Tremendous blowing from tenorman Sherman Irby – an alto player who can swing soulfully one minute, then hit these great modern lines the next – a wonderful blend that comes through beautifully in this sweet session for Blue Note! The album's got a title that makes you think it might be a hokey, retro soul jazz set – but instead, it's got a great deal of complexity – with none of the cliches you might expect from a soul food title, especially in the 90s. Most of the set is pretty stripped down – with Gerald Cannon on bass and Clifford Barbaro on drums – but one track adds in guest trumpet from Roy Hargrove and piano from James Hart – and a few others feature Ed Cherry on guitar. Titles include "Bama", "Lake Tuscaloosa", "Too High", "Passage Of Time", "Aunt Dorothy", "Call To Order", and "Away From Home". CD

Titles include "Knife's Edge", "Of Mystery & Beauty", "Canoe", "This Love Of Mine", "Fall Calls", and "Arabian Nights". CD

Jug's big and bad here in tone – and the style is nicely complicated at times – a bit more open-ended and electric than before, with a sound that's almost like the shift that Stanley Turrentine was making during his years at CTI! There's still a bit of the previous Prestige funk in the mix – thanks to drums from Billy Cobham, and organ from Sonny Phillips – but the group also includes up-and-comer Maynard Parker on guitar, who gets in some nicely snakey lines at times – slinking through the tunes with a warmly chromatic edge that's mighty nice, and which sets the tune for some of Ammons' more laidback solo moments. His tenor's still as strong as ever, though – blown with a beautiful sense of tone, on tracks that include "Lady Mama", "Big Bad Jug", "Lucille", "Fly Me", and "Fuzz" – plus a nice version of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" with a sweetly gentle break! LP, Vinyl record album

With Red Callendar on bass, John "Ironman" Harris on drums, Dinky Morris on saxophones, Jimmie Noone on tenor and clarinet, Curtis Peagler on alto, Snooky Young on trumpet, and special guest Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis on tenor. Titles include "Big Fat Daddy", "Piney Brown", "Finance Company Blues", "How Long Blues", and "Reel Ya Deel Ya Dee Dee Dee". (Vocalists, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

The classic quartet of John Coltrane, certainly the classic quartet of the 60s jazz scene and perhaps the classic jazz quartet of all time, compiled in one box set with all of their studio recordings! John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones set so many benchmarks for jazz with their envelope pushing style, recording and performances that it's impossible to overstate their importance in the modern musical oeuvre. This set features all of the LPs Coltrane, Ballads, Impressions, Live At Birdland, Crescent, A Love Supreme, The John Coltrane Quartet Plays, Kulu Se Mama, Transition, Sunship, Infinity and First Meditations, plus a number of tracks issued on compilations. 66 tracks in all, spread out over 8 CDs, in a beautiful bookbound package with a metal slipcase and extensive liner notes. The titles are too numerous to list here, but the set includes "Big Nick", "Soul Eyes", "Miles' Mode", "Tunji", "After The rain", "Lonnie's Lament", "The Drum Thing", "Wise One", "Crescent", "A Love Supreme", "Nature Boy", "Brasilia", "Song Of Praise", "Dear Lord", "The Last Blues", "Living Space", "Dusk Dawn", "Dearly Beloved", "Attaining", "Ascent", "Amen", "Love", "Compassion", "Joy", "Consequences", and "Serenity". CD

Jayne Cortez recites her poetry over jazz backing from a group that includes Frank Lowe on tenor, Talkib Kibwe on alto, Bern Nix on guitar, Billy Branch on harmonica, and Denardo Coleman on drums. Titles include "Cultural Operations", "Taking The Blues Back Home", "Bumblebee You Saw Big Mama", "The Guitars I Used To Know", "You Can Be", and "Nobody Knows A Thing". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

Mod mod 60s jazz – and 20 tight-as-can-be instrumentals from London's Dave Davani combo! Dave's a Hammond player with a great mix of soul jazz and R&B in his grooves – very much the best sort of instrumental work you might expect from London in the swinging 60s – a great blend of American influences and UK mod styles. The rest of the group includes guitar, bass, and drums – plus a bit of vocals and Latin percussion from Beryl Wayne. The groove here is clearly a precursor to the James Taylor Quartet, and the overall sound is better than some of the more famous groups from the time – such as the combos of Brian Auger or Graham Bond. The set features tracks from Dave's Parlophone album, a few other singles, and even 4 previously unissued tracks from the same time – with titles that inlcude "Big Bossa Man", "Working Out", "Funky Mama", "Sack O Woe", "Boot Leg", "Harlem Waltz", and "Pig Foots". CD

A contemporary big band session – tracks include "Oceanography", "Laura", "Poinciana", "The Fly By Knights", and "In A Mellow Tone". CD

One of the greatest solo albums ever issued by Latin jazz trumpeter Luis Gasca – a set that really expands on his debut for Atlantic Records, and which brings in a whole host of early 70s west coast Latin influences! The style here is very laidback and open – a bit like some of the Chicano funk coming out of the LA scene at the time, but a fair bit more jazz oriented overall – with long lean solos from both Gasca on trumpet and Joe Henderson on tenor sax, set up in a half-electric set of rhythms laid out on guitar, organ, keyboards, bass, and plenty of percussion! Other players here are all top-shelf too – and include Carlos Santana, George Cables, Stanley Clarke, Coke Escovedo, and Lenny White. The album features 4 long tracks – "Spanish Gypsy", "Street Dude", "La Raza", and "Little Mama". CD

Milt Jackson's working here with his "Big 4" group – a quartet (natch) that includes Oscar Peterson on piano, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Mickey Roker on drums – all opening up nicely in this laidback live environment! Despite the Montreux hype of the 70s, the record's got a surprisingly intimate feel – and offers a nicely restrained Peterson doing some very sensitive solo work – augmented by some of Jackson's most chromatic sounds on vibes. Titles include "Mack The Knife", "Night Mist Blues", "Stella By Starlight", "Speed Ball", "Nature Boy", and "Funji Mama". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Maynard Ferguson & the Big Bop Nouveau Band, the Bill Holman Big Band, the Bob Florence Limited Edition, the Lighthouse All-Stars, the Buddy Childers Big Band, the Lee Konitz Quartet, the Bob Cooper Quartet, the Tom Talbert Jazz Orchestra, the Bud Shank Quartet, and the Mark Masters Jazz Orchestra. CD

A classic bit of funky guitar by Harvey Mandel – similar to some of Dennis Coffey's early work in that it's got full on guitar power, very much inspired by heavy rock, filtered through an approach that's also got plenty of funk in it! The killer track here is the classic "Baby Batter" – a great cut that starts with a hard funky break, and which rips out guitar-wise, jamming all the way through. The whole album's pretty tasty, though – and other tracks include "El Stinger", "Hank The Ripper", and "Morton Grove Mama". Production is by Abe Voco Kesh – and the set features work from Howeard Wales and Mike Melvion on organ and electric piano – plus Big Black on congas! CD

A classic bit of funky guitar by Harvey Mandel – similar to some of Dennis Coffey's early work in that it's got full on guitar power, very much inspired by heavy rock, filtered through an approach that's also got plenty of funk in it! The killer track here is the classic "Baby Batter" – a great cut that starts with a hard funky break, and which rips out guitar-wise, jamming all the way through. The whole album's pretty tasty, though – and other tracks include "El Stinger", "Hank The Ripper", and "Morton Grove Mama". Production is by Abe Voco Kesh – and the set features work from Howeard Wales and Mike Melvion on organ and electric piano – plus Big Black on congas! LP, Vinyl record album

Pretty great soundtrack work from Wynton Marsalis – done for a somewhat forgettable film, but featuring a wide array of sounds and styles – all a bit of a break from some of Wynton's stiffer work of the time! There's a definite ear here for New Orleans roots – which echo through the vintage-styled tunes nicely – and some numbers bring in a bit of vocals, either from Shirley Horn or Johnny Adams, which further helps expand the range of tunes. Many numbers are somewhat short – which allows the group to leap out before any cliches might take over – and Wynton's trumpet is augmented by a fair bit of extra horns, including some great clarinet from Alvin Batiste and Michael White. Titles include "Big Trouble In The Easy", "May Be Fact Or Fiction", "Albanians", "Don't Run From Fun", "On The Eve Of Entry", "Mama Leona", and "I Can't Get Started". CD

Buddy at his soulful late 60s best – not content to keep in the same groove as older years, and working here with a great lineup that includes some excellent younger players! Charles Owens is in the group on alto, and the set also features work by Don Menza on tenor, Art Pepper on alto, Pat Labarbera on tenor, and Walter Namuth on guitar. Tracks are long, include some good originals, and have a rollicking sound that never lets up – and which avoids cliche a lot more than you'd think! Titles include "Ode To Billie Joe", "Acid Truth", "Goodbye Yesterday", "Preach & Teach", "Channel 1 Suite", and "Big Mama Cass". CD

A very nice groover from Jimmy – and a session that was recorded earlier, but not issued by Blue Note until the end of the 60s. The format is hard-wailing sextet – with Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Ike Quebec on tenor, and Jackie McLean on alto. Jimmy's usual trio at the time holds the fort on the rhythm department, and all players groove very nicely on a set of 4 long tracks that includes "Big Fat Mama", "Plain Talk", and "Time After Time". CD

A very nice groover from Jimmy – and a session that was recorded earlier, but not issued by Blue Note until the end of the 60s. The format is hard-wailing sextet – with Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Ike Quebec on tenor, and Jackie McLean on alto. Jimmy's usual trio at the time holds the fort on the rhythm department, and all players groove very nicely on a set of 4 long tracks that includes "Big Fat Mama", "Plain Talk", and "Time After Time". Weird cover, too – with a lady's face in a cup of coffee! LP, Vinyl record album

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

Featuring Kid Ory, Bobby Hackett, Jack Teagarden, Barney Bigard, Leonard Feather, Sid Catlett and others. Tracks include "Mahogany Hall Stomp", "Rockin' Chair", "St James Infirmary Blues", "Save It, Pretty Mama", "Before Long", "Blues In The South", and "Ain't Misbehavin". CD

An incredible little record – and the set where it really all comes together for this legendary funky jazz group! Azymuth were already great on their debut, although maybe a little experimental at times – but here, they really find the soulful groove that later got them big fame on the US scene – effortlessly blending their tight jazz skills with a dose of samba soul, and turning out some wonderfully groovy music in the process! There's clearly an influence here from the best years of Earth Wind & Fire – but also more of the edge that you'd expect from the young trio – as the amazing Jose Roberto Bertrami blows us away with his wickedly sharp keyboard solos, as Alexandre Malheiros and Mamao create these beautiful rhythms that go way past anything you might have expected from a trio. The whole thing's wonderful – one of the most soulful Brazilian records of the 70s – and titles include the great cuts "Tarde", "Tamborim Cuica Ganza Berimbau", "Falcon Love Call", and "Aguia Nao Come Mosca". (Brazil, Jazz) CD

Growing brilliance from the young Archie Shepp – a record that's not just about Archie's own amazing work on the tenor, but also his keen modern vision as a leader! The combo here is an ensemble that features some of the hippest modernists of the 60s – Roswell Rudd and Grachan Moncur on trombone, Perry Robinson on clarinet, Howard Johnson on tuba, Charlie Haden on bass, and Tommy Turrentine on trumpet – making a rare non-bop appearance here, and further enforcing our already-high estimation of his talents! The style's somewhat in the "new thing" mode of the period, but it's also a bit more tightly arranged too – almost hitting Mingus-like modes for the bigger ensemble – balancing the force of the group together with very free, bold solo impulses from the players. Side one features the extended "Portrait Of Robert Thompson (As A Young Man)" – and side two features "Mama Too Tight", "Theme For Ernie", and "Basheer". CD

Growing brilliance from the young Archie Shepp – a record that's not just about Archie's own amazing work on the tenor, but also his keen modern vision as a leader! The combo here is an ensemble that features some of the hippest modernists of the 60s – Roswell Rudd and Grachan Moncur on trombone, Perry Robinson on clarinet, Howard Johnson on tuba, Charlie Haden on bass, and Tommy Turrentine on trumpet – making a rare non-bop appearance here, and further enforcing our already-high estimation of his talents! The style's somewhat in the "new thing" mode of the period, but it's also a bit more tightly arranged too – almost hitting Mingus-like modes for the bigger ensemble – balancing the force of the group together with very free, bold solo impulses from the players. Side one features the extended "Portrait Of Robert Thompson (As A Young Man)" – and side two features "Mama Too Tight", "Theme For Ernie", and "Basheer". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the biggest hits ever for Weather Report – thanks to Joe Zawinul's leadoff track "Birdland" – one of those tunes that entered the canon immediately, and saw countless covers pop up over the years – kind of a rare thing for a jazz tune at this point in time! The track's driving, building energy shows a newly focused side to Weather Report – one that's traded some of the spacier, more experimental moments of the past for a dynamic energy that still puts them ahead of most other 70s fusion supergroups. The presence of Jaco Pastorius is felt quite strongly here – especially on the way the colors ebb and flow up from the bottom – and the way that Jaco's using his bass with the energy of a solo jazz guitar! Alex Acuna and Manolo Badrena are on percussion, and Wayne Shorter's reeds still crackle with a nice degree of soul – on titles that include "Harlequin", "Rumba Mama", "A Remark You Made", "Teen Town", "Palladium", "Havona", and "The Juggler". CD

One of the biggest hits ever for Weather Report – thanks to Joe Zawinul's leadoff track "Birdland" – one of those tunes that entered the canon immediately, and saw countless covers pop up over the years – kind of a rare thing for a jazz tune at this point in time! The track's driving, building energy shows a newly focused side to Weather Report – one that's traded some of the spacier, more experimental moments of the past for a dynamic energy that still puts them ahead of most other 70s fusion supergroups. The presence of Jaco Pastorius is felt quite strongly here – especially on the way the colors ebb and flow up from the bottom – and the way that Jaco's using his bass with the energy of a solo jazz guitar! Alex Acuna and Manolo Badrena are on percussion, and Wayne Shorter's reeds still crackle with a nice degree of soul – on titles that include "Harlequin", "Rumba Mama", "A Remark You Made", "Teen Town", "Palladium", "Havona", and "The Juggler". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the biggest hits ever for Weather Report – thanks to Joe Zawinul's leadoff track "Birdland" – one of those tunes that entered the canon immediately, and saw countless covers pop up over the years – kind of a rare thing for a jazz tune at this point in time! The track's driving, building energy shows a newly focused side to Weather Report – one that's traded some of the spacier, more experimental moments of the past for a dynamic energy that still puts them ahead of most other 70s fusion supergroups. The presence of Jaco Pastorius is felt quite strongly here – especially on the way the colors ebb and flow up from the bottom – and the way that Jaco's using his bass with the energy of a solo jazz guitar! Alex Acuna and Manolo Badrena are on percussion, and Wayne Shorter's reeds still crackle with a nice degree of soul – on titles that include "Harlequin", "Rumba Mama", "A Remark You Made", "Teen Town", "Palladium", "Havona", and "The Juggler". CD