David Kikoski on piano, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums. CD

David Leon on reeds & piccolo, DoYeon on gayagum & voice, and Lesley Mok on percussion & glockenspiel. CD

One of the slickest of Dave Matthews' funk records from the 70s – but still pretty darn nice! Matthews was the mainman behind the legendary funk group The Grodeck Whipperjenny, and a key arranger in James Brown's sound of the Polydor years – but by this time, he moved into smoother club-type jazz, of the sort he'd penned for Idris Muhammad and other artists on the Kudu label. However, Matthews' always had a talent for the funky groove – and even these otherwise pop disco numbers shine with a musical intensity that surprises us – especially at moments like the funky drumbreak on "You Keep Me Hanging On", the freaky moog on "Shoogie Wanna Boogie", the funky bass solo on "California Dreaming", and the excellent keyboard work on "Gotta Be Where You Are". LP, Vinyl record album

David Murray on tenor, Kirk Lightsey on piano, and Marcus Belgrave on trumpet, Santi Debriano on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums. CD

Murray's fronting a big band led by Butch Morris – a group that sounds a lot better to our ears than most of Morris' own larger groups of the time, possibly because of the style of the recording. The tracks shift mood, tone, and approach with each number – working out references to some spiritual leaders, and forging new ground on a few of the more adventurous numbers. Murray's horn is in the lead mostly – but the interplay with the rest of the group is pretty incredible at times. Players include Fred Hopkins, Sonelius Smith, James Spaulding, John Purcell, Craig Harris, Vincent Chaney, and Don Byron – and titles include "Istanbul", "Lovejoy", "Calling Steve McCall", "Paul Gonsalves", and "Lester". CD

Features Hugh Ragin on trumpet, Jamaaladeen Tacuma on bass, Amiri Baraka on vocals and spoken word, and many others! CD

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Hold on to your butts, because if you look past the goofy title this album features one helluva a lineup – with Murray out front on tenor and John Hicks on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Andrew Cyrille on drums! Tracks include "Eternal Triangle", "Mingus In The Poconos", "Ballad For David", and "Dinosaur Park Blues". CD

David Murray on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, Olu Dara on cornet, Bobby Broom and Daryl Thompson on guitar, Robert Irving III on synthesizer and organ, Darryl Jones on bass, Toby Williams on drums, and Kahil El'Zabar on percussion. CD

David Murray on tenor sax and bass clarinet – with John Hicks on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Andrew Cyrille. CD

A gentler set than some of David Murray's other US dates from the time – but in a really great way that nicely gets at the more sensitive side of his work on tenor and bass clarinet! There's a bit of a hardbop groove to the album, but also a bit more freedom too – a style that never goes that far out, but which reminds us through subtle cues that most of these players have a longer legacy in more avant-oriented work. The group features Dave Burrell on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums – and Burrell especially echoes a range of influences here – almost pulling from older eras of jazz in the way that Jaki Byard used to – an approach that's often echoed by Murray in his horn. Titles include "Valley Talk", "Chazz", "As I Woke", "Abel's Blissed Out Blues", "Sharing", and "As I Woke". LP, Vinyl record album

Beautifully arranged work from David Murray – an important early large group recording, one that really helped point the way to some of his later genius! The session features Murray leading an all-star octet that includes Henry Threadgill on alto, Olu Dara on trumpet, Butch Morris on cornet, George Lewis on trombone, Anthony Davis on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Steve McCall on percussion. Tracks are a very hip set of original compositions that display an incredible range of soulful feeling and expression – and which open a door to a whole new chapter of Murray's career. Titles include "Ming", "Dewey's Circle", "Jasvan", "The Fast Life", and "The Hill". CD

A trio of albums from the great David Murray! Ming is beautifully arranged work from David Murray – an important early large group recording, one that really helped point the way to some of his later genius! The session features Murray leading an all-star octet that includes Henry Threadgill on alto, Olu Dara on trumpet, Butch Morris on cornet, George Lewis on trombone, Anthony Davis on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Steve McCall on percussion. Tracks are a very hip set of original compositions that display an incredible range of soulful feeling and expression – and which open a door to a whole new chapter of Murray's career. Titles include "Ming", "Dewey's Circle", "Jasvan", "The Fast Life", and "The Hill". Sacred Ground is a beautifully spiritual set that really reminds us of the promise we first heard in his music decades ago! Murray's working here with a lean, soulful ensemble that includes Lafayette Gilchrist on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Andrew Cyrille on drums – all in a groove that has plenty of sharp edges, but which is also nicely inside – very focused, and with a sense of depth that's really wonderful! All tracks are originals by Murray – penned with the sensitivity of an older soul jazz recording – and two numbers feature lyrics by Ishmael Reed, sung by Cassandra Wilson on guest vocals. Titles include "Sacred Ground", "Transitions", "Family Reunion", "The Prophet Of Doom", "Believe In Love", and "Banished". Lucky Four is a gentler set than some of David Murray's other US dates from the time – but in a really great way that nicely gets at the more sensitive side of his work on tenor and bass clarinet! There's a bit of a hardbop groove to the album, but also a bit more freedom too – a style that never goes that far out, but which reminds us through subtle cues that most of these players have a longer legacy in more avant-oriented work. The group features Dave Burrell on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums – and Burrell especially echoes a range of influences here – almost pulling from older eras of jazz in the way that Jaki Byard used to – an approach that's often echoed by Murray in his horn. Titles include "Valley Talk", "Chazz", "As I Woke", "Abel's Blissed Out Blues", "Sharing", and "As I Woke". CD

A new life for the ideas of saxophonist David Murray – worked out here in an octet of top-shelf players! The sound is avant one minute, swinging the next – and carried off with a rich sense of jazz tradition that really marks the growing appreciation of roots in the 80s generation of the New York scene. Murray works with both tenor and bass clarinet – and the arrangements here are great – filled with colors that shift and slide along wonderfully, horns that really lift each others' spirits, and work together to find a bold new space in sound. Other group members include Baikida Carroll and Hugh Ragin on trumpets, Craig Harris on trombone, John Purcell on alto, Steve Colson on piano, Wilbur Morris on bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums. Titles are all long – and include "Train Whistle", "Morning Song", "New Life", and "Blues In The Pocket". LP, Vinyl record album

Features his great group with John Hicks on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Andrew Cyrille on drums! CD

A great little session by Murray – recorded at that point in the early 90s when DIW was turning out some especially soulful records! The group on the set features Fred Hopkins on bass, McCoy Tyner on piano, and Elvin Jones on drums – and although you might expect a Coltraney feel from such a group, the range of expression is wider, in a variety of rootsier styles that Murray was using at the time. Titles include "3D Family", "Cousin Mary", "Hope/Scope", "Dexter's Dues", and "La Tina Lee". CD

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David Murray on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, Olu Dara on cornet, Bobby Broom and Daryl Thompson on guitar, Robert Irving IIIon synthesizer and organ, Darryl Jones on bass, Toby Williams on drums, Kahil El'Zabar on percussion and vocals, and G'ra on voice. CD

An ambitious project from David Murray – one that features an expanded string ensemble working with his core quartet – performing a set of original material that includes the long "Pushkin Suite" and some shorter numbers that revel in Murray's own soulful spirit. While the "Pushkin Suite" is supposedly the main focus of this effort, we're more partial to the shorter tracks – as they dance, glide, and soar with the freely exploratory spiritualism we love so much in Murray's earlier years – and get past the headier mode of the longer suite. Titles include "Waltz Again", "Dark Secrets", "Steps", and "Sparkle" – and players include Lafayette Gilchrist on piano, Jaribu Shahid on bass, and Hamid Drake on drums. CD

A rich tapestry of Afro-Caribbean rhythms – and one of the most compelling albums we've heard in years from David Murray! The set features an expanded group of percussionists, vocalists, and other instrumentalists – fronted by lead solo stars David Murray and Pharoah Sanders – all jamming freely in styles that bring together bits of African, Haitian, and Cuban rhythms – forging them into a bold new sound for the project! Tracks are all quite longish, and given the previous skills that both Murray and Sanders have exhibited in such settings, they're more than up for the challenge of working with such a heady group of players! Titles include "Go To Jazz", "Gwotet", "Djolla Feeling", "La Jwa", "O Leonso", and "Ovwa". CD

One of the greatest jazz voices on the bass clarinet – save perhaps for the late Eric Dolphy – working here in a wonderful batch of ballads and gentle groovers! The set's quite different from the usual jazz date to bear "ballads" in the title – as David Murray's not ruminating over standards with too much strings – and instead still works in a hip small combo mode that's filled with swing and soul. In fact, most tunes are hardly ballads in the traditional style – and just showcase a slightly gentler, more personal side of Murray's music – but one that still has plenty of darkness around the edges. The group's a quartet – with John Hicks on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Idris Muhammad on drums – and tunes include "Portrait Of A Black Woman", "Waltz To Heaven", "Elegy For Fannie Lou", "Lyons Street", "Chazz", and "New Life". CD

One of the greatest jazz voices on the bass clarinet – save perhaps for the late Eric Dolphy – working here in a wonderful batch of ballads and gentle groovers! The set's quite different from the usual jazz date to bear "ballads" in the title – as David Murray's not ruminating over standards with too much strings – and instead still works in a hip small combo mode that's filled with swing and soul. In fact, most tunes are hardly ballads in the traditional style – and just showcase a slightly gentler, more personal side of Murray's music – but one that still has plenty of darkness around the edges. The group's a quartet – with John Hicks on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Idris Muhammad on drums – and tunes include "Portrait Of A Black Woman", "Waltz To Heaven", "Elegy For Fannie Lou", "Lyons Street", "Chazz", and "New Life". LP, Vinyl record album

Features David Murray on tenor, DD Jackson on piano, Santi Debriano on bass, and JT Lewis on drums! CD

One of David Murray's straighter sides from the early 80s – and exactly the kind of record to prove to the world that he could be a strong tenor traditionalist while still bringing an inventive sound to play! Murray's tone is deep and soulful, and often quite lyrical – set nicely in a quartet that features warm piano from John Hicks, bass from Reggie Workman, and drums from Ed Blackwell. The Workman/Blackwell component ensure that things still have an edge at times, even when swinging – and the tunes are a mix of Murray originals and a few standards. Titles include "Morning Song", "Light Blue Frolic", "Off Season", "Duet", "Body and Soul", and "Jitterbug Waltz". LP, Vinyl record album

Beautiful beautiful work from David Murray – a follow-up to his initial Shakill's Warrior album, and done in a style that we like even better than the first! Don Pullen is a key part of the set – working here on fluid organ lines that are somewhere between the early Larry Young work on Blue Note and the later John Patton styles for the label – a perfect foil for Murray's straight and soulful blowing on the session. This blend of organ and tenor is really wonderful – and carried off with a near-perfect modal groove on most of the set, save for one or two numbers that get a bit bogged down in guitar work from quartet member Bill White. Titles include "Crazy Tales", "One For The Don", "For Cynthia", "The Sixth Sense", and "1529 Gunn Street". CD

David Murray on tenor saxophone, Dave Burrell on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Ralph Peterson Jr. on drums. CD

Features David Murray on tenor saxophone, John Hicks on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Idris Muhammad on drums – plus guest tenor Branford Marsalis on "Fast Life" and "Crucificado". CD

David Newman on flute and tenor and alto saxophone, Benny Powell on trombone, Winston Byrd on flugelhorn and trumpet, Howard Johnson on baritone saxophone, David Leonhardt on piano, John Menegon on bass, and Yoron Israel on drums. CD

David "Fathead" Newman on alto and tenor saxophone and flute, Cedar Walton on piano, Bryan Carrott on vibraphone, David Williams on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. CD

David Newman on tenor sax and flute – with Steve Nelson on vibraphone, Kirk Lightsey on piano, David Williams on bass, and Marvin "Smitty" Smith on drums. CD

With Bill Frisell and Marc Ribot on guitar, Charlie Haden on bass, and Joey Baron on drums – plus special guest Jack DeJohnette on two tracks. CD

With Marcus Miller on keyboards, bass, and rhythm guitar, Steve Ferrone on drums, Hiram Bullock on lead guitar, Bernard Wright on synthesizer, Steve Gadd on drums, Don Grolnick on piano, Hugh McCracken on slide guitar, Mac Rebennack aka Dr John on piano, and Paulinho da Costa on percusion. LP, Vinyl record album

A damn great early moment from David Sanborn – a record that really shows the reedman at his best – working some tight solos over soulful backings in the same 70s manner as Tom Scott or Wilton Felder! Like both of those players, David's got the chops to step out in front of the backings strongly – blowing some of his best notes with surprisingly little flourish, and crafting a soulful lead that's supported by work from Hiram Bullock on guitar, Rosalinda De Leon on keyboards, and Victor Lewis on drums. There's a bit of vocals on the album – courtesy of Patti Austin, Lain Groves, Phoebe Snow, and Paul Simon – and titles include "Indio", "Smile", "Concrete Boogie", "Mamacita", and "7th Ave". LP, Vinyl record album

A soaring, spacey set from the mighty David Sancious – one of his 70s albums that's almost a genre unto itself, given the many different elements that David mixes into the music – touches of jazz, fusion, funk, and soul – but also delivered with the proficiency you might find in a record by a prog player too! No surprise, Sancious has backgrounds in all of those scenes, and wraps that experience together wonderfully here – playing keyboards, guitar, and handling lead vocals – with some added vocal support by female singers who emphasize some of the more soulful aspects of the music when the other musicians step out to solo and jam! Titles include "Dance Of The Glory & Playfulness", "The Dawn", "Dance Of Serenity & Strength", "Gone Is The Veil Of Illusion", "Dance Of Gratitude & Devotion", and "Dance Of Purification". CD

One of the most striking albums we've ever heard from pianist Aki Takase – in large part because of some great work from David Murray on tenor sax – and some especially nice bass clarinet! The album's from a moment when it seemed as if duo modes were some of the best for Murray – a way of maybe reaching back into deeper jazz roots, while also bringing forth some of the fresher ideas he'd unlocked exploring the farther side of the jazz spectrum – but also demonstrating his amazing ability to be sensitive to a wide variety of musical partners, in ways that are even more compelling than his work in a larger group! As you'd guess from the title, the set's got a fair bit of numbers from the songbook of Thelonious Monk – and Takase's take on them is great, maybe blocky and spacious than Monk's own – which is offset by the warmly soulful blowing of Murray. Titles include "Ba Lu Bolivar Ba Lues", "Ellingtonia", "Blue Monk", "Ask Me Now", "Presto VH", "Mr Jelly Lord", and "Ballad For The Blackman". CD

David Virelles on piano, Thomas Morgan and Robert Hurst on bass, Marcus Gilmore on drums, and Roman Diaz on biankomeko and vocals. CD

Early brilliance from tenor genius David S Ware – one of the first records issued under his own name as a leader, and maybe still one of the greatest too! The album has Ware working with the Apogee trio of Cooper Moore on piano and Marc Edwards on drums – in these long-blown lines that are an immediate inheritance of the late legacy of John Coltrane – played in that searing, searching style of Coltrane's final years – but maybe given even more depth and directly here by David! Ware's approach is wonderful throughout – always soulful and meaningful, even in the most abstract moments – very fully-formed, and still completely tremendous after all these years. Titles include "Prayer", "Thematic Womb", and "Primary Piece #1". First-ever reissue – with lots of bonus tracks that include "Solo", "Prayer", "Cry", "Stop Time", and "Ashimba". CD

One of a few rare gems issued on the 70s Mustevic label run by drummer Steve Reid – a player on the session here, but as a sideman working under the leadership of bassist David Wertman – who really delivers this amazing blend of larger concept and freewheeling improvisations from all the members of the group! The great Charles Tyler blows alto alongside searing tenor and soprano from Ken Simon – a player we don't know much at all, but who really stands out here – and the group also features French horn work from Richard Schatzberg, who provides a good balance in the sound. Most tracks have a wonderful vibe that starts out rhythmic, then gets free, then comes back to a stronger pulse – and the album features four long tracks, "Sharatarr", "Devotion", "Sunshine", and "Kara". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic of 70s avant spiritual jazz – issued on the tiny Sweet Earth label, which was also home to some very special records from Sun Ra and Marion Brown! Bassist David Wertman is a lot more obscure than those bigger names, but he was part of the New York loft jazz scene in those crucial mid 70s years – and had associations with Arthur Blythe, Billy Bang, Steve Reid, and other key members of the group – all heavyweights that Wertman can easily stand next to with the strength of the material on this set! The sounds here are a fantastic combination of larger ideas and more spontaneous creation – almost in an AACM mode, but a bit more spiritual overall – with David's bass at the helm of a group that includes David Swerdlove on alto and soprano sax, John Hagen on tenor and soprano, John Sprague on flutes, Greg Wall on baritone, and John Zieman on keyboards. Drummer Jay Conway really provides some great energy to keep things lively and moving – and titles include "Oh John Love Trane", "Clear Air Dancer", "Earthly Delights", and "Relations". LP, Vinyl record album

Really beautiful sounds from bassist David Wertman – an unsung hero of the late 70s spiritual jazz scene around New England, and one who delivers this gem in close partnership with singer Lynne Meryl! Meryl's got this warm, fluid style that's a lot like the way that some of the better Bay Area groups were using jazz vocals a few years before – a mode inspired by overseas singers like Flora Purim or Urzula Dudziak, but used here alongside soulful instrumentation that draws a lot from the more inside currents of the loft jazz scene! Wertman's bass is at the core, and tremendous throughout – full of fire and force, and sometimes matched with a bit of percussion – a musical force that's handled here more fully by Tony Vacca, who employs a range of instruments – next to piano and prepared piano from Tom McClung, and these strong trombone solos from Tim Atherton – a player who really sends the whole thing over the top with his contributions! Most tracks have a great modal groove – and titles include "Forest Dance", "Camel", "Flute Song", "New Earth", "Sing My Love Song", and "Dance Of The Mideast Madness". This expanded edition brings in more rare cuts from other releases – eight bonus tracks that include "How Come", "Up In The Sky", "Sci Fi Fantasy", "Blessing Of Love", "Golden Light", and "You Are My Love". LP, Vinyl record album

The wisdom and knowledge of Sun Ra – read by saxophonist David Boykin, an artist who is definitely carrying on the spiritual legacy that Ra began on the Chicago scene! The album is all spoken word – no music at all, but instead these really well-done readings by Boykin – who clearly embraces all of the ideas in the writings of Ra, and delivers them with an understanding that really makes the words leap off the page! Selections include writings from the late 50s through the start of the 80s – with titles that include "Of Variable Universe", "The Empty Space", "Sound Silence", "The Sounds Of Planets", "The Space Age Cannot Be Avoided", "We Hold This Myth To Be Potential", "The Visitation", "Visions Out", "The Three Dimensions Of Air", and "On Solar Planes". CD

Hardly the sex tape you might expect from the title – and instead a really great ensemble performance from David Boykin – one that almost has him rising up to take on the Sun Ra legacy on the Chicago scene! The group here is full of wonderful sounds – not just tenor from Boykin, but also flute from Nicole Mitchell, alto from Matana Roberts, bass from Joshua Abrams, drums from Isaiah Spencer, Baritone from Aaron Getsung, keyboards from William Kurk, turntables from Besco, and Arp from Jim Baker – all coming together on long passages that mix rhythmic progressions with these freer flights of sound – very much the spirit of what you might have heard on a vintage Saturn Records release! And maybe as with one of the many self-issued live sets by Ra – this one features a familiar number, "47th Street Ghost", taken to an extended new height – and blended with another "untitled" composition – for one long performance recorded in concert. CD

Daniel Carter on saxophones, clarinet, trumpet, and flute – with Steve Swell on trombone, Tom Abbs on bass and tuba, and David Brandt on drums. CD

A really fantastic record from Chicago percussion legend Kahil El'Zabar – and one that features plenty of guest work on tenor from David Murray, a musician who always seems to be a perfect match for the musical ideas of Kahil! And the leader also steps out with a great side of his talents on the record too – as El'Zabar sings on a number of tracks – something he doesn't do often, but which always makes for a really special sound when he does – a vibe that's almost as if you've picked up some righteous record from the early 70s, in a really cool blend of jazz, soul, and message-oriented themes! The rest of the group features Emma Dayhuff on bass and Justin Dillard on piano and organ – and as usual, Kahil plays a huge range of percussion instruments, always inventively – and creating a richly organic setting that also seems to bring out the best in David Murray too. Titles include "Trane In Mind", "One World Family", "In My House", "Songs Of Myself", "In The Spirit", and "Necktar". CD

A stone classic from Cannonball Adderley – and a pivotal set that has him continuing the live recording setting of some of his best 60s albums, while also stretching forward to some of the more inventive ideas of the latter part of the decade! David Axelrod produced, and the album's definitely got his ear firmly in place – a great way of bringing together the album's hip instrumentation – Cannon's alto, Nat Adderley's cornet, and the wicked electric piano of Joe Zawinul – played here in a style that would go onto have a huge influence on countless other musicians on the instrument. Rhythm is by Victor Gaskin on bass and Roy McCurdy on drums – and as with other Axelrod live albums, there's some great spoken bits left in the mix – Cannon's charming conversation with the audience, which really opens up the tunes. Titles include the 2 title hits – "Walk Tall" and "74 Miles Away" – plus "I Remember Bird", "Oh Babe", and "Do Do Do". CD

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 recording of Axelrod's "Tensity" and William Fischer's "Experience In E", both conducted by Fischer, a hip modern soul-oriented arranger, with a sound that's not dissimilar to Axelrod. The last piece on the album is a nice long one by Lalo Schifrin, "Dialogues For Jazz Quintet & Orchestra", which is also conducted by him as well. LP, Vinyl record album

Almost everything soulful at Capitol Records in the mid 60s – packed together in one sweet little place! The set's a winner in a great line of Cannonball Adderley live dates from the time – produced by David Axelrod, and done with that great mix of angular, slightly electric groove the combo was virtually pioneering – thanks to help from Joe Zawinul on electric piano, and Nat Adderley on cornet! Cannon also plays some great soprano sax – an instrument that he was taking off beautifully with at the time – and sets fire to a few great tunes with the instrument. But as if that's not enough, Lou Rawls joins in on vocals on a few cuts, and Nancy Wilson comes in on a few more – and the album alternates singing with instrumentals in a really great way. Titles include two very nice extended tracks by Joe Zawinul – "Rumplestiltskin" and "The Scavenger", both of which are over 10 minutes long, and which have the group stretching out in a nice live vein – and other cuts include "The Scene", "Somewhere", "Sweet Emma", and "Zorba". LP, Vinyl record album

CTI Records meets that Brazilian fusion sound of the 70s – served up here on two classic albums! Fingers is 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! Flora Purim joins in here on both vocals and percussion – and the rest of the group features Hugo Fattoruso on keyboards and harmonica, Jorgte Fattoruso on drums, and David Amaro on both electric and acoustic guitars – shifting nicely between both instruments in a way that further underscores the blended vibe of the record! Most of these tracks are Airto classics – like "Tombo in 7/4", "San Francisco River", "Romance Of Death", "Ringers", and "Wind Chant" – and the record has a very sweet CTI production style, but is still rough enough around the edges to keep things nice and real! Deodato In Concert is an excellent little live set from Deodato – hard to believe because the sound's just as tight and funky as his studio albums, and possibly even more interesting because he manages to pull it off equally well in a live setting! The record features percussion by Airto, guitar by John Tropea, and vocals by Flora Purim – and those are just the marquee names of a large and amazing grew of great musicians! All tracks are long and complicated, for very hynotic feel throughout. The funkiest number is "Tropea", which has a nice long 8 minute groove – and the set also features a cover of Steely Dan's "Do It Again", plus the tracks "Parana", "Branches", "Baubles, Bangles And Beads" and "Skyscraper". Amazing! (Brazil, Jazz) CD

A jazz trio, but one with a really unusual combination of instruments – vibes and marimba from Benoit Lavollee, drums from David Georgelet, and bass trombone from Stephane Montigny – who also plays some great work on shells as well! The music is heavy on currents from global sources, but is definitely jazz as well – and given the performance of Montigny, there are some aspects of the record that maybe remind us of a more stripped-down take on the territory of Steve Turre when he reaches for some non-American modes as well! The drumming of Georgelet is great – often more tribal and percussion-like than standard swing – and the use of vibes and marimba moves nicely between rhythm and melody. Titles include "Fauve", "Sancocho", "Traverse", "Rococo", "Lonnie's Lament", and "Tony". LP, Vinyl record album

A definite new beginning for reedman Eric Alexander – a set that has him turning to alto sax, instead of his very familiar tenor – and also working with some larger string backings on most of the set – something we're not sure Alexander has ever done before! The vibe is great, and Eric brings a depth to the alto that really reflects his decades on the tenor – a style that's very different than a Charlie Parker or Sonny Stitt "with strings" section from years back – in part because the arrangements by Bill Dobbins have a very fresh feel too. There's a familiar combo at the core – David Hazeltine on piano, John Webber on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums – and titles include "All My Tomorrows", "Too Late Now", "Blues For Diane", "Maybe September", "Anita", and "To Love & Be Loved". CD

A cheesy cover, but a rock-solid set of work from the mighty Eric Alexander – who seems to be stretching out even more here than before! Alexander's always been a hell of a straight ahead talent on the tenor, but here he's almost hitting a few more modern modes at times – not "out" in his soloing, but a bit more free thinking in the overall construction and execution of the tunes – willing to change things up a bit in the rhythms, and give the record even more freshness than we might have expected. Alexander's easily one of the greatest living talents in jazz recording today – and we're already huge fans of his work – but he's won us over even more with this set, and a few of the chances he takes on some of the tunes. The group's a well-matched batch of regulars – including Jim Rotondi on trumpet, David Hazeltine on piano, Nat Reeves on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums – and titles include "The Temple Of Olympic Zeus", "Someday We'll All Be Free", "Lucas Too", "Blues For David", "I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life", "I'll Keep Loving You", and "Dave's System". CD

A key album from a fantastic point in the career of trumpeter Chet Baker – his later years, a time when most of the world was ignoring Baker's talents, but Chet was still in a hugely creative mode, and turning out some of his freshest sounds in decades! There's a wonderful quality to the whole record – and vibist David Friedman is a key part of the sound, as he really matches the air inclinations of Chet, as the pair are backed by Buster Williams on bass and Joe Chambers on drums and percussion – a fantastic duo who only make things sound even better. 4 of the album's 6 tracks are Friedman originals – including "For Now", "Shadows", "Syzygies", and "Lament For Thelonious". CD

A beautiful early Verve recording by Basie – one that's packaged here in a great David Stone Martin cover, with a red and blue watercolor of Basie himself. Players include Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Ernie Wilkins, Marshall Royal, Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Bennie Powell, and Freddie Green – plus Basie, of course. Titles include "Two Franks", "Ska Di Didle Dee Bee Doo", "Rails", "Blues Backstage", and "Perdido" – and there's a very strong focus on the best soloists in the group! (Note: this material was also issued under the title The Band Of Distinction – but this is the first version.) LP, Vinyl record album

George Benson on guitar with Ben Williams on bass, Harvey Mason on drums, David Garfield on keyboards and David Garfield and Joe Sample on piano. CD

Featuring Bob Berg on saxophones, Chick Corea on piano, David Kikoski and Jim Beard on piano and Rhodes piano, James Genus on bass, and Dennis Chambers on drums. CD

Really beautiful work from Johnathan Blake – a record that shows just how strongly Blake seems to be finding his voice with each new release! The set's got this richly visionary quality that goes beyond the leader's work on drums – and instead has a unified focus that comes from a really strong group of contemporary young lions – including Immanuel Wilkins on alto, Joel Ross on vibes, David Virelles on piano, and Dezron Douglas on bass – most of them strong leaders on their own, but putting aside ego to fuse together wonderfully here! The blend of vibes, piano, and alto is especially great – and titles include "Muna & Johna's Playtime", "A Slight Taste", "Tears I Cannot Hide", "Tiempos", "Groundhog Day", and "Out Of Sight Out Of Mind". CD

Art Blakey at the Keystone Korner – really rattling the rafters with a great lineup that includes Bobby Watson on alto sax, David Schnitter on tenor, and Valery Ponomarev on trumpet! Although the Shorter/Morgan lineup is always hailed as one of Blakey's best, we're also pretty partial to this great late 70s stretch of The Jazz Messengers – as it shows some wonderful early flowering of Watson's alto, and his songwriting abilities; Ponomarev's well-blown trumpet lines; and Schnitter's crisp, sharp lines on tenor – always carved out with a great depth of feeling. Add to the mix some great piano from James Williams, and bass from Dennis Irwin, and you've got a great lineup next to Blakey's drums – all working together in a rough-edged, hard soul space on tracks that include "Pamela", "Unlimited", "Dark Side Light Side", "Blues For Two", and "In This Korner". LP, Vinyl record album

Art Blakey at the Keystone Korner – really rattling the rafters with a great lineup that includes Bobby Watson on alto sax, David Schnitter on tenor, and Valery Ponomarev on trumpet! Although the Shorter/Morgan lineup is always hailed as one of Blakey's best, we're also pretty partial to this great late 70s stretch of The Jazz Messengers – as it shows some wonderful early flowering of Watson's alto, and his songwriting abilities; Ponomarev's well-blown trumpet lines; and Schnitter's crisp, sharp lines on tenor – always carved out with a great depth of feeling. Add to the mix some great piano from James Williams, and bass from Dennis Irwin, and you've got a great lineup next to Blakey's drums – all working together in a rough-edged, hard soul space on tracks that include "Pamela", "Unlimited", "Dark Side Light Side", "Blues For Two", and "In This Korner". CD also features the bonus track "1977 AD". CD

Absence is a word that can instantly have a sense of sadness, but it can also have a sort of beauty, too – and that's definitely the case in this album of work done as a tribute to the great Wayne Shorter by trumpeter Terence Blanchard! The record's way more than just a collection of Shorter's tunes – and although it features a few numbers penned by the saxophonist, there's also a set of new music by Blanchard and his piansist too – really lovely numbers that have the trumpeter at his most evocative – in maybe a condensed expression of some of the modes he brings to his larger soundtrack material. The core group is his E-Collective – with Fabian Almazan on piano, Charles Altura on guitar, David Ginyard on bass, and Oscar Seaton on drums – but maybe the most interesting aspect of the record is the gentle use of the Turtle Island String Quartet, who shade in Blanchard's deeper ideas in a nicely subtle way. Titles include "I Dare You", "Envisioned Reflections", "When It Was Now", "Diana", "The Elders", "Dark Horse", "The Second Wave", and "Fall". CD

Features Joanne Brackeen on piano, John Patitucci on bass, and Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez on drums – plus guest artists Christ Potter, Nicholas Payton, David Liebman, and Kurt Elling. CD

A wonderful title for this rare fourth album from Tina Brooks – as the set was recorded by Blue Note in 1961, but had to wait for many decades to finally get reissued! Don't let that put you off, though, as the set's every bit as sublime as Tina's classic True Blue album for the label – an equally masterful session from a tenor talent whose every note seems to be very special and well-placed – working here in a quintet setting with Johnny Coles on trumpet, Kenny Drew on piano, Wilbur Ware on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums! This was the last year that Brooks would ever record, making the set one of his final testaments in jazz – before he lapsed into relative obscurity, and passed away in the mid 70s. Titles include "David The King", "Dhyana", "Talkin About", and "The Waiting Game". CD