Rare work from funky Lou – unreleased for years! This is an excellent live set that was recorded in 1970, when Lou was at the height of his Blue Note powers, and working with a group that included Idris Muhammad (drums), Melvin Sparks (guitar), and Leon Spencer (organ). Recorded live at the Cadillac Club in Newark, New Jersey, this set's a perfect document of what a funky lounge gig was like in the era of the organ/tenor combos. The group swings hard and funky, with a sound that's like their best Blue Note recordings, and the track list includes "Peepin", "The Scorpion", "Alligator Boogaloo", and "Footpattin' Time". CD

A brilliant album of Latiny grooves from Diz! The disc takes off from the soulful/modal mood of the early 60s groups with Lalo Schifrin and Kenny Barron – and features a young Mike Longo crafting some fantastic lines on piano, stretched out over tight rhythms on electric bass and drums, with Dizzy soloing on trumpet, and James Moody adding in washes of color and emotion on alto, tenor, and flute. The best tracks are long groovers that really show the group stretching out – especially on the album's 16 minute reading of Dizzy's classic "Kush", the title track "Swing Low Sweet Cadillac", and a great version of "Mas Que Nada"! CD

A brilliant album of Latiny grooves from Diz! The disc takes off from the soulful/modal mood of the early 60s groups with Lalo Schifrin and Kenny Barron – and features a young Mike Longo crafting some fantastic lines on piano, stretched out over tight rhythms on electric bass and drums, with Dizzy soloing on trumpet, and James Moody adding in washes of color and emotion on alto, tenor, and flute. The best tracks are long groovers that really show the group stretching out – especially on the album's 16 minute reading of Dizzy's classic "Kush", the title track "Swing Low Sweet Cadillac", and a great version of "Mas Que Nada"! CD

A brilliant album of Latiny grooves from Diz! The record takes off from the soulful/modal mood of the early 60s groups with Lalo Schifrin and Kenny Barron – and features a young Mike Longo crafting some fantastic lines on piano, stretched out over tight rhythms on electric bass and drums, with Dizzy soloing on trumpet, and James Moody adding in washes of color and emotion on alto, tenor, and flute. The best tracks are long groovers that really show the group stretching out – especially on the album's 16 minute reading of Dizzy's classic "Kush", the title track "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", and a great version of "Mas Que Nada"! LP, Vinyl record album

Forget the hokey pun in the title, as the album's a sharp-edged set that has way more going on than that bad wit might imply – a brilliant record that has the same sort of post-loft vibe as some of the best Black Saint/Soul Note sessions from the time! The group here features players who worked on many of those records too – the mighty Billy Bang on violin, sounding incredible, and so different than generations of others touching that instrument in jazz – sharp, soulful, and almost "blown" more like a saxophone! Frank Lowe's tenor follows with a similarly bold voice – and the group features very urgent work on bass from Rafael Garrett and drums from Dennis Charles. Titles include great readings of Jackie McLean's "Little Melonae" and Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" – plus the tracks "Loweology", "Ballad With One L", and "Blood On The Cross". LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful overview of sounds from the contemporary jazz scene in Finland – put together with a fantastic ear for the heady grooves and really fresh solo modes that have been bristling up on the scene of late – all of which really come together in the impeccable track selection on the set! Most of these tracks have a highly rhythmic pulse, but at a level that's very different from more familiar jazz funk or fusion – with percussion and basslines that are often nice and earthy, and a very different sense of timing that further makes the tracks stand out! Groups and instrumentation vary in a nice way throughout the collection, and the whole thing is the sort of set that will have you soon digging deeper to unlock some of the best sounds from this overlooked scene. Titles include "Dark Sparkle" by JAF Trio, "En Ut" by UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, "Bilawal" by Superposition, "Imprologue" by Kari Ikonen, "Zigenerskan" by Emma Salokoski Ilmiliekki, "Niin On Kehto Tyhjilaan" by Hot Heroes & Iro Haarla, and "Garag" by Riitta Paakki. LP, Vinyl record album

A pair of albums from the legendary Johnny Dyani – packaged here in one great little set! Rejoice features searing live work from Johnny Dyani – a set that has the bassist opening up strongly in a trio with Mongezi Feza on trumpet and Okey Temiz on drums and percussion! Feza sounds even better here than usual – blowing these long, inventive solo lines that match the work of Ted Curson for 70s fire – really spurred on by Okey's creative changes, into a soulful space that may well be some of Mongezi's most spiritually expressive of the 70s! Dyani's bass is strong, and ever-present – never needing to dominate, but always felt as this rich pulse – and powerful melodic element at just the right moments. Titles include "Mad High", "Makaya Makaya", "Pukwana" and "Imbomgolo". CD also features an unreleased track from the same performance – the 20 minute "Mad High Revisited". Together is a record that really gets back to Johnny Dyani's roots in South African jazz! Although Dyani and his expatriates in the Blue Notes helped give London a new sound of avant jazz expression in the 70s, the music here returns to the warmer melodic style of their early 60s days – with loping rhythms that draw on regional tradition, and soulful interplay between the alto of Dudu Pukwana, tenor of Peter Shimmy Radise, and keyboards from Dyani – who shifts his instrument for this special recording! The group also features use of guitar, congas, whistles, and a South American harp – used in rhythmic ways that pulsate warmly – on titles that include "Kalahari", "Tula Tula", "High Priest", "Johnny's Kwela", and "Together". CD

A fantastic lost slice of work by one of the greatest modern jazz forces on the British jazz scene of the 60s – Jamaican-born saxophonist Joe Harriott, known for his groundbreaking avant jazz sessions and his experiments with Indian classical music! The sound here is quite different than those two better-known aspects of Harriott's career – and represents a return to the hardbop style he was using in the late 50s, when first making waves on the London scene. However, that's not a bad thing at all – as the album's overflowing with modern jazz undercurrents, and almost has a fresh post-Mingus approach to the horn parts and rhythm progressions. The quintet includes trumpeter Stu Hamer, drummer Phil Seaman, bassist Coleridge Goode, and pianist Pat Smythe – all well-suited players for Harriott in such a mode, and working here in a style that recalls the first great moments of British jazz from the late 50s. Titles include "Strollin South", "Just Goofin", "Time For Love", "The Rake", "Blues In C", and "Tuesday Morning Swing". CD

A fantastic lost slice of work by one of the greatest modern jazz forces on the British jazz scene of the 60s – Jamaican-born saxophonist Joe Harriott, known for his groundbreaking avant jazz sessions and his experiments with Indian classical music! The sound here is quite different than those two better-known aspects of Harriott's career – and represents a return to the hardbop style he was using in the late 50s, when first making waves on the London scene. However, that's not a bad thing at all – as the album's overflowing with modern jazz undercurrents, and almost has a fresh post-Mingus approach to the horn parts and rhythm progressions. The quintet includes trumpeter Stu Hamer, drummer Phil Seaman, bassist Coleridge Goode, and pianist Pat Smythe – all well-suited players for Harriott in such a mode, and working here in a style that recalls the first great moments of British jazz from the late 50s. Titles include "Strollin South", "Just Goofin", "Time For Love", "The Rake", "Blues In C", and "Tuesday Morning Swing". LP, Vinyl record album

Forget the hokey pun in the title, as the album's a sharp-edged set that has way more going on than that bad wit might imply – a brilliant record that has the same sort of post-loft vibe as some of the best Black Saint/Soul Note sessions from the time! The group here features players who worked on many of those records too – the mighty Billy Bang on violin, sounding incredible, and so different than generations of others touching that instrument in jazz – sharp, soulful, and almost "blown" more like a saxophone! Frank Lowe's tenor follows with a similarly bold voice – and the group features very urgent work on bass from Rafael Garrett and drums from Dennis Charles. Titles include great readings of Jackie McLean's "Little Melonae" and Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" – plus the tracks "Loweology", "Ballad With One L", and "Blood On The Cross". CD features some rare bonus tracks from the same sessions, appearing here for the first time ever – "Pent Up Suite", "I Mean You", "Suite For Gamma (parts 1 & 2)", and "Mr Syms". CD

An album that really lives up to its title – as the set bristles with upbeat, joyous energy throughout – in a fantastic criss-crossing of players from different global scenes, all cooking together in the cultural hotbed of 70s London! The record's got some echoes of the Brotherhood Of Breath work by Chris McGregor also issued by the Cadillac label – and also features ties to some of the musicians from the South African scene – but the group's also got a youthful energy that really makes the whole thing soar – fantastic bass from Ernest Mothle, killer piano from Frank Roberts, and tight drums from Keith Bailey – topped with trumpet from Jim Dvorak and alto from Chris Francis – both mighty nice players! Some tracks have a great pulsating groove – and titles include "PM", "Tribute", "Hidden Spirits", "Martini Suite", and "Spirals". CD

Unreleased genius from British altoist Mike Osborne – and a set that easily matches his classic albums of the 70s! The double-length set was recorded live in the mid 70s, and is issued here for the first time – a wonderfully tight trio outing that features Osborne's alto alongside the bass of Harry Miller and drums of Tony Levin – in a mode that's decidedly Coltrane-influenced, and which has a searching, spiritual quality that's even deeper than most other British work of the time! We've never heard Osborne play with so much feeling, and Miller's basswork is wonderful too – really underscoring the sound with a full, rich quality that grounds the whole proceedings nicely – a soaring, majestic energy that's a far cry from some of the unstructured freedom from other Brit groups of the same stretch. Tremendous throughout – and with cuts that include "One For George", "Alfie", "Almost Home Kathy", "More Mike", "Ossie's Opener", "Awakening Spirit", and "Cousin Mary". CD

A completely unique slide of work from Dudu Pukwana – a side of the reedman you may never have heard before! Dudu's best known for his work in the Blue Notes – that legendary avant assemblage of South African players – and although he's also recorded in other creative settings, this may well be the first time we've heard him on a soul jazz session – burning brightly with some killer Hammond from organist Bob Stuckey! The combo's tight and right on the money – grooving live at Ronnie Scotts with the feel of some Prestige Records sax/organ group of the mid 60s – a real change for Dudu, but one we really love! Pukwana still puts in lots of unusual edges in his music – some odd tones and unusual shifts that really keep things interesting – especially giving the group's use of mostly original compositions, most by Dudu! Titles include "Jauana's Dream", "Messengers", "Kicks For Sale", "B My Dear", "Moonshine", "Kippie", and "Blessing Light". Plus, the CD features 5 more tracks by a trio that features Stuckey on Hammond and Terry Smith on guitar – "I Feel Pretty", "All Of You", "When I Grow Too Old To Dream", "Bob's Hop", and "Sweet Georgia Brown". CD

Two rare performances from the same evening of music in 1974 – one issued briefly on the album Stan Tracey Alone, one appearing here for the first time ever! CD1 features that Tracey album – an extended solo improvisation titled "Eighty One Plus One", which has Stan really stretching out at this key point in his career – that moment when he'd moved past his more angular, Monkish modes of the 60s – into territory that was much freer, and even more captivating – as Tracey always plays with this sense of timing that holds things together, even as his hands are soaring to the farther reaches of the piano! CD 2 features a duet with alto saxophonist Mike Osborne – also from the same night, and as one extended improvisation titled "Two Part Intention" – which has Tracey building up these layers of sound on piano, while Osborne glides freely over the top in a style that's both modern and soulful at the same time. Great stuff – and a much-needed example of this key moment in British jazz! CD

Mike Westbrook live, and also a bit more stripped-down than on some of his earlier albums – less of the high concept presentation overall, and more in the mode of the sharper edges of the British scene of the time! The tracks are all longish, and nicely open at points – flowing with a much more organic energy than we might expect from Westbrook, and almost allowing for some fusion influences at times – especially on the guitar by Gary Boyle, and Westbrook's own use of electric piano. Other members of the quintet include George Khan on electric saxophone, Alan Jackson on drums and alto sax, and Butch Potter on bass guitar, flute, and "pongo stick" – and titles include "Travellin", "Compassion", "Down On The Farm", "Hyde Park Song", and "Pleasure City". This 50th anniversary edition is remastered – and includes bonus tracks "Marching Song" and "Spaces". CD

Genius work from trumpeter Harry Beckett – the kind of easygoing electric work that he seemed to do better than anyone else on the British scene of the early 70s! The record's got a laidback approach that's really unique – one that pits Beckett's trumpet against guitar by Ray Russell, keyboards from Brian Miller, and additional bass, drums, and congas – the last of which are used to underscore the sound nicely. The sound shows almost no influence from the electric trumpet jazz of Miles Davis, Donald Byrd, or Freddie Hubbard – and is instead uniquely Beckett's own bag – almost always slightly funky or grooving, but never too much so – and neither too out nor too jamming, with a lanquid quality that's totally great. Titles include "No Time For Hello", "Bracelets Of Sound", "Rings Within Rings", and "Not Just Tomorrow". CD

A fantastic lost slice of work by one of the greatest modern jazz forces on the British jazz scene of the 60s – Jamaican-born saxophonist Joe Harriott, known for his groundbreaking avant jazz sessions and his experiments with Indian classical music! The sound here is quite different than those two better-known aspects of Harriott's career – and represents a return to the hardbop style he was using in the late 50s, when first making waves on the London scene. However, that's not a bad thing at all – as the album's overflowing with modern jazz undercurrents, and almost has a fresh post-Mingus approach to the horn parts and rhythm progressions. The quintet includes trumpeter Stu Hamer, drummer Phil Seaman, bassist Coleridge Goode, and pianist Pat Smythe – all well-suited players for Harriott in such a mode, and working here in a style that recalls the first great moments of British jazz from the late 50s. Titles include "Strollin South", "Just Goofin", "Time For Love", "The Rake", "Blues In C", and "Tuesday Morning Swing". CD

An album that really lives up to its title – as the set bristles with upbeat, joyous energy throughout – in a fantastic criss-crossing of players from different global scenes, all cooking together in the cultural hotbed of 70s London! The record's got some echoes of the Brotherhood Of Breath work by Chris McGregor also issued by the Cadillac label – and also features ties to some of the musicians from the South African scene – but the group's also got a youthful energy that really makes the whole thing soar – fantastic bass from Ernest Mothle, killer piano from Frank Roberts, and tight drums from Keith Bailey – topped with trumpet from Jim Dvorak and alto from Chris Francis – both mighty nice players! Some tracks have a great pulsating groove – and titles include "PM", "Tribute", "Hidden Spirits", "Martini Suite", and "Spirals". LP, Vinyl record album

A really fantastic live performance by the Mike Westbrook Concert Band – recorded right around the same time as his seminal albums for Deram – and with an equally amazing sound! The "old place" here is Ronnie Scott's old club – which was still leased for a few months as the new one was being opened in 1968, which gave Westbrook and other young musicians the chance to try out some of the incredible new ideas that would really set the British jazz scene apart in the late 60s! There's a pivotal feel to the record that's wonderful – really informing the explosion of sounds on Westbrook's late 60s albums, as he uses both older jazz compositions and his own great work – to make a pastiche of modes and modern moments that really blows us away – served up by a lineup that includes Mike Osborne and John Surman on saxes, Malcolm Griffiths and Paul Rutherford on trombones, Dave Holdsworth on piano, Harry Miller on bass, and Alan Jackson on drums – with Westbrook leading the group on piano. Titles include "Who's Who", "A Life Of It's Own", "The Few", "Lover Man", "For Ever & A Day", "Folk Song", "We Salute You", "Flying", and "Can't Get It Out Of My Mind". CD

Not the famous Verve Records pairing of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker – but instead a more obscure live date from 1947, but one that really lets you hear the genius that happens when both players take the stage! The tunes have this approach that really hits at the most creative side of bop at the time – maybe even more open, expressive, and filled with larger ideas than some of the early singles that were coming out in 1947 – in a way that makes the whole thing a really important document of the complexity that was in the music, right from the start. The pair really stretch out on a fantastic two part reading of "Night In Tunisia (parts 1 & 2)", then soar through "Groovin High (parts 1 & 2)", "Confirmation", and "Dizzy Atmosphere". The second half of the set features some more live material, but just with Dizzy Gillespie in the lead, from 1953 – with Bill Graham on alto and baritone, plus a bit of vocals from Joe Carroll. Titles include "School Days", "Swing Low Sweet Cadillac", and "Tin Tin Deo". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes the songs "Tin Tin Deo", "Ooh-shoo-be-doo-be", "Birk's Works", "Swing Low Sweet Cadillac", "The Champ", "School Days", "Caravan", "Umbrella Man", "Stardust", "Lady Be Good", "On The Sunny Side Of The Street", "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen", "Blue Skies", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "The Bluest Blues", "Pop's Confessin'", "Sometimes I'm Happy", and "Pretty Eyed Baby". CD