Chicago alto player Bunky Green gets "Latinized" – in a very groovy set of soul jazz tunes from the 60s Cadet Records scene! The style isn't entirely straight Latin – more just a soul jazz approach to small combo jazz, supported with great percussion from a trio of added players – but Bunky's alto sax is right out front in the mix, bounding warmly over the top of the grooves with a sound that's a bit like Lou Donaldson or Chicago contemporary Sonny Cox! The Dells bring in a bit of vocals to the record – not much, but just enough to create a nice sense of surprise – and tracks include "Feeling Good", "Do It Like You Feel It", "Fast n Foxy", "A Ting A Ling", and "How's Your Mambo?". CD

Funky Bunky from Chicago, with backing from Al Dailey on piano, Billy Butler and Carl Lynch on guitar, Wilbur Bascomb on bass, Jimmy Johnson on drums, Al Chalk on percussion, and Jeff Bova on ARP string ensemble and ARP 2600. The sound's quite different from his Cadet albums – but not bad overall, kind of a smooth jazz funk approach. Tracks include "Funk Ain't a Word", "Chillon", and "The Lady from Ancona". LP, Vinyl record album

Mellow electric jazz from this Chicago alto player. The groove is fairly laidback, with electric keyboards and bass, and a smooth funk sound. The record includes covers of "Alone Again, Naturally", "Never Can Say Goodbye", "Ali Theme", and a funky version of "The Entertainer". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic hardbop session that was cut in Chicago for Vee Jay, but which was issued after the demise of the label, on the related Exodus imprint. Chicago alto player Bunky Green leads a tight little sextet that has Donald Byrd on trumpet, Jimmy Heath on tenor, and Wynton Kelly on piano – and the group grooves with a tight sound that's in keeping with lots of the other great soul jazz/hardbop sessions that were coming out of Chicago at the time. Green's tone is nice and raw, quite a bit more so than on his later recordings for Cadet, and Heath is a perfect match for him on the frontline. Tracks include "Cecile", "Step High", "Counter Punch", and a swingin' version of "My Babe". LP, Vinyl record album

A real standout in the 70s catalog of Elvin Jones – for a number of key reasons! First up, the set's got more of an electric vibe than usual – thanks to Fender Rhodes from Kenny Barron and guitar from Ryo Kawasaki, who really help shape the sound of the set! Second, production is by Ed Bland – who does a masterful job of blending soul, spirit, and harder-edged jazz modes – on tunes that often have a nice modal vibe at the core! The group also features excellent alto work from Bunky Green – who really sparkles strongly throughout, and who also wrote more than half the material on the album. Guests include Frank Wess on flute, Frank Foster on soprano, and George Coleman on tenor – and titles include "Frost Bite", "Digital Display", "Moon Dance", "Time Capsule", and "Spacing". CD

A real standout in the 70s catalog of Elvin Jones – for a number of key reasons! First up, the set's got more of an electric vibe than usual – thanks to Fender Rhodes from Kenny Barron and guitar from Ryo Kawasaki, who really help shape the sound of the set! Second, production is by Ed Bland – who does a masterful job of blending soul, spirit, and harder-edged jazz modes – on tunes that often have a nice modal vibe at the core! The group also features excellent alto work from Bunky Green – who really sparkles strongly throughout, and who also wrote more than half the material on the album. Guests include Frank Wess on flute, Frank Foster on soprano, and George Coleman on tenor – and titles include "Frost Bite", "Digital Display", "Moon Dance", "Time Capsule", and "Spacing". LP, Vinyl record album