An excellent album of groovy jazz from the European scene of the mid 60s – and one that pairs the talents of the great (and nearly forgotten) Austrian tenor player Karl Drewo with the groovy small band of the legendary pianist Francy Boland! Although he hails from Vienna, Drewo's tone is nice and deep, with a heavy cutting tenor sound that's right up there with American giants like Johnny Griffin or Eddie Lockjaw Davis. He's playing here with a tight hardbop septet, fronted by Francy Boland, and featuring a unique 3-piece trombone section for the rhythm parts. Most of the solos are Drewos', and his tenor cuts nice and deep through the arrangements of the band as they groove with a good solid sound. Titles include "JLK", "Young Bucks", "Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie", "Limehouse Blues", "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" and "Foot Pattin". Nice cover, too! CD

Howard McGhee's trumpet work for Blue Note was probably his best-ever – and it sparkles with a modernist approach to bebop that shows the early-50's maturity of the movement in the hands of its masters. McGhee leads a crackling sextet here that includes Max Roach, JJ Johnson, Kenny Drew, and the great Brew Moore on tenor. The titles alone should give you an idea of the kind of energy and imagination fueling this set: "Lo-Flame", "Fluid Drive", and "Fugetta" – and the packaging of CD retains all of the original packaging of the original 10" release, which has a very cool abstract graphics look! As an added bonus, you also get another rare 10" jazz session – the early 50's trio album that was pianist Kenny Drew's first session as a leader. Between the two albums, the CD contains a total of 17 cuts – a whopping good deal, especially when you consider that the original albums would probably cost you $200 apiece! CD

No filters here, as Hank Mobley's sound is clean, lean, and right on the money – hitting that newly-sophisticated groove of the Caddy For Daddy years in this sweet unissued set! The date was recorded in the 60s, but unissued by Blue Note for many years – another one of those head-scratching mysteries from the label, yet also a real treat to 80s jazz fans who finally got their hands on the sides – a whole new discovery of Hank Mobley's genius, further appreciated at a time when we weren't hearing more from him. The players are top-shelf all the way through – and include Freddie Hubbard or Donald Byrd on trumpet, Herbie Hancock or Barry Harris on piano, Paul Chambers or Butch Warren on bass, and Philly Joe Jones or Billy Higgins on drums. Titles include "Chain Reaction", "Soft Impressions", "Up A Step", "Old World, New Imports", "East Of The Village", "Yes Indeed", and "The Good Life" CD

No filters here, as Hank Mobley's sound is clean, lean, and right on the money – hitting that newly-sophisticated groove of the Caddy For Daddy years in this sweet unissued set! The date was recorded in the 60s, but unissued by Blue Note for many years – another one of those head-scratching mysteries from the label, yet also a real treat to 80s jazz fans who finally got their hands on the sides – a whole new discovery of Hank Mobley's genius, further appreciated at a time when we weren't hearing more from him. The players are top-shelf all the way through – and include Freddie Hubbard or Donald Byrd on trumpet, Herbie Hancock or Barry Harris on piano, Paul Chambers or Butch Warren on bass, and Philly Joe Jones or Billy Higgins on drums. CD version really expands from the original LP – with 9 titles that include "Chain Reaction", "Third Time Around", "Hank's Waltz", "Yes Indeed", "Straight No Filter", "Syrup & Biscuits", and "The Feelin's Good". CD

An obscure late ESP session featuring Don Rafael Garrett and Zusann Fasteau Garrett in a set of duets on percussion, bass, clarinet, and voice. The sound's a bit hippy dippy in parts, with a vibe that's kind of groovy and optimistic – but at other times, the playing is nice and spare, with a good east coast avant sound, in that mid 70s loft jazz mode. Titles include "Wave Hands Like Clouds", "Stork Cools Its Wings", and "Snake Creeps Down". CD

This bossa LP on Columbia is pretty good stuff! The record was recorded with some of Brazil's best bossa players – like Luiz Bonfa, Roberto Menescal, and Luiz Eca (of Tamba Trio fame). John Hammond produced the session, so you can be sure it's got the kind of rootsy sound that will make the tracks have a bit more kick than if the album was in the hands of a regular pop-bossa producer. Titles include "Avion", "Reza", "Vagamente", "Ela E Carioca", "Zomba", and "Alem Da Imaginacao". CD

Fantastic mid-50's work by Mingus, and a pivotal pair of recordings that clearly show his transition from bop bassist to groundbreaking modernist. The CD brings together two rare 10" albums that originally came out on the Period label in 1954. The albums are also noteworthy for the incredible talents of reed player John LaPorta, a mid-50's Mingus collaborator, and one of the most overlooked geniuses of that decade's jazz scene. Other players include John LaPorta, Thad Jones, and Clem DeRosa – and the titles are a good mix of originals and strangely-arranged standards (which were sort of Mingus' trademark at the time). Includes "The Spur Of The Moment/Echonitus", "Stormy Weather", "Minor Intrusion", "Four Hands", and "Thrice Upon A Theme". CD

Kirk Knuffke on cornet, Bill Goodwin on drums, and Mark Helias on bass. CD