The explosion in the title is definitely well-placed – as trombonist Slide Hampton makes his group groove with a tremendous amount of power here – all horns focused strongly on the rhythms, which themselves are wonderfully soulful! As with some of Hampton's best from the time, there's some really fresh young players on the set – some obscure musicians, mixed with future heavyweights Joe Farrell and Ronnie Cuber on reeds – plus piano from the great Horace Parlan! The tunes have a tight focus that really shows off Hampton's arranging skills – and titles include "Spanish Flyer", "Bye Bye Love", "Slide's Blues", and "Begin The Beguine". LP, Vinyl record album

The title's no lie, as Slide Hampton's working here with a very trombone-heavy group – a lineup that features 8 other players on the instrument - including Clifford Adams, Curtis Fuller, Papo Vasquez, Steve Turre, and Earl McIntyre! The only other music in the group is from the trio of Albert Dailey on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Leroy Williams on drums – and Hampton's deft arranging skills really hone the larger group of players into a wonderful groove – one that still allows a fair bit of solo space, but which never lets things get cliched in a too-brassy sort of way. There's a leanness here that's really surprising, and at many points the rhythm section seems to drop out and let the trombones handle most of the sound in the set. Titles include "Con Alma", "Impressions", "Chorale", "Lester Leaps In", and "Lament". LP, Vinyl record album

A real stormer from trombonist Slide Hampton – the rarer of 2 albums cut with Czech bandleader Vaclav Zahradnik! Johnny Griffin plays some tenor, Ernst Ludwig Petrowski is on alto, and Ronnie Ross plays baritone – and the group also features vibes from Karel Velebny, guitar from Rudolf Dasek, and drums from Billy Brooks! Tracks are long, and titles include "Hello Tony", "Yesterday", "Body & Soul", and "Round Midnight". LP, Vinyl record album

David Hazeltine on piano, Slide Hampton on trombone, Peter Washington on bass, and Ray Appleton on drums. CD

Wonderful big band work from Prague – very much in the style of the best MPS large groups of the early 70s! Vaclav is leading a very strong group of European players and American expatriates – with players that include Karl Velebny on vibes, Billy Brooks on drums, Ronnie Ross on baritone, Johnny Griffin on tenor, Dizzy Reece on trumpet, and Slide Hampton and Erich Kleinschuster on trombones. Arrangements are half by Hampton – and the record grooves with the tightness of some of Slide's best European work. The groove isn't really funky, but there's a warm soulful spirit on most of the tracks – and the arrangements have some nicely complex twists and turns. Titles include "Hello Tony", "Body & Soul", "Round Midnight", and "You Stepped Out Of A Dream". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic live set from 1968 – recorded after Blakey's classic Blue Note years, with a unique lineup that includes a young Billy Harper on tenor, Ronnie Matthews on piano, and Julian Priester on trombone! Harper alone is worth the price of the LP – as his firey solos are great, really stretching out here with a bold vision that would explore more prominently a few years later – and which is heard here at an extremely early date. Tracks are all long and very live – the Jazz Messengers vibe, but with some of the freedoms of the Coltrane era, especially on Harper's solos. The set features a number of nice long tracks – like Slide Hampton's "New World" and "Slide No 2", and a great reading of "Angel Eyes", done by Harper in real Coltrane Ballad mode! CD features the best-ever issue of the material – with great notes and remastering! CD

A surprising sort of set, one in which Dee Dee Bridgewater pays tribute to Ella Fitzgerald – a link we might never have expected in her style! Dee Dee's not totally copping Ella here, though – although she does sing a good number of tunes from the Fitzgerald songbook – and as usual for Bridgewater, there's a pretty unique flavor to most of the material, something that comes through strongly with help from arrangers Lou Levy, Slide Hampton, and Cecil Bridgewater! The band's upbeat and groovy on most numbers – and titles include the Kenny Burrell-penned "Dear Ella", done as a duet, plus "How High The Moon", "Mack The Knife", "A Tisket A Tasket", "Midnight Sun", "Undecided", "Oh Lady Be Good", and "If You Can't Sing It You'll Have To Swing It (aka Mr Paganini)". CD

The complete Okeh label recordings of Billy Butler – Jerry Butler's lesser-known brother, but an even more grooving artist on the Chicago soul scene of the 60s! Billy's work at Okeh is easily some of the best of the all-great imprint – tracks that step, slide, and groove along in a flurry of tight-edged Chi-soul rhythms – nearly all of which are produced by the legendary Carl Davis, with arrangements from Johnny Pate and Riley Hampton! Billy's in the lead on vocals, but nearly all numbers have a strong harmony soul component too – support from The Four Enchanters or Chanters – in a mode that echoes The Impressions' style of the time somewhat, but which also carries more of the Butler-family emotive quality, thanks to the stronger lead. This is the first time all this material has ever been brought together so well – and the package features great notes and a number of previously unissued titles as well – including some rare versions and instrumentals that are sure to get some play from Northern Soul listeners. Titles include "Found True Love", "Lady Love", "Gotta Get Away", "Can't Live Without Her", "Right Track", "Boston Monkey", "Does It Matter", "Fighting A Losing Battle", "To Be Or Not To Be", "Singing The Blues", and "You're Gonna Be Sorry". CD

A really amazing little record – way more than usual for this sort of live recording – given that it features some very unique performances together by artists we've never heard on the same stage otherwise! The premise is simple, but wonderfully effective – in that the album brings together some of the leading lights of the Columbia/CBS jazz stable at the time – a massive lineup of talent from a few key generations in jazz, sounding surprisingly great hear together! All tracks are nice and long – and titles include a brilliant version of "Infant Eyes" by a quartet with Stan Getz on tenor and Bob James on piano; "Fried Bananas" with Dexter Gordon on tenor, Slide Hampton on trombone, Woody Shaw on trumpet, and George Duke on piano; "Bahama Mama" with Bob James on keyboards, Bobbi Humphrey on flute, Eric Gale and Steve Kahn on guitars, and Billy Cobham on drums – and the long jam session tracks "Montreux Summit", "Blues March", and "Andromeda" – which feature work from most of the players above, all working in one large group – plus added flute from Hubert Laws and Thijs Van Leer, percussion from Ralph Maconald, and bass from Alphonso Johnson. LP, Vinyl record album

Features Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums – plus guest word from Phil Woods, Frank Wess, Nicholas Payton, and Slide Hampton. CD

A previously-unissued session by tenorist Teddy Edwards – done back at a time when he was cutting some great albums for Contemporary Records, yet only first issued during the CD generation! The date's quite unusual – an octet session in which Edwards showcases a host of younger, lesser-known players from the LA scene – including altoist Jimmy Woods, who'd later go onto make some great records of his own for Contemporary – plus trumpeter Nathaniel Meeks, trombonist Lester Robertson, and baritone saxophonist Modesto Brisenio! Perhaps it's the presence of these younger players, or maybe the obscurity of the date – but for whatever reason, the whole thing has more of an edge than usual for Teddy – a bit more bite than some of his smaller group Contemporary dates, with almost a Slide Hampton sort of force at some of the best points. Titles include "Good Gravy", "You Don't Know What Love Is", "The Cellar Dweller", "Our Last Goodbye", and "Under A Southern Moon & Sky". CD

Think what you want about Maynard, during his early years, he really knew how to surround himself with some hip players! Such is definitely the case on this set, an edgey big band set with some great solo work by Don Menza, Slide Hampton, Lanny Morgan, and others, plus some tight drum work by Rufus Jones that keeps the group going at a nice pace. Arrangements are by Don Sebesky and Willie Maiden – and titles include "Zip N Zap", "This Is My Lucky Day", "Go East Young Man", and "X Stream". LP, Vinyl record album

Put aside your reservations about Maynard Ferguson, because this is a very hip little record – one of Maynard's excellent early sessions for Roulette Records, and like the rest, done with a group that's overflowing with top-shelf players! Ferguson's definitely got a great ear for putting together an ensemble – because players here include Don Ellis on trumpet, Slide Hampton and Don Sebesky on trombones, and Joe Zawinul on piano – all working strongly alongside some lesser-known talents who are equally great! And although the group is large, there's a definite modern edge to the set – strong writing, unusual timings, and some sharp-edged solos that really make some of the longer tracks bristle. Titles include versions of Benny Golson's "Starfire" and "Night Life", Marty Paich's "Lonely Time", and Slide Hampton's "The Mark Of Jazz" – plus "Oleo" and "Back In The Satellite Again", the latter of which was written by Willie Maiden, one of the tenor players on the date. CD features 5 bonus tracks – including "Sea Isle Stomp", "Three More Foxes", and "Blue Birdland" – plus alternates of "Night Life" and "The Mark Of Jazz". CD

Maynard Ferguson's got a message from Newport – and that message is loud, proud, and pretty darn compelling – one that states a whole new level of genius for Maynard in years to come! Ferguson had previously already been a strong soloist and a good arranger – but here, he really takes off – working with an amazing lineup of young modernists, on material that provides a breathtaking array of new ideas, while still hitting a mighty swing – and all while allowing room for all the great voices who make up the group! Musicians include Slide Hampton and Don Sebesky on trombone, Willie Maiden and Carmen Leggio on tenor, John Bunch on piano, and Jimmie Ford on alto – all players who shine on titles that include "The Fugue", "Fan It Janet", "Tag Team", "The Waltz", "Slide's Derangement", and "Three Little Foxes". LP, Vinyl record album

Later live work from Dizzy Gillespie – working in London here with a very hip ensemble! We're not entirely sure of the date, but given the skinny ties on a few of the players, we're guessing it's from that 80s stretch when Dizzy was still going strong – working in a great mix of Latin and bop modes that's always kept fresh through his creative energies! Slide Hampton's on trombone – and also wrote most of the arrangements – and other players include Arturo Sandoval on trumpet, Paquito D'Rivera on reeds, James Moody on sax and flute, Airto on percussion, and Danilo Perez on vocals – and Flora Purim also joins the group on vocals for a few numbers. Titles include "Kush", "Tanga", "Dizzy Shells", "Night In Tunisia", "Tin Tin Deo", "Seresta", and "Samba For Carmen". CD

A really wonderful album from Dexter Gordon's later years at Columbia – and a rare session that pairs larger arrangements with his soulful voice on the tenor and soprano saxophone! Although other players worked often in this mode, the record may well be the only one of its type for Dexter – but that doesn't stop it from being a standout treasure that lets us hear a whole new side of his talents. Slide Hampton handled the arrangements, and he really works some magic with players that include Woody Shaw, Benny Bailey, Frank Wess, and Bobby Hutcherson – using their best talents to create richly chromatic backdrops for Dex's solos. A few of the players step out on their own lines on longer tracks, and titles include "Fried Bananas", "You're Blase", "Insensatez", "Moontrane", and "Laura". LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful album from Dexter Gordon's later years at Columbia – and a rare session that pairs larger arrangements with his soulful voice on the tenor and soprano saxophone! Although other players worked often in this mode, the record may well be the only one of its type for Dexter – but that doesn't stop it from being a standout treasure that lets us hear a whole new side of his talents. Slide Hampton handled the arrangements, and he really works some magic with players that include Woody Shaw, Benny Bailey, Frank Wess, and Bobby Hutcherson – using their best talents to create richly chromatic backdrops for Dex's solos. A few of the players step out on their own lines on longer tracks, and titles include "Fried Bananas", "You're Blase", "Insensatez", "Moontrane", and "Laura". CD

A nice later date as a leader from the great trumpeter Bill Hardman – better-known for his earlier work with Art Blakey! The set features Junior Cook on tenor, Slide Hampton on trombone, and Walter Bishop Jr on piano – and titles include "Avila & Tequila", "Cubicle", "Too Little Too Late", and "Minority". LP, Vinyl record album

Notable sidemen include Nat Adderley on cornet, Craig Handy on tenor saxophone, Slide Hampton and Steve Turre on trombone, Mulgrew Miller on piano, and Omar Avital on bass. CD

Warm and wonderful work from the Heath Brothers – and a great little effort from the 80s that still has the group working with plenty of sharp edges! In a way, the record's almost a back to basics effort after the group's work on Columbia – and the set's got an especially strong focus on the work of Jimmy Heath, in a way that makes it sound like some of his best soul jazz sides from the 70s. The core trio of Jimmy Heath on reeds, Percy Heath on bass, and Albert Heath on drums is joined by Stanley Cowell on acoustic and electric piano, and on two numbers in the set, Slide Hampton also plays a bit of trombone. Titles include "Nice People", "Hi Fly", "Islandized", "Longravity", "Sleeves", and "Keep Love Alive". LP, Vinyl record album

It's not often that Sam Jones gets the chance to record as a leader with a group larger than a trio – but when he does, the results are always great – and this album's no exception! Jones is working here on a date that's easily one of his best ever – a sextet outing that features Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Slide Hampton on trombone, Bob Berg on tenor, Cedar Walton on piano, and Billy Higgins on drums. The trio of Jones, Walton, and Higgins is well documented on other albums – but expanded to a sextet here, the group really opens up their sound – letting the horns search out majestically over the top of the tunes, while Walton provides those round, warm tones that make numbers like these dance in a lyrical beauty that he first displayed when working with the Jazz Messengers in the early 60s. Titles include a great 12 minute take on Jones' "Seven Minds", the always-great Walton classic "Bolivia", and the titles "Every Man Is A King", "For All We Know", and "Blue Silver". CD

A gem of an album – and one of the few rare sides cut by trumpeter Carmell Jones! The album features some hip early 60s LA soul jazz arrangements by Gerald Wilson – played by a group that features work by Jones, trombonists Tricky Lofton and Lou Blackburn, and pianist Frank Strazzeri. The small combo's backed by a larger "trombone choir" with 4 other players (including Wayne Henderson), but the record takes a straight hard solo approach – very much in the "sock" trombone style that you'd get from a record by Slide Hampton or Benny Green. Jones' trumpet wails over the top, adding in some nice tight punctuation to the session's grooves, and blowing hard and fast on a few fast tracks. Titles include "Celery Stalks At Midnight", "Bluer Than That", "Brass Bag", and a great take on "Mood Indigo". LP, Vinyl record album

Late work by tenor giant Hank Mobley – and a really unique session that stands out from his other Blue Note work of the time! The set was recorded in Paris with an ultra-hip lineup – one that features Dizzy Reece on trumpet and Slide Hampton on trombone – both fresh players alongside Hank's work on tenor sax, making for really wonderful phrasing and timing in the front line! The bottom's pretty great, too – with wicked rhythms from Philly Joe Jones on drums, at a level that bounces around with a growing sense of soul – yet still has all the complex colors of Mobley's classic work. The balance is beautiful – as fresh as the image on the cover – and the album's one that we'd rank right up there with The Phantom by Duke Pearson and Slow Drag by Donald Byrd – overlooked gems that show some great Blue Note growth in the late 60s. Titles include "The Flip", "Feelin' Folksy", and "Snappin' Out". LP, Vinyl record album

The third volume in Strata East's Dolphy Series, and a hard to find recording by the great baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne! Although Payne had his roots in earlier bop material, by the time of this recording, he'd emerged as an outspoken modernist – although few labels would give him the chance to prove himself in this respect – save for the legendary Strata East imprint, which gives Payne this chance to show a whole new side of his talents! The group is a perfect one to bridge the generations – with Kenny Dorham on trumpet, Wilbur Ware on bass, Wynton Kelly on piano, and Albert Heath on drums – stretching out beautifully in a set of original compositions that are easily some of Payne's best work on record ever. Tracks include "Follow Me", "Flying Fish", "Slide Hampton", and "Girl You Got a Home". LP, Vinyl record album

A trio of 90s albums from Grover Washington! All My Tomorrows is an overlooked gem from reedman Grover – recorded in his later years, but a set that's actually got more of an acoustic style overall – one that goes back to the roots farther than any of Grover's fusion records! Washington's a great straight player in this setting – filled with soul on tenor and soprano sax – and working with top-shelf small group players like Eddie Henderson on trumpet, Hank Jones on piano, Bobby Watson on alto, and Robin Eubanks on trombone. Guitarist Romero Lumbambo arranged one great Brazilian-tinged number – and other arrangements are by Grover, Larry Willis, Slide Hampton, and Freddy Cole – who sings on two tracks too. Titles include "E Preciso Perdoar", "Happenstance", "All My Tomorrows", "Nature Boy", "Flamingo", and "Estate". Soulful Strut is bouncy soul from Grover Washington – a set that returns to his earlier roots in a space between soulful fusion and R&B! The slinky Washington soprano sax gets plenty of space in this set – blown with those seductive notes that always made Grover one of the most distinctive players on the instrument – and the backings often have this gentle R&B groove that's even stronger on the few cuts here with vocals. Titles include "Soulful Strut", "Bordertown", "Village Groove", "I Can Count The Times", "Headman's Hunt", and "Can You Stop The Rain". Breath Of Heaven is a holiday record from Grover Washington – but one that's got a fair bit more to offer than just the usual Christmas tunes! The set mixes older favorites and lesser-known numbers – all done in that soulful fusion style that Washington brought to his records from other seasons of the years – set up here with the leader on alto, tenor, and soprano sax – amidst arrangements from vibist Joe Lock, and keyboardist Donald Robinson, and guitarist Hiram Bullock – all of whom play on the record. Lisa Fischer sings on one number, but most of the record is instrumental – and titles include "Breath Of Heaven", "The Magi's Song/A Child Is Born", "I Wonder As I Wonder", "Christmas Time Is Here", "The Love In His Infant Eyes", and "Christmas Day Chant". CD