiest albums Cannonball Adderley ever recorded -- a massive suite of tunes based on the signs of the Zodiac, produced to perfection by David Axelrod, and featuring some hip recitations from the mighty Rick Holmes! The double-length set is completely compelling all... read more

Most of two early sessions that featured Cannonball Adderley -- both recorded for Savoy Records in 1955! First up are tracks from Kenny Clarke's album Bohemia After Dark -- an excellent hardbop session from the glory days of the Savoy label -- easily one of the label's key 50s classics! Drummer... read more

A massive look at the mighty pairing of Cannonball Adderley and David Axelrod -- a partnership that's way more than just jazz musician and producer! Axelrod's talents in the studio are many, but his greatest heights were possibly reached in collaboration with Cannonball -- a relationship that... read more

An overlooked album of short soul jazz groovers -- featuring Nat's shimmering cornet in the company of some tight arrangements by Joe Zawinul. The album boasts a number of different groups -- but they're all pretty compact, and they groove along in that pop soul jazz mode that Atlantic was putting... read more

A strong showcase for young Nat Adderley's talents on cornet -- and an album that's got a different feel that his work with his more famous brother's combo at the same time! The style here is simple -- Nat blowing with 2 different quartets -- one with Joe Zawinul on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and... read more

When it comes to soul jazz, you can't get any more classic than this! The title was one of the biggest jazz hits of the 60s -- covered by countless other artists, but presented here in all its original brilliance in a group led by its composer, a young Nat Adderley! At the time of the record, Nat... read more

Excellent work from this totally sweet west coast Latin combo -- a wonderful group who mixed Latin percussion with piano and vibes -- in a manner that's similar to some of Cal Tjader's best Verve work of the 60s! Some tracks also make nice use of flute or alto sax -- creating a snakey feel that... read more

Great work by one of the grooviest groups on the LA 60s scene! The Afro Blues Quintet have a blend of soul jazz and Latin styles that's similar to the best 60s work by Cal Tjader, or to records by small combos like the Quartette Tres Bien or The Latin Jazz Quintet. Lots of grooves have a nice... read more

Smoking grooves from an incredible group -- the amazing Afro Blues Quintet, a combo with a sound like no other! These guys were never one for stardom, but during the mid and late 60s, they burned up the west coast scene with an incredible blend of vibes, piano, and reeds -- often kicked up nicely... read more

Warmly swinging work from Dutch pianist Rob Agerbeek -- one of those players who's never been huge on these shores, but who always manages to make waves in all the right places! The date's got a core groove that really holds up to some of Rob's recordings from years back -- almost a European take... read more

A tremendous album from Air -- recorded in their native Chicago, but one of the landmark 70s sessions on Japan's Why Not label! The trio is in wonderful formation here -- very focused, with a sharpness that you don't always get in some of their other recordings -- a perfect balance between the... read more

One of Airto's greatest records ever -- a really hard hitting batch of tracks that mix sharp-edged fusion lines with some earthier Brazilian percussion touches -- all in a way that nicely steps off of Airto's first few American releases, and warms the groove up with a nice dose of California soul! ... read more

Airto's unique Brazilian fusion style meets the electric funky genius of CTI -- and the result is a killer album of long tracks with a far-reaching jazzy groove! The album takes off a bit from Airto's work with Return To Forever -- no surprise, since Chick Corea and Flora Purim are on the record --... read more

A soaring set of grooves from one of the world's greatest percussionists -- a standout set as a leader from Airto, and a key set in his wonderful run of work from the 70s! The album's still got the loose, free feel of Airto's earliest work, and isn't nearly as crossover-oriented as some of the... read more

A great little fusion set from Airto -- recorded in a mode that's a great bridge between his acoustic roots and some of his smoother albums in years to come! The sound has some key electric elements here -- bits of bass, guitar, and keyboards -- but there's still a strongly acoustic sound overall... read more

The Gods of Jazz give plenty of help to Airto here -- in a fair turn too, given that Airto graced some of their best records in the 70s! The percussionist works here as the leader, amidst other players who include Herbie Hancock on piano and keyboards, Stanley Clarke on bass, Chick Corea on... read more

A bit more than just jive -- and a DVD that features some of the little live footage we've ever seen of the Toshkio Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Big Band! The material's from the 80s, but it's played with the same fire as the group's classic recordings of the 70s -- a great mix of complicated... read more

Toshiko Akioshi makes a trip back to the Japanese jazz scene in the early 60s -- for this great little session that has her meeting up with "old pals" from previous years -- including Sadao Watanabe on alto sax, Akira Miyazawa on tenor, and Hideo Shiraki on drums! The reunion is a really... read more

The Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band plays tribute to their experiences on the European scene -- with a well-written set of tracks recorded in big band format. Toshiko takes the lead on "Remembering Bud", a great tune dedicated to the pianist who first inspired her style -- and the... read more

An early masterpiece from the team of Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin -- big band tracks written and arranged by Toshiko, and played to perfection by a group that includes Bobby Shew, Don Rader, Mike Price, Dick Spencer, and the great Gary Foster. Titles include "Opus Number Zero",... read more

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A second great performance from the Akioshi/Tabackin Big Band's performance at Newport in 1977 -- and one we like even more than the first! The sound here is totally great -- hard, focused, and flowing with a magical energy that made this group one of the few large jazz bands to flourish strongly... read more

Seminal work from one of the hippest big bands of the 70s -- the legendary ensemble led by pianist Toshiko Akioshi and reedman Lew Tabackin! The group marks a huge shift for Akiyoshi -- a move away from the more bop-inflected small combo work of earlier years, into a rich new role as a composer... read more

A very different album than usual from Jan Akkerman -- but in a really nice way! The album's not nearly as guitar-heavy and rock-leaning as some of Jan's other sets from the 70s -- and has a bubbling sort of soul-based finish, one that's arranged by Akkerman with some help from Mike Gibbs -- and... read more

A great large group project from arranger Manny Albam -- one that teams him up with "jazz greats" of the east coast scene, in a really hard-swinging set of tracks that showcase some wonderful solo work! Manny's working here with a set of players who are well-chosen for their ability to... read more

Great early work from arranger Manny Album -- Manny's entry in RCA's Jazz Workshop series -- a set of tunes that are shorter, and arguably a bit more modern than some of his later work -- tracks done definitely in that Jazz Workshop blend of west coast cool and east coast modern -- with players... read more

Hard-swinging big band material -- with a heavy emphasis on drums! The album is a suite of six tracks -- all written by either Manny Albam or Ernie Wilkins, both of whom arrange the groups on the set -- really letting them open up nicely on the album's longish tracks. Manny and Ernie were two of... read more

A cool collection of very unusual grooves from Argentine composer/guitarist Rodolfo Alchourron -- part of a generation of groundbreaking musicians in his homeland that also included Lalo Schifrin and Gato Barbieri -- yet unlike those artists, a talent that never achieved greater global fame! The... read more

A cool collection of very unusual grooves from Argentine composer/guitarist Rodolfo Alchourron -- part of a generation of groundbreaking musicians in his homeland that also included Lalo Schifrin and Gato Barbieri -- yet unlike those artists, a talent that never achieved greater global fame! The... read more

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A long-overdue session of ballads from modern tenor giant Eric Alexander -- a player we've always loved for his soaring, leaping lines on soul jazz sets -- but who also has just the right tone to carry off an album of mellow tunes and ballads! Alexander's tone reminds us a lot of the Sonny Rollins... read more

A great entry in the Gentle Ballads series from tenorist Eric Alexander -- and a set that's got a lot more force than you'd guess from the title! Sure, the tunes are mostly mellow numbers, but Alexander plays them with a very soulful depth -- blowing beautifully on extended renditions of familiar... read more

A dynamic sextet outing from tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander -- easily one of the best straight jazz albums recorded by the Delmark label in the 90s, put together with a rock-solid sound all the way through! Alexander's tenor would be enough to make the record great, but the album also features... read more

Alexander's second outing for the Milestone label (hence the title), and a wonderful album of soulful tenor tracks that has him working in a quintet with Harold Mabern on piano and Jim Rotondi on trumpet. Mabern and Alexander have, by this time, forged quite a sympathetic relationship -- and, dare... read more

Pure brilliance from tenor giant Eric Alexander -- one of the few modern players we'd put on a par with our favorites from older years! Alexander's got a depth of tone and sense of poise that's simply wonderful on the set -- one that's never staid, but which continues to grow beautifully over the... read more

One of the lost funky albums on Flying Dutchman -- and a real tough one to find! Harold Alexander plays great flute and soprano sax, and he's joined by Neal Creque, who lays down some excellent soulful piano grooves on this live set from 1972. The record has only 3 tracks -- but they're all... read more

6 classic 70s albums from pianist Monty Alexander -- all recorded for the MPS label, at a time when he was at the height of his funky powers! Most of the work here is in a trio or quartet mode, but Monty has a way of hitting a groove that really makes the tracks come across with a much larger... read more

US issue of one of Monty Alexander's great MPS recordings, with his nice groovy piano, cool rhythm lines, and a nice laidback groove. Montego Joe complements Monty's trio on conga, and he gives the set a nice rolling feeling. Tracks include "Montevideo", "Brown Skin Girl", and... read more

Live Monty Alexander set from the mid 70s, featuring his groovy group with Ernest Ranglin on guitar, Eberhard Weber on bass, and Kenny Clare on drums. The bass playing's especially good, and there's lots of nice round funky moments in some of the best tracks. Titles include "Feel Like Making... read more

One of the greatest albums ever from Lorez Alexandria -- an ultra-hip singer who recorded for Impulse and King, but who sounds especially wonderful on this rare date for Chess Records! The album's got a groove that definitely lives up to its title -- a jazzy, bouncy sort of rhythm that's... read more

One of the greatest albums ever from Lorez Alexandria -- an ultra-hip singer who recorded for Impulse and King, but who sounds especially wonderful on this rare date for Chess Records! The album's got a groove that definitely lives up to its title -- a jazzy, bouncy sort of rhythm that's... read more

The second album by this excellent all-female San Francisco jazz combo -- a live date that's even more cooking than their debut! As before, there's a sweetly breezy style to the record -- that hip SF sound of the 70s -- with echoes of Braziliana and soul amidst the group's jazzier leanings -- all... read more

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Great work from the rock-solid rhythm section of drummer Carl Allen and bassist Rodney Whitaker -- two players who set up a wonderful groove for the set, then open the door for a host of wonderful guests! Most instrumentation is acoustic -- save for a bit of guitar and Hammond at points -- and... read more

One of the few great Christmas jazz albums recorded in recent years -- one with a classic sound that takes us back to 60s holiday jazz from Blue Note and Prestige! Harry Allen's working here in a no-nonsense mode with organ, guitar, and drums backing him up -- a lean and clean sound that really... read more

With Allen on trumpet, Sammy Price on piano, Benny Moten on bass, and George Reed on drums.... read more

Mose Allison's last album for Prestige Records -- before moving onto even bigger fame at Columbia and Atlantic during the 60s! Unlike Allison's later sets, this one is mostly instrumental -- but there are a few sweet vocal tracks that bring out the hip, rootsy lyrical modes that would make Mose a... read more

One of Mose's best early albums -- even though he hardly gets a chance to sing on it! The album features some great work by Allison's trio of the time -- Addison Farmer on bass and Ronnie Free on drums -- simple piano-driven groovers, performed with a slight gutbuckety approach, and lots of sweet... read more

An all-instrumental set from Mose Allison -- one that drops out his familiar jazz vocals, and really brings a nice focus to his energy on the keys of the piano! Given that Mose really got his start as a sideman in other combos during the 50s, the selection's no surprise -- and if you've only heard... read more

A pivotal album for Mose Allison -- and one of the first records to ever feature his voice, even if only on one track! During the 50s, Allison was mostly known for his work as a bop-styled pianist -- on records by Stan Getz and others -- but at the end of the decade, he really returned to his... read more

An excellent album of funky jazz -- arranged and conducted by British organ and sax player Johnny Arnold -- but also featuring some incredible work from an assortment of west coast soul jazz players that include Charles Kynard, Curtis Amy, Hadley Caliman, and Vi Redd! As the title kind of implies,... read more

A beautiful live set from these two legendary A&M Records talents -- united for years at a personal level, and working beautifully here at an artistic one as well! The setting is a small combo one -- a jazz quartet led by Herb's trumpet, and mostly featuring Lani's wonderful vocals in the lead... read more

Cosmic jazz recast as cosmic electro groves by DJ Altz -- remixing the underground classic Isophonic Boogie Woogie LP by Roland Young! The original LP, an unusual blend of organic sounds and slight electronics, provides an excellent foil for Altz to playfully mutate into more of an electronic... read more

Plenty of power here -- a hip trio that features saxophonist Rodrigo Amado on tenor and baritone, alongside bold rhythms from Kent Kessler on bass and Paal Nilssen-Love on drums! Both Kent and Paal are players we know and love from other albums, and they definitely hold up to their previous... read more

Twin tenors from Ari Ambrose and Stephen Riley -- working here with only bass and drums for support! There's a sense of interplay here that almost reminds us of the classic Johnny Griffin/Eddie Lockjaw Davis sessions from the 60s -- as both players clearly respect each other greatly, but also each... read more

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Vintage piano work from some boogie woogie giants -- most of it cut before there was even a Delmark Records to issue the material! A good deal of these sides were cut in Chicago in 1939 -- a point when older styles of piano were coalescing into the tightly vamping, highly rhythmic mode that was... read more

Jug's big and bad here in tone -- and the style is nicely complicated at times -- a bit more open-ended and electric than before, with a sound that's almost like the shift that Stanley Turrentine was making during his years at CTI! There's still a bit of the previous Prestige funk in the mix --... read more

A soul jazz classic from Gene Ammons -- the kind of session that easy made him "boss" on tenor -- with a tone and conception that few other players could touch! The set is done in a style that's laidback, but never too loose -- bouncing along in that "with conga" style of... read more

Gene Ammons gets the Cannonball Adderley treatment -- as he blows funky solos over an album arranged and conducted by David Axelrod! Brasswind has a larger, fuller funky sound than some of his earlier work for Prestige -- and it works very well! The overall sound's a bit smoother, but Axelrod's... read more