With Frank Greene and Terell Stafford on trumpet, Steve Turre on trombone, Ted Nash on alto sax and flute, Scott Robinson on bass sax, baritone sax, and flute, Gerald Clayton and Michael Wess on piano, Peter Washington and Rufus Reid on bass, and Winard Harper on drums. CD

70s spiritual soul jazz lives again – in this righteous tribute to the late John Coltrane! The incredible collection is filled with wonderful tracks both classic and current – and is a great bridge between the first waves of this kind of music at the end of the 60s, and the contemporary revival that's been going on at a global level! Perhaps the best thing here is the way that there's no apparent difference in sound or style between the old and new cuts – and the folks at Free Spirits have really found a way to make the whole thing flow together wonderfully by selecting music that's deeply soulful, extremely positive, and filled with soaring vocals and instrumental solos! Titles include "Mode For Trane" by Billy Gault, "Naima" by Mark De Clive-Lowe, "A Love Supreme" by Rufus Harley, "John Coltrane's A Love Supreme" by Karin Krog & Nils Lindberg, "Duke & Trane" by Haikki Samarto Ensemble, "John Coltrane" by Our Cry For Peace (Dwight Trible/Build An Ark), "Prince Of Peace" by Pharoah Sanders, "Liberation Of The Spirit" by Kamau Daaood, "Naima" by 4 Hero, and "A Love Supreme" by Dwight Trible. (New Grooves, Jazz) CD

One of our favorite compilations of all time – a smoking batch of soulful jazz from the 60s, with a slight bit of funk and blues thrown in as well! The set's exactly what's promised in the title – jazz cuts, but with an ultra-cool mod vibe – the kind of soulful sounds that played big with the younger London crowd digging American music in the mid 60s – and also the kind of music you'd be likely to find blasting out of a backroom jukebox on the west side of Chicago! There's loads of rare single mixes of LP tracks on the set, and a number of smoking 45s from artists you might know better from more mainstream work – really hitting hard here, alongside a few special numbers from the indie underground too. Tracks are cool enough for old school hipsters – but appealing enough to bring in a new listener too – and as proof of that, we've given this one away for many years as a Christmas present. The collection features 25 tracks in all – non-stop pleasure throughout – with titles that include "Soul Shoutin" by Shirley Scott, "Tengo Tango" by Cannonball Adderley Sextet, "Whip It On Me" by Billy Hawks, "Yeh Yeh" by Mongo Santamaria, "Black Talk" by Charles Earland, "I'm Ready" by Otis Spann, "Mama Rufus" by Merced Blue Notes, "Theme From NYPD" by Johnny Hammond, "Step Out & Get It" by The Nomos, "Why Don't You Do Right" by Mark Murphy, "Collard Greens" by Freddie McCoy, "Theme From The Carpetbaggers" by Jack McDuff, "Filthy McNasty" by Eddie Jefferson, "Evil Ways" by Cal Tjader, "Kenny's Theme" by Kenny Burrell, and "Games" by Ivan Boogaloo Joe Jones. (Funky Compilations, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

No Mirage here – as the album's got a presence that's impossible to deny – a solid, soulful uttering from this key Chicago combo of the 70s! The group's led by reedman Ari Brown – better known for his later avant work – and they've got a wicked blend of keyboards and horns with lots of complicated touches, played out over funky rhythms that are completely mindblowing! The great Ken Chaney plays keyboards, and in addition to Brown's reeds, the set also features trumpet from Frank Gordon, trombone from Steve Galloway, and bass from Rufus Reid – plus cool percussion from Arlington Davis and Drasheer Khalid. Most cuts are instrumental, and recorded beautifully – but one number, "The Ultimate Frontier", also features vocals from Anita Jefferies. Other cuts include "Slinky", "Mirage", "Just a Little Peace", and "March On". CD

Don't be put off by the "urban" in the title, which might make you think this is a smooth jazz affair – because this winning session by Joe Chambers is one of his best in years, and a soulfully modern set that has an instantly classic feel! Joe's working with a great group here – Gary Bartz on alto and soprano, Eric Reed on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Bobby Sanabria on percussion – grooving in a style that's got a classic 70s soul jazz feel, like some of the better records Joe was associated with during his years at Muse Records. Titles include "Irina", "Portia", "Afreeka", "Stella By Starlight", and "Third Street". CD

Jack DeJohnette on drums, percussion, and piano joined by David Murray on tenor saxophone, John Purcell on alto saxophone, Howard Johnson on tuba, Rufus Reid on double bass, Jerome Harris on guitar, Don Alias on percussion, Michael Cain on piano, John Surman on baritone saxophone, Eddie Gomez on double bass, Keith Jarrett on electric piano, John Abercrombie on guitars and mandolin, Dave Holland on double bass, and Lester Bowie on trumpet. CD

One of Ellington's greatest albums of the 60s – and a record tinged with Eastern themes and darkly angular modern arrangements. The group here features Ellington stalwarts Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, and Rufus Jones – and the players work together tightly to craft the suite of tracks based on Ellington's impressions of recent travels through the Mid and Far East during the 60s. Titles include "Tourist Point Of View", "Isfahan", "Depk", "Mount Harissa", "Amad", "Agra", and "Blue Pepper". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Ellington's greatest albums of the 60s – and a record tinged with Eastern themes and darkly angular modern arrangements. The group here features Ellington stalwarts Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, and Rufus Jones – and the players work together tightly to craft the suite of tracks based on Ellington's impressions of recent travels through the Mid and Far East during the 60s. Titles include "Tourist Point Of View", "Isfahan", "Depk", "Mount Harissa", "Amad", "Agra", and "Blue Pepper". LP, Vinyl record album

A great group – with Clifford Jordan on tenor and soprano sax, plus James Williams on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. CD

Art Farmer really found a great home for his music on the Soul Note label in the 80s – a place where he could continue to grow strongly, in ways that almost let him find a new sort of edge in his horn! This album's a wonderful example of the strengths that Farmer found at the label – as the album's got an easygoing feel, but a bit more bit than some of Art's work of the 80s – a crisp tone in his own flugelhorn, which he'd mastered even more at the time, and some great support from the mighty Clifford Jordan on tenor, whose playing really adds a lot of depth to the session. Remaining players include Fred Hersh on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Akira Tana on drums – a pretty hip rhythm section – and titles include "You Make Me Smile", "Prelude No 1", "Nostalgia", "Flashback", "Souvenir", and "Have You Met Miss Jones". LP, Vinyl record album

With Renee Rosnes on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums. CD

Foster plays tenor and soprano, Wess is on flute and tenor, with Kenny Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Marvin "Smitty" Smith on drums. CD

Giacomo Gates on vocals – accompanied by Harold Danko on piano, Jerome Richardson on saxophone, Rufus Reid on bass, and Akira Tana on drums. (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

Later genius from Dexter Gordon – an album recorded upon his return to the US in 1976, and done in a style that breaks the bounds of some of his sessions in Europe! Gordon seems to take new life in the recording – moving past the simple role of main soloist on familiar tunes, and stepping into a much more strongly group-minded leader – one who grooves easily with the piano of George Cables, bass of Rufus Reid, and drums of Eddie Gladden – in a session that's overflowing with soulful invention. Even older tunes take on a new spark of life in these arrangements – and Gordon's phrasing has this "bite" that comes through beautifully, even in the mellower moments. Titles include "Tanya", "I Told You So", "LTD", "Moment's Notice", and "As Time Goes By". Plus, CD features 2 previously unreleased bonus tracks – "Ruby My Dear" and "Secret Love". CD

There's nothing standard about this set – as Joe Henderson always brings something special to a recording session – especially at this point in his career! The album has a wonderful format – Joe's unique tenor tone set up beautifully alongside the bass of Rufus Reid and drums of Al Foster – no piano or other horns at all, just an open, swinging combo with a really great sense of energy! Joe's bold lead really sets the tone for most numbers – and a few tracks are compositions that Henderson recorded famously early in his career, recast here with a whole new sound and heightened sense of maturity. Titles include "Blues In F (aka In N Out)", "Blue Bossa", "Inner Urge", "Body & Soul", and "Take The A Train". Also features a bonus alternate of "Body & Soul". CD

There's nothing standard about this set – as Joe Henderson always brings something special to a recording session – especially at this point in his career! The album has a wonderful format – Joe's unique tenor tone set up beautifully alongside the bass of Rufus Reid and drums of Al Foster – no piano or other horns at all, just an open, swinging combo with a really great sense of energy! Joe's bold lead really sets the tone for most numbers – and a few tracks are compositions that Henderson recorded famously early in his career, recast here with a whole new sound and heightened sense of maturity. Titles include "Blues In F (aka In N Out)", "Blue Bossa", "Inner Urge", "Body & Soul", and "Take The A Train". Also features a bonus alternate of "Body & Soul". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible record from Bobby Hutcherson – easily one of his best of the 80s, and with some great touches that recall his best 70s work! The album title might fool you into thinking that Bobby's working in Charlier Parker territory here – but he's not, and is instead grooving in a mellow and soulful west coast mode – working with a totally great group that includes Ralph Moore on tenor and soprano sax, Buddy Montgomery on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. The whole album's a magical picture of tone, color, and light – but the especially standout track is "Sierra" – a totally killer number that has these arch angles and edges that rival the best sounds heard on Hutcherson's Montara album! Other titles include "On The Delta", "Crusisin The Bird", "Imminent Treasures", and "All Or Nothing At All". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer Latin jazz set! Players include Al Grey on trombone, Wallace Davenport on trumpet, Bobby Platter on sax and flute, Rufus Jones on drums, Noahwell Cruz on piano, and Isauro on congas. Ricardo Reyes sings on a few tracks, but the best numbers are jazzy instrumentals! Titles include "Miami Latin Beat", "Manteca", "Makin Whoopee", and "Girl From Ipanema". (Latin, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

A beautifully no-nonsense session from the amazing Toots Thielemans – the first in years to capture all the original charms of his amazing style! Toots is working here in a quartet format – with backing by Mulgrew Miller on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums – in a setting that's straight and jazzy, and which allows him to really stretch out on guitar, harmonica, and that amazing whistling style of his! Tracks are all relatively long, and although many of the tunes are familiar, they're really transformed when given the unique Thielemans take – made more moody, dreamy, and introspective than before. Titles include "Windmills Of Your Mind", "Footprints", "If You Could See Me Now", "When I Fall In Love", and "Sultry Serenade". CD

Music from Poncho Sanchez, Brasil Brazil, Carribean Jazz Project, Stefon Harris, Carla Cook, the Jazztimes Superband, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, Steve Turre, Abbey Lincoln, Donald Harrison Jr, Mingus Big Band, and Rufus Harley. CD

Nick Brignola on baritone saxophone, Kenny Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. CD

With Rufus Reid on bass and Grady Tate on drums. CD

With Rufus Reid on bass and Grady Tate on drums. CD

With Rufus Reid on bass and Grady Tate on drums. CD

With Rufus Reid on bass and Grady Tate on drums. CD

One of Ron Carter's best from the 70s – a hip and subtle effort recorded for CTI, with a small group that includes Joe Henderson on tenor, Roland Hanna on piano, and Billy Cobham on drums! Henderson's tenor work dominates the album, and the long tracks really let him snake around mightily – blowing with that dark edge that we totally love, and taking the record in much different directions than some of Carter's other albums. Richard Tee also plays electric piano on the title "117 Special" – and other tunes include "A Feeling", "All Blues", "Rufus", and "Will You Still Be Mine". LP, Vinyl record album

An essential piece of 60s avant garde jazz that often gets overlooked because the album is split between two different leaders – but with John Coltrane and Archie Shepp at the helm, what leaders they be! Shepp leads a quartet that includes Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Barre Phillips on bass, and Joe Chambers on drums – and the music is some of his best from the 60's. Hutcherson is haunting, and Shepp plays in a beautifully restrained style that brings out all of his best elements, without any of the indulgence that sometimes mars his playing. The group plays all original tracks, including "Rufus", "Le Matin Des Noire", and "Scag". Coltrane's quartet with Tyner, Garrison, and Jones adds one additional long track to the album, the lively "One Down One Up". A great set, and one not to pass up! CD

An essential piece of 60s avant garde jazz that often gets overlooked because the album is split between two different leaders – but with John Coltrane and Archie Shepp at the helm, what leaders they be! Shepp leads a quartet that includes Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Barre Phillips on bass, and Joe Chambers on drums – and the music is some of his best from the 60's. Hutcherson is haunting, and Shepp plays in a beautifully restrained style that brings out all of his best elements, without any of the indulgence that sometimes mars his playing. The group plays all original tracks, including "Rufus", "Le Matin Des Noire", and "Scag". Coltrane's quartet with Tyner, Garrison, and Jones adds one additional long track to the album, the lively "One Down One Up". A great set, and one not to pass up! CD

One of Ellington's greatest albums of the 60s – and a record tinged with Eastern themes and darkly angular modern arrangements. The group here features Ellington stalwarts Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, and Rufus Jones – and the players work together tightly to craft the suite of tracks based on Ellington's impressions of recent travels through the Mid and Far East during the 60s. Titles include "Tourist Point Of View", "Isfahan", "Depk", "Mount Harissa", "Amad", "Agra", and "Blue Pepper". Plus, the CD reissue features 7 alternate takes not on the LP! CD

One of Ellington's greatest albums of the 60s – and a record tinged with Eastern themes and darkly angular modern arrangements. The group here features Ellington stalwarts Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, and Rufus Jones – and the players work together tightly to craft the suite of tracks based on Ellington's impressions of recent travels through the Mid and Far East during the 60s. Titles include "Tourist Point Of View", "Isfahan", "Depk", "Mount Harissa", "Amad", "Agra", and "Blue Pepper". Plus, the CD reissue features 4 alternate takes not on the LP! CD

Crucial late work from Duke – as modern as The Whitney itself! The material was recorded live in performance at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972 – with Duke on piano, Joe Benjamin on bass, and Rufus Jones on drums – and it's got that angular, spare, fragile approach of some of Duke's rare later classics, especially the Money Jungle album. Tracks are a mixture of older themes from Ellington's career – done sparely and shortly – and titles include "Lotus Blossom", "Mood Indigo", "Kixx", "Dancers In Love", "Amour Amour", "Soda Fountain Rag", and "Meditation". CD

Rare small combo work from Duke Ellington – just the sort of excellent later-years material that follows nicely in the spirit of his Money Jungle and Live At The Whitney albums! As with those records, you'll hear an Ellington here who's a hell of a modernist – a wonderful talent in a piano trio setting, which gives him lots of space to open up and try out new ideas he might never have reached in some of his larger group dates. The material here is from two different sessions – one in 1966, with John Lamb on bass and Sam Woodyard on drums – the other from 1970, with Victor Gaskin and Paul Kondziela on bass, and Rufus Jones on drums. Titles include "Fat Mess", "Duck Amok", "The Shepherd", "Don Juan", "Looking Glass", and "Slow Blues". CD

An unexpected treasure – like so many of Art Farmer's later albums! The record is ostensibly a tribute to the music of Billy Strayhorn – which might make us expect some soporific Ellington cliches – but the session's really just a small group one, played by Art with a quintet that includes Clifford Jordan, James Williams, Rufus Reid, and Marvin Smitty Smith – all coming together in a fluidly soulful style that's really great. Farmer's work on flugelhorn seems even more inventive than ever – and titles include "Bloodcount", "Johnny Come Lately", "Isfahan", "Raincheck", and "Upper Manhattan Medical Group". LP, Vinyl record album

Very hiply swinging work from Maynard Ferguson – not as Latin-based as you might think from the title, but great nonetheless! The record features an excellent group that includes Don Rader on trumpet, Lanny Morgan on alto, Rufus Jones on drums, and Don Menza on tenor – all tightly wrapped around Maynard's baton, grooving with a style that's at once impeccably unified, but also very able to make room for the well-blown solo. Titles include "Morgan's Organ", "Si Si MF", "What'll I Do", "Early Hours", "Morgan Point", and "Straight Out". A real groover! LP, Vinyl record album

Extremely soulful work from young tenor giant Ricky Ford – one of a number of really strong sides he cut for Muse early on in his career, and a set that continues the indie soul jazz vibe of the 70s nicely! The group's a no-nonsense ensemble that features Albert Dailey on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, Jimmy Cobb on drums, and Jack Walrath on trumpet – and all of the songs are Ford originals and titles include "This Our Love", "Christmas Cheer", "Hour Samba", "Saxaceous Serenade", "Portrait Of Love", "Orb", and "Arcadian Eclipse". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful reunion of the team of Frank Foster and Frank Wess – caught here in an easy-going and laidback style that's miles away from their work with Count Basie! The youthful rhythm section of Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid, and Marvin Smitty Smith really adds a lot to the set – giving the record a later sort of soul jazz vibe, one that's perfect for the pair to solo over in open-ended lines. Both Franks play tenor sax, and Wess plays flute and alto as well – while Foster does some excellent work on soprano sax. Titles include "Bay Street", "Two For The Blues", "But For The Likes Of You", "Nancy With The Laughing Face", "Your Beauty Is A Song Of Love", and "A Time For Love". CD

A warmly collaborative effort from Dexter Gordon – one of his most satisfying albums from the late 70s Columbia revival, thanks to the presence of a hip array of guest artists! The album was recorded both live and in the studio – but the feeling is relatively spontaneous throughout – with a freewheeling, bop-heavy energy that really brings the most out of these famous "encounters"! 2 tracks feature Johnny Griffin on tenor, going head to head with Dex in really classic mode on "Blues Up & Down" and "Cake". 2 more tracks – "Diggin It" and "It's Only A Paper Moon" – feature trumpet from Woody Shaw, trombone from Curtis Fuller, and some especially great vocals from Eddie Jefferson – stretching out here with an energy and focus that almost beats most of the albums under his own name from the 70s! One more track – "Ruby My Dear" – is taken as a long solo vehicle by Gordon, no guest star present, with rhythm by the core trio of George Cables on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Eddie Gladden on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

With Don Thompson on piano and bass, Terry Clarke on drums, and Rufus Reid on bass. LP, Vinyl record album

Andrew Hill works mostly in a trio here – a great group with Rufus Reid on bass and Ben Riley on drums – but also gets some help from Clifford Jordan's tenor on a few tracks, which really makes the album stand out from other Hill dates of the time! The core group is already great – and Reid and Riley bring a slightly straighter vibe to the date, and a sound that's filled with plenty of soul – and when Jordan joins in, there's almost a classic hardbop approach going on – quite a change from usual for Andrew, and proof that he can handle just about anything that comes his way. Hill still throws out plenty of creative piano lines throughout – those deft, modern moments that are always illuminating, even amidst a straighter swing – with a tension that's not unlike his Grass Roots album. Titles include "Ball Square", "Domani", "La Verne", "Monk's Glimpse", and "Tripping". CD

Rob Schneiderman on piano – with Slide Hampton on trombone, Rufus Reid on bass, and Akira Tana on drums. CD

John Stubblefield at his 80s best – playing tenor and soprano sax in a group with Cecil Bridgewater on trumpet and flugelhorn, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Eddie Gladden on drums! Ttiles include the originals "Waltz For Duke Pearson", "Spiral Dance", "More Fun", "Confessin", and "Dusk To Dawn". CD

Sumi Tonooka on piano, Craig Handy on tenor and soprano saxophone, Rufus Reid on bass, and Akira Tana on drums. CD

Greg Abate's working here with a hell of a great rhythm section – one who give the set enough soulful sparkle to take it far from the straight bop promised in the title! Abate's certainly got plenty of bop chops on his reeds – which include tenor, alto, soprano sax, and flute – but there's a more open, fluid groove to most of the tunes – courtesy of a combo that includes James Williams on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and the great Kenny Washington on drums – all of whom swing things with plenty of round, warm tones. A number of tracks are well-penned originals by Abate, and stand out strongly from the rest – with titles that include "Andromeda", "The Young Uns", "Sax O'Blues", "Gemini Mood", "Minorism", "Bop City", and "Peaks Beaks". CD

Greg Abate on alto saxophone, Claudio Roditi on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kenny Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Ben Riley on drums. CD

One of those cool little albums of bass-heavy jazz tracks, designed as instructional records, but actually nice spare jazz funk albums that are great for sample mining! This one's got Jamey Abersold playing piano with a trio that includes Rufus Reid and Mike Hyman, and it includes the cut "Mr. Super Hip", which is a nice lost jazz funk number with some rolling modal grooves. A few other tracks on the album have the same trio, but with Dan Haerle on piano, mostly with kind of generic names like "8 Modal Blues", "Slow Blues In F Concert", "Long-Meter Jazz/Rock", "Minor Blues In C" and other cuts like "Horizontal" and "Home Stretch". LP, Vinyl record album

Trio features Dan Haerle on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Jonathan Higgins on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

No Mirage here – as the album's got a presence that's impossible to deny – a solid, soulful uttering from this key Chicago combo of the 70s! The group's led by reedman Ari Brown – better known for his later avant work – and they've got a wicked blend of keyboards and horns with lots of complicated touches, played out over funky rhythms that are completely mindblowing! The great Ken Chaney plays keyboards, and in addition to Brown's reeds, the set also features trumpet from Frank Gordon, trombone from Steve Galloway, and bass from Rufus Reid – plus cool percussion from Arlington Davis and Drasheer Khalid. Most cuts are instrumental, and recorded beautifully – but one number, "The Ultimate Frontier", also features vocals from Anita Jefferies. Other cuts include "Slinky", "Mirage", "Just a Little Peace", and "March On". CD

Kenny Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. CD

Some solo numbers, but some great duets with Ricky Ford on tenor or Anthony Braxton on alto, and Rufus Reid on bass! Also features one unusual number – "Wende" – with Chris Connor on vocals. LP, Vinyl record album

If you've never heard Anthony Braxton play straight jazz, you owe it to yourself to check out this performance – it's a delight, like some of his few straight sets! With Hank Jones on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. Titles include "Joy Spring", "You Go To My Head", "Old Folks", and "Background Music". CD

2 obscure albums John Benson Brooks – an overlooked 50s jazz composer who often had a penchant for higher concept recordings! The first half of the CD features Folk Jazz USA – one of Brooks' most stripped down records – done with a core group of Zoot Sims on alto, Al Cohn on baritone, Nick Travis on trumpet, Barry Gailbraith on guitar, Osie Johnson on drums, and Buddy Jones on bass. The style is kind of a chamber jazz reworking of tunes from folk sources – done in a way that hangs modernist clothes on older melodies – really dressing them up with the jazz charms of mid 50s RCA! Travis is especially strong on the set – with boldly-stated lines that preserve the melodies, while other players really take off with their solos on the saxes. Titles include "Darling Corey", "Turtle Dove", "Black Is The Color", "Randall My Son", and "Venezuela". Next up is Alabama Concerto – a record based around the solo talents of Art Farmer on trumpet and Cannonbal Adderley on alto sax! The album's based on a number of historical and mythical southern themes – and although it gets a bit hokey at times, the work of Adderley and Art Farmer on the solo sections really opens up the piece and gives it a deep sense of soul. The setting is a drummer-less small group, with Barry Galbraith on guitar, Milt Hinton on bass, and Brooks on occasional piano – and themes include "The Loop", "Trampin", "Little John Shoes", "Milord's Calling", and "Rufus Playboy". CD

Sure it's not the Blue Note years, but this is an excellent late set by Byrd that shows he was still one hell of a leader! Byrd's at the head of a strong group that includes Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Joe Henderson on tenor, Donald Brown on piano, and Rufus Reid on bass – and the tracks are a blend of modal and soul jazz styles, awash with color and warmth, really stretching past earlier work by Byrd. Lorice Stevens sings soprano vocals on two tracks – "A City Called Heaven" and "Remember Me" – and the other tracks include "Del Valle", "King Arthur", "Not Necessarily The Blues", and "Buck Down In Lu Easy Anna". CD

Despite any prejudice you might have against Maynard Ferguson, he actually does a damn good job backing up Chris Connor's lovely voice on this record – probably because his band is super-hip, and includes players like Jaki Byard, Joe Farrell, and Rufus Jones. Connor is in fine icy form, as usual – and it's nice to hear her get a bit more jazzy backing than some of the more somber arrangements you'll hear on her Atlantic sessions. Titles include "The Wind", "Send For Me", "Where Do You Go?", and "Deep Song". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

One of the most perfectly realized albums during Jesse Davis' run of records for Concord – a set that beautifully balances his tender inner soul with the sharpness of his horn – all while always keeping things swinging! The core group features Jesse's alto with Mulgrew Miller on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – a rhythm section that definitely keeps things on track throughout – although a few cuts also feature Tyler Mitchell on bass and Eric McPherson on drums – with some nice guest tenor from Antoine Roney. Titles include "CP Time", "Stop & Go", "Lil Mac", "Violets For Your Furs", "Testimonial", and "Cat Talk". CD

One of Duke's last albums – and a great one! The session is right up there with some of Ellington's best late "suites" – an extended work that features writing around exotic themes, played by stalwarts like Paul Gonsalves, Harold Ashby, Rufus Jones, Cootie Williams, and Harry Carney – all coming together with more energy and imagination than you'd expect after all these years! The writing is fantastic, and the moods change strongly with each tune – running through numbers like "Afrique", "Chinoiserie", "Didjeridoo", "Gong", "Tang", and "Hard Way" – all of which sound as great as their titles might imply! LP, Vinyl record album

One of Ellington's greatest albums of the 60s – and a record tinged with Eastern themes and darkly angular modern arrangements. The group here features Ellington stalwarts Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, and Rufus Jones – and the players work together tightly to craft the suite of tracks based on Ellington's impressions of recent travels through the Mid and Far East during the 60s. Titles include "Tourist Point Of View", "Isfahan", "Depk", "Mount Harissa", "Amad", "Agra", and "Blue Pepper". CD

A late live date with Getz on tenor, Kenny Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, Victor Lewis on drums! CD

One of Stan's last truly great albums – a wonderful concert recorded in Copenhagen in 1987, with his late quartet that featured Kenny Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. The soulful searching quality of the players is right in line with Stan's unfettered tone at the time – a honing down of his post-Coltrane wail, into more of lyrical one, with slight modal touches. All tracks are very long – and titles include "Voyage", "I Remember You", "I Love You", and "On Green Dolphin Street". CD

With Cecil Bridgewater on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kennhy Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Ben Riley on drums. (Vocalists, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

Late live recordings from the mighty Dexter Gordon – 3 CDs worth of material recorded at the Keystone Korner in the late 70s, all with an inventively-blown power to match Gordon's earlier live sets from the European scene! The format here is similar – with Dexter out front, laying down incredible lines on tenor sax – and getting support from George Cables on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Eddie Gladden on drums. But in a way, the music here is even stronger than before – as Gordon's got a sharper edge, focused solo approach, and is working with an agility that really leaves us breathless. The tracks are long, but have the energy of Gordon's shorter studio tracks for Columbia at the time – and although we're not always huge fans of the "soloist in unfettered live setting" style of recording, we've gotta admit that we really love these tracks! Titles include "You've Changed", "It's You Or No One", "Antabus", "Backstairs/LTD", "The Panther", "Tangerine", "Gingerbread Boy", and "I Told You So". CD

With George Cables on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Eddie Gladden on drums. CD includes three non-LP bonus tracks, including lengthy readings of "More Than You Know" and "The End Of A Love Affair". CD

Later genius from Dexter Gordon – an album recorded upon his return to the US in 1976, and done in a style that breaks the bounds of some of his sessions in Europe! Gordon seems to take new life in the recording – moving past the simple role of main soloist on familiar tunes, and stepping into a much more strongly group-minded leader – one who grooves easily with the piano of George Cables, bass of Rufus Reid, and drums of Eddie Gladden – in a session that's overflowing with soulful invention. Even older tunes take on a new spark of life in these arrangements – and Gordon's phrasing has this "bite" that comes through beautifully, even in the mellower moments. Titles include "Tanya", "I Told You So", "LTD", "Moment's Notice", and "As Time Goes By". LP, Vinyl record album

Damn great work from the amazing Eddie Harris – a record that's got a perfect blend of jazz and funk, but still holds onto more righteous elements too! Eddie's using his electric sax in a really great way – not as a gimmick at all, but as a way of linking both the soulful and progressive sides of the Chicago jazz scene – much like the way his old bassist Melvin Jackson did on the classic Funky Skull record! The group here is a small one, but features some really surprising work from players who include Muhal Richard Abrams on electric piano, Rufus Reid on electric and acoustic bass, Billy James on drums and Kalimba, Ronald Muldrow on guitar, and Henry Gibson on some mighty nice percussion. Eddie himself is a stunner – working not just on electric tenor, but also trumpet with a reed mouthpiece, and some weird way of vocalizing through a horn as well. The whole thing's got a vibe that matches the hippest, coolest electric jazz of the Cadet/Concept years – and titles include the great groover "Zambezi Dance", plus "Nightcap", "Tampion", "Instant Death", and "Superfluous". LP, Vinyl record album

With Stanley Turrentine and Ralph Moore on tenor, George Benson on guitar, Larry Willis on electric piano and synthesizer, Wayne Braithwaite on electric basss, Rufus Reid on bass, Idris Muhammad on drums and tambourine, and Carl Allen on drums. Titles include "Battlescar Galorica", "Saint's Homecoming Song", "Melting Pot", and "Life Flight". LP, Vinyl record album

JJ Johnson on trombone, Ralph Moore on saxophone, Stanley Cowell on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. CD

A very cool concept for an album by pianist Hank Jones – and one with a sound that's a lot more classic than you might expect from the date of the set! The core rhythms come from a trio that includes Jones on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Dennis Mackrel on drums – and they're augmented by a string quartet directed by Manny Albam – but in a way that uses all the older Albam sense of groove and grace! The sound here is hardly any sort of sleepy "with strings" sort of mode – and the quartet bring in some nicely dark corners that offset the sweeter, more lyrical sounds of Jones' piano – in a way that makes the album one of the most compelling dates we've heard from Hank in this stretch of his career. The best tunes are the most upbeat ones, but even the mellower numbers are great – and the CD features titles that include "What Is This Thing Called Love", "Caravan", "Ill Wind", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Love Walked In", "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise", "There's A Small Hotel", and "Russian Lullaby". CD

Just Kirk Lightsey on piano and Rufus Reid on bass! Titles include "Speak No Evil", "From Dream To Dream", "Oleo", "I Told You So", "Giant Steps", and "In Your Own Sweet Way". CD

Incredible work from tenor player Ralph Moore – an under-discovered classic from the 80s that we enjoy listening to as much as most of our favorite albums from the 60s! Moore's a wonderful player in direct lineage with Hank Mobley – and the tracks on this set are warmly grooving, very soulful numbers that sparkle with a fresh creativity you wouldn't expect from the date. Other players include the great Kenny Washington on drums (who's a big part of the reason for the success of this album), plus Benny Green on piano, Rufus Reid on guitar, and Brian Lynch on trumpet. Titles include "Dunes", "Round Trip", "Lotus Blossom", and "Monique". LP, Vinyl record album

Rare and brilliant work from this amazing group – a lineup that features Roswell Rudd on trombone, John Tchicai on alto, Reggie Workman on bass, and Milford Graves on drums and percussion – a combo who are best known for their one LP on ESP, but also sounding equally great on this rare European-only album! The record has a wonderfully creative approach – still in the energetic mode of the New York scene of the 60s, but also with the more introspective style that would come into play more in the 70s loft scene. Players handle a variety of instruments – almost in an AACM mode – and titles include "Sweet V", "Banging On The White House Door", "Rufus 3rd", and "Quintus T". CD

With Newman on trumpet, Wilder on trumpet and flugelhorn, Hank Jones on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Marvin Smitty Smith on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Three later albums from pianist Horace Parlan – all cut overseas, many years after his early work for Blue Note! On Joe Meets The Rhythm Section, the "Joe" is Dutch tenorist Joe Van Enkhuizen, who's a great fit with a trio that features Horace Parlan on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Al Harewood on drums! The album's got that subtle approach that marks Parlan's later years – a less all-out style than his start on Blue Note, but one that's maybe even more rewarding if you're willing to let yourself slide into it – something that's easy to do when you've got Joe pointing the way with his well-blown, raspy-edged tenor! Reid is mighty nice too – with those instantly-deep notes that always grab us strongly when he's recorded this well – the sort of presence that most other bassists would need to be electric to reach. Titles include "Alfie's Theme", "Bluesville", "FSR", "Wadin", and "Willow Weep For Me". Ellington Ballads is a nice little record that's very much along the lines of the duet sessions that pianist Horace Parlan cut with Archie Shepp – done with a similar open, soulful style that really brings a lot of personal energy to these tunes penned by Duke Ellington! This might be the first time we've ever heard tenorist Joe Van Enkhuizen, but he's a surprisingly great player – and one who carves out these raspy lines on his instrument that fit really well with the well-crafted lines from Parlan's piano – a lot more subtle and spacious than during his Blue Note years, but maybe even more powerful because of that. Titles include "Serenade To Sweden", "I Got It Bad", "Prelude To A Kiss", "Melancholy", "Sophisticated Lady", and "Creole Blues/Tonight I Shall Sleep". Pannonica is a tight little live set from pianist Horace Parlan – recorded with a wonderful trio that features Reggie Johnson on bass and Alvin Queen on drums – both players who seem to effortlessly match Parlan's shifts at every stage of the proceedings! The tracks are relatively long, and showcase all those changes that Horace had made on the European scene since his earlier years on Blue Note – that move towards warmer, more lyrical elements in his music – but still shaped with his ear for soulful modernism too. The titles are all familiar, but served up at the level that can make the right sort of live piano date sound so great – on selections that include "Hi Fly", "Who Cares", "No Greater Love", and "Pannonica". CD

An underrated 70s effort from Sonny Rollins, featuring him fronting a dynamite group with Stanley Cowell and Mtume at the height of their Afro-centric electric jazz period. Longtime sideman Bob Cranshaw plus David Lee round out the rhythm section, and this is one of Rollins' LPs featuring the excellent Japanese guitarist Masuo, plus Rufus Harley guests on one number, so you can guess this is one righteous affair. Rollins sounds awesome, laying extended solos over some tremendous funky vamps by the group on numbers like "The Cutting Edge" and "First Moves", and working in a more contemplative vein on "To A Wild Rose" and "A House Is Not A Home". Also includes a lengthy take on "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". LP, Vinyl record album

Rob Schneiderman on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Akira Tana on drums. CD

An amazing Impulse debut from Archie Shepp – easily one of his boldest musical statements ever, and a key announcement to the world that a new generation of modernists was on the rise! The album was co-produced by John Coltrane – who brought Shepp to the label, and almost gets out-done by Archie's sharply crafted musical vision on the set. The style here is that mix of freer lines and tighter conception that Shepp used with the New York Contemporary Five – and players include John Tchicai on alto from that group, plus Roswell Rudd on trombone, Alan Shorter on flugelhorn, Reggie Workman on bass, and Charles Moffett on drums. The lack of piano in the album is striking – and allows for plenty of horn interplay, but in a way that's much more cutting and dark than any of the piano-less horn dates from the 50s. Titles include 4 Coltrane compositions ("Syeeda's Song Flute", "Mr Syms", "Cousin Mary", and "Naima"), as sort of a tribute to Trane – plus Shepp's excellent "Rufus (Swung, his face at last to the wind, then his neck snapped)". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Phil Woods on alto sax and clarinet, Mike Renzi on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Grady Tate on drums and additional vocals (Vocalists, Jazz) CD