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The entirety of Kenny's first 3 sessions for Blue Note together on one 2 disc set. Arguably some of Kenny Burrell's best work! Unlike some of Kenny's other sessions, which hide his guitar in arrangements that are a bit too complicated – this one's a nicely stripped-down album that sets his hollow electric in a group with Tommy Flanagan on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, Kenny Clarke on drums, and Candido on conga. The tracks are nicely laidback, and Kenny hits some nice deep grooves on cuts like "Fugue N Blues", "Takeela", and "Delilah". Plus, the album also includes a totally cool percussion-only track – "Rhythmorama", which is a duet between Kenny Clarke and Candido! This CD adds the entire session to include the album issued as Kenny Burrell Volume 2 which featured Frank Foster's tenor on numbers like "Moten Swin", "Cheeta" and Phinupi. K.B. Blues, an early 10" side that included the title track (with an alternate take also included here), "Nica's Dream" and "Out For Blood" with tenor man Hank Mobley, is also included.

One of the best Kenny Burrell albums ever! Kenny's in fine form in this rare live set, recorded in 1959 at the Five Spot with a group that includes the legendary Tina Brooks on tenor, plus Bobby Timmons or Roland Hanna on piano, Ben Tucker on bass, and Art Blakey on drums. The band is more firey than some of Kenny's other recordings – and that seems to drive him onto harder solos than usual, as you'll hear on tracks like "Birk's Works", "36-23-36", and "Hallelujah". Nice stuff!

Classic early work from Kenny Dorham as a leader – a brilliant set that sparkles with modern touches! The group's a quartet that pairs Kenny's trumpet with the alto sax of the late Ernie Henry – a perfect accompanist that brings out both the brightness in Kenny's horn, and the edgier touches that made him one of the most exciting trumpeters to appear in the 50s scene. The rest of the group features GT Hogan on drums and Wilbur Ware or Eddie Mathias on bass – and the session's got a great reading of Kenny's classic "Lotus Blossom", plus the tracks "Jazz Classic", "Noose Bloos", "The End Of A Love Affair", and "Soon".

One of our favorite albums ever by Kenny Dorham – and a really different session than his usual studio work! The album captures Kenny in a relaxed live setting, with a bit more dirt on his horn than usual – blowing with a tone that's much more open and a bit less poised – in the company of a really great group that features JR Monterose on tenor, Kenny Burrell on guitar, Bobby Timmons on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Arthur Edgehill on drums. The CD features a total of 17 tracks in all – titles from the original LP, plus rare extra material, and some bonus alternate takes – all remastered by Rudy Van Gelder. Titles include Dorham's boppish "Mexico City", plus other enigmatic compositions like "Monaco" and "Hill's Edge", and tracks that include "Round Midnight", "Riffin", "My Heart Stood Still", and "NY Theme".

Arguably one of the most lyrical and expressive trumpeters in the history of Jazz, Kenny Dorham was unquestionably the one the foremost players of his generation. An absolute must own for all fans of the mid 50's to late 60's hard bop as defined by this side and many other contemporaneous selections from the Blue Note catalog, all the hallmarks of the classic "Blue Note" are embodied in this LP: hard, swinging blues, atmospheric modal pieces, and mellow, introspective playing. Titles include the great "Sunrise In Mexico", plus "Buffalo", "Sunset", and "Windmill".

Arguably one of the most lyrical and expressive trumpeters in the history of Jazz, Kenny Dorham was unquestionably one of the foremost players of his generation. An absolute must own for all fans of the mid 50's to late 60's hard bop as defined by this side and many other contemporaneous selections from the Blue Note catalog, all the hallmarks of the classic "Blue Note" are embodied in this CD: hard, swinging blues, atmospheric modal pieces, and mellow, introspective playing. Titles include the great "Sunrise In Mexico", plus "Buffalo", "Sunset", and "Windmill".

This is the kind of CD that makes us love reissues! Why? Well, because it features 2 incredibly rare jazz albums – both of which never turn up on vinyl, and are lovingly packaged here on 1 CD filled with a dozen hard bop grooves. The album Matador was originally issued under Kenny Dorham's name, and Inta Somethin' was issued under Jackie McLean's name – but both players are sort of co-leaders on both albums, and it's fitting to pair the records together here because they represent the unique union of these two different players. Dorham's lyrical trumpet is an unlikely match for McLean's edgey alto, but the records work well, and with a modernist groove that's extremely compelling. Titles include "El Matador", "San Francisco Beat", "Prelude", and versions of "Una Mas" and "Melanie" – both of which were recorded later by the artists on Blue Note.

Also included are Elgar transcriptions of Bach's "Fantasia & Fugue In C Minor" and Handel's "Overture In D Minor".

One of the sharper-edged sessions on the GRP label at the start of the 90s – a self-titled set from keyboardist Kenny Kirkland, who's mostly working here in a stripped-down acoustic mode! The lineup changes a bit from track to track – and in addition to Kenny on keys, the set also features Jeff Tain Watts on drums, Branford Marsalis on tenor and soprano sax, Charnett Moffet on bass, and Don Alias and Jerry Gonzalez on percussion. Some tracks are quite spare – one number is even just a drum solo by Watts – and there's a slightly modern undercurrent at points, as you might find in Marsalis family music of the same point – nothing that's ever too out, but a slightly dark edge that adds a bit more depth than you might expect. Titles include "Celia", "Chance", "Midnight Silence", "El Rey", "Mr JC", "Criss Cross", "Revelations", and "Ana Maria".

Sublime 70s work from Kenny Barron – a record that really has him stretching out strongly from his roots in the 60s, and sounding almost even more inventive than on some of his later material as well! Kenny's playing a fair bit of keyboards on the set – showing a wonderful sensitivity for electric modes, in ways that are quite different than some of his contemporaries – very cool, and often spacey, but in really unique sort of ways! Acoustic piano figures into the mix as well – and is layered beautifully along contributions from group members who include Bob Cranshaw on bass, Freddy Waits on drums, Warren Smith on vibes, and Richard Landrum on percussion – a hornless but very full sounding group. The set includes the great groover "Swamp Demon" and the very well-sampled "Sunset", plus "Al-Kifha", "Delores St SF", and "Dawn".

One of the best Kenny Burrell albums ever! Kenny's in fine form in this rare live set, recorded in 1959 at the Five Spot with a group that includes the legendary Tina Brooks on tenor, plus Bobby Timmons or Roland Hanna on piano, Ben Tucker on bass, and Art Blakey on drums. The band is more firey than some of Kenny's other recordings – and that seems to drive him onto harder solos than usual, as you'll hear on tracks like "Birk's Works", "36-23-36", and "Hallelujah". Nice stuff!

A fantastic bit of lost hardbop – an obscure ABC album that has Kenny Dorham working with his Jazz Prophets group! The combo's a quintet with a unique lineup that includes Dick Katz on piano, JR Monterose on tenor, Sam Jones on bass, and Arthur Edgehill on drums – and the whole set's got an open-ended sort of approach that's much more like albums of the time on Blue Note or Savoy than it is the usually more staid ABC jazz sides of the 50s! Monterose and Dorham are fantastic, and really open up on the 5 tracks on the album – all of which are long enough to give the players plenty of room to blow. Probably one of the best jazz records ever recorded for ABC – with titles that include "The Prophet", "DX", "Tahitian Suite", and "Blues Elegante".

An overlooked late 60s treasure on Blue Note – 2 rare albums by Kenny Cox & The Contemporary Jazz Quintet – one of the few new groups to work on the label at the time, and an up-and-coming modern combo from Detroit! The first album's quite unique for a number of reasons – not just because the group was a little-known new signing to the label, but also because the work is quite far-reaching at times – some of the most free-thinking jazz recorded for Blue Note during the time, with a sense of boldness that almost stretches back to Jackie McLean's first few records of the new thing years, or a sense of lyrical invention that's a bit like Wayne Shorter when he made a shift towards the outside. Some numbers are awash in fast colors and changes, while others are a bit more in the pocket, with echoes of soul jazz – but the whole thing's incredibly fresh and free, a wonderful little record that only gets better and better over the years! The group features pianist Kenny Cox as the leader, plus Charles Moore on trumpet, Leon Henderson on tenor, Ron Brooks on bass, and Danny Spencer on drums. Titles include "Mystique", "You", "Trance Dance", "Eclipse", and "Number Four". The CD also features the group's second Blue Note album, Multidirection – a session of work that builds strongly on the colors and changes explored by Miles Davis earlier in the 60s, but which takes things off into a whole new direction! (A Multidirection?) The horns on the record have incredible interplay – trumpet by Charles Moore and tenor from Leon Henderson, playing together with a sense of dexterity that may even beat the team of Davis and Wayne Shorter – angular one moment, softly lyrical the next, and always in pursuit of fresh tones and righteous sounds. Kenny Cox's piano is great too – an exercise in understatement at times – getting as much done with one note as other players would with five – as he slowly guides the group along, and grounds their freer expressions with a good sense of humanity. Titles include "What Other One", "Gravity Point", "Spellbound", "Snuck In", and "Sojourn".

Some of the earliest recorded work from trumpeter Kenny Dorham – presented here in an overstuffed set that brings together most of his appearances on the Savoy label! The core standout tunes here are 10 numbers recorded in 1946 by The Bebop Boys – a combo that featured Dorham, Sonny Stitt, and Bud Powell coming together on tight, short, very upbeat bop material that ranked with some of the best early 78s of the genre. Titles by this group include "Seven Up", "Bebop In Pastel", "Serenade To A Square", "Fools Fancy", and "Bombay". Other material on the CD includes a solo by Kenny on "The Jitney Man" by Billy Eckstine, plus 3 tracks with the Milt Jackson Sextet from 1949 – including "Conglomeration", "Bruz", and "Roll Em Bags". Kenny also plays on three 1949 recordings with Charlie Parker – "Barbados", "Scrapple From The Apple", and "Bebop" – as well as four 1956 numbers with Cecil Payne – including "Grooving High", "Man Of Moods", and "Saucer Eyes".

The great John Jenkins was one of the lesser-known sax stars to come out of the Chicago scene of the late 50s – but he was also one of the best! Jenkins played alto impeccably – with boppish agility, and a deep sense of soul that worked great on this one and only Blue Note session as a leader. The group features Kenny Burrell playing some of his best work on record – and the rhythm section features Sonny Clark on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Dannie Richmond on drums – playing in a rare non-Mingus appearance! Tracks include "Motif", "Sharon", "Blues For Two", and "Chalumeau" – and the session is a wonderful bit of lost Blue Note – great sharp edges from Jenkins' alto, and some warmer, rounder tones from Burrell on guitar. CD also features 2 bonus alternate takes.

2 brilliant albums back to back on one CD – the complete recordings of the quintet co-led by trumpeter Kenny Dorham and alto saxophonist Jackie McLean! First up is Matador – an obscure United Artists album from 1962. The set is billed under the name of Kenny Dorham – and is one of his more far-reaching efforts, with the expansive compositional style that he started bringing to some of his Blue Note work of the early 60s. The record features a group with Jackie McLean on alto, Bobby Timmons on piano, Teddy Smith on bass, and JC Moses on drums – all working with Kenny in a slightly Latin tinged mode that features some really shimmering trumpet work! The record features a stunning 3 part reading of McLean's haunting tune "Melanie" (done under his name on the album A Fickle Sonance) – plus the tracks "Prelude", "El Matador", "Smile", and "There Goes My Heart". Inta Somethin is from a year earlier – 1961 – and was first issued on Pacific Jazz – and the set is some of the most interesting early 60s work by both of the players! The group's co-led by Kenny Dorham and Jackie McLean, with rhythm backing by Walter Bishop Jr, Leroy Vinnegar, and Art Taylor. The quintet play a fiercely modernist approach to hardbop, in a style that's slightly more unbridled than some of their studio recordings, thanks to the live setting of the album – which was recorded at the Jazz Workshop in San Francisco. Titles include "Us", "San Francisco Beat", "Lover Man", and "No Two People".

Light and tippling magic from pianist Kenny Drew – working here in trio formation with Philly Joe Jones on drums and Paul Chambers on bass, and getting a nice degree of freedom in this early Riverside session! There's a "newness" here that continues the inroads Kenny made on his first few sides for Blue Note – a piano style that's respectful of 50s mainstream, but finds its own space without falling into too-boppish modes or easy modern traps. The set features a great reading of Kenny's classic "Weird-O", as well as his great "Blues For Nica" – and other tunes include "Caravan", "Ruby My Dear", "When You Wish Upon A Star", "Taking A Chance On Love", and "Come Rain Or Come Shine".

Kenny may be quiet, but he's never muted – and the record is far from the sleepy session you might guess from the title! The album's a real standout in the Dorham catalog – a set that let's Kenny's trumpet sparkle beautifully in a quartet that includes piano from Tommy Flanagan, bass from Paul Chambers, and drums from Art Taylor – all bringing their own spirit to the record, but really hanging back in the space to let Dorham's sound dominate the record. Kenny's notes are beautifully shaped throughout – in a mode that has echoes of Clifford Brown's sweetness, but which also speaks with a raspier, earthier tone overall! Titles include 2 key Dorham classics – "Lotus Blossom" and "Blue Spring" – plus "Mack The Knife", "My Ideal", "Blue Friday", and "Old Folks".

A beautifully sensitive album from Donald Byrd – quite a change from his better-known jazz funk work of the 70s and early 80s – and part of a back-to-basics move he made in part of that latter decade! The album's very much in the best straight mode of the Landmark Records label scene of the time – Byrd blowing strong and soulfully in the company of a key combo that features Kenny Garrett on alto, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Marvin Smitty Smith on drums – all players who really bring a lot of fire to the record, and almost push Byrd back to his pre-electric 60s years on Blue Note. Mike Daugherty plays synth on two tracks – using the instrument in gentle, string-like ways – but overall the record is proudly acoustic at most moments. Titles include "Harlem Blues", "Fly Little Byrd", "Voyage A Deux", "Sir Master Kool Guy", and "Blue Monk".

Some incredible early work from John Coltrane – 3 sessions recorded under the leadership of Paul Chambers, and even done before Coltrane's more famous work with Miles Davis! First up is material from the Imperial album Chamber's Music – led by Chambers, and one of the earliest small group sessions with Coltrane – a very spare batch of bass-heavy tracks with an incredibly relaxed groove. Chambers is at the full peak of his youthful talents, and solos quite a bit next to spare piano fills by Drew. Trane's tone is loud and raw, with more bluesiness than you'd expect – and we mean that in a good way! Titles include "Dexterity", "Trane's Blues", and "Eastbound". Added to these are 3 more tracks from a really wonderful Massachusetts session in 1956 – recorded for Transition Records – and featuring Coltrane and Chambers with Pepper Adams, Roland Alexander, and Donald Byrd – playing, long, bluesy, almost-improvised tunes that include "Trane's Strain", "High Step", and "Nixon Dixon & Yates Blues". Last up are more tracks from the album Whims Of Chambers – again recorded under Chambers' leadership, this time for Blue Note in 1956 – with a group that includes Donald Byrd, Kenny Burrell, and Horace Silver. The writing is great, and the group has a nice dark edge that gives the session a slightly different sound than other Blue Note albums from the time. Chambers leads off with the bass on most tracks, kind of putting the work at an off-center pace that really gives it a fresh feel – and which makes it different from the straighter bop sound of his albums as a leader on Vee Jay. Tracks include "We Six", "Dear Ann", "Tale Of The Fingers", and "Omicron". CD features 11 tracks in all – quite possibly not all of the tracks from the albums, but the important Coltrane ones.

A strange mix of material – but some great work overall! Most of the record features Miles Davis recording with a quintet that includes Thelonious Monk on piano, Milt Jackson on vibes, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums – on longer versions of "The Man I Love" (in 2 takes), "Swing Spring", and "Bemsha Swing". These sides have a great bop/modern approach that's a nice extension of the styles that Jackson and Davis were playing on Blue Note in earlier years. Also added to the set is one number from 1956 – a version of "Round Midnight" recorded in early sessions with John Coltrane on tenor, and the Red Garland Trio on rhythm – different than the rest of the tracks, but still quite nice!

Excellent early hardbop work by Miles – recorded in 1952 and 1954, and some of his best early sides as a leader! The CD features remastered versions of the material, sparkling with the talents of Rudy Van Gelder – and the sessions feature JJ Johnson, Gil Coggins, Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Jackie McLean, and Oscar Pettiford. Titles include "Weirdo", "Woody N You", "Dear Old Stockholm", "Chance It", "Donna", "Yesterdays", and "The Leap".

An infectious batch of soul tunes from Raheem DeVaughn – his long overdue debut for Jive Records! Raheem stands apart from many in the mainstream soul and neo soul, not because he wears his influences so proudly on his sleeve, but in the way he wears them. Raheem's soul style is born of love for singers from Marvin Gaye, to Prince, to D'Angelo, to the Isleys and beyond – but his approach to songcraft and recording is born of hip hop and mixtapes – in which he can appropriate a given groove into his own tunes. The album's full of peaks and valleys, and the peaks are worth the the climb! Tracks include "The Love Experience", the Kenny Dope-produced "Guess Who Loves You More", "Who", "Where I Stand", "Breathe", "You", "Sweet Tooth", "Ask Yourself", "Believe", "Is It Possible", "Catch 22", "You", "Cadillac", "Green Leaves" and more!

Top shelf hip hop from Kenny Keys & ADaD for All Natural, Inc– fresh, unpredictable production from KK and rhymes ranging from playful to sharp from Adad – with guests including Cap D & Proh Mic. Wholly excellent Chicago hip hop is consistently delivered by team All Natural, and this set is one of the best from the label in years! Includes "Duhn Duhn", "Leavin", "Bluelight Groove", "Doos", "Shinin" feat Cap D & Proh Mic, "Hot N Nasty" feat Proh Mic, "Real Life", "Never Knew", "Waterbug", "Greest & Avers" plus intro & outro.

Beautiful quartet recording that unites Dexter with two other Americans in exile – Bud Powell and Kenny Clarke – plus the great French bassist Pierre Michelot. Includes a great take of "Scrapple from the Apple", plus excellent readings of "Stairway to the Stars" and "Night in Tunisia". Recorded in Paris for Blue Note, and one of Dex's best recordings! Plus, the CD reissue also includes 2 non LP bonus cuts – "Our Love Is Here To Stay" and "Like Someone In Love".

One of our favorite Dexter Gordon Blue Notes – a beautiful quartet recording that unites Dex with two other Americans in exile – Bud Powell and Kenny Clarke! The group's completed by French bassist Pierre Michelot, and includes a great take of "Scrapple from the Apple", plus excellent readings of "Stairway to the Stars" and "Night in Tunisia". The format is simple, but the sound is magic – classic Dexter Gordon in a tight Blue Note mode!

Second volume of the two LP set that compiled JJ's bop trombone sides for Blue Note. Great stuff, and arguably among some of his best work. The arrangements are tight, and JJ's in the company of great rhythm players like Kenny Clarke, Horace Silver, and Paul Chambers, who make the sessions really swing. Soloists include Hank Mobley, and titles include "Daylie Double", "Groovin", and "Viscosity".

The classic debut of a young Wynton Marsalis – cut after a stretch when Wynton was working with Art Blakey, and had really sharpened his chops! The record's a wonderful return to straight jazz tradition for Columbia – but it also has some modern moments too – proof that the younger generation of 80s jazz players still had plenty of fresh sounds to bring to the table. Half of the record has Marsalis paired with the VSOP rhythm section – in a way that provides a nice link with the more modern edges of Columbia jazz a decade before. Wynton's sometimes a bit serious in his approach, but also opens up with freer Blakey-inspired moments too – and other players here include Herbie Hancock and Kenny Kirkland on piano, Jeff Watts and Tony Williams on drums, Clarence Seay and Ron Carter on bass, and Branford Marsalis on sax. Titles include "Twilight", "RJ", "Hesitation", "I'll Be There When The Time Comes", and "Father Time".

A real classic by Jackie McLean – a record that's pulled from 2 different sessions, but which stands out with a strikingly unified feel! The album was cut during the height of Jackie's bop years for Blue Note – with one 1959 session that featured Donald Byrd and Sonny Clark, and another from 1960 that featured Blue Mitchell, Kenny Drew, and the great Tina Brooks on tenor. Brooks' appearance on the album is especially great, as the tracks which feature him and McLean together crackle with some of the first modernist energy to show up on one of Jackie's albums – really hitting hard on original compositions that include "A Ballad For Doll", "Appointment in Ghana", and "Isle of Java". One of McLean's best-ever – and filled with great original tracks! CD also features 3 bonus tracks from the Brooks session – "Medina", "Melonae's Dance", and "Street Singer".

A real classic by Jackie McLean – a record that's pulled from 2 different sessions, but which stands out with a strikingly unified feel! The album was cut during the height of Jackie's bop years for Blue Note – with one 1959 session that featured Donald Byrd and Sonny Clark, and another from 1960 that featured Blue Mitchell, Kenny Drew, and the great Tina Brooks on tenor. Brooks' appearance on the album is especially great, as the tracks which feature him and McLean together crackle with some of the first modernist energy to show up on one of Jackie's albums – really hitting hard on original compositions that include "A Ballad For Doll", "Appointment in Ghana", and "Isle of Java". One of McLean's best-ever – and filled with great original tracks! CD also features 3 bonus tracks from the Brooks session – "Medina", "Melonae's Dance", and "Street Singer".

A stone classic from the Modern Jazz Quartet – recorded back when the group still featured Kenny Clarke in its membership, but already with some of the more serious, somber tones that would mark the combo's more famous years! Tracks here are from a variety of sessions in 1953, 1954, and 1955 – and trace an evolution of the MJQ style from initial more composed renditions of bop and modern jazz, to some of the more ambitious colors and tones of the Lewis-penned songbook. Titles include longish readings of "Django" and "La Ronde Suite", plus "Milano", "But Not For Me", "The Queen's Fancy", and "Delaunay's Dilemma".

A stone classic from the Modern Jazz Quartet – recorded back when the group still featured Kenny Clarke in its membership, but already with some of the more serious, somber tones that would mark the combo's more famous years! Tracks here are from a variety of sessions in 1953, 1954, and 1955 – and trace an evolution of the MJQ style from initial more composed renditions of bop and modern jazz, to some of the more ambitious colors and tones of the Lewis-penned songbook. Titles include longish readings of "Django" and "La Ronde Suite", plus "Milano", "But Not For Me", "The Queen's Fancy", and "Delaunay's Dilemma".

Thelonious Monk plays the music of Duke Ellington – but as you can imagine, the sound here is quite different than usual! At a time when Ellington was working mostly in large group format for the mainstream, Monk's presentation of his standards in trio format is a wonderful way to unlock their nascent modernism – the angular tones, lines, and complex ideas that were still present in the orchestra readings of the tunes, but which would show up even more strongly in Duke's smaller group dates of the 60s. Many numbers bear the familiar Monk imprint – complicated lines on the keys and sharp changes that really reignite the numbers – and rhythm here is from Oscar Pettiford on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. Titles include "Mood Indigo", "It Don't Mean A Thing", "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good", and "Caravan".

A partner album of sorts to Jimmy Smith's classic Midnight Special album – recorded during the same sessions as that one, and also featuring Stanley Turrentine on tenor and Kenny Burrell on guitar! The sound here is almost even more open and stretched out – with only 4 long tracks on the album, 2 on each side – all offering up plenty of room for Jimmy to hit the Hammond with that keenly imaginative approach to a solo he was showing at this time – a style that proved that the instrument could do a lot more than just make weird noises or pump up the rhythm. Turrentine's tenor more than matches Jimmy's solos for imagination – and titles include "When I Grow Too Old To Dream", "Messy Bessie", "Minor Chant", and "Back At The Chicken Shack".

A perennial favorite in the Jimmy Smith catalog for Blue Note – and a smoking little set that has Jimmy's Hammond grooving nicely alongside tenor from Stanley Turrentine and guitar from Kenny Burrell! Only Donald Bailey's drums remain from Jimmy's regular trio, but that shift is fine, given the strength of the other players here – especially Turrentine, whose sharp-edged tenor is always a welcome sound on any date at this point in his career! The tunes are a fair bit more focused than some of Jimmy's Blue Note work of a few years before, but that focus is what makes it a classic – and the tracks are still nice and long, with titles that include "A Subtle One", "Jumpin The Blues", "Midnight Special", "One O'Clock Jump", and "Why Was I Born".

A massive amount of rare Northern Soul cuts – almost all of them from the Heritage Records empire of producer Jerry Ross! There's plenty of Philly elements in the mix, but the set also shows Jerry's good ear for crossing over into other camps too – and some of these tunes also have a sound that would have been right at home in the Detroit scene of the late 60s. A few numbers are even rock/pop cuts, but still work very well in the context of the soul material – and the CD features 20 titles that include "Green Grow the Lilacs" by The Festivals, "Ain't Nothin' But A House Party" by The Showstoppers, "I Dig Everything About You" by The Mob, "You Gave Me Somebody To Love" by The Dreamlovers, "Loan Shark" by Chapter One, "I Get By Without You" by Kenny Gamble & Tommy Bell, "Baby Show It" by The Festivals, "Bok To Bach" by Father's Angels, "Eeny Meeny" by The Showstoppers, "Pick Up My Toys" by The Devonnes, "I've Been Hurt" by Bill Deal & The Rhondels, and "You Aint' Sayin' Nothin' New" by Virgil Henry.

Another in the great series of driving Northern greatness from Stateside – a MASSIVE batch of cuts from a scene so deep they can probably keep digging great ones up for decades and still never run dry! The set's the fourth in the Talcum series of compilations from EMI UK – featuring rare tracks pulled from EMI-owned labels like Capitol, Liberty, United Artists and other companies with names both well known and almost completely obscure – all of which cut some really great singles back in the 60s! Per usual, it's a treasure trove of tunes – many of which we've never heard until now! 26 tracks including "Please Don't Go" by Kathy & The Calenders, "Nothing Can Help You Now" by Lenny Curtis, "What Are You Trying To Do" by Irma Thomas, "World Without Sunshine" by Sandra Phillips, "He's Got The Nerve" by The True Tones, "Turn To Me" by Chris Towns Unit, "Help Me" by Honey & The Bees, "Movin' Away" by Kenny Lynch and lots more.

The Verve vaults are open again – and as with other Remixed sets, they've let in a host of hip talents to change up their classics! This time around, the results seem even better than before – thanks partly to a very strong array of mixers, including some of our own personal funky favorites – but also thanks to a change in remixing styles for this sort of work – an added complexity, and respect for the originals – so that the tunes aren't just simple smatterings of old vocals over contemporary beats! Titles include "Cry Me A River" by Dinah Washington remixed by Truth & Soul, "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" by Roy Ayers remixed by 9th Wonder, "Gimme Some" by Nina Simone remixed by Mike Mangini, "There Was A Time" by James Brown remixed by Kenny Dope, "California Soul" by Marlena Shaw remixed by Diplo, "Take Care Of Business" by Nina Simone remixed by Pilooski, "Bim Bom" by Astrud Gilberto remixed by Psapp, "Dilo Como Yo" by Patato & Totico remixed by Antibalas, "Evil Ways" by Willie Bobo remixed by Karriem Riggins, "I Get A Kick Out Of You" by Ella Fitzgerald remixed by Cinematic Orchestra, and "Tea For Two" by Sarah Vaughan remixed by Chris Shaw.

Whatever you may think of Milt Jackson's later work, this stuff from the early 50s, recorded in his pre-MJQ years, shows the vibist as a lively talent, playing head to head with boppers that he'd never dare face in later years. Players include Lou Donaldson, John Lewis, Thelonious Monk, and Shadow Wilson – and Kenny "Pancho" Hagood sings vocals on 2 tracks. Tracks include "On The Scene", "Tahiti", "Lillie", "Epistrophy", and "Misterioso". 17 tracks in all – with some alternate takes, and great remastering!

Some of the earliest material ever recorded by the Modern Jazz Quartet – early 50s sides that were originally issued as 78rpm singles, then brought together in this self-titled LP! Some of the material was first released under the name of the Milt Jackson Quartet – but featured the lineup of Jackson on vibes, John Lewis piano, Percy Heath bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. Yet other tracks on the set have bassist Ray Brown in for Heath and drummer Al Jones in for Clarke – both players who make for a slightly different groove in the company of Jackson and Lewis. Tunes are short, but already show that Lewis love of chromatic tones – and titles include "Yesterdays", "Love Me Pretty Baby", "Milt Meets Sid", "Moving Nicely", "D&E", "True Blues", and "Autumn Breeze".

A triple-header of hardbop albums – a great package that features 3 Savoy Records classics from 1955, with bonus tracks and great notes too! First up is Bohemia After Dark – an excellent hardbop session from the glory days of the Savoy label – easily one of the label's key 50s classics! Drummer Kenny Clarke's at the front of the group – but all players are great, and the set features work by Cannonball Adderley on alto, Jerome Richardson on tenor, Donald Byrd on trumpet, Nat Adderley on cornet, Hank Jones or Horace Silver on piano, and Paul Chambers on bass. The Adderley brothers sound especially great – and the young Cannonball has a quality here that's more soulful and sharp-edged than his work on Mercury – much more in a Prestige blowing session style! Titles include "Late Entry", "Chasm", "Bohemia After Dark", and "Hear Me Talkin To Ya". Next is more material from the same stretch, originally issued under the title Spontaneous Combustion under Cannonball's name. Adderley and his alto sax are joined by Donald Byrd on trumpet, Nat Adderley on cornet, Jerome Richardson on tenor sax and flute, Horace Silver on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. The tracks include "Spontaneous Combustion", "Caribbean Cutie", "A Little Taste", "We'll Be Together Again", "Still Talkin To Ya", and "Flamingo". Last up is the album That's Nat – a real smoker from a young Nat Adderley – a session that has the leader on cornet, working in a tight hardbop combo with Jerome Richardson on tenor and flute, Hank Jones on piano, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums! The tracks are all nicely sharp-edge – that soulful Savoy sound of the mid 50s – and Richardson is especially nice, really getting a great sound from both his tenor and flute. Tracks are somewhat long, with good room for solos – and titles include "Porky", "I Married An Angel", "Kuzzin's Buzzin's", and "You Better Go Now".

The beginning of an empire! This was the first solo album cut by the now-famous Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds – cut after years of work in the music business that included stints in the groups Manchild and The Deele, and lots of production work for other LA soul acts. The record's kind of a rougher version of the modern R&B style that you'll know from Babyface's big hits of the early 90s – more in the style of some of the Solar Records acts of the early 80s, and some of the other big keyboard/bass pedal bands on the market at the time. The real contribution, though, is Kenny's ability to infuse the whole thing with soul – taking these tinny little tracks and making them come out kind of sweet, not only through his famous production, but through his faltering vocal style, which is about the most honest-sounding aspect of the record. Titles include "Lovers", "Marry Mack", "If We Try", "Take Your Time", and a cover of "You Make Me Feel Brand New".

The Paris scene of the postwar years had a real love affair with Sidney Bechet – and it was in Paris that Bechet cut some of his finest recordings of later years! This set brings together material from Bechet's first 2 sessions in France – a 1948 date that features a small orchestra of French players, supporting Bechet's work on soprano sax; and a 1949 session done with a quartet that includes Kenny Clark on drums. Bechet's soprano is recorded beautifully throughout – with a free-swinging sound that's sentimental, but never too much so – and a sense of tone that clearly had a huge influence on many players to come. The CD is completed by an additional 6 tracks from the contemporaneous group of Claude Luter, a French clarinetist who worked in a traditional jazz style that was similar to that of Bechet. All material is originally from 78rpm singles on the Blue Star label, and remastered here for the set – with titles that include "High Society", "On The Sunny Side Of The Street", "It Had To Be You", "Ooh Boogie", "After You've Gone", "Margie", "Gatemout", and "South African Blues".

Nothing fancy, but a great back to basics session from Byrd – very solidly played, with a tight group, in a style that recalls his best mid 60s work for Blue Note! Players include Kenny Garrett, Joe Henderson, Donald Brown, Peter Washington, and the great Al Foster on drums – and the strength of Garrett and Henderson makes for some excellent tracks that rank with Byrd's best work of his late career. Titles include "Around The Corner", "Theme For Malcolm", "Popmponio", "A Certain Attitude", and "The Onliest".

A classic album that mixes trumpet and voices in a swirling soulful sound that worked very well for Byrd's career! Byrd's sparkling trumpet fronts a tight septet that includes Hank Mobley, Herbie Hancock, and Kenny Burrell – and which is backed by arrangements by Coleridge Perkinson and Duke Pearson. The sound is beautiful and spiritual, with a sound that mixes Blue Note hardbop with a style that would later show up on labels like Strata East, or in the experiments of Max Roach and Billy Harper. The tracks are long and moody, and the vocal group never gets in the way, but instead backs Byrd in a way that lets him hit new heights, and which gives him a stronger sense of voice. Includes the classic "Christo Redentor", plus "Chant", "The Black Disciple", and "Elijah".

2 classic albums of late 50s jazz – both showcasing the rich talents of players from Detroit! First up on the disc is the album Motor City Scene – recorded for United Artists under the leadership of Thad Jones in 1959. The set features Thad at his best – late 50s, and working with an excellent group of hometown players! The album's more open and rough than some of Thad's excellent Blue Note sides from the time – in a really great way, one that makes for the kind of session that you rarely get to hear from Thad. Other players include Tommy Flanagan, Al Grey, Paul Chambers, Elvin Jones, and the great Billy Mitchell – whose tenor work on Jones' albums from the time is worth the price of admission alone! Titles include "Like Old Times", "Minor On Top", "Let's Play One", and "No Refill". The next 5 tracks on the set are from a 1960 session for Bethlehem – also titled Motor City Theme, recorded under the leadership of Donald Byrd and Pepper Adams. The two of them groove nicely here with a sextet that includes guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer "Hey" Lewis (another name for Louis Hayes!) The band is very tight, and the tracks are long enough that everybody gets in some good licks on the solos. Titles include "Trio", "Philson", "Libeccio", and "Bitty Ditty". Way harder than most of the west coast sessions on Bethlehem too!

Don't take the cover the wrong way – because this isn't one of those "phoned in" sessions that seem to turn up way too much in contemporary jazz! The album's a real classic from Dexter's first big "comeback" period – and represents the strength of his Blue Note years at their best! Gordon's rich, full tone isn't diminished a bit here – and his inventive blowing is given free reign on a set of quartet numbers recorded with Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. The album's got a few strong originals from Gordon – "Soul Sister", "Ernie's Tune", and "I Want More – plus the very sweet Kenny Drew tracks "Modal Mood" and "Clear The Dex"! Includes the previously unreleased track "Landslide"!

Amazing work from bop trumpeter Joe Gordon! Gordon was a lost talent who only cut a handful of records before his untimely death in 1963 – but he was a heck of a trumpeter, with a rich talent that we'd rank up there with Lee Morgan and Kenny Dorham. Joe plays here in a group that includes Art Blakey on drums and Charlie Rouse on tenor – and the overall sound is right up there with the best raw bop on Blue Note or Prestige during the same time. Titles include "Toll Bridge", "Lady Bob", "Flash Gordon", "Xochimilco", and "Bus Bier".

Few people could make a session cook like Johnny Griffin in his early years – and this late 50s sextet date is great proof of that fact! The album's a relaxed, open, almost unstructured set that might be dubbed a "blowing session", were it not for the tightness of the players and the relatively unified feel of the date. Griffin's tenor is very firmly in the lead, and he's very clearly the leader here – helping shape the sound of the group that includes Donald Byrd on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone, Kenny Drew on piano, Wilbur Ware on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. There's some really hard-wailing extended numbers that come across as full-on hardbop workouts – really driving things along as you might guess with a rhythm section like that in action – but other tunes show some more fully-fleshed sounds from the group – that slight undercurrent of modern expression that was always present in Griff's music. Titles include "Johnny GG", "Catharsis", "Stix Trix", and "What's New" – plus a take on "Woody N You" that just has Griffin wailing along with the rhythm section!

A great trumpeter in an excellent group – with Kenny Garrett on alto and flute, Kenny Barron on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums!

One of the best-known 50s jazz sessions from the Savoy label – a laidback classic that's a great illustration of the label's shift in modes after the early bop years! The setting here is relatively informal – with Milt Jackson as the ersatz leader, working almost in blowing session mode with hip players who include Frank Wess on flute and tenor, Hank Jones on piano, Eddie Jones on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums – all players who relax into a groove wonderfully, and really open up on the album's four long tracks. Titles include the classic reading of "Opus De Funk", plus "Opus Pocus", "You Leave Me Breathless", and "Opus & Interlude". A great little set from Milt Jackson – not just for his work on vibes, but also for some great tenor from Lucky Thompson! Thompson's raspy edge brings a nice degree of soulfulness to the set – a sound that adds depth to the sometimes mellower moments set down by Jackson and the rhythm section of Hank Jones, Wendell Marshall, and Kenny Clarke! The small group setting and the longer tracks make the record a good showcase for Thompson's talents at the time – and his way of building a solo gets plenty of room to do its thing here – on tracks that include "Lover", "Angel Face", "Can't Help Lovin That Man", "Sometimes I'm Happy", and "What's New".

A huge batch of work from the great JJ Johnson – material that includes 14 tracks recorded for Savoy as singles in the late 40s – plus the full Jay & Kai 10" album from 1954! The singles were all recorded in 1946, 1947, and 1949 – and they already mark Johnson as one of the most inventive trombonists of his generation – a player working with none of the hoke of earlier eras, and with a clean, modern sound that's almost like that of a bop trumpet at times. Players on these dates include Cecil Payne or Leo Parker on baritone sax, Bud Powell or Hank Jones on piano, Sonny Rollins on tenor, and Max Roach on drums – and titles include "Coppin The Bop", "Jay Jay", "Mad Bebop", "Jay Bird", "Boneology", "Down Vernon's Alley", "Riffette", "Yesterdays", "Audobon", "Don't Blame Me", and "Goof Square". The remaining 8 tracks on the CD are from a 1954 10" album – titled Jay & Kai, with a lineup that's a bit different than the full Savoy album of that name. The core group here is quite unusual – as it features Johnson and Kai Winding as twin-trombone co-leaders, plus Charles Mingus on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums – with either Billy Bauer on guitar on 4 tracks, and Wally Cirillo on piano on 4 others. The use of guitar without piano is especially inventive, and really highlights the modern inflections of the two trombonists – and titles include "Blues For Trombones", "Lament", "The Major", "Reflections", "Coop", and "Blues In Twos".

A very successful album for Blue Note – and one that took the searing tenor sax of Stanley Turrentine and backed it with some boldly soulful arrangements from Oliver Nelson! Nelson was perfect at this sort of session – able to provide full backings that infused the record with energy, yet never dominated the space of the soloist – and Turrentine really rises to the occasion here, and matches the quality heard in similar Nelson sessions with Jimmy Smith, Lou Donaldson, and Cannonball Adderley! Other players in the core group here include Kenny Burrell and Herbie Hancock – but Stan's the main star of the set with his gutsy tenor lines, all blown beautifully in a way that points towards his later experiments in this mode. Titles include "Bayou", "Mattie T", "Little Sheri", and "River's Invitation" – and the CD features the bonus tracks "Gravy Train" and "A Kettle Of Fish".

The first album recorded by Kazumi Watanabe, the Japanese guitarist whose firey style would go onto play a big part in the growth of that country's jazz scene during the 70s! This album's quite different from the later smoother work from Kaz – a pretty intense set, and it features Watanabe grooving hard in a mixture of freebop and fusion styles – in a sextet with drummer Motohiko Hino, plus tenor, bass, and piano! The best cuts are the covers – Joe Henderson's "Isotope" and Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa" – both of which are straighter than the rest of the tracks on the album, with a bit more focus – although other titles are still pretty nice, and include "Infinite" and "Cortly".

Cool Connoisseur Series reissue that brings together both of the 10" LPs that were recorded by Julius Watkins for Blue Note in the early 50's. This material is a key part of the label's history, but it's also the kind of stuff that they've ignored for years. It's a real treat to have it out again – because the sessions include stellar performances by Frank Foster, Kenny Clarke, Hank Mobley, Duke Jordan, and little known guitarist Perry Lopez, who complements Watkins' playing nicely on both LPs. The tracks include "Leete", "Linda Delia", "Perpetuation", and "Garden Delights" – and the music is an excellent mix of hard bop and modernist ideas, with a spooky sound that is unlike anything else we can think of.

With Josh Jones, Don Cherry, Charlie Hunter, Dred Scott, Kenny Brooks and more.

Two rare albums from these Duke Ellington sidemen – both recorded in New York with production from Stanley Dance! Rock Me Gently offers up some rare work as a leader from baritone saxophonist Harry Carney – working here in a swinging smaller group of players from the larger Ellington ensemble – including Paul Gonsalves on tenor, Willie Cook and Ray Nance on trumpets, Booty Wood on trombone, and Rollins Griffith on piano. The set's got a very different feel than the usual Ellingtonian outing like this – as it features songs and arrangements from Kenny Graham – the inventive British leader of the 50s who really knew how to work some fresh sounds from players like these. There's definitely a London modern vibe going on – and tracks include "Mabulala", "Five O'Clock Drag", "Tree Of Hope", "Blues For Blokes", "Baby Blue", and "Rock Me Gently". Two From Duke focuses on the solo talents of two key tenorists – Harold Ashby and Paul Gonsalves, sometimes heard together, sometimes on tunes that just feature Ashby. The set's got a wonderfully warm, laidback small combo feel – very different than the usual Ellington-ish setting you'd usually hear the players on their own – and the groups feature piano from either Jimmy Jones or Sir Charles Thompson, and some tracks also have a bit of trumpet from Ray Nance. Titles include "Backstairs", "Jeep's Blues", "Swallowing The Blues", "My Buddy", and "Oh Shucks".

Thelonious Monk plays the music of Duke Ellington – but as you can imagine, the sound here is quite different than usual! At a time when Ellington was working mostly in large group format for the mainstream, Monk's presentation of his standards in trio format is a wonderful way to unlock their nascent modernism – the angular tones, lines, and complex ideas that were still present in the orchestra readings of the tunes, but which would show up even more strongly in Duke's smaller group dates of the 60s. Many numbers bear the familiar Monk imprint – complicated lines on the keys and sharp changes that really reignite the numbers – and rhythm here is from Oscar Pettiford on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. Titles include "Mood Indigo", "It Don't Mean A Thing", "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good", and "Caravan".

Rare work by Charlie Parker, recorded at Storyville Nightclub in Boston in 1953 – originally broadcast on radio station WHDH, and featuring Bird in a more open, relaxed style than his studio sessions. The recording quality is a bit dated, but the quality of the playing isn't – with extremely fresh solo work by Parker, and great supporting work by players that include Herb Pomeroy, Red Garland, Roy Haynes, Kenny Clarke, and Sir Charles Thompson. Titles include "Cool Blues", "Dancing On The Ceiling", "Groovin High", "Out Of Nowhere", "Moose The Mooche", and "I'll Walk Alone".

A beautiful soundtrack to the dark British comedy of the same name – starring a young Michael Caine! You might expect it to be a bit schmaltzy, but it's pure jazz all the way through, and features strong inside playing by Rollins over lively orchestrations by Oliver Nelson – filled with moody colors, great changes, and a vibrant sense of energy that's far deeper than the actual film! The group includes Phil Woods, Kenny Burrell, and J.J. Johnson, and they swing hard on all tracks. Titles include the 10 minute workout of "Alfie's Theme", plus a shorter "Differently" version" – plus "On Impulse", "Transition Theme", and "He's Younger Than You". Nice stuff throughout, and much more of a jazz album than a soundtrack!

The title's a bit clunky, but the grooves are wonderfully smooth – a great assortment of hard to find tracks from recent years, all brought together in one totally wicked set! The cuts here are pulled from a variety of sources – Japanese-only CDs, previously unreleased sessions, and now out of print albums – all with a warmly contemporary vibe, but one that's steeped in older soul modes from the 70s and early 80s. Many of the artists here are familiar, but they're represented by tracks you probably don't have in your collection – tunes that are definitely "desirables", both for their quality and rarity! Titles include "Bad Company" by Luther Vandross, "Dance" by Sara Devine, "Tell Me" by Tiffany, "For You" by Jack Herrera, "It's Good To Be Loved" by Ronee Martin, "For Goodness Sake" by K Fox, "Cloud 9 (DJ Spinna rmx)" by Donnie, "Dreamin Of One" by Trina Broussard, "Where Did We Go Wrong (so right mix)" by Incognito, "Days Like This (black sand mix)" by Kenny Lattimore, "No Matter What I'll Do" by Donald McCollum, and "Can't Get Over You" by Brigette McWilliams.