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One of the real classics on BYG/Actuel! Tenorist Frank Wright is joined by alto player Noah Howard, pianist Bobby Few, and drummer Muhammad Ali in an excellent set of material that's very much in the post-Coltrane/late-Ayler spirit. The set includes 2 long tracks – Wright's "One For John" (Coltrane, natch) and Few's "China". The playing is excellent, Few's piano is a brilliant highlight of the album – and the record is a prime example of how well Americans like Wright and Howard could play in the freer setting of the European scene!

The record features Cecil's Segments II Orchestra Of Two Continents – with trumpets by Enrico Rava and Tomasz Stanko, bass by William Parker, drums by Rashied Bakr and Andre Martinez, and saxes by John Tchicai, Frank Wright, and Jimmy Lyons. Titles include "Winged Serpent", "Womb Waters Scent Of The Burning Armadillo Shell", and "Cun Un Un Un An".

A post-Supremes disco effort from Mary Wilson – but one that comes off relatively well, especially considering how a session like this could flop if done poorly! Mary's getting some top-shelf help on the album – Hal Davis on production, Art Wright on arrangements, and a set of original material by Frank Busey and John Duarte – all of which keeps the record from being just a disco filler kind of set. But the real strength here is Wilson's vocals – which are strongly soulful, and never overwhelmed by the backings. And while we're not ready to say that Mary's a great club diva, we're surprised at how well she does fit into this mode. Titles include "Midnight Dancer", "Red Hot", "You Make Me Feel So Good", "Pick Up The Pieces", and "I've Got What You Need".

Paul Desmond serves up his own versions of some key tunes by Simon & Garfunkel tunes – with results that are simply amazing! The style here takes all the airy brilliance of the original S&G tunes, and turns it towards a more jazz-based mode – one that has some of the slight Brazilian undercurrents in the rhythms that you'll find on Desmond's previous two albums for CTI! The full arrangements are by Don Sebesky, who brings a great sense of balance to the set – and Herbie Hancock plays some great electric piano, in a group that also features Airto on percussion and Gene Bertoncini on guitar. But the real star of the set is Paul Desmond – blowing with that amazing tone of his – and sliding from tune to tune with effortless ease, in a way that really transforms these tunes in their instrumental readings. Titles include "Cecilia", "Mrs. Robinson", "America", "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright", and "Scarborough Fair" – all done with a sweet jazzy A&M approach!

Culled from the rich history of the Atlantic records label, and lovingly put together with great notes and everything! 18 tracks inall, including "The Ghetto" by Donny Hathaway, "Turn Back The Hands Of Time" by Tyrone Davis, "Compared To What" by Les McCann & Eddie Harris, "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" and "Rock Steady" by Aretha Franklin, "Groove Me" by King Floyd, "Patches" by Clarence Carter, "Funky Nassau (parts 1 & 2)" by the Beginning Of The End, "Thin Line Between Love & Hate" by the Persuaders, "You've Got A Friend" and "Where Is The Love?" by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway, "Clean Up Woman" by Betty Wright, "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love", "Mighty Love" and "I'll Be Around" by the Spinners, "Killing Me Softly" and "Feel Like Makin' Love" by Roberta Flack and "Lo9ve Won't Let Me Wait" by Major Harris.