Includes 32 tracks on 3 CDs. CD

Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet, flugelhorn, flute, and nohkan, David Philipson on bansuri and tambura, Glenn Horiuchi on piano and shamisen, William Roper on tuba, and Sonship Theus on drums and percussion, with poetry from Harumi Makino Smith. CD

A really great assortment of rare work from the golden era of Western Swing – featuring famous Texas and Oklahoma acts, plus a lot of other much more obscure artists! The set features a whopping 99 tracks in all – with work from Fort Worth Doughboys, Bob Wills & Texas Playboys, Doug Bine & His Dixie Ramblers, the Tune Wranglers, the Washboard Wonders, the Crystal Spring Ramblers, Buddy Jones, Cliff Bruner's Texas Wanderers, the Sunshine Boys, the Hi-Flyers, and more. (Folk/Country, Jazz) CD

A great early trio session from Ray Bryant – the kind of record that instantly shows why he caught such fire on the scene! There's a simplicity here that's almost invisible – a command of the keys that's strong, but not nearly as show-offy as some of Bryant's contemporaries. And given that Ray always managed to kick up a groove on the left side of the keyboard with his firm approach to rhythm, he's definitely a group player in the trio on the set – an excellent combo that features the wonderful Ike Issacs on bass and Specs Wright on drums. Titles include "Splittin", "Golden Earrings", "Sonar", "Blues Changes", and "Daahoud". CD

An excellent live performance from the 80s – recorded during a time when the Arkestra was extremely tight, and really beginning to break big with audiences like the enthusiastic one heard at this festival in Athens! Sun Ra and the group are at the height of their powers here – really commanding the set with tremendous presence – and effortlessly shifting between free improvisations, straighter tunes, and some especially rhythmic numbers that are almost worth the price of admission alone! Players include Marshall Allen, John Gilmore, Danny Ray, and James Jacson – and 2CD set features the entire Praxis performance in one package – with 20 titles that include "Nuclear War", "Children Of The Sun", "Yeah Man", "Untitled Improvisation", "Mack The Knife", "Big John's Special", "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", "They'll Come Back", "Days Of Wine & Roses", "Theme Of The Stargazers/Satellites Are Spinning", and "Carefree (Egyptian Fantasy)". CD

Fantastic! This is one of Sonny Criss' masterworks, and an amazing tribute to the LA jazz underground of the 60's! Horace Tapscott composed and arranged all of the tracks on here, and they form a beautiful, soulful, suite that gives Criss a perfect backdrop for his meaningful solos. The work is fantastic, and every moment falls perfectly in line. Haunting stuff that we never tire of listening to, and which we can't recommend highly enough! Tracks include "Ballad For Samuel" and "Daughter Of Cochise." This CD includes two previously unissued alternate versions of "The Golden Pearl" and "Sonny's Dream." CD

An unusual little session for Kenny Dorham – one in which he sings as well as plays trumpet – perhaps taking a page out of Chet Baker's book, but with a completely different approach! The group features Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, and Charlie Persip on drums – who is replaced by GT Hogan on a couple of numbers. The set's all standards, and Kenny's style is nicely raspy – not the best technically, but with some surprisingly gentle feeling that's a nice complement to his work on trumpet. Includes "Autumn Leaves", "Since I Fell For You", "From This Moment On", "This Is The Moment", "Angel Eyes", and "Golden Earrings". CD

Previously-unissued live work from Sun Ra – a very hip set recorded in Cleveland during the mid 70s, and a performance that features some especially nice organ work from Ra himself! The set begins with an extended number titled "Astro Nation" – a slightly funky cut that has some great chanting from the group, almost the same level of politics you might find in Parliament's "Chocolate City" – matched with some bold keyboards and horns. Group chants continue on "Enlightenment", which is taken in a short version – then Ra's organ takes over on "Love In Outer Space", which is performed in a long take, with a romping rhythm that's mighty nice. Organ continues on "Theme Of The Stargazers" and "Friendly Galaxy 2" – then Ra hits a very noisy stretch on the moog during "Synthesizer Solo". The group rounds things up with a version of "Sophisticated Lady" – and other players include Akh Tal Ebah and Kwame Hadi on trumpet, John Gilmore on tenor, Marshall Allen and Danny Davis on alto and flute, and Damon Choice on vibes. June Tyson and Eddie Thomas are also part of the group on vocals! CD

Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet and flugelhorn, Anthony Davis on piano and synthesizer, Malachi Favors Maghostut on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums and synthesizer. CD

A very nice return to basics for Ron Carter – a trio session that features Mulgrew Miller on piano and Russell Malone on guitar, with Ron playing simply bass – and working in a straight jazz style that's really a refreshing change from some of his higher-concept projects! The lack of drums and use of guitar takes us back almost to the sound of the early Jamal trio – but there's an overall feel here that's more open, and more fluid – really adding some depth to tunes that might otherwise come across a bit too academic. Titles include the originals "NY Slick", "On & On", "A Theme In 3/4", "Parade", "Quick Sketch", and "Cedar Tree". CD

Important second chapter work from Ornette Coleman – a record that marked a real shift in his sound from the Atlantic Records years – issued by Blue Note at a level that gave the rest of the world a chance to see what Ornette had been cooking up on the underground scene! The album was recorded in Stockholm – in the tradition of European live performances that saw Coleman grow so strongly in the mid 60s – and the tracks are long, free, and full of improvised moments – with Ornette adding in trumpet and violin next to his familiar alto – in a trio with David Izenzon on bass and Charles Moffett on drums – both fantastic players who can be loose at the right moments, and bring things back at others. Tracks are long and unbridled – with less of the rhythmic changes that you'd hear in work by the classic quartet, and more of a full-on fierce soloing mode. Titles include "Faces & Places", "Dee Dee", and "Dawn" – and the CD features the previously unissued "Doughnuts", plus alternate takes of "Faces & Places" and "European Echoes". CD

Important second chapter work from Ornette Coleman – a record that marked a real shift in his sound from the Atlantic Records years – issued by Blue Note at a level that gave the rest of the world a chance to see what Ornette had been cooking up on the underground scene! The album was recorded in Stockholm – in the tradition of European live performances that saw Coleman grow so strongly in the mid 60s – and the tracks are long, free, and full of improvised moments – with Ornette adding in trumpet and violin next to his familiar alto – in a trio with David Izenzon on bass and Charles Moffett on drums – both fantastic players who can be loose at the right moments, and bring things back at others. Tracks are long and unbridled – with less of the rhythmic changes that you'd hear in work by the classic quartet, and more of a full-on fierce soloing mode. Titles include "Snowflakes & Sunshine", "Morning Song", "The Riddle", and "Antiques" – and the CD features 3 bonus alternate takes! CD

A lost European performance from Bud Powell – recorded in Stockholm relatively late in his life, but on some nicely long tracks that really let Powell stretch out on the piano! There's a nice degree of echo in the recording – and we mean that not as a cover up for poor sound quality, because the quality here is quite strong – and instead delight in the way it has Bud's tones resonate strongly in the space of the performance hall – this bold, clear tone that really lets the Powell magic sparkle in all of its glory! The trio features Torbjorn Hultcrantz on bass and Sune Spangberg on drums. Includes a rare vocal performance from Powell on the tune "This Is No Laughing Matter". CD

A nice collection of Gene Ammons' work that doesn't always get as well remembered as his sides for Prestige or Chess – late 40s bop recordings for Savoy, done in a wonderfully full-voiced tone! The set features Gene's classic "Red Top", plus the great two part "Big Slam", and the titles "Chips", "Goodtime Blues", "Fuzzy", "Jim Dawgs", and "Street Of Dreams". The album doesn't list personnel at all for the tracks, or dates – but the music speaks volumes on its own! CD

A fantastic session from the early days of the Clarke-Boland Big Band! The record was cut in 1961, under the aegis of Gigi Campi – and it features a core group that would later grow into the much-respected CBBB unit during the MPS years – working here as a smaller combo on a rare date for Blue Note. Players include Jimmy Woode on bass, Derek Humble on alto, Karl Drewo on tenor, and the fantastic Dusko Goykovich on trumpet – all very unusual musicians to be working on a Blue Note date, and some of the best European soloists at the time. Tracks are shorter than on later albums by the ensemble – but no less filled with fire and imagination – and the solos are all totally wonderful! Titles include "Strange Me", "Basse Cuite", "Dorian 043", "La Campimania", and "High Notes". CD

A quadruple-header from Ramsey Lewis – four albums from his great 70s electric period on Columbia Records! First up is Funky Serenity – sweet electric funk from Ramsey Lewis! The album's one of his best from the 70s – and it's got Ramsey on Fender Rhodes, electric harpsichord, and other keyboards, grooving away in an open-ended 70s mode that still retains all the heavy soul of his classic work for Chess. Morris Jennings adds in some very nice percussion with his drum work, and Cleveland Eaton's on funky bass, giving the set a strong bottom groove. Features the sublime sample cut "My Love For You", a great version of "Knights In White Satin" that's done with a weird spacey groove, plus the tracks "Kufany Mapenzi (Making Love)", "Serene Funk", "What It Is!", and "Dreams". Golden Hits isn't a "best of", but instead has Ramsey and his funky mid 70s trio with Morris Jennings and Cleveland Eaton revisiting some of his best loved material from the Cadet years, but with the groovy Rhodes and wah wah sound that we dig so much about his CBS recordings. Unlike some of the other records from this period, the group's nice and stripped down, just the electric piano, bass and drums, so the groove's nice and wide open, Ramsey and company popping along with the sanctified soulful vibe of his 60s work, but updating their sound with some nice electric touches. 9 numbers in all: "Hang On Sloopy", "Blues For The Night Owl", "Hi-Heel Sneakers", "Carmen", "Delilah", "Wade In The Water", "Slippin' Into Darkness", "Somethin' You Got", and "The In Crowd". Solar Wind was cut smack dab in the middle of Ramsey's glory days at Columbia Records – with great production help and work on bass from the mighty Cleveland Eaton! The style is nice and lean, with just some occasional fuller touches – and Ramsey plays plenty of Fender Rhodes, in addition to bits of Arp and moog too – in a setting that's mostly trio, with a few guest players stepping into the mix from track to track! There's a nice degree of fuzz at points, thanks to added help from Steve Cropper – and titles include a great funky version of "Summer Breeze", plus "Solar Wind", "Come Down In Time", "Love for A Day", "Hummingbird", "Jamaican Marketplace", and "Sweet & Tender You". Sun Goddess is one of our favorite Ramsey Lewis albums ever – and a perfect summation of the genius that was brewing on the Chicago scene in the late 60s and early 70s! The album has Ramsey working strongly with Earth Wind & Fire – no surprise, given his close ties to Maurice White, who was the drummer in Ramsey's trio before starting his own group – and the shared relationship both artists had with producer Charles Stepney! The three were all key parts of the late 60s sound at Chess Records – but here, they've brought the same soulful energy to Columbia – working in a wider, more mature groove for the 70s – one that has Lewis' wicked Fender Rhodes lines stretching out strongly over tight, compressed, funky lines from EWF! The centerpiece of the set is the massive 7 minute "Sun Goddess", but there's lots of other nice ones like "Living For The City", "Gemini Rising", and "Jungle Strut". Funky, electric, and sublimely wonderful all the way through! CD

Important second chapter work from Ornette Coleman – a record that marked a real shift in his sound from the Atlantic Records years – issued by Blue Note at a level that gave the rest of the world a chance to see what Ornette had been cooking up on the underground scene! The album was recorded in Stockholm – in the tradition of European live performances that saw Coleman grow so strongly in the mid 60s – and the tracks are long, free, and full of improvised moments – with Ornette adding in trumpet and violin next to his familiar alto – in a trio with David Izenzon on bass and Charles Moffett on drums – both fantastic players who can be loose at the right moments, and bring things back at others. Tracks are long and unbridled – with less of the rhythmic changes that you'd hear in work by the classic quartet, and more of a full-on fierce soloing mode. Titles include "Faces & Places", "Dee Dee", and "Dawn" – plus two alternate takes and the cut "Doughnuts". CD

Important second chapter work from Ornette Coleman – a record that marked a real shift in his sound from the Atlantic Records years – issued by Blue Note at a level that gave the rest of the world a chance to see what Ornette had been cooking up on the underground scene! The album was recorded in Stockholm – in the tradition of European live performances that saw Coleman grow so strongly in the mid 60s – and the tracks are long, free, and full of improvised moments – with Ornette adding in trumpet and violin next to his familiar alto – in a trio with David Izenzon on bass and Charles Moffett on drums – both fantastic players who can be loose at the right moments, and bring things back at others. Tracks are long and unbridled – with less of the rhythmic changes that you'd hear in work by the classic quartet, and more of a full-on fierce soloing mode. Titles include "Snowflakes & Sunshine", "Morning Song", "The Riddle", and "Antiques". CD

A lost European performance from Bud Powell – recorded in Stockholm relatively late in his life, but on some nicely long tracks that really let Powell stretch out on the piano! There's a nice degree of echo in the recording – and we mean that not as a cover up for poor sound quality, because the quality here is quite strong – and instead delight in the way it has Bud's tones resonate strongly in the space of the performance hall – this bold, clear tone that really lets the Powell magic sparkle in all of its glory! The trio features Torbjorn Hultcrantz on bass and Sune Spangberg on drums. CD

The colors here are plenty darn funky – a rich array of amazing sounds from the archives of Golden Ring and Happy Records – two rare German sound library labels! The records may be rare, but they've got an instant appeal – especially if you're a fan of funky soundtrack work from the late 60s and early 70s – sounds and styles from folks like Lalo Schifrin or Quincy Jones, who both would be a good starting point in comparison to these grooves! There's a few key tracks here from Peter Thomas – one of our favorite German composers of the time – and other numbers are by funky drummer Klaus Weiss, plus some lesser-known cats who groove equally well. Titles include "Flash Point" and "Power Boost" by Peter Thomas, "Porto Allegre" and "Beach Bunny" by Juan Demonio, "Bubble & Squeak" by Elmar Steingarden, "Explorer" and "Space Drums" by Klaus Weiss, "Satin Eyes" by Mladen Franco, "Again Please" by Al Tacoma, "Get Across" by Ken Aldin, "Rock City" by Harry Winkler, "Blue Riff" by Peter Mellini, "Night Clipper" by Peter Look, and "Easy Action" by Peter Thomas. (Funky Compilations, Jazz) CD