With Weedie Morris on drums, Iriving Ashby on guitar, and Joe Comfort on bass. LP, Vinyl record album

Louie Bellson recorded in London – heading up a big band that features Frank Strazzeri on piano, Geurge Duvivier on bass, and a heck of a lot of horn players in the mix! The group's got a bold, upbeat sort of feel – similar to some of the later Buddy Rich groups of the 70s – and given Rich's popularity in the UK, one might almost think that Bellson's going for a similar vibe here! Tracks are long, with just the right amount of complicated overtones to keep things interesting – and titles include "Blues For Freddy", "Sing A Song Of Love", "Santos", "Put It Right There", "Jus Fer Us", and "Drum Squad". LP, Vinyl record album

A very cool record from saxophonist Robert Mavouzny and trombonist Al Lirvat – the latter of whom also cut some biguine albums on the French scene of the 70s! This set's maybe a bit straighter jazz, but you can definitely hear some unusual touches at play – as the group opens up with help from Xavier Chambon on trumpet, Wolf Schubert on piano, Jack Sewing on bass, and Michael Silva on piano. A few moments are more swing, but others are more offbeat – a very unusual session! LP, Vinyl record album

Rare as hens' teeth – and an incredible meeting of two vastly underrated alto talents! Phil Woods got plenty of opportunities to record as a leader in the 50s, but altoist Gene Quill was often buried in bigger groups – a fact that makes this album one of the few chances to really hear him shine! Woods and Quill work together beautifully throughout – playing boppishly, but also in a more relaxed groove – one that's a bit like Phil's excellent Warm Woods session for Epic from the same stretch, but perhaps a bit more upbeat overall. The twin-alto sound is really great – especially on the tunes that have them soaring together on the heads, then splitting off on solos with amazing dexterity and real dynamic range. Other players include Bob Corwin on piano, Sonny Dallas on bass, and Nick Stabulas on drums – and although the pair recorded an earlier session for RCA a few years before, this one's far superior! Titles include "Doxy", "Scrapple From the Apple", "Hymn For Kim", and "Night In Tunisia". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible meeting of two vastly underrated alto talents! Phil Woods got plenty of opportunities to record as a leader in the 50s, but altoist Gene Quill was often buried in bigger groups – a fact that makes this album one of the few chances to really hear him shine! Woods and Quill work together beautifully throughout – playing boppishly, but also in a more relaxed groove – one that's a bit like Phil's excellent Warm Woods session for Epic from the same stretch, but perhaps a bit more upbeat overall. The twin-alto sound is really great – especially on the tunes that have them soaring together on the heads, then splitting off on solos with amazing dexterity and real dynamic range. Other players include Bob Corwin on piano, Sonny Dallas on bass, and Nick Stabulas on drums – and although the pair recorded an earlier session for RCA a few years before, this one's far superior! Titles include "Doxy", "Scrapple From the Apple", "Hymn For Kim", and "Night In Tunisia". LP, Vinyl record album