A cool collection of classic work from the Bethlehem Records label – and one that's got a very different vibe than usual! The set's part of the excellent Cafe Apres Midi series from Japan – and like other volumes in the series, there's a special focus on groovier, more upbeat numbers from Bethlehem – with an especially strong emphasis on the kinds of vocal tracks that made the label great! There's less late night and blue numbers here than there are the kind of sprightly tracks that really stand out in the catalog – and the set's got a massive 28 tracks in all, with over 80 minutes of music – on titles that include "Night In Tunisia" by Frank Minion, "Mountain Greenery" by Paula Castle, "My Romance" by Joe Derise, "Blue Turning Grey Over You" by Audrey Morris, "The Way You Look Tonight" by Mel Torme, "That Old Black Magic" by Bobby Troup, "Lullaby Of Birdland" by Chris Connor, "Let's Fall In Love" by Teal Joy, "How About You" by Terry Morel, "Old Devil Moon" by Bob Dorough, "Gone With The Wind" by Donna Brooks, "All Of Me" by Johnny Hartman, and "This Can't Be Love" by Pat Moran. CD

Gilles P Digs America, and we dig him plenty too – so the feeling is mutual! This time around, Mr P's shown us again that he still has an amazing talent for picking up a groove – as most of the tracks on this set were shopped by Peterson in the year or so before the compilation – proving that there's still plenty of great grooves in the record racks, as long as you've got your eyes and ears open! The vibe here is great – very jazzy, very deep – and a reminder that although he's a key tastemaker for contemporary grooves, Gilles can still wend his way through older jazz, soul, and vocal tracks better than anyone else. Many of the tracks are of west coast origin, and like the first volume, this set's supported by great notes, and even a few great photos of key Bay Area record stores too. Titles include "Going To California" by Irene Kral, "Call To Worship" by Bethlehem Progressive Ensemble, "You Know Baby" by Mary Lou Williams with Leon Thomas, "Make Love To Me" by Carrie Cleveland, "Why Can't There Be Love" by Dee Edwards, "Intergalactic Love Song" by The Diddys, "Movin On" by Ray Camacho, "Sadness In My Samba" by Steve Parks, "In Every Way" by Reverie, "Boys With Toys" by Gap Mangione, "My Favorite Things" by Al Jarreau, "The Pussy's In The Well" by Mary Lou Williams, "Never In My Life" by The Love Affair, "Brougham" by Musicians For The Summer Program, and the CD debut of "The Old One Two" by Ramp. CD