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A killer set from drummer George Jenkins – with a hard-wailing Central Ave groove, augmented by some killer tenor work by Plas Johnson! This is one of the best albums ever to hear Johnson blowing in a jazz mode – and his tenor skills put him right up there with Willis Jackson or Gene Ammons for sheer soulful blowing. Most rhythms are in an R&B-ish tone, with piano by Ray Johnson, Duke Harris on bass, and Jenkins on drums – and titles include "Gee Gee", "Caravan", "Drum Boogie", "Hot Spot", and "Last Call". LP, Vinyl record album

Very cool early work from Bob Enevoldsen – featuring the leader on both trombone and tenor – in a group with Red Mitchell on bass, Larry Bunker on vibes, and Marty Paich on piano! LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic Art Pepper album – from his best period! The album's one of those smaller-label, mid 50s gems that Art cut in LA during some of his "troubled years" – all sessions that are great musically, but which are often overshadowed by some of Pepper's more famous work for bigger, more enduring labels. If you're at all a fan of Pepper, though, don't pass this one up – because the album's got a razor-sharp edge that's really wonderful – a keen exploration of tone that we'd rank right up there with a rare few Pepper albums of the time – and which is carried off here with an approach that's disarmingly easy-going, but very carefully placed on every note. Marty Paich's the real leader of the group on piano – even though we think Art's the star of the set – and bass is by Buddy Clark, and drums by Frank Capp. Titles include "Abstract Art", "All The Things You Are", "Marty's Blues", and "Pitfall". CD

Incredible work from alto genius Art Pepper – one of our favorite albums ever by the saxophonist – and a set that we actually love even more than his classic albums for the Contemporary label! Art's in a setting here that really lets him put a lot of edginess on his horn – demonstrating that sharper tone he brought to the alto, with a lot of bite in the best sort of setting – of which this album is one! The group is nicely focused – and includes Russ Freeman on piano, Ben Tucker on bass, and Gary Frommer on drums – working with Art to give the album a very urgent, upfront sort of vibe. The set's comprised of nearly all original tracks – and titles include "Arts Opus", "Pepper Pot", "Val's Pal", and "Diane". CD's also got 5 bonus tracks, which are alternate takes of tracks on the album. Great stuff, and one to buy if you've ever wondered why you should think Pepper is so great! CD

A real lost slice of work from the career of Chico Hamilton – recorded for the short-lived Dig label, owned by R&B artist Johnny Otis in the mid 50s! The group here is slightly different than Hamilton's quintet that recorded for Pacific Jazz – in that it's got a sound that's a bit less arranged, and which often opens up into some more freewheeling jazz styles at times. Buddy Collette and Jim Hall are on the session from Chico's regular group – and Buddy's really the co-leader of the set, and contributed some fantastic original tunes that are perfect for his colorful work on reeds. And the group's also got Curtis Counce on bass and Gerald Wiggins on piano – bringing a decidedly heavier groove to the record than on most 50s Hamilton work – one that's topped off by the trumpet of John Anderson, often muted but still powerful enough to make its presence known on the set. Titles include the Collette originals "It's You", "Green Dream", "Jungle Pogo Stick", "Tanganyika", and "A Walk On The Veldt" – plus other session originals "And So Is Love", "Wagnervous", and "The Blindfold Test". LP, Vinyl record album

A great reissue that pairs together 2 obscure west coast sides from the 50s – both of them featuring some of the scene's best players, caught in a very different setting! The first 6 tracks on the set are from a 10" LP that originally appeared on the Skylark label under the leadership of drummer George Redman. Redman's playing and leadership are fine, but the real strength of the set is its work by Bob Gordon on tenor sax and Herbie Harper on trombone – coming together here beautifully in the deft style used often on the Nocturne recordings by both players. Titles include "Babette", "Sonny Boy", "Moer Blues", "Slow Mood", and "Just George". The remaining 5 tracks on the set are from Reflections In Jazz – an even hipper set led by Bob Enevoldsen on both valve trombone and tenor – and featuring Marty Paich on piano and accordion, Larry Bunker on vibes, and Red Mitchell on bass. Enevoldsen's work on the valve trombone is really great here – as well-spaced and timed as that of Bob Brookmeyer in the period – but also given some interesting inflections, due to the use of vibes and accordion, which seem to bring out even more harmonics in the session. Titles include "Topsy", "Loaded With Bass", "Iron Works", "Blues & Rhythm", and "Don't Be That Way". CD

Includes recordings with Washboard Rhythm Kings, Bumble Bee Slim, Tampa Red, Leonard Scott, Victoria Spivey, and Lorraine Walton. LP, Vinyl record album

JODD features Khia & Tampa Tony. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Featuring artists Elmore Jones, Buddy Guy, T Bone Walker, Joe Turner, Tampa red and others. 25 tracks total! CD

With selections by Sidney Bechet, Lil Johnson, Bessie Smith, Oscar's Chicago Swingers, Johnny Temple, Merline Johnson, Coot Grant & Kid Wesley Wilson, Tampa Red's Hokum Jug Band, Jelly Roll Morton, Lucille Bogan, Bessie Jackson, and Georgia White. LP, Vinyl record album

Rare and unissued work from Muddy Waters – mostly from his first decade at Chess Records – a time when both Waters and the label were helping reinvent the sound of blues in the postwar years! Muddy's already-released material is already so strong, it's hard to imagine the need for a set like this – but the package is way more than just unused oddities, or cleanup from the Chess vaults – and instead features a stunning batch of work that would be more than enough of a legacy for any other bluesman on his own! The settings vary throughout – and accompanying players include Sunnyland Slim or Otis Spann on piano, Tampa Red or Jimmy Rodgers on guitar, Junior Wells or Little Walter on harmonica, and Willie Dixon on bass. Titles include "Born Lover", "let Me Hang Around", "Smokestack Lightnin", "Last Time I Fool Around With You", "Mean Disposition", "Little Anna Mae", and "Where's My Woman Been". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes tracks by Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Blind Willie Johnson, Robert Junior Lockwood, Black Ace, Tampa Red, Son House, Earl Hooker, Johnny Winter, and Boyd Gilmore. CD

Music from Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang, Texas Alexander, Sylvester Weaver, Blind Willie McTell, Blind Willie Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Casey Bill Weldon, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Joshua White, and Tampa Red. 20 track total – including 5 previously unissued cuts. CD

With 8 bonus tracks recorded in Tampa & Miami, Florida 1978. CD

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A nice overview of the second chapter of work from this Brazilian giant – with notes by David Byrne, and titles that include "Michelangelo Antonioni", "Iatapua", "Na Baixa Do Sapateiro", "Um Tom", "Baiao Da Penha", "Haiti", "Fina Estampa", "13 De Mato", "O Estrangeiro", and "Mahata". CD

Wonderful exotic work from George Shearing – a mixture of jazz piano, Latin percussion, and lyrical guitar and vibes – all intertwined beautifully in that unique groove that really set new standards at the time! The album's got plenty of jazz, but also a nice exotic twist too – thanks to the hip instrumentation – which has George balancing perfectly between a few key spots of American musical taste of the time – and finding a rich new territory of his own! Titles include "All Or Nothing At All", "Dearly Beloved", "Juana Palangana" "Afro #4", "Magic", "Mambo Balahu", "This Is Africa","Mambo Balahu", "You Stepped Out On A Dream" and "Estampa Cubana". LP, Vinyl record album