Trumpeter Ted Daniel takes on the music of jazz founder King Oliver – but as you'd expect from all of Daniel's other groundbreaking work, the result here is something quite unique! True, the tunes are older numbers from the Oliver songbook of the 20s – but the approach is maybe a bit more freewheeling and pan-historic – a bit like the mode you'd expect if this project was handled by some of the artists on the Black Saint/Soul Note label in the early 80s. As with their work, the immediate approach is historically respectful, but the individual currents in the music really update the sound – thanks to a lineup that includes Daniel on cornet, Charlie Burnham on violin, Newman Baker on percussion, Joe Daley on tuba, and Marvin Sewell on guitar. Titles include "Tears", "Working Man's Blues", "Riverside Blues", "Mabel's Dream", "Just Gone", and "Zulu's Ball" – most taken in much longer readings than recordings from the 78rpm generation. CD

Forget the hokey pun in the title, as the album's a sharp-edged set that has way more going on than that bad wit might imply – a brilliant record that has the same sort of post-loft vibe as some of the best Black Saint/Soul Note sessions from the time! The group here features players who worked on many of those records too – the mighty Billy Bang on violin, sounding incredible, and so different than generations of others touching that instrument in jazz – sharp, soulful, and almost "blown" more like a saxophone! Frank Lowe's tenor follows with a similarly bold voice – and the group features very urgent work on bass from Rafael Garrett and drums from Dennis Charles. Titles include great readings of Jackie McLean's "Little Melonae" and Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" – plus the tracks "Loweology", "Ballad With One L", and "Blood On The Cross". CD features some rare bonus tracks from the same sessions, appearing here for the first time ever – "Pent Up Suite", "I Mean You", "Suite For Gamma (parts 1 & 2)", and "Mr Syms". CD

An unusual double-length album for Jimmy McGriff – released during his funkier years at the Groove Merchant label, but with a gritty sort of sound that takes us back to his first few records on Sue in the 60s! The "blues" in the title is definitely well-chosen – as the tracks here are long, lean, and drawn out – blues-drenched soul jazz played by a small combo that includes Larry Frazier on guitar, Rudy Johnson on tenor, and Saint Jenkins on drums – plus Gerry Jemmott on electric bass, adding a bit more vamp to the background than usual. There's a very earthy feel to most numbers – almost improvised jams at times, at least on the tracks that are credited to McGriff as the writer. Titles include "Blue Groove (parts 1 & 2)", "Blues For A Broken Down Funky Old Bus", "Bahama", "Mack The Knife", "Harp-er", "Mocha", "Hey Mrs Jones", "Amen", and "Penthouse Serenade". CD

Overlooked genius from Henry Threadgill – one of his under-exposed 80s sessions for the About Time label, and work that's every bit as great as his better-known sides for Delmark or Black Saint! The group here has a nice sense of freedom and interplay – almost a quality that hearkens back to Threadgill's roots in the AACM, thanks to strong contributions from Craig Harris on trombone, Olu Dara on trumpet, Fred Hopkins on bass, Deidre Murray on cello, and both Pheeroan Aklaff and John Betsch on percussion. The tracks are nicely arranged, but never too stiffly – and titles include "Cremation", "Black Blues", "Gateway", and "Just The Facts And Pass The Bucket". CD