A wonderful tribute to Dizzy Gillespie – featuring songs penned by Diz, or played by him famously – presented by the fluid fingers of Gonzalo Rubalcaba, who takes Gillespie's inspiration into a whole new realm with his trio! Rubalcaba's got lots of sharp notes on hand – able to create these little corners of sound while still moving forward – spurred on by the deft drum work of Julio Barreto, who's work on the album is mighty nice too. Ron Carter's bass rounds out the set, and brings in some sensitive moments that really balance the record nicely – and titles include "Hot House", "Night In Tunisia", "I Remember Clifford", "Smooch", "Con Alma", and "Woody N You". CD

A very nice return to basics for Ron Carter – a trio session that features Mulgrew Miller on piano and Russell Malone on guitar, with Ron playing simply bass – and working in a straight jazz style that's really a refreshing change from some of his higher-concept projects! The lack of drums and use of guitar takes us back almost to the sound of the early Jamal trio – but there's an overall feel here that's more open, and more fluid – really adding some depth to tunes that might otherwise come across a bit too academic. Titles include the originals "NY Slick", "On & On", "A Theme In 3/4", "Parade", "Quick Sketch", and "Cedar Tree". CD

Nice trio side from the rhythm section that fueled Miles' classic quintet. Ron, Herbie & Tony developed an advanced interplay backing Miles, almost telepathic, with just the right amount of space & a great harmonic underpinning, and this is one of the few trio sides they cut. Most of the tunes are penned by the members of the group, and include the great title track, "Dolphin Dance", "United Blues" & "Lawra". LP, Vinyl record album

Japanese reedman Sadao Watanabe joins this hip trio on alto – with Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! LP, Vinyl record album

Drummer Gerry Gibbs has a hell of a trio for this set – and a great batch of guests as well – all of whom help make some real magic on jazz instrumental versions of soul tunes from the 70s! The core trio features Kenny Barron on piano and Ron Carter on bass – both wonderfully sensitive players, without any of the "thrasher" qualities you might guess from the group's name on the cover – and some passages expand things with the addition of Warren Wolf on vibes, Steve Wilson on alto sax, and Larry Goldings on Hammond – all players we really love too. Titles include "Pick Up The Pieces", "Where Is The Love", "What's Going On", "Reasons", "Too High", "Fantasy", "Creepin", and "Brazilian Rhyme". CD

The Great Jazz Trio really stretch out here – taking each of the album's four songs at a mighty relaxed pace – which allows even more room than ever for the creative expression of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! The cover's got a slick look that might be more at home on a fusion record – but the set's all acoustic, and has this warm, personal vibe that's really tremendous – that special sound that the three legendary musicians brought to their great run of albums in this format! Titles include "Satin Doll", "My Funny Valentine", "Night In Tunisia", and "Round Midnight". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most open-ended sessions ever recorded by the Great Jazz Trio of Hank Hones, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams – a live set from the Village Vanguard, and one that features them really stretching out on 4 longer tracks! Jones' work on piano is an especially nice treat here – as he's still got the poise that we know from his more restrained studio sessions, yet also seems to really loosen up with the warm rhythm accompaniment of Carter and Williams. The session features a great obscure gentle groover titled "Wind Flower", plus a really introspective take on Miles Davis' "Nardis", and the tunes "Lawra" and "Confirmation". CD

A bit of a change for The Great Jazz Trio, but a great one too – given that Buster Williams is on bass here, instead of the usual Ron Carter – working with drummer Tony Williams and pianist Hank Jones to really make things sparkle! Buster's bass is always a treat, and this album's no exception – a set that's filled with some surprisingly soulful moments on the bottom, which really seems to push the group nicely on the longer tracks in the set. Jones sounds a bit different here than before – in a good way – and titles include versions of "Love For Sale", "Secret Love", "Autumn Leaves", and "Someone To Watch Over Me". LP, Vinyl record album

An unusual 70s album from Herbie Hancock – first in that it was only issued in Japan at the time, and second in that it was an all-acoustic set that came out at a time when Herbie was mostly working in an electric mode! Yet that previous work definitely informs the sound here – as there's a sense of flow to the piano that certainly comes from all the work that Herbie had been doing on keyboards – a lightly funky current at times, and a nicely open, stretched-out vibe on the tracks! The trio is great – with Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums – and titles include a great remake of "Speak Like A Child", plus "Watch It", "Look", "Milestones", and "Whatcha Waitin For". All tracks are long, and the record's got a nice sweet mellow vibe! CD

A brilliant Japanese-only album from Herbie – quite different than his US work at the time! Although the Herbie in America in 1981 was very heavily involved in electric keyboard work and more R&B-oriented styles of expression – this Japanese-recorded Herbie's an all-acoustic one, working here in a great trio with Ron Carter and Tony Williams, grooving nicely on some long lyrically soulful tracks! The record's straight and sweet – and Herbie's work on piano is stunning – easily flowing with inventive solos that never cease to delight. And the warm accompaniment he gets from Carter and Williams really make the album sparkle – easily the best sort of session of its sort you'll find from the time. Titles include "Stablemates", "Dolphin Dance", "A Slight Smile", and "La Maison Goree". CD

A wonderful combination of players – really stretching out here in a hip double-length set! The live performance features three key musicians all recording for Milestone Records in the 70s – Sonny Rollins on tenor and soprano sax, McCoy Tyner on piano, and Ron Carter on bass – joined by drummer Al Foster, who provides some great energy to round out the quartet! But not all the tracks here are quartet ones, either – as the set also features some duet, trio, and solo moments too – really changing things up on some extended tracks that continue to keep things interesting! Titles include the excellent "Cutting Edge" – plus "Continuum", "Alone Together", "Nubia", "NO Blues", and "Don't Stop The Carnival". LP, Vinyl record album

Beautifully sensitive work from pianist Geri Allen – a session cut with a core trio of Ron Carter on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums, but one that sparkles even more from guest contributions by Wallace Roney and Carmen Lundy! Geri's piano is at the forefront of the set – sliding out gracefully with a sound that's not exactly timeless, but which has a soulful energy that reminds us a lot of some of the best styles of her roots – focused a bit more here, and augmented on a few tracks by the Atlanta Jazz Chorus, a vocal group who hardly dominate the record, but float in very gently alongside Geri's piano – almost in a style that's similar to the use of voices on some of Duke Pearson's last recordings for Blue Note. Titles include "Portraits & Dreams", "Oh Freedom", "Melchezedik", "Well Done", "La Strada", "I Have A Dream", "Nearly", "In Real Time", "Our Lady", and "Timeless Portraits & Dreams". CD features a bonus disc with a version of "Lift Every Voice & Sing" by vocalist George Shirley with the Atlanta Jazz Chorus. CD

Not a trio date, but an unusual moody set – one that mostly has Kenny Barron on piano in duos with alternating bass accompaniment by Ron Carter and Michael Moore. LP, Vinyl record album

Cindy Blackman's one of those players who always surprises us with her music – coming across with a lot more to offer than just her unique role as a girl drummer in jazz – sounds so bold, we instantly forget her gender and pretty image on the cover, and always just let ourselves get swept away by the power of her music! This set is possibly one of Blackman's best from the Muse Records years – thanks to a top-shelf quartet that includes Gary Bartz on alto and soprano sax, Kenny Barron on piano, and Ron Carter on bass – a great trio even on their own, but given a nice sense of focus through Blackman's drums. As usual, Blackman penned some great originals for the date – and the setting is an especially nice one for Bartz, who's really given a lot of space for great solo work on the set. Titles include "The Oracle", "AJ", "Beatrice", "Traffic", "Why", "Our Blues", and "Who Needs Forever". CD

Important early work from Jaki Byard – one of his first records as a leader, and a wonderful set of quirky piano trio tunes! Jaki's working here with Ron Carter on bass and Roy Haynes on drums – in a format that's similar to other trio records of the time, but which is really pushed to the limit by Byard's unique conception of the keys, and his unabashed ability to play well and whimsical at the same time! And by "whimsical", we're not saying "goofy", or "silly" – but really just are referring to Jaki's clearly unabashed love of all things musical – a joyous celebration of many strands of jazz, all coming together in a sound that's all his own! (Jaki worked often with Roland Kirk – and that's a good point of comparison.) Titles include "Cinco Y Quatro", "Giant Steps", "Garnerin A Bit", "To My Wife", and "Mellow Septet". CD

Our favorite-ever album by Alice Coltrane – a masterpiece of spirit and soul, recorded in a wonderfully open-handed style – and with a vibe that's maybe a bit different than some of her other records, especially the ones with larger groups! The album's mostly a spare batch of tracks cut by Alice and her trio with Ron Carter on bass and Ben Riley on drums – a group who are already wonderful, and maybe a bit more introspective than Coltrane in other settings – and they're joined at a few points by guest tenor from both Joe Henderson and Pharoah Sanders – both at key parts of their career, and really adding a lot to the album! Pharoah and Joe blow with beautiful post-Coltrane spirituality on the tracks "Ptah The El Daoud" and "Mantra" – but equally great is the beautiful spare piano cut "Turiya & Ramakrishna" – an incredible tune that has Alice playing with a soulfulness you'd hardly expect! A real treasure all the way through – and the kind of album that ranks with the best in the Impulse catalog! CD

An unusual session from the heart of Lou Donaldson's return to Blue Note in the late 60s – a mellower date that stands in strong contrast to his funkier albums of the time! As you might guess from the title, there's a lusher feel going on here – one that has Lou's alto sax augmented by larger backings from Duke Pearson – who manages to score things perfectly with a balance of soul and sophistication. The album's hardly a "Donaldson with strings" date – and instead is done in the more mature mode that Duke was using in some of his own sides from the time, and on work with players like Donald Byrd or Stanley Turrentine. Other players here include Wayne Shorter on tenor, Pepper Adams on baritone, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, and Garnett Brown on trombone – plus core rhythms from the trio of McCoy Tyner on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Harewood on drums. Titles include "Sweet Slumber", "The Good Life", "Sweet & Lovely", "Stardust", and "You've Changed" – and the album was recorded in the 60s, it was only first issued in Japan in 1980 – and even then only later in the US! CD

The complete Riverside recordings! Complete! That's 12 CDs worth of Bill Evans, documenting some of the finest performances he ever recorded. As you'd expect, there's quite a lot of trio sides presented here, including the great group featuring Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, but there's also a few early excursions into the solo setting he'd return to again and again as well as a few sessions featuring horns. The list of sidemen is filled with heavies from Paul Chambers, Teddy Kotick, Philly Joe Jones and Cannonball Adderley to Freddie Hubbard, Jim Hall, Zoot Sims and Ron Carter. If you know any of the Riverside recordings, you know this is where Evans established himself as one of the leading pianists of his age, and laid the blueprint for a much imitated style. This set features the entirety of loads of great LPs, like New Jazz Conceptions, Everybody Digs Bill Evans, Waltz For Debby, Portrait In Jazz, Sunday At The Village Vanguard and more! CD

A really unique album in the career of Johnny Griffin – and one of the few entries in the short-lived "jazz meets folk" genre of the 60s! The record features Griffin blowing through versions of older folk numbers – mostly traditional tunes, re-arranged by Johnny here with a swinging vibe that's a bit soul jazz, but also slightly more exotic and lyrical – in keeping with the timeless themes of the compositions. The rest of the group includes Barry Harris on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Ben Riley on drums – a trio who seem well-suited to match the sensitive spirit of some of the tunes! And while you might have reservations about a record like this, don't – because Griffin's tone and phrasing are great, and really keep things away from the gimmicky side of the spectrum! Titles include "The Kerry Dancers", "Green Grow The Rushes", "Black is The Color of My True Love's Hair", "25 1/2 Daze", and "The Londonderry Air" – plus the Griffin original "Oh Now I See". CD

A landmark concert from the mid 80s – one held to honor the resurrection of the Blue Note label, featuring a wealth of some of the best players for the label – from the 80s back to the 50s bebop years. This first volume in the 4 LP series features centered around Herbie Hancock and Bobby Hutcherson, with appearances by Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Ron Carter, Tony Williams and James Newton. Side one features the group nicely stretching out on a quintet take of "Canteloupe Island" and a sextet reading of "Record A Me", and side two has a quintet take of "Little B's Poem", a trio take of "Bouquet" and a quartet take of "Hat & Beard". CD

A real moment of genius for Joe Henderson from the 80s – a spare trio session, recorded live at the Village Vanguard, in a mode that recalls Sonny Rollins classic sets there for Blue Note! And while Sonny often performed heavily in a trio setting, unfettered by chords in the rhythm section – this is a unique date for Joe, and he sounds brilliant throughout! Ron Carter and Al Foster provide a crisp but elastic foundation for Henderson's burnished melodies and solos in a very spacious setting. CD features 14 tracks from both volumes of the LP releases – including "The Bead Game", "Soulville", "Portrait", "Beatrice", "Friday The Thirteenth", "Happy Reunion", "Loose Change", "Ask Me Now" and "Isotope". CD

A beautiful bit of understated 70s brilliance from Hank Jones – working here in a no-nonsense format that rivals the greatness of his earlier years! At one level, the album's recorded with some of the touches of some of the Japanese trio sides of the 70s – yet the tunes here are tighter, and shorter, with more of a focus on Hank's straightforward approach to the keys. Rhythm is by Ron Carter on bass and Grady Tate on drums – and titles include "Wind Flower", "Minor Contention", "Favors", "Nothin Beats An Evil Woman", and Gary McFarland's "Hanky Panky". CD

A straight street, but a great street – as Harold Mabern returns to full force in this lovely set of trio tracks! The set's one of the best of any of Mabern's early 90s sessions for DIW Records – a very strong outing with Ron Carter on bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums – served up with a no-nonsense approach to the music that has Harold spinning off lyrical lines at his soulful best. The recording quality brings out some nice round tones in Mabern's piano – and titles include "Seminole", "To Wane", "Mr Stitt", "Straight Street", "It's You Or No One", and "Crescent". CD

Beautiful late work from Art Pepper – one of his albums recorded for the well-done Artist House label, and a set that's maybe got a different vibe than some of his Galaxy recordings of the time! There's a rock-solid sense of soul to the record – one that comes from the work of two different rhythm trios – one that features George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm trio who keep things swinging, but never in a way that's too straight – pushing Art a bit around the edges, but letting him come right down the middle with some fantastic solos on alto – the other with Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Tunes are a bit shorter than on some other albums of the period, but in a great way that really lets you focus in on Pepper's amazing sound –and titles include "Diane", "Stardust", "Blues For Blanche", and "Straight No Chaser". CD

Beautiful late work from Art Pepper – one of his albums recorded for the well-done Artist House label, and a set that's maybe got a different vibe than some of his Galaxy recordings of the time! There's a rock-solid sense of soul to the record – one that comes from the work of two different rhythm trios – one that features George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm trio who keep things swinging, but never in a way that's too straight – pushing Art a bit around the edges, but letting him come right down the middle with some fantastic solos on alto – the other with Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Tunes are a bit shorter than on some other albums of the period, but in a great way that really lets you focus in on Pepper's amazing sound –and titles include "Diane", "Stardust", "Blues For Blanche", and "Straight No Chaser". CD

One of Bobby Timmons' most obscure trio sessions from the early years – recorded at the tail end of the Riverside years, which is probably why the album disappeared so quickly! The set's in a similar format to some of Bobby's other records for Riverside – a trio set with either Sam Jones or Ron Carter on bass, and Connie Kay on drums – but it's different in that Bobby's a bit more introspective – "blue", if you will – working in less of the gutbucket soul jazz mode than before, and really hitting some lyrical magic on the keys! The album includes the original tunes "Know Not One", "Often Annie", and "The Sit In" – plus a great reading of Tom McIntosh's "Malice Towards None". CD

Two great 90s sessions from Cedar Walton – back to back in a single set! Composer is a record that not only shows off the great skills of pianist Cedar Walton as a composer, but one that also shows how he can really work a special sort of magic when he lets some horns into his group, and shifts from his usual mode in a trio! Walton's always wonderful on the keys – and works here with Christian McBride on bass and Victor Lewis on drums – but it's the presence of the hornmen on the record who really shade things wonderfully – the presence of Vincent Herring on alto, Ralph Moore on tenor, and Roy Hargrove on trumpet – all really bringing out some great qualities in Walton's original tunes. Titles include "Martha's Prize", "Minor Controversy", "Hindsight", "Groove Passage", "Theme For Jobim", and "Groundwork". Roots is a masterpiece of color from pianist Cedar Walton – a set that has all the right elements and instruments really opening up his sound! The core trio is excellent – Cedar on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and the great Lewis Nash on drums – at his crackling 90s best – yet these players are expanded in all these great tonal ways – with rich tenor from Joshua Redman, sparkling trumpet from Terence Blanchard, and great guitar from Mark Whitfield – who really seems to echo Cedar's sense of color on his strings. Titles include "Mode For Joe", "Bolivia", "Fiesta Espanol", "Firm Roots", "I'll Let You Know", and "When Love Is New". CD

One of the last completely intense albums from Tony Williams' Lifetime group – a slightly changed lineup from the original trio – one that includes guitarist Ted Dunbar, bassist Ron Carter, and percussionists Don Alias and Warren Smith. The group still features some searing organ work from Larry Young (recording here as Khalid Yasin), but the overall sound is also a bit spacier, and even more percussion-driven than before. Dunbar's tripped-out guitar is a nice change from the more rock-focused sound of John McLaughlin on earlier records – and he seems to free the players from their fuzzed out sound, and let them hit some nicely organic moments. Titles include "Clap City", "There Comes A Time", "Two Worlds", "Some Hip Drum Sh!t", "Lonesome Wells" and "The Urchin's Of Shermese". CD

Three albums from this great guitarist! Common Cause is a spare trio outing from guitarist Attilla Zoller, done with support from Ron Carter on bass and Joe Chambers on drums – and in a groove that nicely slips from mellow straight material one moment to more adventurous tunes the next! The straighter work is oddly some of the most appealing here – and is a refreshing change to some of Zoller's more experimental (but still great) work from the period – a great illustration of his strong tone on a simple line, in a way that we don't often get to hear on record. Straight numbers include "Lady Love" and "Kaybee" – juxtaposed with the more "out" "Tshitar", and the soaring number "Meet". Dream Bells is a hell of an album from guitarist Attila Zoller – one that's just a trio date, but which almost seems to have a fuller feel than some of his records from the time! The rhythms are wonderful – this warm, round bass from Frank Luther, whose tones alone really create a soulful energy on the record – and drummer Sonny Brown's got this nicely skittish tone that percolates even the mellow moments in this really great way – leaving Zoller to solo spaciously over the top with a sublime tone, and maybe a slightly deeper sense of soul than usual. Titles include "Dream Bells", "Seascape", "In Your Own Sweet Way", and "Sudden Romance". Overcome is beautiful live work from guitarist Attila Zoller – stretching out here on long, spacious tracks that are maybe even more majestic an example of his tone than some of his studio work of the time! The group is a quartet – with Kirk Lightsey on piano, Michael Formanek on bass, and Daniel Humair on drums – nicely subtle players at all the right moments, on titles that include "Overcome", "Starry Night", "Lullabye", and "Lev Blues". CD

A spare trio outing from guitarist Attilla Zoller, done with support from Ron Carter on bass and Joe Chambers on drums – and in a groove that nicely slips from mellow straight material one moment to more adventurous tunes the next! The straighter work is oddly some of the most appealing here – and is a refreshing change to some of Zoller's more experimental (but still great) work from the period – a great illustration of his strong tone on a simple line, in a way that we don't often get to hear on record. Straight numbers include "Lady Love" and "Kaybee" – juxtaposed with the more "out" "Tshitar", and the soaring number "Meet". CD

Our favorite-ever album by Alice Coltrane – a masterpiece of spirit and soul, recorded in a wonderfully open-handed style – and with a vibe that's maybe a bit different than some of her other records, especially the ones with larger groups! The album's mostly a spare batch of tracks cut by Alice and her trio with Ron Carter on bass and Ben Riley on drums – a group who are already wonderful, and maybe a bit more introspective than Coltrane in other settings – and they're joined at a few points by guest tenor from both Joe Henderson and Pharoah Sanders – both at key parts of their career, and really adding a lot to the album! Pharoah and Joe blow with beautiful post-Coltrane spirituality on the tracks "Ptah The El Daoud" and "Mantra" – but equally great is the beautiful spare piano cut "Turiya & Ramakrishna" – an incredible tune that has Alice playing with a soulfulness you'd hardly expect! A real treasure all the way through – and the kind of album that ranks with the best in the Impulse catalog! CD

Our favorite-ever album by Alice Coltrane – a masterpiece of spirit and soul, recorded in a wonderfully open-handed style – and with a vibe that's maybe a bit different than some of her other records, especially the ones with larger groups! The album's mostly a spare batch of tracks cut by Alice and her trio with Ron Carter on bass and Ben Riley on drums – a group who are already wonderful, and maybe a bit more introspective than Coltrane in other settings – and they're joined at a few points by guest tenor from both Joe Henderson and Pharoah Sanders – both at key parts of their career, and really adding a lot to the album! Pharoah and Joe blow with beautiful post-Coltrane spirituality on the tracks "Ptah The El Daoud" and "Mantra" – but equally great is the beautiful spare piano cut "Turiya & Ramakrishna" – an incredible tune that has Alice playing with a soulfulness you'd hardly expect! A real treasure all the way through – and the kind of album that ranks with the best in the Impulse catalog! LP, Vinyl record album

Subtle genius from pianist Barry Harris – an overlooked 60s set that showcases both Barry's tighter bop leanings and his even more wonderful lyrical side! The session's recorded with a relaxed energy that points the way towards freer Harris sides in years to come – but also still has the focus of his other best trio work from the early years – and rhythm support here is by Ron Carter on bass and Leroy Williams on drums. Titles include "Ah Leu Cha", "Bean & The Boys", "Dexterity", "Sun Dance", and "Rouge". CD

An unusual session from the heart of Lou Donaldson's return to Blue Note in the late 60s – a mellower date that stands in strong contrast to his funkier albums of the time! As you might guess from the title, there's a lusher feel going on here – one that has Lou's alto sax augmented by larger backings from Duke Pearson – who manages to score things perfectly with a balance of soul and sophistication. The album's hardly a "Donaldson with strings" date – and instead is done in the more mature mode that Duke was using in some of his own sides from the time, and on work with players like Donald Byrd or Stanley Turrentine. Other players here include Wayne Shorter on tenor, Pepper Adams on baritone, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, and Garnett Brown on trombone – plus core rhythms from the trio of McCoy Tyner on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Harewood on drums. Titles include "Sweet Slumber", "The Good Life", "Sweet & Lovely", "Stardust", and "You've Changed" – and the album was recorded in the 60s, it was only first issued in Japan in 1980 – and even then only later in the US! CD

A real moment of genius for Joe Henderson from the 80s – a spare trio session, recorded live at the Village Vanguard, in a mode that recalls Sonny Rollins classic sets there for Blue Note! And while Sonny often performed heavily in a trio setting, unfettered by chords in the rhythm section – this is a unique date for Joe, and he sounds brilliant throughout! Ron Carter and Al Foster provide a crisp but elastic foundation for Henderson's burnished melodies and solos in a very spacious setting – and this first volume features the tracks "Beatrice", "Friday The Thirteenth", "Happy Reunion", "Loose Change", "Ask Me Now", and "Isotope". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautifully bright album from pianist Steve Kuhn – a superb 1986 session that matches his work on the keys with bass from Ron Carter and drums from Al Foster! The trio have a soulful swing right from the start – a vibe that you don't always hear on other albums from Kuhn, and which really unleashes some of his most lyrical sounds of the decade – a style that's as fresh and inventive as before, but which also soars a bit more strongly too – driven on with a warm feeling that definitely comes from the company of the group. The album's a stone classic in the Kuhn catalog – and titles include "Two By Two", "Ulla/Trance", "Jitterbug Waltz", "Little Old Lady", and "Yesterday's Gardenias". CD

One of the best Shirley Scott albums ever – a wonderfully groovy little set that seems to stand head and shoulders above some of her other trio dates of the 60s! Shirley really hits a nice clean groove here – a sense of tone we don't always hear this beautifully on earlier Prestige dates, with almost an influence from some of the 60s bossa organists, which seems to show up in the grooves as well. But there's also a deeper swing too – one that seems to come from the album's tight rhythms from Ron Carter's bass and Jimmy Cobb's drums – both of whom snap the groove very tight, and keep Shirley's solos very lean, very clean. Titles include "What The World Needs Now", "Corcovado", "Instant Blues", and "On A Clear Day". LP, Vinyl record album

A hard-to-find gem from funky pianist Bobby Timmons – a non-trio session recorded in the mid 60s for Prestige, and featuring some especially great work from Wayne Shorter on tenor! Shorter's appearance here is a real anomaly – especially since we can't recall another Prestige appearance from the time – but his presence really adds a lot to the record, bringing in some dark tones and sharp edges that are a perfect match for the growing complexity of Timmons' work on the keys of the piano! The sound's a bit soul jazz, but also has more of the modern edges you'd hear in Shorter's Blue Note sides – and the rest of the quartet features Ron Carter on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. Titles include a great version of Shorter's "Tom Thumb", plus "Cut Me Loose Charlie", "Ein Bahn Strasse", "Tenaj", and "Damned If I Know". CD

One of the last completely intense albums from Tony Williams' Lifetime group – a slightly changed lineup from the original trio – one that includes guitarist Ted Dunbar, bassist Ron Carter, and percussionists Don Alias and Warren Smith. The group still features some searing organ work from Larry Young (recording here as Khalid Yasin), but the overall sound is also a bit spacier, and even more percussion-driven than before. Dunbar's tripped-out guitar is a nice change from the more rock-focused sound of John McLaughlin on earlier records – and he seems to free the players from their fuzzed out sound, and let them hit some nicely organic moments. Titles include "Clap City", "There Comes A Time", "Two Worlds", "Some Hip Drum Sh!t", "Lonesome Wells" and "The Urchin's Of Shermese". LP, Vinyl record album

2 LP set of haunting piano work by Jaki Byard, recorded in his early days on Prestige, and not too long after his association with Mingus. He's backed here by some great trio players, including Ron Carter, Roy Haynes, and Pete La Roca, and the set has a lot more going on than the usual piano jazz album. Tracks include "Cinco Y Quatro", "To My Wife", "Hi Fly", "Yamekraw", and "There Are Many Worlds". LP, Vinyl record album

Swirling spiritual work from Alice Coltrane – an incredible trio album that features her heavily on harp, plus a bit of piano – in a trio with Ron Carter on bass and Rashied Ali on drums! The sound is wonderful – lush, yet contemplative – in a personal style that really shows Alice beginning to express herself in new modes after the death of The Great One. The us of harp is especially incredible – handled here with a sense of majesty that really leaves us breathless, and which goes far beyond other use of that instrument in jazz. And even Alice's piano is surprisingly nice – with these mellow, earthy undertones that bubble at the bottom and ground the whole effort on earthly territory. Titles include "Turiya", "HIS", "Jaya Jaya Rama", and "Via Sivanadagar". LP, Vinyl record album

Spiritual sounds galore – an amazing 2-fer from Alice Coltrane! Huntington Ashram Monastery is powerful work from Alice Coltrane – an incredible trio album that features her heavily on harp, plus a bit of piano – in a trio with Ron Carter on bass and Rashied Ali on drums! The sound is wonderful – lush, yet contemplative – in a personal style that really shows Alice beginning to express herself in new modes after the death of The Great One. The us of harp is especially incredible – handled here with a sense of majesty that really leaves us breathless, and which goes far beyond other use of that instrument in jazz. And even Alice's piano is surprisingly nice – with these mellow, earthy undertones that bubble at the bottom and ground the whole effort on earthly territory. Titles include "Turiya", "HIS", "Jaya Jaya Rama", and "Via Sivanadagar". World Galaxy is one of Alice Coltrane's most ambitious albums of the early years – recorded with a full set of heavenly orchestrations! The core group features Alice on piano, organ, and harp – alongside Frank Lowe on saxes, Reggie Workman on bass, Leroy Jenkins on violin, and Ben Riley on drums. Added to this combo is a much larger set of strings – swirling around in a rich musical backdrop that gives Alice's work a sense of majesty and power we could have never imagined. This is the album that really showed the world that she was far far more than just the wife of the late great one – a true mystical visionary with a sound that demanded to be heard! Side 2 features a recitation by Alice's spiritual mentor, Swami Satchdiananda – and the album features a wonderful version of "My Favorite Things", done with both organ and harp, plus the tracks "Love Supreme", "Galaxy In Turiya", and "Galaxy In Satchidandana". CD

Our favorite-ever album by Alice Coltrane – a masterpiece of spirit and soul, recorded in a wonderfully open-handed style – and with a vibe that's maybe a bit different than some of her other records, especially the ones with larger groups! The album's mostly a spare batch of tracks cut by Alice and her trio with Ron Carter on bass and Ben Riley on drums – a group who are already wonderful, and maybe a bit more introspective than Coltrane in other settings – and they're joined at a few points by guest tenor from both Joe Henderson and Pharoah Sanders – both at key parts of their career, and really adding a lot to the album! Pharoah and Joe blow with beautiful post-Coltrane spirituality on the tracks "Ptah The El Daoud" and "Mantra" – but equally great is the beautiful spare piano cut "Turiya & Ramakrishna" – an incredible tune that has Alice playing with a soulfulness you'd hardly expect! A real treasure all the way through – and the kind of album that ranks with the best in the Impulse catalog! LP, Vinyl record album

A really great later date from pianist Walter Davis – one that was only issued overseas, and is a lot more obscure than some of his other work of the time! The album features great work from Bob Mover on alto – really bringing a lot to the core trio, which also features great work from ron Carter on bass and Kenny Washington on drums – on titles that include the originals "Uranus" and "Illumination". CD

A real standout in the Bill Evans catalog for Riverside – and that's saying a lot, given how important all of his Riverside albums are! The core session's a rare quintet outing for Evans – one that breaks the mode of the usual trio format by adding in Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and Jim Hall on guitar – alongside rhythm players Percy Heath on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums – already a unique enough match for Evans' talents. In a way, the record's one of those sessions that Riverside would sometimes do – pairing a key new voice as a leader with others in an all-star group – but in another way, it's also a return to the sound that first brought Evans' to a wider audience in the 1957 and 1958 years – when he was working in non-trio groups with more famous players – adding his unique piano stylings to their (then) better-known solo modes. The pairing of Evans and Hall has been beautifully documented on other records – and sounds equally great here – but the real treat is Freddie Hubbard's horn, which often lays back on most of the tracks, then bursts in with a brashness that really ignites some of the tunes! He's playing a bit muted here, trying to go for that Miles/Evans combination from the late 50s – but that's plenty ok with us, as we love those records a lot. Titles include "When You Wish Upon A Star", "You & The Night & The Music", "I'll Never Smile again", "You Go To My Head" and the Evans original, "Interplay". This double-length set also expands the original Interplay album with even more material from another group session in 1962 – a set recorded also with Philly Joe Jones on drums and Jim Hall on guitar – plus Ron Carter on bass and Zoot Sims on tenor. Titles include "Time Remembered", "Loose Bloose", "Fun Ride", "There Came You", "Fudgesickle Built For Four", and "My Bells". CD

A wonderful session from one of our favorite Japanese pianists – and a session that's done with equal parts acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes! Takehiro Honda's getting some great help here from Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums – gently grooving on most of the album's best numbers, with a vibe that reminds us of some of the best Herbie Hancock Japanese trio sessions from the 70s – recorded with a similarly open, spacious vibe! The Fender Rhodes tracks are great, but the acoustic numbers groove pretty nicely too – and Honda's definitely pulled out some of his most rhythmic modes for this album, really opening up in the company of the American players. Titles include "Wonder", "Longing", "Puddle", "Spirits Flow", and "Calypso Street". LP, Vinyl record album

Five tremendous albums from saxophone genius Art Pepper – presented here with a lot of bonus tracks too! First up is So In Love – beautiful late work from Art Pepper – one of his albums recorded for the well-done Artist House label, and a set that's maybe got a different vibe than some of his Galaxy recordings of the time! There's a rock-solid sense of soul to the record – one that comes from the work of two different rhythm trios – one that features George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm trio who keep things swinging, but never in a way that's too straight – pushing Art a bit around the edges, but letting him come right down the middle with some fantastic solos on alto – the other with Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Tunes are a bit shorter than on some other albums of the period, but in a great way that really lets you focus in on Pepper's amazing sound –and titles include "Diane", "Stardust", "Blues For Blanche", and "Straight No Chaser". Artworks is a nicely focused set from the great Art Pepper – a record that features a number of familiar bop and jazz themes, but set to a more open, relaxed, and very soulful style that wonderfully reflects all the greatness of Pepper in his final years! The group on the record is nicely understated, but still very hip – George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – and Art gets plenty of space to step out front and really blow these amazing solos, including one number that features just bass and drums, while Pepper blows a bit of clarinet – which we always love. All other titles feature alto sax – and titles include "Donna Lee", "Anthropology", "You Go To My Head", "Body & Soul", and "Desafinado". Next is a New York Album, but one that was oddly recorded in Burbank – and which has Art Pepper sounding very much at the top of his game! The format here is a bit like the other Artist House Pepper sessions, and those he did for the Japanese Atlas label – tight, focused, often tunes that are older jazz or bop standards – but swing with a great rhythm section, and topped with completely sublime alto solos from the leader! The quartet features Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums – but one number is a duo between Carter and Pepper, and another features just piano and alto. Titles include "Night In Tunisia", "Lover Man", "Duo Blues", "My Friend John", and "Straight No Chaser". Stardust is a great little record from Art Pepper – four long tracks that really have him stretching out on alto – but in a way that's maybe a bit different than some of his more burning albums on the Galaxy label at the time! The group here follows from some of the previous Artist House recordings – George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm combo that's mighty nice – and which benefits from some great straight basswork from Haden, and Higgins' always compelling sense of rhythm! Titles include "My Friend John", "Stardust", and "Tin Tin Deo" – plus a reading of "In A Mellotone" that has Art on clarinet. CD5 features a full disc of Sessions material, titled as such – alternates, and unusual versions from the recording dates – and all other of the four CDs feature bonus material as well – different takes and alternates! CD

Beautiful late work from Art Pepper – one of his albums recorded for the well-done Artist House label, and a set that's maybe got a different vibe than some of his Galaxy recordings of the time! There's a rock-solid sense of soul to the record – one that comes from the work of two different rhythm trios – one that features George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm trio who keep things swinging, but never in a way that's too straight – pushing Art a bit around the edges, but letting him come right down the middle with some fantastic solos on alto – the other with Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Tunes are a bit shorter than on some other albums of the period, but in a great way that really lets you focus in on Pepper's amazing sound –and titles include "Diane", "Stardust", "Blues For Blanche", and "Straight No Chaser". CD

A great early moment for pianist Renee Rosnes – and a set that has her really bursting out with help from a top-shelf lineup of musicians! The core trio features Ron Carter on bass and Lewis Nash on drums – although Renee also plays without them on two numbers – and the tunes really benefit from vivid horn work from players who include Branford Marsalis on tenor and soprano sax, Ralph Bowen on tenor, and Wayne Shorter on soprano – each taking a turn on different tracks throughout the set. Herbie Hancock joins Renee on a piano duet on the number "Fleur De Lis" – a lovely track with no other instrumentation besides the twin pianos – and other titles include "The Storyteller", "Diana", "Playground For The Birds", "Punjab", and "IA Blues". CD

A nice 70s trio side with Tyner's lyrical, spiraling piano lines nicely underpinned by Elvin Jones' polyrhythms and Ron Carter's supple bass. Three Tyner originals: "Celestial Chant", "Elvin (Sir) Jones" and "Land Of The Lonely", plus Trane's "Impressions", Monk's "Ruby, My Dear" and Jobim's "Once I Loved". LP, Vinyl record album

Not a trio date, but an unusual moody set – one that mostly has Kenny Barron on piano in duos with either Ron Carter or Michael Moore on bass. CD

Swirling spiritual work from Alice Coltrane – an incredible trio album that features her heavily on harp, plus a bit of piano – in a trio with Ron Carter on bass and Rashied Ali on drums! The sound is wonderful – lush, yet contemplative – in a personal style that really shows Alice beginning to express herself in new modes after the death of The Great One. The us of harp is especially incredible – handled here with a sense of majesty that really leaves us breathless, and which goes far beyond other use of that instrument in jazz. And even Alice's piano is surprisingly nice – with these mellow, earthy undertones that bubble at the bottom and ground the whole effort on earthly territory. Titles include "Turiya", "HIS", "Jaya Jaya Rama", and "Via Sivanadagar". CD

Shame about the cover, but cheescake nudie image aside, the album's got all the poise, class, and grace you'd expect in some other classics from pianist Roland Hanna – a player who already attained majesty in his music, long before he started adding "Sir" to his name! There's a fair bit of classical numbers here, used as surprising vehicles for jazz expression by Hanna – not the usual "jazz meets classical" vibe that stays very faithful to the structure of the original compositions – but more just a basic inspiration for improvisational melodies, played by the trio in a way that has Roland's piano strongly out in the lead, with subtle accompaniment from Ron Carter on bass and Grady Tate on drums. Titles include "Prelude", "Like Grains Of Sand", "Serenade", "Apres Un Reve", "Based On Gustav", and "Going Home". CD

A real moment of genius for Joe Henderson from the 80s – a spare trio session, recorded live at the Village Vanguard, in a mode that recalls Sonny Rollins classic sets there for Blue Note! And while Sonny often performed heavily in a trio setting, unfettered by chords in the rhythm section – this is a unique date for Joe, and he sounds brilliant throughout! Ron Carter and Al Foster provide a crisp but elastic foundation for Henderson's burnished melodies and solos in a very spacious setting – and this first volume features the tracks "Beatrice", "Friday The Thirteenth", "Happy Reunion", "Loose Change", "Ask Me Now", and "Isotope". CD

A straight street, but a great street – as Harold Mabern returns to full force in this lovely set of trio tracks! The set's one of the best of any of Mabern's early 90s sessions for DIW Records – a very strong outing with Ron Carter on bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums – served up with a no-nonsense approach to the music that has Harold spinning off lyrical lines at his soulful best. The recording quality brings out some nice round tones in Mabern's piano – and titles include "Seminole", "To Wane", "Mr Stitt", "Straight Street", "It's You Or No One", and "Crescent". CD

Nicholas Payton shines in two different ways here – blowing trumpet, and handling piano and Fender Rhodes – often overdubbed, but with a unified sound that makes the album sound wonderful throughout! Part of the strength of the set is the rhythm backing – as Payton works with help from bassist Ron Carter, a player he'd always dreamed of recording with – alongside more regular drummer Karrie Riggins, who fits into the trio with a really magical sense of energy. Tenorist George Coleman joins the group on two tracks – partly as a nod to the Miles Davis album Four & More, which was some of the inspiration for the sound of this set – and titles include "Gold Dust Black Magic", "Q For Quincy Jones", "Big George", "Hangin In & Jivin", "Levin's Ope", "No Lonely Nights", "Big George", and "Lullaby For A Lamppost". CD

Beautiful late work from Art Pepper – one of his albums recorded for the well-done Artist House label, and a set that's maybe got a different vibe than some of his Galaxy recordings of the time! There's a rock-solid sense of soul to the record – one that comes from the work of two different rhythm trios – one that features George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm trio who keep things swinging, but never in a way that's too straight – pushing Art a bit around the edges, but letting him come right down the middle with some fantastic solos on alto – the other with Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Tunes are a bit shorter than on some other albums of the period, but in a great way that really lets you focus in on Pepper's amazing sound –and titles include "Diane", "Stardust", "Blues For Blanche", and "Straight No Chaser". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little small group session from trombonist Steve Turre – one that has the leader working with a quartet on the core numbers, then getting some great guest help from tenorist Javon Jackson on some other titles too! The quartet numbers alone are wonderful – laidback, soulful, and filled with easily-blown solos from Turre – who's working with a great rhythm trio of Kenny Barron on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – all of whom deliver more than their legend might imply in the setting! Jackson's horn gives his tracks a nicely special crackle – which seems to draw a bit more edge on Steve's trombone – and the final number also features some guest percussion from Cyro Baptista. Titles include "Mellow D For RC", "Taylor Made", "Quietude", "Joco Blue", "Coffee Pot", "Reflections", and "United". CD