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An obscure late 50s gem from Pepper – a stripped-down quartet session that has him blowing in a very open-ended mode – quite a difference from some of his more tightly arranged sets! The feel's a bit like Pepper's work with Donald Byrd, but even more openly swinging – played by a... read more

Brilliant work by a singer we know little about – but who really sparkles on this session! Singer Laurie Allyn was making something of a name for herself on the Chicago scene of the mid 50s when she was courted by Mode Records, and brought to LA for this rare studio session – but... read more

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Arguably one of the best records cut for the short-lived Mode label in the late 50s – and easily one of the best from trumpeter Conte Candoli too! For the session, Conte front a quartet with Vince Guaraldi on piano, Monty Budwig on bass, and Stan Levey on drums – and Guaraldi's piano... read more

Arguably one of the best records cut for the short-lived Mode label in the late 50s – and easily one of the best from trumpeter Conte Candoli too! For the session, Conte front a quartet with Vince Guaraldi on piano, Monty Budwig on bass, and Stan Levey on drums – and Guaraldi's piano... read more

A really hip little session – as light and breezy at one level as it is tight and swinging! Feldman's the leader of the set on vibes, but the greatest strength of the album comes from the group – a sextet that places Victor in the company of trombonist Frank Rosolino, tenor saxophonist... read more

An excellent album of LA bop – and one of the best sides ever recorded by trombonist Herbie Harper! The record's got Harper working with a crack sextet that includes Jay Core on tenor, Howard Roberts on guitar, Marty Paich on piano, Red Mitchell on bass, and either Frankie Capp or Mel Lewis... read more

Pure genius from tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca – a magical exercise in tone and balance, played by Richie with that warm and raspy style that we love so much in his work! Kamuca's probably best known for his bigger group work of the 50s, but on a session like this he steps out as a... read more

Pure genius from tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca – a magical exercise in tone and balance, played by Richie with that warm and raspy style that we love so much in his work! Kamuca's probably best known for his bigger group work of the 50s, but on a session like this he steps out as a... read more

A gem of a set from drummer Stan Levey – one that features some incredible tenor work from Richie Kamuca! The album's got a relaxed feel that's different than a lot of Stan's other sets – not nearly so tightly arranged as before, and with room for Kamuca to open up on tenor in that... read more

A classic late 50s side from the Mode label – and one of those great LA sessions that was almost more noteworthy for the sidemen than the leader! Drummer Mel Lewis heads up the group, sure, but the real strength of the set is in its three piece frontline – which features Charlie... read more

An excellent little album from the team of Herbie Mann & Buddy Collette – one that has both players using a wide range of reed instruments, and not just flute! Herbie and Buddy are wonderfully paired here – in a way that expands past the usual flute jazz mode by adding in bits of... read more

One of the greatest 50s showcases for the tenor talents of Warne Marsh – a deceptively understated album that captures Warne at his most fluid and creative point! The setting is a quartet – with Ronnie Ball on piano, Red Mitchell on bass, and Stan Levey on drums – and Marsh is... read more

One of the best albums on the rare Mode label – and a great quintet side by trombonist Frank Rosolino! The group here features Vince Guaraldi on piano, Richie Kamuca on tenor, Monty Budwig on bass, and Stan Levy on drums – and the sound's a lot harder than you'd expect from the combo. ... read more

One of the most obscure 50s sides of LA jazz – and one of the hardest to find on the tiny Mode label! Drummer Paul Togawa leads a quartet of mostly obscure players – including Dick Johnston on piano, Gabe Baltazar on alto, and more familiar Ben Tucker on bass. Tucker's got that round... read more

A really unusual album from guitarist Al Viola – all solo material, recorded in the mid 50s – and quite a change from some of the more dynamic albums that Al would record in later years! The guitar here has a warmly acoustic feel, yet is still quite jazz-based overall – yet also,... read more