One of a handful of amazing albums recorded by David Axelrod towards the end of the 60s – really stunning, genre-breaking music that was years ahead of its time – and which has only finally been getting its due in more recent decades! At the time of the record, Axelrod was a house producer at Capitol Records – where he'd created big hits for Lou Rawls and Cannonball Adderley – and he'd also been experimenting a bit with studio techniques for other rock groups. But here, the Axe brings all his experience into play – then sends things soaring to the skies – with music based on the work of poet William Blake, but delivered in this totally groovy west coast 60s mode. The core of the instrumentation features funky drums from Earl Palmer and bass from Carole Kaye – both of whom really keep things rock-solid amidst the larger mix of strings and instruments directed by the great Don Randi – who himself is pretty darn wonderful too. The music has nice snatches of fuzz and organ throughout – jazzy moments, funky passages, and lots more too – served up on tunes that include much-sampled song "Holy Thursday" – plus "The Smile", "A Dream", "Song Of Innocence", and "The Mental Traveler". William Blake never sounded so funky! LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderfully moody album from Carole Creveling – a lesser-known vocalist from LA, heard here on an obscure west coast session from the 50s! The album's quite a rare one – even more so than sessions from the time on labels like Mode and Jazz West – and it's got a somewhat similar feel to the best work on those labels, in that it presents Carole in a spare, jazzy style that's quite different than the fuller pop of the time! Backing is by the Bill Baker Quartet, which includes some great guitar from the legendary Jimmy Wyble – and Carole herself has a way of singing thinly and sadly on the ballads – a beautifully dark-tinged approach that fits nicely with the sea-swept image on the cover. Titles include "Long Ago", "Star Eyes", "This Heart Of Mine", "One Morning In May", "Now We Know", "Nobody Else But Me", "There's No You", and "Better Luck Next Time". CD also features 2 bonus tracks – "Willow Weep For Me" and "Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

The best Deodato album we've heard in years – a spare trio set that hearkens back to his best jazz funk years of the 70s! Deodato's working here in a live setting, but the sound is just as tight as some of his classics in the studio – totally sweet all the way through, with that lean, soulful approach to the keys that went onto inspire a whole generation. Other instrumentation is just bass and drums – and often, the keyboards seem to step out past them, working almost in their own space in sound. Titles include "Sabia", "Berimbau", "Whistle Bump", "Skyscrapers", "Dindi", "Whirlwinds", "Wave", "Super Strut", "Carly & Carole", "Also Sprach Zarathustra", and "San Juan Sunset". (Brazil, Jazz) CD

A great group, and one we've never heard before – stepping out with some tremendous trumpet and alto work that really makes the album sparkle! The group's led by trumpeter Hideto Sasaki, and features alto from guest Sekine Toshiyuki – both working in a mode that's sharply angular, but deeply soulful – like some of the most modern Blue Note work at the end of the 60s! There's some really wonderful interplay between the horns – supported by vamping, soaring rhythms on piano, bass, and drums – and in a way, the record feels like one of those later Lee Morgan dates, still rooted in hardbop traditions, but really taking off with new ideas! Titles include a wonderful version of "Little B's Poem", plus "Carole's Garden", "Turquoise Twice", "Stop Over", and "Soultrane". CD

A great group, and one we've never heard before – stepping out with some tremendous trumpet and alto work that really makes the album sparkle! The group's led by trumpeter Hideto Sasaki, and features alto from guest Sekine Toshiyuki – both working in a mode that's sharply angular, but deeply soulful – like some of the most modern Blue Note work at the end of the 60s! There's some really wonderful interplay between the horns – supported by vamping, soaring rhythms on piano, bass, and drums – and in a way, the record feels like one of those later Lee Morgan dates, still rooted in hardbop traditions, but really taking off with new ideas! Titles include a wonderful version of "Little B's Poem", plus "Carole's Garden", "Turquoise Twice", "Stop Over", and "Soultrane". LP, Vinyl record album

Very hip piano trio work – the first 2 Columbia albums by Denny Zeitlin, a young fresh talent in the 60s, with an approach that was lyrical, slightly modern, and a bit soulful. This is especially the case on the Cathexis album, which features a great rhythm section of Cecil McBee on bass and Freddy Waits on drums. Carnival is a bit more free flowing – with Charlie Haden doing some great bass, making a rare small group appearance here. Most tunes are originals by Zeitlin – and titles include "Stonehenge", "Cathexis", "Repeat", "I Thou", "After The War", "Carnival", and "Carole's Garden". CD