A beautifully spare session from the mid 70s – one that features bass and cello from Isao Suzuki – stretching out here in a sound that's totally unique! The trio's a great one – with Donald Bailey on drums and Tsuyoshi Yamamoto on both acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes – the latter of which sounds amazing next to Suzuki mellow-stepping lines. If you've heard any of Suzuki's other albums from the period, the style is somewhat similar – quite soulful throughout, but with an easygoing, open feel that's quite different than many American sessions of this nature – and which makes it clear that the bassist is the leader, not the pianist! Titles include a great version of "Manha De Carnaval", plus "Angel Eyes", "In A Sentimental Mood", "Who Can I Turn To", and "Blues". CD

Bassist Ray Brown steps out here on two different sessions recorded in Tokyo – each issued as separate albums, and recorded almost two years apart – but with the same group, and a very unified vibe! The spirit here is a lot like some of Brown's best work on Concord Records, both as a sideman and a leader – and the performances feature key Concord associates Gene Harris on piano and Jeff Hamilton on drums – yet the setting is nicely different, recorded with a style that changes things up from Concord, and maybe a bit more bite in the music overall. 2CD set features 18 titles in all – and tracks include "Days Of Wine & Roses", "I Thought About You", "Ain't Misbehavin", "My Romance", "Caravan", "All Blues", "Flying Home", "When You Wish Upon A Star", and "How Insensitive". CD

Guitarist Laurindo Almeida returns to a bit of his roots here – but he also shows off a lot of the jazz experience he's picked up along the way! The album features Almeida working solo on acoustic guitar – although possibly overdubbed alongside himself at times – and while the set begins with the serious title composition, things never get too much in the realm of classical guitar – and instead have Almeida skirting many different styles, including a bit of bossa guitar – and working with this uniquely echoey recording style that makes each note resonate with a richly expressive sound! Titles include "Cool Cat Keeps Coat On", "Holiday For Strings", "Songs From Black Orpheus", "The Summer Knows", and "Star Dust". CD

A strongly soul-based set from Jose James – and a record that really pushes forward the amazing journey in music he's given us over his killer albums of the past decade or two! Jose already has a voice that's tremendous – but here he opens up his production skills as well, and has this way of blending together elements from soul, Brazilian music, and other global sources – but all with a majestic focus that's maybe even more powerful given how easy and organic his vocals sound! In a world of TV-trained younger singers who always try way too hard to show you how they can sound soulful, Jose James is still such a wonderful relief – demonstrated here on titles that include "Black Orpheus", "Dark Side Of The Sun", "Isis & Osiris", "Let's Get It", "Saturday Night", "38th & Chicago", and "Place Of Worship" – which features a great guest appearance from Brazilian singer Xenia Franca. CD

Two rare sessions by Vinicius – back to back on one 2 CD set! CD one features a 1970 recording in Buenos Aires – with Maria Creuza and Toquinho. Creuza was at her best during the early 70s – and working here with the classic bossa team of poet Vinicius De Moraes and guitarist Toquinho, she really sparkles with a sound that's some of her best singing on record. The trio sing separately or together from track to track – and the set includes a lot of great work that's in the Black Orpheus or Afro Sambas mode. Titles include "Canto De Osshana", "A Felicidade", "Tomara", "Canto De Osshana", "Minha Namorada", "Valsa Da Tunisia", "Lamento No Morro", and a great version of Caetano Veloso's "Irene"! The other CD follows a similar format – with Maria Bethania instead of Creuza – and tracks include "A Tonga Da Mironga Do", "Kabulete", "E De Manha", "Samba Da Rosa", "Testamento", "Apelo", "Viramindo", and "Tarde Em Itapoa". 2CD set features lots of bonus tracks – 12 more titles that include "Nesta Ru Tao Deserta", "Formosa", "Ate Londres", "Gente Do Morro", "Das Rosas", "E Nada Mais", "Berimbau", and "Samba Em Preludio". CD

A great early album from pianist Kunhiko Sugano – a set that has the leader working in a relaxed live setting, in a small Japanese club that also features a conga added to his usual trio! Most numbers begin with an introspective introduction from Sugano – those lyrical lines he does so well – then the trio gets moving with a nice sort of kick that really opens up the longer solos – with that majestic, soulful style that some of the best Japanese pianists of the time did so well! The record's a classic in the 70s Japanese piano style – and the group features Izao Suzuki on bass, Shinji Mori on drums, and Yoichi Ogawa on congas. Titles include "Good Morning Heartache", "Days Of Wine & Roses", "Black Orpheus", and "Autumn Leaves". CD

Japanese pianist Yoku Tamura has some great rhythm help here from two American players – Andrew Simpkins on bass and Frank Gant on drums – both of whom really do a great job of keeping up with his lively energy on the keyboard! Tamura's got a crackle that mixes older roots with a more modern sense of swing – and the warmth of Simpkins is especially great in this setting, maybe softening some of the edges, and bringing out soulful currents that really help the album sparkle. Titles include a great reading of "Blue Bossa", plus "On Green Dolphin Street", "Black Orpheus", "The Nearness Of You", and "Sonnymoon For Two". CD