Sensitive solo work from Don Pullen – just the kind of record that demonstrates why he was one of the few free players of his generation who could also grab a bit slice of mainstream ears as well! Some moments on the set are quite unbridled, but never without a sense of structure – kind of a soulful undercurrent that really balances out nicely with Pullen's bolder notes – and which creates a strong bridge to some of the mellower, more introspective moments that round out the record wonderfully – almost with a Jaki Byard-like sense of timelessness. Titles include "Evidence Of Things Unseen", "Victory Dance", "In The Beginning", "Perseverance", and "Rejoice". LP, Vinyl record album

A great showcase for the endless talents of the San Francisco Jazz Collective – as the set features some stunning original material, balanced with classics from Ornette Coleman, Thelonious Monk, and Stevie Wonder – all served up here in a beautiful extended performance! As always, the group are really brilliant with color – with this special quality that really sets them apart from so many other all-star groups, and which always seems to give their performances such a strongly unified vibe. Players include David Sanchez on tenor, Miguel Zenon on alto, Warren Wolf on vibes, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Sean Jones on trumpet, Edward Simon on piano, Matt Penman on bass, and Obed Calvaire on drums – and titles include the originals "Off Kilter", "Perseverance", "Tune For June", "Tidal Flow", "Venezuela Unida", and "Give The Drummer Some" – plus versions of "Creepin", "When Will The Blues Leave", "School Work", "Una Muy Bonita", "Reflections", "Criss Cross", and "Sir Duke". Includes a bonus DVD – four songs from a Music Of Miles Davis performance! CD

Wonderful work from Horace Silver – part of a great run of late 70s sides for Blue Note that unlock a whole new side of his soulful talents! The vibe here is different than the previous United States trilogy – still very righteous, with an overt message too – but served up in these wonderfully warm tones – with loads of great woodwind passages over these wickedly angular rhythms – grooves that are somewhat like those Silver first started forging on his 27th Man album! The arrangements are sublime – and on some cuts handled by Silver, but orchestrated by Wade Marcus – with players who include Tom Harrell on trumpet, Bob Berg on tenor, Buddy Collette and Fred Jackson on flutes, and Jerome Richardson on soprano sax. The rhythm section is key, too – and features Ron Carter on bass and Al Foster on drums! Side one features "The Tranquilizer Suite" – with passages that icnlude "Keep On Getting Up", "Time & Effort", and "Perseverance & Endurance" – and side two includes the excellent "The Process Of Creation Suite" – with "Motivation", "Activation", and "Assimilation". LP, Vinyl record album