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We've always loved the music of pianist Bernie Senesky – a Canadian musician with a richly lyrical, expressive style – one that doesn't always get the recognition it deserves on our side of the border! And we've also always loved the tenor of Eric Alexander – a player we've been following since his start, and who has had some amazing moments of growth in recent years – one of them on this record with Bernie, a player who seems to bring out all this warmer, more sensitive elements in Alexander's horn – as the two of them work together in a very unexpected pairing, but one that we'd love to hear more of on future recordings! Other players on the date include Kieren Overs on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums on most tracks, save for two, which feature Morgan Childs on drums and Dave Young on bass. Titles include the originals "Blues For EJ", Alexander's Realtime Band", "Stand Pat", and "Make Believe" – plus a nice take on "Matchmaker". CD

A soulful little album from saxophonist Grant Stewart – one that's made even better by the appearance of Eric Alexander on two of the tracks in the set! The core group here features guitar, piano, bass, and drums – with Stewart in the lead, blowing tenor in a deep-toned way that clearly draws on the legacy of Hank Mobley, but which also moves around with a leaner, more fluid sensibility at times. The ballads and mellower numbers are often the best – especially the album's great title reading of "Estate" – but the uptempo tracks move along in a nice hardbop mode too, and titles include "Carving The Rock", "Soul Station", "Jacqueline", and "Cool Struttin". Alexander guests on the titles "3 For Carson" and "Systems" – making for a nice twin-tenor frontline! CD

A highly unusual trio with Eric Vloeimans on trumpet, Tuur Florizoone on accordion, and Jord Brinkman on cello! CD

Pivotal work from Waldron – stepping out of the blowing session mode, emerging as one of the 60s most striking moderinists. Like a lot of Waldron's records from the time, this set shows an amazing desire for new forms and modern ideas, and the mix of players – Eric Dolphy, Booker Ervin, Ron Carter, Joe Benjamin, and Charlie Persip – pulls the material in a number of different ways. Carter plays bowed cello, as he did on Dolphy's Out There session, and he gives the set a dark moody feel. Ervin's in his best modernist mode, and he ably trades lines with Dolphy and keeps the whole thing moving nicely. Waldron's writing and arranging is superb, and the tracks feature a lot of weird time structures and unusual modal patterns. Includes the tracks "Status Seeking", "Warm Canto", "Warp and Woof", and "Fire Waltz". CD

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One of the superest of the late 60s supergroups – with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, and Rick Grech! Titles include "Had To Cry Today", "Presence Of The Lord", "Do What You Like", "Sea Of Joy", and "Well All Right". CD

One of the superest of the late 60s supergroups – with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, and Rick Grech! Titles include "Had To Cry Today", "Presence Of The Lord", "Do What You Like", "Sea Of Joy", and "Well All Right". CD

Kenny Burrell joins the quartet of Hammond hero Brother Jack McDuff – in a session that's not only a classic Prestige cooker from the 60s, but also one of Kenny's most hard grooving albums of the decade! Jack's tight group really seem to push Burrell into some great new territory – a different groove than his Blue Note or Verve sides, with a bit more grit overall – although still plenty of those perfectly-chosen notes on his solos. Harold Vick's tenor sax is the main reed element here, although Eric Dixon also plays flute on one track – and remaining players include Joe Dukes on drums and Ray Barreto on congas, a player who didn't often work with Jack, but who's very welcome here. Tracks are longish, with an open-ended soul jazz feel – not really blowing session numbers, given McDuff's tight sense of rhythm, but a nice change from the usual. Titles include "Grease Monkey", "Nica's Dream", "Love Walked In", and "We'll Be Together Again". CD

Abraham Burton on alto saxophone, Marc Cary on piano, Billy Johnson on double bass, and Eric McPherson on drums. CD

Abraham Burton on tenor saxophone, Dezron Douglas on bass, and Eric McPherson on drums. CD

A late 70s return to glory for the Captain – and a set that has a bit of a checkered path, in that it was originally done for Frank Zappa's Discreet label as the album Bat Chain Puller – then was held back, and mostly re-recorded for this seminal release on Warner Brothers! The set shows all the grown that Don Van Vliet had undergone during the decade – and also echoes his previous collaboration with Zappa – served up with instrumentation that is wonderfully complex, but still quite personal and earthy – a blend of composition, improvisation, and individuality that almost has Beefheart rivaling the work of Hermeto Pascoal during the decade, yet in a very different mode – given his vocal styles and occasional spoken musings! The Cap sings, plays harmonica, and blows soprano sax – alongside Jeff Moris Tepper on slide guitar and spell guitar, Bruce Lambourne Fowler on trombone, Eric Drew Friedman on Fender Rhodes and bass, Art Tripp III on marimba and percussion, Robert Arthur Williams on drums, and Richard Redus on slide guitar, bottleneck guitar, fretless bass, accordion, and guitar. Tracks include "The Floppy Boot Stomp", "Ice Rose", "Bat Chain Puller", "Candle Mambo", "Love Lies", and "Suction Prints". CD

Don't be put off by the "urban" in the title, which might make you think this is a smooth jazz affair – because this winning session by Joe Chambers is one of his best in years, and a soulfully modern set that has an instantly classic feel! Joe's working with a great group here – Gary Bartz on alto and soprano, Eric Reed on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Bobby Sanabria on percussion – grooving in a style that's got a classic 70s soul jazz feel, like some of the better records Joe was associated with during his years at Muse Records. Titles include "Irina", "Portia", "Afreeka", "Stella By Starlight", and "Third Street". CD

Beautiful music from Pietro Ciancaglini – the bassist of the excellent High Five Quintet, stepping out here as a leader on his own, in a very hip tribute to the late, great Charles Mingus! The music here is hardly the standard Mingus mode – even though many tracks were penned by Charles – and instead, Ciancaglini serves up some very cool small group takes on Mingus ideals, really reworking the original genius in a way that's more intimate – still very rich in feeling, but in very different ways than you'd get from the originals. His partners in the program include Daniele Tittarelli on alto, Max Ionata on tenor, Pietro Lussu on piano, and Walter Paoli on drums – and Javier Girotto plays baritone sax on a number of tracks as well. There's a warm, soulful feel to the record we really love – one that Mingus definitely would have approved of – and titles include "Homage", "Freedom", "Balarm", "Canon", "So Long Eric", "Reincarnation Of A Lovebird", "Nostalgia In Times Square", and "Haitian Fight Song". CD

A killer hardbop session from the early 60s – one of Sonny Clark's later sides for Blue Note, and an album that features a great lineup of players that includes lesser-known Blue Note hornmen Charlie Rouse and Tommy Turrentine! The record crackles with the energy and imagination of Clark's best work for the label – leaping and loping along the grooves with a free-thinking approach to the tunes, and coming up with some exotically-tinged takes on the hardbop sound of the time – yet still allowing plenty of space for searing solo work. Ike Quebec joins the group on a few tracks as well, and titles include some of Clark's best compositions – like "Melody for C" and "Voodoo" – as well as the tracks "Eric Walks", "Midnight Mambo", and "Deep In A Dream". CD version includes 2 bonus tracks: "Zellar's Delight" and an alterate take of "Melody for C". CD

The first album in many many years from organist Gloria Coleman – the Hammond player best known for her famous 60s date on Impulse Records, still sounding pretty darn great here all these many years later! A good portion of the record features Gloria's husband, George Coleman joining in on tenor sax – creating a sound that's a bit like the Shirley Scott/Stanley Turrentine groove of many years back – but other numbers have Coleman on the Hammond, with guitar from either Calvin Keys or Eric Johnson, and drums from either George Coleman Jr or Deszon Claiborne. Lonnie Smith guests on piano on one track – and the whole thing's got an easygoing soul jazz groove that's totally great! Titles include "Do It Again", "Martin's Rhumba", "Sweet Missy", "Blues Everywhere", "Confirmation", "I Just Found Out About Love", "Impressions", and "Put Em In A Box". CD

A complete issue of a groundbreaking late 50s performance by Ornette Coleman – some of which has been released on the French album Fabulous Paul Bley Quintet, and other parts on albums under Ornette's name! The quality of the performance is amazing – some of the freshest jazz recorded in LA at the time, but still somewhat more inside than Coleman's work of the decade to come – a key transitional moment from Ornette, played by a group that features Don Cherry on trumpet, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – plus a young Paul Bley on piano, who makes for a very different rhythmic conception than some of the Coleman quartet albums of a year or two later! Given Bley's approach to the piano, even at this point, the sound is still quite different than most of what had come before – almost in the territory of some of Eric Dolphy's early albums for New Jazz. Titles include "Free", "The Blessing", "When Will The Blues Leave", "Ramblin", "Crossroads", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Klactoveesedstene", and "I Remember Harlem". CD

4 discs worth of material recorded by Coltrane in a variety of settings at the Village Vanguard in November 1961! Eric Dolphy is included on most takes, and the bass chair is filled by either Jimmy Garrison or Reggie Workman, and on some takes both (!), McCoy Tyner is on piano, Elvin Jones is on drums and a few songs feature Ahmed Abdul Malik or Garvin Bushnell. Titles include multiple readings of "India", "Chasin' The Trane", "Spiritual", "Miles' Mode" and more! CD

Quite a different album than usual for John Coltrane, but a classic one too – and a set that has the great one exploring his ideas in a set of longer tracks recorded with an expanded jazz orchestra! The format's hardly the mainstream big band of the time – as Coltrane's filled the group with very hip players – including Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard, Julian Priester, and Eric Dolphy – in addition to usual compatriots who include McCoy Tyner, Reggie Workman, and Elvin Jones. The tunes have a soaring, modal sort of pulse – one that's filled with color and light from the addition of the other horn players, but which still has plenty of space for extended, exploratory solos. Coltrane plays both tenor and soprano sax – and titles include the legendary 16 minute track "Africa", a classic reading of "Greensleeves", redone here as a modal searching spiritual track, and "Blues Minor". CD

Very unusual work by Coltrane – sessions that feature his classic quartet playing in front of larger orchestra backings conducted by Eric Dolphy! The tracks feature Trane leading a group young modernists through a set of larger arranged charts, woven tightly together in a soulful spiritual groove that's similar to some of Max Roach's projects like this from the same time. Players include Booker Little, Eric Dolphy, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Reggie Workman, and Julius Watkins – and this 2CD set features all of the material that was issued on the first album, plus other tracks that came out during the 70s. There's a total of 8 cuts in all – and titles include "Song Of The Underground Railroad", "Blues Minor", "Africa", "The Damned Don't Cry", and "Greensleeves". CD

A mellow set of ballads, taken mostly from Trane's first few years at Impulse – in various formations that have him working with his classic quartet, plus guests like Johnny Hartman, Eric Dolphy, or Duke Ellington. Titles include "Soul Eyes", "What's New", "Dear Lord", "Lush Life", "Wise One", "My Little Brown Book", and "After The Rain". CD

Brilliant work – John Coltrane really opening up in his new spiritual mode of the 60s, hinting at the changes to come, while still keeping the modal groove of previous recordings! The record features tracks from a few different sessions from the years 1961 to 1963, but it holds together beautifully – thanks to a unified creative spirit in the music! The centerpiece of the album is the stunning track "Impressions" – performed by the quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones – but all tracks are great, and titles include "After the Rain", and "Up 'Gainst The Wall" – plus the brilliant cut "India", which features guest work by Eric Dolphy on bass clarinet! CD

Recorded live on February 10th and June 2nd, 1962 – with Coltrane on tenor, Eric Dolphy on alto and flute, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums! CD

The complete John Coltrane performances at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1963 – including one track with Eric Dolphy! All tracks are quite long, too. CD

A great collection of tunes from Coltrane's seminal work at Impulse – and a much needed look at his spiritual approach to jazz. The package features Trane working with players that include Eric Dolphy, Alice Coltrane, Mc Coy Tyner, Elvin Jones, and others – and it does a good job of picking out the soulful numbers from albums that sometimes go a bit farther outside. Together, the tracks make a strong collection of work that shows Trane's influence on the soul jazz sound of the 70s, and the wealth of players who were undeniably influenced by his genius. Titles include "Tunji", "Wise One", "Dear Lord", "Song Of Praise", "Welcome", "Love Supreme – Part 1", "Spiritual", and "Ogunde". CD

An amazing package – a pair of rare avant jazz albums, presented here together! The first album is Peace In The World – maybe the only album issued under the name of Michael Cosmic – but a set that's part of a key legacy with his brother, reedman Phill Musra! The set has Cosmic in very heady territory – sounds that come from his young tenure in the AACM, his brief time with Cecil Taylor, and his budding reputation on the 70s Boston scene – where the set was recorded, and almost stands as a precursor to the rich legacy of improvisational jazz that would emerge on the New England scene for decades to come! Tracks are long and very free, but have spiritual currents too – and Cosmic is mostly on piano, with Musra on soprano sax and tenor, Leonard Brown on soprano and tenor, John Jamyll Jones on bass, Huseyin Ertunc on drums, and Eric Jackson on percussion. Titles include "We Love You Malcolm X", "Peace In The World", "Sapce On Space", and "Arabia". Next is the related album Creator Spaces, by Phill Musra – recorded at the time when he was part of the very underground Boston avant scene – a world that had a slightly different vibe than music coming from Chicago, Detroit, or New York! The album's got a spiritual avant bent – soulful at the core, with lots of references to outer space as well – and an approach that feels a lot like a classic Saturn Records session by Sun Ra, both in sound and spirit! Musra plays reeds, chimes, and percussion – and the group features some incredible sax work by Michael Cosmic, who also plays a bit of organ, again in a tripped-out, Ra-type way. Huseyin Ertunc plays percussion – very free and loose, in ways that are a great balance to the more angular lines of the reeds – and tracks include "The Creator Is So Far Out", "The Creator Spaces", "Egypt", and "Arabia". Also features unreleased tracks "The Creator Is So Far Out (unreleased version)" and "Phyllis". Added to the set is a really special bonus third CD – an unreleased long live performance of "The Prayer" by Worlds Experience Orchestra – a group from the same scene at the time – with Shaddu Jones on piano, Stan Strickland on tenor and soprano, Frank Peterson on alto, John Jamyll Jones on bass, Robert Ruff on cello, Larry Lerner on drums, and John Klein on amplified violin. CD

Don't pass this one up! Although lots of other albums by Eddie Lockjaw Davis are laidback quartet and quintet sessions, done in a soul jazz organ/tenor mode – this session features Eddie working with stunning bigger band backings, in a searingly soulful sound that's simply incredible! The leadoff track, "Trane Whistle", has Lockjaw really working new waves of sound into his tenor sax – screaming the horn in a way that you thought you'd never hear, and playing with tones that are a lot darker than usual! The set moves on from there in a nice batch of material that includes "Whole Nelson" and "Stolen Moments", two fantastic originals by Oliver Nelson, who also arranged the album – and takes a great deal of responsibility for the strength of the set. The record shows a whole new side of Davis' talents – one that was barely if ever recorded like this again – and which is made even better by the presence of freshly modern players that include Eric Dolphy, Richard Williams, Melba Liston, and Roy Haynes. Great stuff! CD

Steve Davis on trombone, Jim Rotondi on trumpet and flugelhorn, Eric Alexander on tenor sax, David Hazeltine on piano, Nat Reeves on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. CD

Steve Davis on trombone, Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Mike DiRubbo on alto saxophone, Bruce Barth on piano, Ugonna Okegwo on bass, and Eric McPherson on drums. CD

Includes the songs "Bayou Fever", "The Gri Gri Man", "To Be Continued", "One For Eric", "Unshielded Desire", and "Blue". CD

One of Eric Clapton's greatest moments – and a set that also features guitars from Duane Allman and organ from Bobby Whitlock! Recorded in Miami at Criteria Studios – and titles include "Layla", "It's Too Late", "Little Wing", "Have You Ever Loved A Woman", "Tell The Truth", "Anyday", "Key To The Highway", and "Bell Bottom Blues". CD1 includes the original album remastered, CD2 features long jams from the sessions, and CD3 features more jams and alternates! CD

A trio of wonderful tenorists – each of them important players on their respective local scenes – coming together tremendously here in an all-star set! Tracks are often long, and really allow each individual plenty of personal expression on their solos – and although Edwards was getting some good time on record at this point in his career, the set's maybe even more special for the way it presents both Buck Hill and Von Freeman – each of whom is great. Backing is by the trio of Rein De Graaff on piano, Koos Serierse on bass, and Eric Ineke on drums – and titles include "Perdido/Wahoo", "Red Top", "I Can't Get Started", "Out Of Nowhere", "Loverman", and "Old Folks". CD

Dave Ellis on tenor saxophone, Marty Wehner on trombone, Dmitri Matheny on flugelhorn, Eric Reed and Jeff Chimenti on piano, Peter Barshay and Robert Hurst on bass, and Albert "Tootie" Heath and Deszon Claiborne on drums. CD

Although Gil Evans is probably best remembered for his work behind Miles Davis, the albums he cut on his own are actually even more interesting, and feature a far-reaching conception of modern jazz, executed by Evans, and some of the top players of his day. This great album from 1964 features a host of wonderful musicians – including Steve Lacy, Eric Dolphy, Johnny Coles, and Wayne Shorter. The set includes mostly original compositions by Evans, like "Las Vegas Tango", "El Toreador", "Flute Song", and "Hotel Me" – all of them a shimmering blend of free solos and tightly composed orchestral passages, filled with rich colors and shades of warm imagination! Plus, this CD also includes a huge amount of extra tracks, either unreleased, or longer versions – including "Time Of The Barracudas", "Spoofull", "Nothing Like You", and "Proclamation"! CD

A wonderful meeting of the old and new jazz underground – as drummer Joe Farnsworth works here with a host of great players that include Eric Alexander, Harold Mabern, Curtis Fuller, Jim Rotondi, and Benny Golson. There's a classic soul jazz vibe running through the set that we really love – similar to that in some of Alexander's recent work, and often featuring a strong tenor in the frontline, leaping over warm piano lines that have a sweet, rhythmic feel. Titles include "Sweet Poppa", "Old Folks", "Prime Time", "And So I Love Again", "Third Plane", and "Jose's Lament". CD

Drummer Joe Farnsworth anchors a quartet with a classic soul jazz vibe – very similar to some of Eric Alexander's recent work – no surprise considering their long association, and the fact both Alexander and Harold Mabern feature prominently on this album next to bassist Nat Reeves! The session features some nice originals by Farnsworth, one track by Harold Mabern, and standards including "What A Wonderful World" and "When You Wish Upon A Star". CD

Beautiful duo soul from the all-time great Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway – released right around the time of Donny's tragic passing! The set was co-produced by Eric Mercury and Flack – and it has a lot of great vocals from Roberta, with as masterfully paired with Donny as always – plus guest vocal appearances by Luther Vandross, Gwen Guthrie, and Eleanore Mills, and even Mercury, who sings a bit on one track! Titles include couple of nice Stevie Wonder tunes – "You Are My Heaven" and "Don't Make Me Wait Too Long" – plus "Stay With Me", "God Don't Like Ugly", "Only Heaven Can Wait", and "Disguises". CD

One of Aretha Franklin's undisputed classics from her late 60s run on Atlantic Records – a seminal session that furthered her deep soul agenda with key backings from Arif Mardin and Tom Dowd – both of whom handle the mix of rawness and polish that made Aretha so great at the time! The Sweet Inspirations provide sublime backing vocals behind Franklin's maturing delivery of the lyrics – and the music is by an all-star group of players that includes Spooner Oldham, Bobby Womack, Jimmy Johnson, King Curtis, Tommy Cogbill, Roger Hawkins, and even Eric Clapton – clearly the cream of the crop, more than willing to be part of such an amazing set! Cuts include "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman", "Chain Of Fools", "Money Won't Change You", "Come Back Baby", and "Ain't No Way". CD includes the bonus tracks "Chain of Fools (unedited version)", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (mono single version)", "Since You've Never Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby) (mono single version)", and "Ain't No Way (mono single version)"! CD

With saxophonist/keyboardist Eric Hargett, saxophonist Jerry Espinoza, bassist James Suter, and guitarist Tommy Howard joined by Michelle Gaibay Carey. CD

Lafayette Gilchrist on piano, Herman Burney on bass, and Eric Kennedy on drums. CD

A sextet session with John Swana on trumpet and flugelhorn, Steve Davis on trombone, Aaron Goldberg on piano, Darrell Hall on bass, Eric McPherson on drums, and Jimmy Greene on tenor. CD

Includes the songs "Seven Come Eleven", "Line For Lyons", "Cherokee", "So Long Eric", "I Know That You Know", "Stardust", "Cute", "Sweet Sue", "Slop", and "Gerry Meets Hamp". CD

Features JD Allen, Patrick Rickman, George Cables, Eric Revis, and Abdou Mboup. CD

With Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Bob Dylan, and others. CD

David Hazeltine on piano, Eric Alexander on tenor saaxophone, Dwayne Bruno on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. CD

Features Eric Alexander on tenor sax, Peter Washington on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. CD

Mindblowing work from pianist Andrew Hill – one of the key records during that short initial run when Blue Note was really giving him a special showcase for his talents – and when the label was dabbling in more avant jazz as part of the "new thing" moment on the scene! The group here is really the stuff of legends – as the set features a very late performance from Eric Dolphy on alto, plus Joe Henderson on tenor, Kenny Dorham on trumpet, Richard Davis on bass, and Tony Williams on drums – all players at the prime of their young talents, soaring to the skies under the leadership of Hill – skittishly working their way into territory that's never truly free, but wonderfully expressive and exploratory – a clear summation of the sense of "modern" in modern jazz! All tracks are originals by the pianist, too – and titles include "New Monastery", "Flight 19", "Spectrum", "Dedication", and "Refuge". CD reissue also features 3 bonus alternate takes of some of these, for a total of 8 tracks in all. CD

A bold return to Blue Note for pianist Andrew Hill – his first record for the label in over 15 years, and a record that echoes with the modern tones of Hill's legendary Blue Note run in the 60s! The sound here is a bit more starkly modern and obtuse – done with more of a sense of space than Hill's tenser 60s recordings, in a way that's almost a more contemplative reflection of the "new thing" ideal. All tracks are originals, and Andrew is working with a quintet that includes Charles Tolliver on trumpet, Greg Tardy on tenor and bass clarinet, John Hebert on bass, and Eric McPherson on drums. Hill and Tolliver seem to dominate the record, though – musing gently, but starkly on their respective instruments – on a set of tracks that includes "Malachi", "Time Lines", "Smooth", "Whitsuntide", and "For Emilio". CD

A real standout in the early career of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard – a very unique session that has him working with some larger arrangements in the background – blowing these magical solos over the top, while still hitting a great edge with the rest of the musicians as well! There's a sound here that's unlike anything else we can think of – including other big band trumpet dates of the time – partly because the set features a fair bit of arrangements by Wayne Shorter – a very rare side of his talents, but one that's equally as soulful as his sublime small group albums of the time. The record has an undeniable depth right from the start – magical, mystical, and very soulful – with a group that includes Eric Dolphy and Wayne Shorter on saxes, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Cedar Walton on piano, and Reggie Workman on bass. Tracks include "Chocolate Shake", "Thermo", "Clarence's Place", and "Aries". CD

A sublime bit of electric funk in concert – proof that the CTI approach was always a great one, even out of the studio! The record features 2 long tracks – album-side versions of "Povo" and "Gilbraltar", both done in the best format of Hubbard's strongest CTI work, mixing in just the right amount of electric rhythms with straight forward soulful acoustic solos on tenor and trumpet! Herbie Hancock is on the piano, and the rest of the group includes Eric Gale on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – all grooving with a sense of tightness that puts the record right up there with the best CD studio sides of the early 70s! CD

Bob James on keyboards and synthesizer, David Sanborn on saxophone, Paul Milton Jackson Jr and Eric Gale on guitar, Marcus Miller on bass, Steve Gadd on drums, and Paulinho Da Costa on percussion. CD

James Farm is Joshua Redma on saxophone, Aaron Parks on piano, Hammond, pump organ, and celeste, Matt Penman on bass, and Eric Harland on drums. Tracks are all originals by members of the band. CD

The title's a bit hokey, and the cover is too – but the record's a really great batch of tenor, organ, and guitar lines – served up with guitarist Randy Johnston at the helm, and featuring great contributions from Eric Alexander and Joey DeFrancesco! Drummer Mickey Roker completes the quartet – kicking things along with his classic sound – and Joey's strong ability to handle basslines with the organ gives the record a nice rumbling feel up from the bottom. Alexander's tenor is perhaps a bit less pointed than on other albums of the 90s, but his presence is always a welcome one – and titles include "Minor Mystery", "Sunday In New York", "The Philadelphians", "Wonder Why", and "Blues For The New One". CD

A rare Japanese-only session – one that has vocalist Salena Jones joining the fusion supergroup Stuff – in a set that's easily one of the most soulful outings from both artists involved! Although Jones mostly worked overseas, she's got a slinky style here that really fits the groove of the American group – a slow-stepping approach that wraps nicely around keyboards from Richard Tee, and twin guitars from Eric Gale and Cornell Dupree. Steve Gadd's drums keep a nice undercurrent of funk, even when things are mellow – and Tee's arrangements are tight, but never slick or overdone. Titles include "Loving Arms", "My Love", "Everyday", "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me", "Help Me Make It Through The Night", and "Lately". CD

A smoking little set from DJ Kemit – done in that great old school mode we used to love – in which a hip producer gets vocal help from a range of key contemporary singers! Vocals here are from the best of the best – Eric Roberson, N'Dambi, Osunlade, Frank McComb, Lady Alma, Carl McIntosh, Choklate, and others – each of whom step in on a different track, and really help shade in the different flavors of the record! Kemit comes up with a different groove for each guest – often one that really helps show them at their best – and titles include "Digital Love", "You Don't Know", "Funky 8 Ball", "Inside Out", "Summers Night", "Spread Love", "Never Go Away", "Fortune Teller", and "I Was I Am". CD

A big album for Chaka – as her hits of the late 70s and 1980s are remixed into new club versions for the 90s – although oddly, those versions, which were "fresh" at the time, sound almost a bit dated next to some of the originals! Remixers include Hank Shocklee & Eric Sadler, Winston Jones, Paul Simpson, Clivilles & Cole, Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, and David Morales – and titles include "Life Is A Dance", "I Know You, I Live You", "This Is My Night", "Ain't Nobody", "Clouds", "I Feel For You", "Slow Dancin", "I'm Every Woman", and "One Million Kisses". CD

Franklin Kiermyer on drums, Dom Richards and Drew Gress on bass, John Esposito on piano, Sam Rivers on soprano saxophone, Eric Person on soprano and alto saxophone, and Michael Stuart on soprano and tenor saxophone. CD