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A killer 2-in-1 CD – featuring two rare Capitol albums from Elmer Bernstein! Staccato is a great lost crime jazz soundtrack – penned by Elmer Bernstein in the style of some of his best work from the 50s, with a really jazzy feel throughout! There's a real Man With The Golden Arm feel here – as the orchestra rises and falls in a mode matching the Staccato title – and solos break out with a fluid and brazen sort of feel – plenty of jazz to show the west coast origin of the recording! Players include Don Fagerquist and Pete Candoli on trumpets, Dick Nash on trombone, Ted Nash and Dave Pell on saxes, John Williams on piano, and Barney Kessel on guitar. The show itself is pretty darn cool – and starred a young John Cassavetes as detective Johnny Staccato – a role that supposedly gave Cassavetes enough money to shoot the film Shadows in his free time! Great all the way through – with tracks that include "Staccato's Theme", "Thinking Of Baby", "Poi & Juice", "Deadly Game", "Night Mood", "Jazz At Waldo's", "Like Having Fun", and "MacDougal Street Special". Next up is the album Paris Swings – a record with a gimmicky cover, but a surprisingly great sound – one served up by a small combo that features Andre Previn at the lead on piano, plus Don Fagerquist on trumpet, Ted Nash on reeds, Barney Kessel on guitar, Red Mitchell on bass, Shelly Manne on drums, and Larry Bunker on a host of great percussion! Bernstein put the record together, and handles the arrangements with a nicely deft touch – somewhere between soundtrack jazz and some of the well-arranged west coast groups of the mid 50s – with nice emphasis on key soloists at all the right moments. Titles include "Valentina", "Autumn Leaves", "Under Paris Skies", "Symphony", "Paris In The Spring", "April In Paris", "Souvenir Du Printemps", and "Pauvre Moi Pauvre Moi".

A seminal session from the team of Miles Davis & John Coltrane – not nearly as "cookin" (at least in a blowing session way) as you might guess from the title, but instead a beautiful example of the lyrically modern explorations the pair created together! Rhythm is by the trio of Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones – but the horn work of Davis and Coltrane are clearly the starring attraction on the set! Titles include "Tune Up", "Blues By Five", and "Airegin" – plus the pair's classic reading of "My Funny Valentine".

A seminal session from the team of Miles Davis & John Coltrane – not nearly as "cookin" (at least in a blowing session way) as you might guess from the title, but instead a beautiful example of the lyrically modern explorations the pair created together! Rhythm is by the trio of Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones – but the horn work of Davis and Coltrane are clearly the starring attraction on the set! Titles include "Tune Up", "Blues By Five", and "Airegin" – plus the pair's classic reading of "My Funny Valentine".

Modern soul from the Drizabone Soul Family – the reconstituted jazzy soul groovers Drizabone with founding member Billy Freeman back with new Soul Family – fresh, upbeat soul! Multi-instrumentalist Freeman wrote or co-wrote most of the tunes here and the soul chanteuses trade off and share lead vocal duties throughout – lovely contributions from Anneka Johnson & Nataya on several, plus Sh'Niece McMenemin, Natalie Valentine and others. The record has a sophisticated live soul fell for the most part, more smoothed out, clean vibe that reminds us acid jazz era soul of the Drizabone's earlier run, yet feeling nice and fresh! Includes "Never Gonna Stop The Groove", "I Fell Apart", "No More Sorrow", "Girlfriendz", "Lovin U", "All The Way", "Slow Luv (All Through The Night)", "Don't Break My Heart" (featuring a quite solid lead vocal turn by Freeman) and a remake of their early 90s gem "Real Love".

Killer early work by the Fania All Stars – caught live at the legendary Cheetah club, which was the heart of the New York salsa scene at the start of the 70s! The album is easily one of the best by the group – and features long tracks that really capture the jamming intensity that occurred on stage when this many great artists were brought together in one space – kind of the "next step" for the older descarga mode put forth at the start of the 60s, pushed forward into the prouder, more unified Latin scene of the 70s! All Stars on this date include Ray Barretto, Larry Harlow, Bobby Valentin, Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, and others – and titles on this first volume include "Quitate Tu", "Descarga Fania", and "Anaconda".

A fresh new groove from The Fania All Stars – one that definitely has them picking up some of the Spanish elements mentioned in the title – the fusing them into the tight mix of Latin, club, and jazz they were doing at Columbia Records in the late 70s! These new elements are often light – a bit of acoustic guitar here, maracas there, or some slightly different rhythms – and they're warmed up nicely by the mix of electric and acoustic instrumentation used by the group – who are definitely at the height of their disco powers here! Core players include Papo Lucca on keyboards, Nicky Marrero on timbales, Johnny Pacheco and Roberto Roena on percussion, and Bobby Valentin on bass – and other players include Hubert Laws on flute, Eric Gale on guitar, Luie Ramirez on vibes, and Luiz Perico Ortiz on trumpet. Vocals are by Ismael Miranda, Pacheco, and Ruben Blades – and titles include "Spanish Fever", "Que Pasa", "Space Machine", "Donde", "Your Sereneness", and "Sin Tu Carino".

A slightly different take on the Modern Jazz Quartet sound of the early years – as the album features Milt Jackson's vibes in the company of MJQ bandmates Percy Heath and Connie Kay, but also includes Horace Silver on piano – in the spot normally reserved for John Lewis! The presence of Silver on piano gives a bit of a harder edge to the set, one that almost recalls some of Jackson's work on Blue Note in the early 50s, yet which is rounded out here by a few lighter and more lyrical touches on rhythm. The set includes a great reading of "Moonray", the Jackson original "Stonewall", and the tracks "Wonder Why", "I Should Care", and "My Funny Valentine".

A slightly different take on the Modern Jazz Quartet sound of the early years – as the album features Milt Jackson's vibes in the company of MJQ bandmates Percy Heath and Connie Kay, but also includes Horace Silver on piano – in the spot normally reserved for John Lewis! The presence of Silver on piano gives a bit of a harder edge to the set, one that almost recalls some of Jackson's work on Blue Note in the early 50s, yet which is rounded out here by a few lighter and more lyrical touches on rhythm. The set includes a great reading of "Moonray", the Jackson original "Stonewall", and the tracks "Wonder Why", "I Should Care", and "My Funny Valentine".

A surprisingly wonderful 70s meeting between Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker – recorded live, with sweet electric touches from CTI – in a style that shouldn't work so well, but which really comes off great! The approach is simple – Mulligan & Baker solo in a manner that's a bit like their 50s work, but which also unfolds more than usual with backing from a group that includes Bob James on electric piano, Ron Carter on bass, John Scofield on guitar, and Harvey Mason on drums. Tracks are long, with lots of space – hanging in a beautiful balance between electric and acoustic sounds. Titles include "Line For Lyons", "Song For An Unfinished Woman", "Song For Strayhorn" and Baker's favorite standard "My Funny Valentine".

Easily the greatest album ever from brothers John and Billy Valentine – a seminal 80s groove classic, produced with a sweet jazzy touch from keyboardist Bobby Lyle! The record's a real standout from the time – a solid soul effort that still manages strong dancefloor appeal – thanks to a range of midtempo numbers that still resonate strongly in the modern steppers era. Strongest among these tracks is the pair's classic "Money's Too Tight To Mention" – offered up here in both instrumental and vocal versions that are better than the later remake by Gwen Guthrie. But the whole album is plenty great too, and features sophisticated vocals that move in the same early 80s territory explored by Leon Ware or Lamont Dozier! Titles include "Money's Too Tight To Mention", "Just Another Love Song", "Just Let Me Be Close To You", "This Kind Of Love", and "I'll Make You Happy" – plus 2 "overture" tracks that make the whole thing come off like a long suite of soul!

Excellent recent work by John Wright – a Chicago soul jazz legend of the 60s! You may know John Wright from his classic sides for Prestige Records – like Makin Out or South Side Soul – and although this one was recorded nearly 30 years after the last of those records, it shows that Wright has definitely not lost his touch! Wright still kept up a heck of a lot of live appearances in Chicago, and working here in a local studio, he really opens up – still playing with that hard, rhythmic, left-hand style of his, but also leading with the right on some more lyrical numbers. Titles include "Summertime", "The Preacher", "Watermelon Man", "Evelyn", "My Funny Valentine", and "Blue Monk". CD features one bonus track too!

The second in Rockashaka's series of the songs of Sonia Pottinger – fairly rare reggae singles cut in '67 & 68 – featuring cuts by The Originators, Eric Morris, The Cables, Bobby Aitken And The Carib Beats, The Valentines and more. Rare rocksteady grooves from the years following Pottinger's numbers that have been pretty well under represented since the original issues, and most of which have never reissued before now. 15 tracks in all: "Orange Street Special" by Bobby Aitken & The Carib Beats", "Rudies Give Up"m by Lloyd And Glen, "Stop The Violence" by The Valentines, "Seven Heaven" by The Hippy Boys, "Watch Yourself" by The Originators, "How Do You Think I Feel" by The Calbes, "Cross My Heart" by Johnny And The Attractions and more.

A treasure box of early 60s R&B 45s – a top shelf collection of singles cut for the King & Federal labels from 1960 to 1964 – amazing numbers from Hank Ballard, Freddy King, The Drivers, Little Bobby Moore, Willie Dixon & The Big Wheels, Johnny Guitar Watson, Carol Ford, Little Willie John and more in a 10 X 7" box set from Vampi Soul! Early 60s soul and rollicking R&B sides to rival the best and most exciting sounds of the era – compiled by DJ Mr Fine Wine, most of which have never been reissued before now! Includes "Gibble Gobble" by Willie Wright & His Sparklers, "Broadway" by Hank Ballard, "What Makes You So Cold" by Lulu Reed, "My Nerves" by Little Willie John, "The Slummer The Slum" by The 5 Royales, "I Don't Know About You" by Lloyd Nolan, "Where You At Jack" by Little Mummy,, "That's It Man" by The Valentines, "Mind Your Own Business" by Eugene Church, "Regardless" by Charles Brown,, "Texas Oil" by Freddie King", "One Zippy Zam" by Roy Mildton & His Orchestra, "Mom, Won't You Teach Me To Monkey" by Little Emmett Suttoon, "Hog Killin Time" by Eddie Kirk and more. Comes in a beautiful little box plus reproductions of the old King & Federal sleeves and promo photos!

A treasure box of early 60s R&B 45s – a top shelf collection of singles cut for the King & Federal labels from 1960 to 1964 – amazing numbers from Hank Ballard, Freddy King, The Drivers, Little Bobby Moore, Willie Dixon & The Big Wheels, Johnny Guitar Watson, Carol Ford, Little Willie John and more. Early 60s soul and rollicking R&B sides to rival the best and most exciting sounds of the era – compiled by DJ Mr Fine Wine, most of which have never been reissued before now! Includes "Gibble Gobble" by Willie Wright & His Sparklers, "Broadway" by Hank Ballard, "What Makes You So Cold" by Lulu Reed, "My Nerves" by Little Willie John, "The Slummer The Slum" by The 5 Royales, "I Don't Know About You" by Lloyd Nolan, "Where You At Jack" by Little Mummy,, "That's It Man" by The Valentines, "Mind Your Own Business" by Eugene Church, "Regardless" by Charles Brown,, "Texas Oil" by Freddie King", "One Zippy Zam" by Roy Mildton & His Orchestra, "Mom, Won't You Teach Me To Monkey" by Little Emmett Suttoon, "Hog Killin Time" by Eddie Kirk and more.

Smooth modern duets from one of our favorite ladies in soul music! Jean Carne's a heck of a singer – with a career that stretches back to early soul jazz recordings with (then) husband Doug Carn, to solo recordings on Philly International in the late 70s, to appearances on records by other artists – sessions from the 70s, 80s, and 90s in which Jean lent her vocals to a wealth of great recordings! This great collection focuses on work in that category – uncollected sides from a three decade period, brought together in one album that shows just how great Jean can sound when she's singing with other artists. Many of these titles are quite hard to find otherwise, and haven't even shown up on other collections of Jean's work – and tracks include "Good Thng Goin On" with Billy Paul, "Holdin On" and "Dreams Of Tomorrow" with Dexter Wansel, "Keep In Touch" and "The Look Of Love" with Grover Washington Jr, "Lean On Me" with Nathan Heathman, "If You Don't Know Me By Now" with The Temptations, "Love Is Beautiful" with Universe, "Star Flower" with Lonnie Liston Smith, "Let's Stay Together" with Bobby M, "I'm Back For More" with Al Johnson, "You Might Be Surprised" with Roy Ayers, "Mother Of The Future" with Norman Connors, and "Valentine Love" with Michael Henderson. Also features the bonus solo track "Trust Me" – never on CD before!

Rhythmic early 60s global grooves from John Berberian – a master of the oud with a great group of players on these oft intense takes traditional Turkish, Armenian and Arabic songs! The melodies and rhythms are pretty impressive – the percussion is particularly heavy and groovy! The oud is out front and supported by lots of clarinet and bongo, hand percussion, guitar, bass and some vocals, too! There's a passion here that easily trumps any initial thoughts that this would be a dry reading of middle-eastern folk material – it's appealing in many of the ways that Salah Ragab's Egyptian jazz material is, without the cosmic funkiness. Players include Souren Baronian on clarinet and bongos, Jack Chalikian on canun, John Valentine on guitar and dudoog, among others. Tracks include "Siseler", "Laz", "Basha Bella", "Whyek", "Taksim", and "Nubar Nubar".

A rare slice of work from the LA scene of the 50s – material recorded for the legendary Mode Records label, but not issued at the time! The session's a unique one that featured solo piano work by 5 of the scene's best pianists of the time – Carl Perkins, Jimmy Rowles, Lou Levy, Paul Smith, and Gerald Wiggins. Each player is recorded in a comfortable, intimate setting – with very warm tones on the recording – and titles include "Flamingo", "Tea For Two", and "Love Letters" by Lou Levy; "Lullaby Of The Leaves", "Alone Together", and "You Don't Know What Love Is" by Carl Perkins; "Laugh Clown Laugh" and "That Old Devil Called Love" by Jimmy Rowles; "All The Things You Are", "My Funny Valentine", and "Yesterdays" by Paul Smith; and "The Way You Look Tonight", "Frankie & Johnny", and "My Heart Stood Still" by Gerald Wiggins. 24 tracks in all – way longer than the usual Mode session!

Easily the greatest album ever from brothers John and Billy Valentine – a seminal 80s groove classic, produced with a sweet jazzy touch from keyboardist Bobby Lyle! The record's a real standout from the time – a solid soul effort that still manages strong dancefloor appeal – thanks to a range of midtempo numbers that still resonate strongly in the modern steppers era. Strongest among these tracks is the pair's classic "Money's Too Tight To Mention" – offered up here in both instrumental and vocal versions that are better than the later remake by Gwen Guthrie. But the whole album is plenty great too, and features sophisticated vocals that move in the same early 80s territory explored by Leon Ware or Lamont Dozier! Titles include "Money's Too Tight To Mention", "Just Another Love Song", "Just Let Me Be Close To You", "This Kind Of Love", and "I'll Make You Happy" – plus 2 "overture" tracks that make the whole thing come off like a long suite of soul!

A great look at a great year for jazz on record – material either recorded or issued by producer Alan Douglas during the 1962 period he was heading up jazz releases for United Artists Records! The label's now part of the Blue Note catalog, hence the title – but back in the day, Douglas' touch made United Artists one of the most creative outlets for jazz – a label that easily rivaled Impulse or Candid for groundbreaking, high-quality material! Some of the cuts weren't recorded by Douglas, but just issued during his tenure – thanks to his determination – and together, the collection gives us a great look at his legacy in jazz, with titles that include "El Matador" by Kenny Dorham, "I Can't Get Started" by Charles Mingus, "Taste Of Honey" by Oliver Nelson, "Say What" by Ken McIntyre, "Brazil" by Herbie Mann, "Just Friends" by John Coltrane, "Rendezvous" by Oliver Nelson & Phil Woods, "Three Blind Mice" by Art Blakey, "This Is Always" by Betty Carter, and "My Funny Valentine" by Bill Evans & Jim Hall.