The famous 50s team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding are reunited strongly here – after working alone for several years on their own projects! The groove here is a bit more open and less arranged than some of the pair's earlier projects – mostly just two trombones in the lead, soloing separately, with backing from a rhythm trio – split into two for each half of the album, with Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Roy Haynes handling side one; and Evans, Tommy Williams, and Art Taylor on side two. Tunes are short, but include deft demonstrations of the solo talents of each player – and titles include "Judy", "Alone Together", "Going, Going, Going", "Trixie", "This Could Be The Part Of Something", "Georgia On My Mind", "I Concentrate On You", and "Just For A Thrill". LP, Vinyl record album

A cool quintet session from the great trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding – one that really lets their twin horns soar free together – with only a bit of light backing to spur them on! The group's got a great rhythm section – with Dick Katz on piano, Al Harewood on drums, and either Milt Hinton or Wendell Marshall on bass – and the format is simple, but wonderful – as Kai and JJ step out tightly on the leads, then trade solo lines with effortless easy – almost in the way a jazz vocal harmony group might at the time! The pair recorded often together, but this set's still one of their greatest – and titles include "Stolen Bass", "Out Of This World", "Gong Rock", "Lope City", and "That's How I Feel About You". CD features a whopping 7 alternate takes of tracks on the album, too! CD

A cool quintet session from the great trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding – one that really lets their twin horns soar free together – with only a bit of light backing to spur them on! The group's got a great rhythm section – with Dick Katz on piano, Al Harewood on drums, and either Milt Hinton or Wendell Marshall on bass – and the format is simple, but wonderful – as Kai and JJ step out tightly on the leads, then trade solo lines with effortless easy – almost in the way a jazz vocal harmony group might at the time! The pair recorded often together, but this set's still one of their greatest – and titles include "Stolen Bass", "Out Of This World", "Gong Rock", "Lope City", and "That's How I Feel About You". LP, Vinyl record album

Very groovy stuff – one of 2 albums cut by the Kai and JJ team for CTI in the early days! The album's a mellow mix of jazz and easy – with larger arrangements by Kai, JJ, and Don Sebesky – all exploring the more spacious side of things, as either of the main players solo over the top on trombone. The style's a great one to breathe new life into the team – and is even more wonderful if you dig the early CTI sound from their A&M years! Titles include "Israel", "Catherine's Theme", "Django", "Never My Love", and "Am I Blue". LP, Vinyl record album

The famous 50s team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding are reunited strongly here – after working alone for several years on their own projects! The groove here is a bit more open and less arranged than some of the pair's earlier projects – mostly just two trombones in the lead, soloing separately, with backing from a rhythm trio – split into two for each half of the album, with Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Roy Haynes handling side one; and Evans, Tommy Williams, and Art Taylor on side two. Tunes are short, but include deft demonstrations of the solo talents of each player – and titles include "Judy", "Alone Together", "Going, Going, Going", "Trixie", "This Could Be The Part Of Something", "Georgia On My Mind", "I Concentrate On You", and "Just For A Thrill". CD

The famous 50s team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding are reunited strongly here – after working alone for several years on their own projects! The groove here is a bit more open and less arranged than some of the pair's earlier projects – mostly just two trombones in the lead, soloing separately, with backing from a rhythm trio – split into two for each half of the album, with Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Roy Haynes handling side one; and Evans, Tommy Williams, and Art Taylor on side two. Tunes are short, but include deft demonstrations of the solo talents of each player – and titles include "Judy", "Alone Together", "Going, Going, Gong", "Trixie", "This Could Be The Start Of Something", "Georgia On My Mind", "I Concentrate On You", and "Just For A Thrill". CD

One of the flashiest Columbia sessions from the team of Kai Winding and JJ Johnson – but also one of the best! The record almost borders on gimmicky – with an 8-piece trombone section, and use of the unusual trombonium instrument – but thanks to some deft arranging, the sound is relatively tight without being goofy – and the pair manage to push the use of the trombone in jazz to new levels without resorting to silly tricks, as on Hi Fi albums of the period. Other trombonists include Urbie Green, Eddie Bert, and Jimmy Cleveland – and titles include "Rise N Shine", "Night In Tunisia", "No Moon At All", "Jeanne", "You're My Thrill", "Four Plus Four", and "You Don't Know What Love Is". LP, Vinyl record album

A great mid 50s recordings by one of the greatest pairings in popular jazz of the time – the twin-trombone lead work of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, both players who'd come from differing backgrounds, but who created a wonderful new sound together! The interplay between the trombones on thesession is wonderful – a strongly pronounced mini-horn section – yet one that's fluid enough to work at a nice boppish pace, especially when paired with a rhythm section of Dick Katz and Al Harewood. Titles include "Thou Swell", "Gong Rock", "Out Of This World", "Lope City", "Mad About The Boy", "That's How I Feel About You", "Stolen Bass", and "It's All Right With Me". CD

A great mid 50s recordings by one of the greatest pairings in popular jazz of the time – the twin-trombone lead work of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, both players who'd come from differing backgrounds, but who created a wonderful new sound together! The interplay between the trombones on thesession is wonderful – a strongly pronounced mini-horn section – yet one that's fluid enough to work at a nice boppish pace, especially when paired with a rhythm section of Dick Katz and Al Harewood. Titles include "Thou Swell", "Gong Rock", "Out Of This World", "Lope City", "Mad About The Boy", "That's How I Feel About You", "Stolen Bass", and "It's All Right With Me". CD

A great mid 50s recording by one of the greatest pairings in popular jazz of the time – the twin-trombone lead work of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, both players who'd come from differing backgrounds, but who created a wonderful new sound together! The interplay between the trombones on thesession is wonderful – a strongly pronounced mini-horn section – yet one that's fluid enough to work at a nice boppish pace, especially when paired with a rhythm section of Dick Katz and Al Harewood. Titles include "Thou Swell", "Gong Rock", "Out Of This World", "Lope City", "Mad About The Boy", "That's How I Feel About You", "Stolen Bass", and "It's All Right With Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Captured in performance at the 1956 American Jazz Festival in Newport, RI. Brubeck plays with his quartet, with Paul Desmond on saxophone, Norman Bates on bass, and Joe Dodge on drums; and Johnson and Winding are accompanied by Dick Katz on piano, Bill Crow on bass, and Rudy Collins on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A great album of smooth jazzy numbers recorded for CTI – with a nice luster that actually makes the album a lot more compelling than some of JJ and Kai's other work together. The album features some great big band arrangements of strong material, including Edu Lobo's "Casa Forte" and Jobim's "Mojave", both of which are done in a great little groove. Other tracks include "Betwixt & Between", "Don't Go Love, Don't Go", "Smoky", "Wichita Lineman", and "Willie, Come Home". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent early recordings from the team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding – the kind of sides that always remind us how great their twin trombone work could be! The album's lacking the cliches of later albums, and presents both players at their best – soulful and stripped down, grooving in a few different groups – with players who include Billy Bauer on guitar, Leo Parker on baritone, and Charles Mingus on bass. The album also features a solo track by each – and titles include "Coop", "The Major", "Lament", "Bernie's Tune", and "Blues For Trombones". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the flashiest Columbia sessions from the team of Kai Winding and JJ Johnson – but also one of the best! The record almost borders on gimmicky – with an 8-piece trombone section, and use of the unusual trombonium instrument – but thanks to some deft arranging, the sound is relatively tight without being goofy – and the pair manage to push the use of the trombone in jazz to new levels without resorting to silly tricks, as on Hi Fi albums of the period. Other trombonists include Urbie Green, Eddie Bert, and Jimmy Cleveland – and titles include "Rise N Shine", "Night In Tunisia", "No Moon At All", "Jeanne", "You're My Thrill", "Four Plus Four", and "You Don't Know What Love Is". LP, Vinyl record album

A truly fantastic record, and one that's become the stuff of legend over the years – a rare CTI album that was only ever issued in Japan – and which may well be one of the coolest sessions recorded during the A&M years of the label! Trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding had recorded two other records for CTI during the period – both great – but this set has them stretching out in this really expansive mode that's completely unique – long tracks put together with complicated arrangements that really blow away anything else they ever did – funky, soulful, but also moving towards higher ideals too – a fantastic testament to the newfound arranging skills of Johnson, who handled most of the record. The group also features some amazing keyboard work from both Herbie Hancock and Bob James – who get plenty of room to roam – plus guitar from George Benson, bass from Ron Carter, and drums from Grady Tate – a superb lineup who really make the whole thing shine. The depth of this music is hard to describe in words, but the whole thing's wonderful – and the set features just four long tracks – "Dontcha Hear Me Callin To Ya", "Musings", "Mojo", and "Recollections". LP, Vinyl record album

Magical interplay from the twin-trombone team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding – heard here on one of their key classics for Columbia Records in the 50s! The great thing about the set is the way in which both players really bring a sense of "voice" to their music – trading back and forth almost like two friends chatting in friendly conversation – but managing to do so with a lot more swing than most! Backings are by Dick Katz on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Osie Johnson on drums – and there's a short, simple brilliance to these tunes that's hard to deny. Titles include "We Two", "It's Sand Man", "Give Me The Simple Life", "Turnabout", and "Trombone For Two". LP, Vinyl record album

Groundbreaking work in the field of jazz trombone – a unique 4 trombone session that features the talents of JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Benny Green, and Willie Dennis – all set to rhythm by the trio of John Lewis on piano, Charles Mingus on bass, and Art Taylor on drums! The players all get plenty of room to solo – stretching out nicely on the tracks, and resisting the popular multi-trombone style of ensemble work of the time. The CD features 8 tracks in all – material that was originally released on a two-volume series of 10" albums – titled 4 Trombones. Tracks include "Stardust", "Move", "I'll Remember April", "Trombonosophere", "Ow", "Chazzanova", and "Now's The Time". LP, Vinyl record album

Seminal 50s work from the team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding – two of the greatest trombonists to ever play in one group together, and masters of a uniquely-crafted approach to their instrument! The first six tracks on the CD are from the 1954 RCA album Afternoon At Birdland – one of the best sessions cut by Kai and JJ during the 50's, and a good live session with a lot looser feel than some of their studio sessions – which tend to be a bit restrained. The rhythm section features Dick Katz, Al Harewood, and Peck Morrison – but the main solos are held by Kai and JJ, stretching out nicely in the live space. Titles include "Funnybone", "Cornerstone", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Vista", "Birdland Festival", and "Bone Of Contention". The remaining 12 tracks on the CD are from the albums Jay & Kai + 6 and Jay & Kai Trombone Octet – both larger-than-usual outings for the pair, but still albums done with the twin-trombone sound firmly in the lead! Tracks are shorter than on the live date, and titles include "Night In Tunisia", "Jeanne", "Four Plus Four", "The Continental", "No Moon At All", "All At Once You Love Her", and "Rise N Shine". CD

JJ Johnson and Kai Winding at the height of their dual powers – working together here beautifully at a level that both embraces the modern sound of the trombone in larger 50s ensembles, but also offers up the more fluid personality of the instrument in the smaller combo scene! The pair have a great way of coming together at the start, then splitting off to find their own space on the tunes – a wonderful antidote to some of the too-tight trombone lines of the 50s, and a great reminder that there's always a voice behind the horn. The group on the record features Dick Katz on piano and celeste, plus either Bill Crow or Milt Hinton on bass, and Shadow Wilson or Kenny Clarke on drums. Candido plays a bit of percussion on the track "Caribe" – and the pair play tromboniums on the tune "Tromboniums In Motion". Other tracks include "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe", "The Song Is You", and "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning". LP, Vinyl record album

A truly fantastic record, and one that's become the stuff of legend over the years – a rare CTI album that was only ever issued in Japan – and which may well be one of the coolest sessions recorded during the A&M years of the label! Trombonists JJ Johnson and Kai Winding had recorded two other records for CTI during the period – both great – but this set has them stretching out in this really expansive mode that's completely unique – long tracks put together with complicated arrangements that really blow away anything else they ever did – funky, soulful, but also moving towards higher ideals too – a fantastic testament to the newfound arranging skills of Johnson, who handled most of the record. The group also features some amazing keyboard work from both Herbie Hancock and Bob James – who get plenty of room to roam – plus guitar from George Benson, bass from Ron Carter, and drums from Grady Tate – a superb lineup who really make the whole thing shine. The depth of this music is hard to describe in words, but the whole thing's wonderful – and the set features just four long tracks – "Dontcha Hear Me Callin To Ya", "Musings", "Mojo", and "Recollections". LP, Vinyl record album

Volume 2 of this hard to find early side on the legendary Debut label – a unique 4 trombone session originally issued on 10"s featuring JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Benny Green, and Willie Dennis – with an all star rhythm section of John Lewis on piano, Charles Mingus on bass, and Art Taylor on drums! Though there's some ensemble lines in the heads, the horn players get lots of room to do their own thing too, taking turns soloing on long takes of "Now's The Time", "Trombosphere", "Ow" and "Chazzanova". LP, Vinyl record album

The title's no mistake – both in its pluralization and its acclaim for Kai Winding – as the leader here is working with a brace of additional trombones, all in a groove that's one of his most fluid on record to date! The style builds nicely from the sound that Kai and JJ Johnson forged in the 50s – but it's served up here with a sound that's slightly more modern, filled with colors and tones that really deepen the sound of Winding's music! Other trombonists include Jimmy Knepper, Tony Studd, Paul Faulise, and Johnny Messner – playing differently pitched trombones – and rhythm players include Ron Carter on bass, Bill Evans on piano, and Al Beldini on drums – plus some guest conga by Olatunji. Titles include "Speak Low", "Love Walked In", "Mangos", "Michie", "Impulse", and "Black Coffee". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the grooviest albums recorded by trombonist Kai Winding in the 60s – a set that follows the larger ensemble mode he moved to after parting ways with trombonist JJ Johnson, yet one that also has some surprisingly groovy elements in the mix! The album was recorded in Nashville, and features the "modern country" promised in the title – as Kai takes on tunes from the Nashville songbook, with help from Bill McElhiney and Grady Martin on the larger charts – the latter of who also plays guitar on record, alongside Nashville legend Harold Bradley! There's some great use of organ at times, which really emphasizes a more soulful vibe in the music – and the Anita Kerr singers come in on a few tracks, with those wonderful harmonies that sound even better in a non-country setting than they do on their standard work for RCA. Titles include "Wolverton Mountain", "Busted", "I Really Don't Want To Know", "Detroit City", "I Walk The Line", "Dang Me", and "Slippin Around". LP, Vinyl record album

A collection of rare early work by Miles Davis – all recorded in New York during the years 1947 to 1950 – most of them studio sides, but also featuring a few tracks recorded at the Royal Roost! The assortment of players varies from grouping to grouping, and although Miles' trumpet is in the groups, there's also a stronger focus on the ensemble work on a number of the tunes. Other players include JJ Johnson, Sahib Shihab, Kai Winding, Cecil Payne, Tadd Dameron, Fats Navarro, Stan Getz, and Art Blakey – and the CD features 23 titles that include "Good Bait", "Woody N You", "Bean A Re Bop", "John's Delight", "What's New", "Heaven's Doors Are Open", "Focus", "Phantomesque", "For Europeans Only", and "Big Dog". Some of the material was issued under Dameron's name originally, and a few other tracks are Illinois Jacquet big band titles recorded for Aladdin. CD

A very groovy little record from the famous Kai Winding – hardly the trombone jazz outing you might have guessed from Kai's famous work with JJ Johnson – and instead, an electrified set that's got plenty of cool 60s touches! Winding does play trombone, but the group also features lots of guitar from Kenny Burrell, electric piano from Paul Griffin, and ondioline from Jean Jacques Perry – who really gives the whole thing a cool sort of watery sound – making the guitar and trombone sound wonderful together! Burrell's at his boldest too – almost surf-ish in parts – and titles include the album's hit version of "More", plus "Gravy Waltz", "China Nights", "Pipeline", "Sukiyaki", "Tube Wall", "Sinner", and "Hearse Ride". LP, Vinyl record album

A 12" album that combines sides that JJ Johnson previously issued on Prestige – some as 78rpm singles, some as 10" LP material – all of it very top-level bop modern work from Johnson's first stretch on the scene! There's a sharpness here that really sets JJ apart from other trombonists – that mix of fresh ideas that makes all of his recordings from the time worth checking out – both the late 40s cuts that make up a third of the record, and the additional 8 tracks from 1954 that make up the rest. Other players include Kenny Dorham on trumpet, John Lewis on piano, and Sonny Rollins on tenor for the 1949 sessions – and Kai Winding on trombone and Dick Katz on piano for the 1954 sessions. Titles include "Elysses", "Hilo", "Fox Hunt", "Opus V", "Don't Argue", "Riviera", "Dinner For One", "Wing Bag", and "Hip Bones". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unique combo, and one that's definitely what's promised in the title – a lineup that's heavy on trombones, given a nice kick at the bottom from guitar, bass, and drums! The players come together here in a really wonderful sound – partly extending from the postwar multi-trombone experiments of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, but with occasional nods to New Orleans music, Afro Funk, and other styles that can be heavier on the horns! Female trombonist Nabou Claerhout leads the group, which features four other trombonists on most tracks – and the leadoff track also features guest work from Robin Eubanks. Titles include "Wistful", "A Duet For Three", "Hutch", "Murphy All The Way", "Slide Unit", and "A Day At The Huge Field With A Little House". LP, Vinyl record album

American trombonist Allen Hermann teams up here with Japanese trombonist Itsumi Komano – a player you might know from her work in the Bon Bones duo, and one who sounds nicely different here! The twin horn approach sometimes shows a lineage with JJ Johnson and Kai Winding in their small group records – tight leads, then very individual solos – but Hermann and Komano also have this way of crafting crisp colors of their own, by really finding a resonance between the horns in all these different ways that change up nicely from track to track. The rest of the group features Asami Yato on piano, Yutaka Yoshida on bass, and Yusuke Yaginuma on drums – and titles include "I Could Write A Book", "How Insensitive", "Early On", "Blues For A & I", "It Was A Beautiful Thing", and "Hear & Now". CD

Legendary early work from trumpeter Miles Davis – late 40s sessions for Capitol Records that are completely different than the bop material he was cutting with Charlie Parker and on his own! Instead, these sides have Miles working with a complex, more arranged style – built up with a young Gil Evans, in a mode that prefaces the later famous recordings the pair would make in the late 50s for Columbia. Here, the tracks are shorter, but beautifully blend bop ideas with fuller arrangements – and Davis blows alongside other key young modernists in a variety of larger groups – with work from Lee Konitz on alto, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Al Haig and John Lewis on piano, and Kenny Clarke and Max Roach on drums. Mulligan contributed plenty, too – his ideas on an overall sound definitely helped shape these sides – and the record's go on to legendary status – even though it's very different than most other Miles Davis from the time. Titles include "Godchild", "Jeru", "Move", "Venus De Milo", "Budo", and "Deception". This "complete" package follows up the core tracks with live material recorded at the Royal Roost, even before the original studio sessions – in a group that features Mike Zwerin on trombone with Konitz, Mulligan, Lewis, and Roach – plus a bit of vocals from Kenny Pacho Hagood. Titles include "Darn That Dream", "Moon Dreams", "S'Il Vou Plait", "Move", "Birth Of The Cool Theme", "Godchild", and "Budo". CD

A tribute to the legendary trombonist Melba Liston – served up here by a female Japanese duo who greatly continue her legacy in jazz! Like Liston, both Yuu Uesugi and Itsumi Komano can act both as soloists and arrangers – working here in a way that weaves their horns together beautifully over piano, bass, and drums – then breaking out with sublime solos that really demonstrate the different voices of each player. The approach is a bit like some of the smaller combo JJ Johnson/Kai Winding material of the 50s, but the Bon Bones also have a more sophisticated, soulful sound that really lives up to Liston's legacy – especially once the solos get going. Titles include "Oatmeal Cookie", "The Brilliant", "Blue Lights", "Suspender Woman", "Sunflowers", and "Desert Moonlight". CD

Beautifully icy vocals from the amazing Chris Connor – the kind of record that set a new standard for vocal jazz back in the 50s! The session's a small group one – with Chris singing intimately alongside backing from Herbie Mann on flute and tenor, Kai Winding and JJ Johnson on trombones, Joe Puma on guitar, and Ralph Sharon on piano – all lightly arranged to allow Connor's vocals prime placement in the record, while shading in the spaces with some nicely modern colors. Titles are mostly familiar, but wonderfully transformed into Connor's own personal statements – and tracks include "Ridin High", "It's All Right With Me", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart", "All This & Heaven Too", "Trouble Is a Man", "Blame It On My Youth", and "The Thrill Is Gone". CD

Legendary early work from trumpeter Miles Davis – late 40s sessions for Capitol Records that are completely different than the bop material he was cutting with Charlie Parker and on his own! Instead, these sides have Miles working with a complex, more arranged style – built up with a young Gil Evans, in a mode that prefaces the later famous recordings the pair would make in the late 50s for Columbia. Here, the tracks are shorter, but beautifully blend bop ideas with fuller arrangements – and Davis blows alongside other key young modernists in a variety of larger groups – with work from Lee Konitz on alto, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Al Haig and John Lewis on piano, and Kenny Clarke and Max Roach on drums. Mulligan contributed plenty, too – his ideas on an overall sound definitely helped shape these sides – and the record's go on to legendary status – even though it's very different than most other Miles Davis from the time. Titles include "Godchild", "Jeru", "Move", "Venus De Milo", "Budo", and "Deception". CD

Legendary early work from trumpeter Miles Davis – late 40s sessions for Capitol Records that are completely different than the bop material he was cutting with Charlie Parker and on his own! Instead, these sides have Miles working with a complex, more arranged style – built up with a young Gil Evans, in a mode that prefaces the later famous recordings the pair would make in the late 50s for Columbia. Here, the tracks are shorter, but beautifully blend bop ideas with fuller arrangements – and Davis blows alongside other key young modernists in a variety of larger groups – with work from Lee Konitz on alto, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Al Haig and John Lewis on piano, and Kenny Clarke and Max Roach on drums. Mulligan contributed plenty, too – his ideas on an overall sound definitely helped shape these sides – and the record's go on to legendary status – even though it's very different than most other Miles Davis from the time. Titles include "Godchild", "Jeru", "Move", "Venus De Milo", "Budo", and "Deception". LP, Vinyl record album

Sanctified, indeed – and just the kind of record to show why Slide Hampton was unlike any of his trombone-playing contemporaries! The set's got a tightness and punch that's really unique – not the compact quality of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, but also not the hardbop of Curtis Fuller either – instead king of a rousing approach to jazz trombone that really makes Hampton the kind of the soul jazz approach to the instrument! Slide's working here with a cool octet that has the focus of a group half their size – a really well-chosen lineup of young, hip players that includes George Coleman on tenor sax, Hobart Dotson and Richard Williams on trumpets, Larry Ridley on bass, and additional trombone from a y oung Charles Greenlee! Titles include "El Sino", "Ow", "Milestones", and the stormin' title cut "Somethin Sanctified". LP, Vinyl record album

With his sextet from 1947 with Conte Candoli on trumpet, Emmett Carls on tenor, Tony Aless on piano, Billy Bauer on guitar, and Mel Zelnick on drums; and with big band in 1950 with Howard McGhee, Al Porcino, and Don Ferrara on trumpet; JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on tronbone; Zoot Sims and Georgie Auld on tenor; Charlie Kennedy on alto; Gerry Mulligan on baritone; Tony Aless on piano; and Don Lamond on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

The roots of modern jazz never sounded this great before – and this is the first time ever that all the early bop recordings by Savoy have been properly brought together in one place! Savoy was one of the most important labels to record the early bop pioneers – and had a dedication to the music that begin in 1945, and moved well into the 50s – as the label captured some of the brightest young stars who'd go onto shape a generation! Almost all of this material was originally issued just as 78rpm singles – then later scattered and repackaged in a confusing way – although many tracks here also never made it into the LP or CD generation, either. The folks at Mosaic have worked incredible magic to correct that error – and have pulled together a stunning 10CD package that finally presents this amazing legacy of music in its proper form – complete with notes and session details that were never given in later years, too. There's way too much here to list in this space – but the set features dates recorded under the name of Dexter Gordon, Fats Navarro, Stan Getz, JJ Johnson, Sonny Stitt & Kenny Dorham's Bebop Boys, Allen Eager, Kai Winding, Ray Brown, Eddie Davis, Serge Chaloff, Kenny Hagood, Leo Parker, Tadd Dameron, Teddy Reig, Brew Moore, Milt Jackson, Kenny Clarke, and Gil Fuller – all with groups that are filled with equally hip and important musicians too. We love Mosaic all the time – but with a collection of 78rpm material, they really knock it out of the park – and do us, and the jazz history books, a mighty big favor! CD

Beautifully icy vocals from the amazing Chris Connor – the kind of record that set a new standard for vocal jazz back in the 50s! The session's a small group one – with Chris singing intimately alongside backing from Herbie Mann on flute and tenor, Kai Winding and JJ Johnson on trombones, Joe Puma on guitar, and Ralph Sharon on piano – all lightly arranged to allow Connor's vocals prime placement in the record, while shading in the spaces with some nicely modern colors. Titles are mostly familiar, but wonderfully transformed into Connor's own personal statements – and tracks include "Ridin High", "It's All Right With Me", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart", "All This & Heaven Too", "Trouble Is a Man", "Blame It On My Youth", and "The Thrill Is Gone". LP, Vinyl record album

A well-done package that celebrates the key contributions that Savoy Records made to the field of jazz on record – as the New Jersey company was one of the first to record the new wave of bebop in the late 40s, and quickly unleashed the music of Charlie Parker and his contemporaries on a host of famous 78rpm singles at the time! This set features many of those key 78 recordings, but focuses on their presentation in a series of 10" LP releases that Savoy did in the early 50s – vinyl packages that compiled the earlier shellac sides into a more durable format – and presented the key efforts that the label made in helping bebop get out of the clubs and onto the turntable! As with other Craft Records packages, the presentation is great – and really upgrades other reissues of the material with great sound, notes, and artwork that really live up to the contents within. 2CD set features new mastering of the material, alongside notes and photos – with classic material recorded under the leadership of Milt Jackson, Leo Parker, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, JJ Johnson, Charlie Parker, Kai Winding, Allen Eager, Budd Johnson, Fats Navarro, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Roy Porter, and Serge Chaloff! CD