Includes the albums The Band Swings – Lorez Sings, Singing Songs Everyone Knows, Lorez Alexandria & The Ramsey Lewis Trio – Early In The Morning, and Sing No Sad Songs For Me. (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

(Vocalists, Jazz) CD

(Vocalists, Jazz) CD

Includes 49 tracks on 2 CDs. CD

Includes 50 tracks on 2 CDs. (Now Sound, Jazz) CD

A live set featuring 3 different British jazz talents of the postwar years! First up are 4 tracks by the Don Rendell Sextet – a tight ensemble that features tenor by Rendell, baritone by Ronnie Ross, and flugelhorn by Dickie Hawdon – grooving in that mix of bop and swing that was popular with some of London's better groups at the time. Next are 3 tunes by the Ken Moule Saven – a group led and arranged by pianist Moule, with Dave Usden on trumpet, Don Cooper on baritone, and Keith Barr and Roy Sidwell on tenors. Last up are 4 cuts by the Tony Crombie Orchestra – a octet led by drummer Crombie, and featuring trumpet work by a young Dizzy Reece. Tracks on all sets are a mix of originals and standards – and titles include "Chelsea Bridge", "Waterloo Bridge", "Good Bait", "Ahmed", "Down Under", and "Compos Mentis". CD

With Clancy Hayes, Alexander's Jazz Band, Darnell Howard, Bob Scobey's Frisco Band, and Darnell Howard's Frisco Footwarmers. CD

A great set from the always-soulful Kenny Barron – stepping out here with a sense of soulful interplay that recalls his best recordings of the 70s! The group on the album's a quintet, graced by some extremely strong work on vibes by Stefon Harris – who brings an almost Bobby Hutcherson-like feel to the album, working in rich tones and colors next to Barron's keys, edged in by some sharper flute and alto work by Anne Drummond. The set's awash in great originals, plus a few well-chosen covers – and titles include "Song For Abdullah", "Images", "Miss Missy", "Inside Out", "Jasmine Flower", "The Lost Ones", "So It Seems", and "Footprints". CD

A great return to the limelight for reedman Charles Lloyd – heard here in one of his most open, expressive settings in years – with all the best exotic touches of his famous early years still very much intact! Lloyd plays tenor and flute, plus a bit of Chinese oboe as well – an instrument that really underscores some of the more inventive qualities in his music, and which works well with some of the modal energies in the set. The great Michel Perucciani makes a key appearance here on piano – and shades the tunes with a sensitive sound that also helps Lloyd find the new directions he'd take strongly in years to come – and the remaining group features Palle Danielsson on bass and Son Ship Theus on drums. Bobby McFerrin sings in a few spots, but at a level that's hipper than his hits – and titles include "Lotus Land", "Lady Day", "Of Course Of Course", "Night Blooming Jasmine", and "El Encanto". CD

A really wonderful album from the height of the exotica years – but a set that's got a fair bit more jazz in the mix than most from that generation too! Gene Rains plays vibes – and moves between moodier moments, ala Martin Denny/Arthur Lyman, and more straightforward jazz styles – which often have some great modal elements in the mix! The Rains group played hotels in Hawaii during the late 50s and early 60s – but are maybe more like a Pacific take on territory of the Quartette Tres Bien, thanks to strong work from Allen Watanabe on drums, Archie Grant on bass, and Byron Peterson on piano. Titles include "Mapuana", "Bancock Cock Fight", "Tiki", "Off Shore", "Shadow Of Love", "Jasmine & Jade", and "Lonely Winter". (Now Sound, Jazz) CD