An obscure Polish date from the great Gustav Brom – the Czech bandleader known for his great grooves for MPS and Supraphon! The styles here are something of a mixed bag – with some tunes that are straight swinging big band, mixed with a few others that show more of the jazz rock influence that Brom's become famous for over the years. Obviously, these latter tracks are the ones that really catch our ears – especially the funky "U Jazu Pod Mostem", which has a real MPS-like feel, and some great funky piano and sax – or "Malovane Sane", which has lots of electric guitar jamming around at the bottom of the groove! Other tracks include "American Patrol", "Chanson D'Amour", "Bogdan Boogie", and "Mahalia". CD

Poland's Ergo Band are a tight combo with a great ear for a groove – sometimes funky in sort of an Average White Band way, sometimes a bit harder jamming, like some of their Eastern Bloc contemporaries! And here, they're joined by singer Grzyna Lobaszewska – who sings on a good number of tracks on the set, in a way that really helps the band find their focus – keeping things in more of a rhythmic mode when Grzyna's singing, so that there's some surprising elements of soul in the music – even though the lyrics themselves are in Polish! The AWB comparison is definitely a good one for the way the group blend great drums, riffing guitar, and horns – and titles include "15 Minut Spozienia", "Nocny Spacer", "A Wiec", "Dzien Jak Blues", "Gdybys", and "Piesn Dla Ciebie". CD features an unreleased live take on the Quincy Jones tune "Boogie Joe The Grinder". CD

Some of the fiercest work we've ever heard from this legendary Czech fusion outfit – a previously-unreleased live performance from 1980, and one that may well blow away some of their classic studio records from the 70s! The tunes are long, and have a sense of darkness that we're not sure we've heard this strongly before – as keyboardist Martin Kratochvil plays Fender Rhodes and moog to really set the stage for most tunes at the start – then opening the door to bolder work on guitar from Frantisek Francl. There's as much prog going on here as jazz – and the lean quartet setting allows for plenty of longspun work from keys and guitar – on titles that include "Pecet", "Pralesni Pisen", "Trhanec", "Az Se Ucho Utrhne", and "Madona". CD

Some of the fiercest work we've ever heard from this legendary Czech fusion outfit – a previously-unreleased live performance from 1980, and one that may well blow away some of their classic studio records from the 70s! The tunes are long, and have a sense of darkness that we're not sure we've heard this strongly before – as keyboardist Martin Kratochvil plays Fender Rhodes and moog to really set the stage for most tunes at the start – then opening the door to bolder work on guitar from Frantisek Francl. There's as much prog going on here as jazz – and the lean quartet setting allows for plenty of longspun work from keys and guitar – on titles that include "Pecet", "Pralesni Pisen", "Trhanec", "Az Se Ucho Utrhne", and "Madona". LP, Vinyl record album

A never-issued live set from the legendary Polish pianist Krzysztof Komeda – two long tracks that are very much in the spirit of his groundbreaking album Astigmatic! As with that record, the set features bold trumpet work from Tomasz Stanko – at the time easily one of the most inventive musicians on his instrument, with a soaring power that we'd match right there with Ted Curson for expressive energy and soulful imagination. He's matched here by fantastic work on alto and soprano sax from Janius Muniak – a player different than Komeda's usual reedman, Zbiniew Namyslowski, adding in some fresh currents to the music – alongside bass from Roman Dylang and drums from Andrzej Dabrowski – players who keep enough structure to keep things from ever being too free, which is great – because that tension is what makes Komeda's music of the time so wonderful. The set features long readings of "Kattorna" and "Svantetic". CD

The final sound library set from this legendary Polish group – a hard-hitting prog trio who maybe deliver the goods more here than some of their more commercial contemporaries! As with the rest of the best from SBB, the sound here is as much fusion as it is progressive rock – stretched out on long tracks that feature lots of keyboards and piano from Jozef Skrzek, heavy guitar from Apostolis Antymos, and drums and percussion from Jerzy Piotrowski – a well-matched lineup who really deliver perfection throughout! Titles include the 15 minute "Spring Chimeras" – plus shorter cuts that include "AP", "Danusia's Dance", "Maladjusted Machine", and "Day At Stock Exchange". CD features bonus tracks too – "AP (work in progress)", "Fortepian Na Jednej Nodze", and "Wiosenne Chimery (live)". (Rock, Jazz) CD

Rare radio work by SBB – a legendary Polish trio who easily rivaled the biggest jazz rock groups on the British and German scenes of the 70s! SBB have this great lean sound that's part fusion, part rock – with searing guitar work from Apostolis Antymos, driven by heavy drums from Jerzy Piotrowski, and laced with basslines, piano, keyboards, and a bit of vocals from Jozef Skrzek – often with this power that builds and builds as the tunes go on – never getting trapped in the mire of too-indulgent solo moments, and instead soaring forward with a sense of cohesion that made the trio one of the best East European acts of the decade. Titles include "Pater", "Marsz Galernikow", "Na Ten Czas", and "Przebudzenie". (Rock, Jazz) CD

Jazzy disco grooves from Henryk Debich and his long-running broadcast orchestra – a group who were well-schooled in jazz modes from years past, and were very able to soar with upbeat rhythms in the latter half of the 70s! The tunes here echo some of the best sound library modes of Western European labels of the time – core instrumentation on keyboards, saxes, and trumpets – augmented by larger arrangements that help the grooves come on with a nicely sweeping sort of vibe! Titles include a great take on the Komeda tune "Dwaj Ludzie Z Safa", with mighty nice Fender Rhodes – plus "Tylko Trzy Dni", "Nibeezpieczny Rajd" "Kama", "Wymarzona", and "Feeria". CD features four bonus tracks too! (Sound Library, Jazz) CD

A really great fusion set from 70s Poland – a record that's got all these spare and spacious sounds – so that the music comes across with currents that are nicely funky at times, even if these guys aren't strictly a jazz funk outfit! The group have a great way of taking their time, never jamming too hard in a rockish mode – which makes all the great Fender Rhodes lines really sound great, especially when they're matched by reed work from guest Wilson De Oliveira – who blows tenor, soprano, and flute throughout! Most tracks are longish, and titles include "Lutella", "Fly Over", "Hole In The Clouds", "Lotos", and "Phillway". CD

A set that not only features an amazing and well-recorded live set by the early version of Weather Report – but one that also features them joined by a few great European jazz musicians as well! The core of the album has the quintet at their finest – playing in the TV studio featured on the cover, with incredible sound that's captured beautifully – as the group stretch out on really long takes that move past their studio genius of the time – served up by Wayne Shorter on soprano sax and tenor, Joe Zawinul on electric and acoustic piano, Miroslav Vitous on bass, Alphonse Mouzon on drums, and Dom Um Romao on percussion. And on three very long tracks, the group are joined by some amazing additional players – John Surman on soprano sax and bass clarinet, Alan Skidmore on flute and tenor, and Eje Thelin on trombone – really helping the group open up the tunes "Sunrise", "Moto Grosso Feio", and "Directions". Other titles include "Eurydice", "Morning Lake", "Orange Lady", "Dr Honoris Causa", "I Would Like To Tell", and "Early Minor". CD

A set that not only features an amazing and well-recorded live set by the early version of Weather Report – but one that also features them joined by a few great European jazz musicians as well! The core of the album has the quintet at their finest – playing in the TV studio featured on the cover, with incredible sound that's captured beautifully – as the group stretch out on really long takes that move past their studio genius of the time – served up by Wayne Shorter on soprano sax and tenor, Joe Zawinul on electric and acoustic piano, Miroslav Vitous on bass, Alphonse Mouzon on drums, and Dom Um Romao on percussion. And on one very long track, the group are joined by some amazing additional players – John Surman on soprano sax and bass clarinet, Alan Skidmore on flute and tenor, and Eje Thelin on trombone – really helping the group open up the tune "Directions". Other titles include "Eurydice", "Morning Lake", "Orange Lady", "Dr Honoris Causa", "I Would Like To Tell", and "Early Minor". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet funky work from Henryk Debich – a soundtrack composer by fame, but one who could get nice and groovy when he wanted – which is definitely the case here! The tracks are all upbeat instrumentals done by a Polish radio ensemble – and they've got a style that's a lot like some of the best Brit sound library material from a few years before – with just he right blend of acoustic and electric instrumentation, reeds and keyboards, and plenty of basslines and drums to keep things moving along! The group is tight, but have a surprisingly soulful style – guided by Debich to keep just the right amount of space between the notes, so that things are never to overly tight or polished. The set brings together unreleased recordings from 1979 – and titles include "Sir Steve", "Rozmowa", "Solitude", "Parada Gwiazd", "Rybim Okiem", "Majkowa", and "Sloneczny Trakt". (Sound Library, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the funkiest work we've ever heard from the great Polish jazzman Jerzy Milian – working here in the late 70s, and with a larger ensemble too – all in a level that's often got plenty of cop/crime soundtrack influence in the grooves! Milian's vibes are still in the mix somewhere, but the main focus is on the larger sound of the group – who maybe come across like some of the best funky Henry Mancini music from a few years before! There's keyboards on most numbers, and some added strings – and at points, there's even some very groovy wordless vocals – while Milian gets a bit of help from Andrzej Minkacz and Andrzej Marko directing the group. Titles include "Nemezja", "Pan Prominent", "Posejdona Humory", "Barabara", "Bernina", "Czarne Lusterko", and "Lysy W Kolysce" – plus versions of "Umbrellas Of Cherbourg", "How Deep Is Your Love", and "Hey Jude". CD features four bonus tracks – "Aria", "Co Kumo Sie Sni", "Prized Pojednaniem", and "Cheek To Cheek". CD

A really cool set from the Polish scene at the start of the 80s – one that's definitely got some of the disco elements promised in the title, but sometimes with an offbeat vibe that's pretty unique! About half the tracks have some familiar disco-styled charts, done at an instrumental level – which means that there's fast funk in the rhythms, and jazzy instrumentation at the core – and these cuts are mixed with others that are a bit more lean and electric, and almost hint at some of the UK electro club sounds that were just showing up in the post-punk years – maybe not as dark here as on those recordings, but still quite a nice surprise. Titles include "Family Disco", "Mimma", "Erebus", "Disco Flash", "Sarisari", "Drums", and "Mr Fuzz". CD features three bonus tracks – "Horoskop", "Forte Brass", and "Warka Eksport". (Soul, Jazz) CD

A famous live performance from this legendary Czech group – presented here for the first time ever, thanks to lost tapes unearthed at a Finnish radio station! The group are in amazing form throughout – stretching out on four long tracks that bristle with the strong imagination of keyboardist Martin Kratochvil – who uses the electric piano to spin out long lines that clearly draw inspiration from Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, but which at times maybe remind us a bit of Marc Moulin as well! The vibe is nicely spacious – similar to their albums of the time, but not as full fusiony either – and the rest of the group features Lubos Andrst on guitar, Vladimir Padrunek on bass, and Michal Vrbovec on drums. Titles include "Kartago", "Pori 72", "Slez", and "Pozorovatelna". CD

Rare 60s work from the world of Polish vibist Jerzy Milian – not sounds from his own group, but that of the Polish Radio dance band – headed up by Edward Czerny, and featuring here a whole set of original compositions and arrangements by Milian! Jerzy plays some solo vibes on the set, and there's also solo work from Albert Pradella on tenor, Franciszek Kowalski on trumpet, and Waclaw Lesicki on flute – players who get some brief time in the spotlight, over work that's mostly in an ensemble mode overall. The approach is a bit like that of Gustav Brom at the same time – lively, swinging, and kind of an Eastern European extrapolation of modes borrowed from Duke Ellington and Count Basie, with all the rhythm and color that would imply! Titles include "Zabwa Prazy Swiecach", "Spaicy Dorozkarz", "Dwaj Panowie M", "Koleka W Grenoble", "Mala Suita Na Big Band", and "Spacery Z Pudlem". CD

An amazing little soundtrack – written in mid 60s Peru by jazz pianist Jaime Delgado Aparicio, but easily on a par with some of the best American or Italian scores from the time! The music's got a really wonderful feel throughout – jazz at the core, but with touches of spy soundtrack scoring and some of the lighter, more comedic modes of the Italian scene. Delgado uses a core combo with heavy piano, percussion, and some great trumpet and tenor – almost with the tightness of the Basso-Valdambrini group – but he also expands the sound with bits of strings and some fuller orchestrations, used to shade in some amazing colors that roll, dip, and turn with the beautiful grooves penned for the set. The whole thing's tremendous, with equally great production that creates some odd twists and turns that further keep things interesting as the album rolls on. Titles include "Elm Embajador Y Yo", "Sexy Surf", "Llegando A La Capital", "Isometria", "Todo El Mundo Me Persigue", "Lucha En El Mar", and "La Arana". Added to the soundtrack is Jamie's 1964 album – Jaime Delgado Aparicio Y Su Trio – a crackling bit of piano jazz from the Peruvian scene of the 60s – and a record that's somewhere between the best of Horace Silver on Blue Note, and some of the Brazilian bossa trios of the time! There's a strong sense of rhythm throughout – round, rolling basslines punctuated by great work on the drum kit – all topped by beautifully lyrical lines from Delgado Aparicio on piano – filled with color, light, and life throughout – and soloing with a depth that's rare for such a young player! Titles include a great version of Horace Silver's "Sayonara Blues", plus "The Climate", "Autumn Leaves", "Walkin", and "Blue Daniel". (Soundtracks, Jazz) CD

A triple-baritone sax lineup – with Ronnie Cuber and Cecil Payne joining in with Brignola – and rhythm by Walter Davis Jr on piano, Walter Booker on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums! LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A stunner from Nicole Mitchell – a flautist who's been pretty much redefining the jazz flute throughout her early career – here delivering a genre-defiant masterwork with her Black Earth Strings group! The String includes Chicago Sinfonetta Chamber Orchestra vet Renee Baker on violin & viola, diverse Chicago scene players Tomeka Reid on cello and Josh Abrams on bass, and Shirazette Tinnin on drums and percussion – and the group does in wonderful job of moving the boundless spirit of Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble recordings in a stripped down, acoustic, but unencumbered setting. From the dynamic improvisation to spiritually resonant compositions, it's incredible stuff – working in elements of African rhythmic influences, moving melodies, both graceful and muscular interplay, with soulful and funky jazz of decades past and the future to come. 16 tracks in all: "Crossroads", "No Mater What", "Ice", "Windance", "Renegades", "By My Own Grace", "What If", "Symbology" (#s 1, 2A & 2), "Wade", "Waterdance", "Mama Found Out", "Waris Dirie", "Aaya's Rainbow" and more. CD

That's Antonio Neves wielding a trombone on the cover – but the set's got elements that move way past his great work on that horn – drawn from very collaborative contributions from different members of the contemporary scene in Rio! The record's got a jazz basis at the core, but quickly explodes into a real style-shifting approach – that legacy of easily mixing modes that has been the hallmark of some of the most creative work from Brazil in recent decades – guided perfectly here by Neves on drums as well as trombone! Antonio sings on one track, and the record also features vocals at points from Leda, Alice Caymmi, Ana Frango Eletrico, and Marcos Esgulera – amidst a whole host of guest musicians too, including Edu Neves on flute, Leo Gandelman on alto, and Hamilton De Holanda on mandolin. Titles include "Lamento De Um Perplexo", "Forte Apache", "Simba", "A Pegada Agora E Essa", "Noite De Temporal", and "Jongo No Feudo". (Brazil, Jazz) CD

Features Eddie Henderson on trumpet! CD

Steve Gadd on drums, Ronnie Cuber on baritone saxophone, Joey DeFrancesco on organ and trumpet, and Paul Bollenbeck on guitar. CD

Nat Adderley on cornet, Vincent Herring on alto saxophone, Rob Bargad on piano, James Genus on bass, and Billy Drummond on drums. CD

A great later date from CTI – proof that the label still had its magic going on well into the 80s! The session's a larger group effort headed up by Don Sebesky, and featuring key solos by Chet Baker, Jim Hall, and Hubert Laws – all of whom get plenty of room to do their thing on the album's longer tracks! Other players include Kenny Barron, Jack Wilkins, Jorge Dalto, George Mraz, and Steve Gadd – plus bit of added percussion – and although the group is large, the overall sound is relatively lean – spacious and airy, in keeping with Baker's best moments on records like these, and always sensitive enough to let Hall's gentle work on the strings of his guitar shine through nicely! Titles include "Malaguena", "Django", "Swan Lake", and "All Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Joe Beck on electric guitar, Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, Don Grolnick on piano and Fender Rhodes, Jay Leonhart on acoustic bass, Mark Egan on four and eight-string fretted and fretless basses, and Steve Gadd on drums. CD

Caspar Brotzmann on guitar, Eduardo Delgado Lopez on bass and vocals, and Danny Arnold on drums. CD

Features Ron Carter on bass, Houston Person on tenor saxophone, Bill Frisell on guitar, Stephen Scott on piano, Payton Crossley on drums, and Steve Kroon on percussion. Tracks include "Manha De Carnaval", "Goin' Home", "Samba De Orfeu", and the Carter originals "Saudade", "Obrigado", and "1:17 Special". CD

A wickedly funky album from Stanley Clarke – perhaps his most fully-formed album of the Columbia years, and a set that really brings together his jazz and soul styles! There's a definite R&B vibe going on, but it's also one that's still quite heavy on bass work from Stanley – a groove that's not far from Bootsy Collins at times, but perhaps with a bit more jazz inflections. Jamming is kept to a minimum, which is fine by us – and the album's filled with really tuneful tunes that have an almost George Duke-like appeal. Guests include Tom Scott and Stan Getz on saxes, George Duke on piano, Harvey Mason and Steve Gadd on drums, and Dee Dee Bridgewater on vocals. Titles include "I Wanna Play For You", "Just A Feeling", "Strange Weather", "My Greatest Hits", "School Days", and "Blues For Mingus". LP, Vinyl record album

A multi-part tone poem inspired by L Ron Hubbard and Arabian Nights. Album features Hubert Laws, Steve Gadd, Aito Moreira, and others. CD

A real 70s standout from guitarist Al Di Meola – and that's saying a lot, given the strength of most of his albums from the decade! The record's one that broke Al's talents out to so many different groups – yet never in a way that waters down his sound, nor dims his genius for a solo. Al plays a host of guitars – electric, and both six and 12 string acoustic – the latter of which are especially beautiful, and handled in a balance between European virtuoso modes, and some of the more rhythmic elements of the American fusion scene. Speaking of fusion, the other players on the date really help set the tone – Chick Corea on keyboards and piano, Barry Miles on Fender Rhodes and mini-moog, Stanley Clarke on bass, and both Steve Gadd and Lenny White on drums – each setting a different pace when they appear. Titles include "The Wizard", "Suite Golden Dawn", "Short Tales Of The Black Forest", and "Land Of The Midnight Sun". LP, Vinyl record album

Great early work from Eliane Elias – Brazilian-influenced rhythms, warm piano lines, and a surprising undercurrent of soul! The set features Eliane strongly out front on acoustic piano – working with some elements of other American jazz at the time – kind of that post-fusion sense of soul that came from the electric years of other players, brought back into the acoustic keyboard as the 80s scene moved on. But Elias also brings in some of her best Brazilian elements too – really just in the way the keyboard lines come together with a sense of joy and life – and other players include Stanley Clarke and Eddie Gomez on bass, Al Foster and Steve Gadd on drums, and Toots Thielemans on a bit of guest harmonica. Titles include "Illusions", "Moments", "Iberia", "Chan's Song", "Through The Fire", and "Choro". CD

Featuring Dave and Don Grusin on acoustic and electric pianos, Rhodes, and OBX synthesizer, Lee Ritenour and Eric Gale on guitars, Steve Gadd on drums, Anthony Jackson on bass, Rubens Bassini on percussion, George Young on saxophones, flute, and piccolo, Tiger Okoshi on trumpet and flugelhorn, and The Dream Orchestra featuring NHK Strings and Tokyo Brass Ensemble. LP, Vinyl record album

Dave Grusin's definitely out of the shadows here – after years of session work, soundtrack music, and other arrangements – finally beginning to shine in the limelight as a jazz musician on his own! The set's got a nice sort of vibe – not the too-smooth later sound of the GRP label, and instead this nice balance of electric keyboards and acoustic piano – delivered with help from key contemporaries who include Lee Ritenour on guitar and Steve Gadd on drums! Production is nicely understated – and titles include the mellow stepper "Serengeti Walk", plus "Last Train To Paradiso", "She Could Be Mine", "Crystal Morning", "Hokkaido", and "Sweetwater Nights". LP, Vinyl record album

Funky, soulful, and completely sublime work from keyboardist Gene Harris – working here with some great help from Jerry Peters on arrangement and production – in a style that makes the album one of Harris' most compelling sets of the 70s! The backings are full, but tight too – and in addition to Gene's own sweet work on keyboards, the set's also got some massive drums from Harvey Mason and James Gadson – both of whom really help things crackle at the bottom! Other instrumental highlights include more keyboards from Jerry Peters, tenor from Azar Lawrence, and trombone from George Bohannon – plus guitar from Lee Ritenour too. There's a bit of vocals on the set – mostly a soul chorus sort of mode that works perfect with Peters' groovy arrangements – and titles include "Love For Sale", "Theme For Relana", "Rebop", "Zulu", and "Soft Cycles". CD

Jackie & Roy are definitely getting bit wilder here – hitting an electric early 70s CTI mode, and really growing a lot in the process! The session has the vocal pair working with CD players who include Hubert Laws on flute, Joe Farrell on saxes, Roy Pennington on vibes, and Steve Gadd on drums – all working with arrangements from Roy that are every bit as hip as the Don Sebesky treatments they previously got on CTI. The tracks are all longish, with plenty of room for complex vocals and great interaction with the instruments – and the titles are all originals, sounding really great and creative! Titles include "Good & Rich", "The Way We Are", "Waltz For Dana", "Niki's Song", and "A Wilder Alias". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD