An incredible album – and a real surprise in the catalog of Harold Vick, one of those players who just gets hipper the more you listen to him! Harold's working here with a really great group that includes Bobby Hutcherson, Blue Mitchell, Montego Joe, Walter Booker, and Mickey Roker – all of whom perform the extended "Carribean Suite", a long Latin-tinged piece written by Kenny Graham – the famous 50s British leader who's work with Afro-Cuban jazz was as important to the London scene as the work of Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo was to that of New York! The album's filled with fire and some very unusual twists – and titles include "Letitia", "Dance Of The Zombies", "Haitian Ritual", "Beguine", "Mango Walk", "Bongo Chant", and "Wha Hupp'n". CD

Fantastic sounds from the years before reggae became the international sound of Jamaica – music from the island nation's jazz scene, which was at the crossroads of so many different styles of music – jazz from the north, Latin rhythms from Cuba and Puerto Rico, and a fair bit of other Caribbean sounds too – all of which filter through the wonderful collection of music on the set! The title breaks down the different genres featured – but there's often a surprisingly unified feel to the whole record too – one that stands partly as a testament to the musical strengths of all the performers involved! In the days before Trojan and Studio One, Federal Records was an important Jamaican label – and did an especially great job of capturing some of the sounds that were part of that nation's club culture and resorts in the 60s. Titles include "Angelima" and "Like Falling In Love" by Ernest Ranglin, "Profile Cha Cha" and "Rhumbina" by Cecil Lloyd & The Starline Troubadors, "Estrellita" and "I Love Paris" by The Lennie Hibbert Combo, "Tis Wonderful" by Eric Grant, "Linstead Market" by Baba Motta & Ernest Ranglin, "Wheel & Turn Me" by Bertie King, "Go Fife Go" by Count Owen, "Mango Walk" by Bertie King & Ernest Ranglin, "String Of Pearls" by Auldey Williams & His Orchestra, "Solas Market" by Baba Motta, and "Monday Monday" by Winston Turner Quintet. (Reggae, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

Features Pierre Dorge on guitar, Tibetan trumpet, arco cumbus, and vocals in a group that features various reeds, trombones, piano, bass, and plenty of percussion. Tracks include "Fullmoon For A Rhino", "Jubee Jubee", "Skorping After Dark", "Give Me A Break", "Ritus Russulu Huju #2", "Mango For Mingus", and "Enigmatic Bird". CD

First volume in Verve's LP collection of Parker's work recorded by Norman Granz, with a mix of tracks that includes some quartet and small group material, some recorded with strings and a couple recorded with Machito & His Orchestra. 15 tracks in all, including "April In Paris", "What Is This Thing called Love", "Lover Man", "Back Home blues", "Passport", "My Little Suede Shoes", "Mango Mangue", "In The Still Of The Night" and "Old Folks". LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet set of mellow fusion tracks from saxophonist Herman Riley – recorded with a quintet that includes Milcho Leviev on keyboards, Ron Eschete on guitar, and Paul Humphrey on drums. The set's not that funky overall, but it's got a number of long tracks that open up with some strong and soulful solos. Titles include "Jewel", "Muffer", "Mango Jam", and "MPH". CD

The title's no mistake – both in its pluralization and its acclaim for Kai Winding – as the leader here is working with a brace of additional trombones, all in a groove that's one of his most fluid on record to date! The style builds nicely from the sound that Kai and JJ Johnson forged in the 50s – but it's served up here with a sound that's slightly more modern, filled with colors and tones that really deepen the sound of Winding's music! Other trombonists include Jimmy Knepper, Tony Studd, Paul Faulise, and Johnny Messner – playing differently pitched trombones – and rhythm players include Ron Carter on bass, Bill Evans on piano, and Al Beldini on drums – plus some guest conga by Olatunji. Titles include "Speak Low", "Love Walked In", "Mangos", "Michie", "Impulse", and "Black Coffee". LP, Vinyl record album

An obscure early trio session cut by pianist Gene Harris – one of his first ever sessions! The session's got a surprisingly soulful groove – as this Gene also has a strong left hand, even this early in the game – which is augmented by the presence of bassist Ben Tucker in the trio, who's romping contributions really give the tunes a nice sort of pulse – even when the material is more standard. British drummer Kenny Harris completes the trio – and titles include the Harris originals "There's A Genie In My Soul", "That's Oona", and "I Wanna Go Where You Are" – plus "Mangos", "Love For Sale", "Cool Mix", and "Tune Up". LP, Vinyl record album

A landmark album from Sonny Rollins – a record that really lives up to its title, as it shows the maturing tenorist really finding his own voice in jazz – a sound that's unlike any other! Rollins' Riverside work sometimes seems to get overlooked sometimes in light of his freer late 50s playing on other labels – but this album's a real standout that shows that even with familiar material, Sonny can make magic happen in the way he phrases a tune and places a solo. Sonny's working here with a group that includes some hard-edged piano from Sonny Clark and some wonderfully inventive rhythm from Roy Haynes on drums – but Rollins is the real star in this quartet setting – shining throughout, in a mode that's incredibly economical, yet which speaks volumes with every note! Titles include "Mangoes", "Cutie", "Just In Time", and "Every Time We Say Goodbye". CD features one bonus track. CD

2 lesser-known gems from a young Maynard Ferguson – back to back on a single CD! First up is Plays Jazz For Dancing – a record that hones the usual Ferguson groove a bit more for the dancefloor, yet still keeps in plenty of room for the sorts of solo space that Maynard first forged earlier in the 50s! The lineup here features some great work from Willie Maiden on tenor, Slide Hampton on trombone, and Jimmy Ford on alto sax – as well as performances from Maynard himself on trumpet, valve trombone, and even a bit of euphonium. Titles include "Hey There", "Where's Teddy", "Soft Winds", "Tis Autumn", "Secret Love", "I'll Be Seeing You", and "If I Should Lose You". Let's Face The Music & Dance follows in very similar form – a well-crafted batch of big band numbers from Maynard Ferguson, with more than enough swing and sway for the dancefloor, but also that stronger sense of personality and power you'd expect from Maynard. As usual for the time, the lineup of players is totally great – a surprising batch of hipsters that includes Jaki Byard on piano, Slide Hampton on trombone, Joe Farrell on tenor and clarinet, and Willie Maiden on tenor and flute – plys some great drum work from Rufus Jones, who really keeps a nice punch in the rhythms. Titles include "Let's Do It", "Spring Is Here", "Teach Me Tonight", "Let's Face The Music & Dance", and "Mangos". CD