With featured guests Michael Bearden, Scott Ambush, Victor Bailey, Chieli Minucci, Najee, and Nicki Richards. LP, Vinyl record album

(Latin, Jazz) CD

Omar Sosa on grand piano, percussion, vocals and kalimba; Christophe Minck on double bass, moof voyager, synths and modular effects; and Steve Arguelles on drums, percussion and simmon drums. CD

Omar Sosa on piano, harmonium, marimba, vibraphone, turbular bells, percussion, sampler, and vocals, Paquito D'Rivera on clarinet, Dhafer Youssef on oud, Steve Arguelles on drums and scratches, Dieter Ilg on acoaustic bass, Renaud Pion on bass and contrabass clarinet, Philippe Foch on tabla and E bow, and Aziz Arradi on vocals, guembri and qarqabas. CD

Omar Sosa on solo piano. CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Includes the songs "Eleggua", "Takes A Second", "Mother Africa", "Nino Divino", "Cha-Amarillo", "Sleeping Lion", "Blanco En Africa", "Twice As Sad", "Why So Complicated", "Fragile", "Desde Alla", "Prietos", and "Misa". CD

Features Omar Sosa on piano, fender rhodes, and harmonium; Adam Rudolph on percussion, thumb piano, flute, and other instruments. CD

Omar Sosa on grand piano, vocals and percussion and Gustavo Ovalles on bata, congas, bongos, guiro, snare, cymbal and vocals. CD

Incredible work from the amazing Dorothy Ashby – a brilliant set of funky and spiritual tunes, set to full backings from Chicago soul arranger Richard Evans! This album is easily one of Ashby's greatest, and it's dedicated to the writings of Omar Khayyam – one of the forces guiding Dorothy's more spiritual sound at the end of the 60s, clearly opened up in a way that's not unlike the direction of Alice Coltrane's work, but a lot more focused and a lot more funky! Ashby not only plays her usual jazz harp, but also koto as well, and even sings a bit too – and the larger group directed by Evans features work by Stu Katz on vibes and kalimba, Lenny Druss on flutes, and Cash McCall on guitar – all in a groove that's really a precursor to the Earth Wind & Fire generation of the Chicago scene! Titles include the amazing break "The Moving Finger" – worth the price of the album alone – plus "Dust", "Joyful Grass & Grape", "Heaven & Hell", "Wax & Wane", "Shadow Shapes", "For Some When Young", "Myself When Young", and "Drink". CD

Incredible work from the amazing Dorothy Ashby – a brilliant set of funky and spiritual tunes, set to full backings from Chicago soul arranger Richard Evans! This album is easily one of Ashby's greatest, and it's dedicated to the writings of Omar Khayyam – one of the forces guiding Dorothy's more spiritual sound at the end of the 60s, clearly opened up in a way that's not unlike the direction of Alice Coltrane's work, but a lot more focused and a lot more funky! Ashby not only plays her usual jazz harp, but also koto as well, and even sings a bit too – and the larger group directed by Evans features work by Stu Katz on vibes and kalimba, Lenny Druss on flutes, and Cash McCall on guitar – all in a groove that's really a precursor to the Earth Wind & Fire generation of the Chicago scene! Titles include the amazing break "The Moving Finger" – worth the price of the album alone – plus "Dust", "Joyful Grass & Grape", "Heaven & Hell", "Wax & Wane", "Shadow Shapes", "For Some When Young", "Myself When Young", and "Drink". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible work from the amazing Dorothy Ashby – a brilliant set of funky and spiritual tunes, set to full backings from Chicago soul arranger Richard Evans! This album is easily one of Ashby's greatest, and it's dedicated to the writings of Omar Khayyam – one of the forces guiding Dorothy's more spiritual sound at the end of the 60s, clearly opened up in a way that's not unlike the direction of Alice Coltrane's work, but a lot more focused and a lot more funky! Ashby not only plays her usual jazz harp, but also koto as well, and even sings a bit too – and the larger group directed by Evans features work by Stu Katz on vibes and kalimba, Lenny Druss on flutes, and Cash McCall on guitar – all in a groove that's really a precursor to the Earth Wind & Fire generation of the Chicago scene! Titles include the amazing break "The Moving Finger" – worth the price of the album alone – plus "Dust", "Joyful Grass & Grape", "Heaven & Hell", "Wax & Wane", "Shadow Shapes", "For Some When Young", "Myself When Young", and "Drink". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic second album from this ultra-hip French combo – a group who effortlessly mix up jazz, funk, and global elements in the best cross-cultural tradition of the Parisian scene! Cotonete have been around for many years, even though they haven't given us many records – and it's clear from this set that their sound has gelled and evolved even more than before – no gimmicks or easy tricks on the record, and instead this really cohesive blend of keyboards from Florian Pellissier with trumpet, saxes, guitar, trombone, bass, and plenty of percussion! Guests include Omar, Leron Thomas, and Sabrina Malheiros – each of whom sing on a single track – and titles include "Satori", "La Derniere Guitare", "Bebete Vaobora", "Venezuela", "Cinq Pour L'Aventure", and "What Did You Run For". (Deep Funk, Jazz) CD

A fantastic second album from this ultra-hip French combo – a group who effortlessly mix up jazz, funk, and global elements in the best cross-cultural tradition of the Parisian scene! Cotonete have been around for many years, even though they haven't given us many records – and it's clear from this set that their sound has gelled and evolved even more than before – no gimmicks or easy tricks on the record, and instead this really cohesive blend of keyboards from Florian Pellissier with trumpet, saxes, guitar, trombone, bass, and plenty of percussion! Guests include Omar, Leron Thomas, and Sabrina Malheiros – each of whom sing on a single track – and titles include "Satori", "La Derniere Guitare", "Bebete Vaobora", "Venezuela", "Cinq Pour L'Aventure", and "What Did You Run For". (Deep Funk, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

One of Miles' last great albums – a soundtrack composed in conjunction with Marcus Miller, and recorded with a mix of atmospheric electronics and trumpet solos, coming off in a way that sounds far better than most of his other attempts at this style from the time. Miller plays all the other instruments in the set, apart from some occasional guest work by players that include John Scofield, Earl Klugh, Omar Hakim, and Jason Miles. Titles include "Conchita", "Lament", "Los Feliz", "Lost In Madrid", "Siesta", "Kitt's Kiss", and "Wind". CD

The sound here is definitely timeless, thanks to some always-strong work on piano from Don Friedman – one of those players who first shone brightly in the early 60s, then dropped off the radar for many years – but has reemerged lately with a new level of brilliance in his work! Friedman's touch on the piano is confident and compelling – still prone to some of the nicely bright and round tones of earlier years, but also imbued with a stronger sense of presence that well suits the rhythm team of John Patitucci on bass and Omar Hakim on drums. Titles include "Star Eyes", "Alone Together", "Emily", "Turn Out The Stars", "What Is This Thing Called Love", and "Body & Soul". CD

Hank Jones on piano, John Patitucci on bass and Omar Hakim on drums. CD

The second set of jazzy jam tracks from Roy Hargrove's RH Factor – following very nicely on the style of the first! Hargrove's funky trumpet is very firmly in the lead of the set – pushing the group through a sound that's tightly percussive at the bottom, but which also has a lot of complicated horn parts on the top. There's traces of New Orleans, Afro Funk, and New York grooves in the set – but the overall approach is also pretty laidback, open, and personal to the group. We really love the mellow grooving soul of the title cut "Strength" – which features lead vocals by Renee Neufville and piano by the great Bernard Wright – and other tracks include a remake of "Listen Here", plus "Rich Man's Welfare" and "Bop Drop". Also includes a bonus "Bigga Than You Know It Is" mix of "Universe", and a "Soulfest Vocal Remix of "For Fun", featuring Omar! (Neo Soul, Jazz) CD

A really fantastic record from vibist Khan Jamal – a musician who sometimes plays in a more intimate setting, but who here rises with a great sense of righteous power, in just the sort of group that can help him find new energy and soul in his music! The lineup is wonderful – with both alto and flute from Byard Lancaster, percussion from Omar Hill, piano from Bernard Sammul, bass from Reggie Curry, and drums from Dwight James – plus a bit of work from Sunny Murray on drums and Clifton Burton on harmonica on one track – all players who really hit that perfect Philly mix of spiritual jazz and soul, avant freedom and greater group focus! Jamal plays a bit of marimba next to his vibes – and all titles are nice and long originals, done for the date – including "The Known Unknown", "The Angry Young Men", "Nubian Queen", "Infinity", and "Lovely Afternoon". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe the most ambitious album from Myele Manzanza to date – a set that's exploding with contributions from a great range of guests – singers who include Omar, Rosie Frater Taylor, China Moses, and Wallace – next to a great array of keyboard work from Lewis Moody! Myele handles drums and percussion, plus a bit of keys – but the sound of the record is more soul than before, and definitely in the post-jazz mode of other recent work on the London scene – co-produced and mixed by Moody, with tracks that include "Gone Up In Flames", "Silencing The Sun", "wasted Time", "Unfold", "Crisis & Opportunity", and "Falling Fast". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Eli Fountain, Freddie Waits, Joe Chambers, Max Roach, Omar Clay, Ray Mantilla, Roy Brooks, and Warren Smith. CD

A collection of solo and group tracks from William Parker featuring Luis Ramierez, Isaiah Parker, Gabriel Nunez, Omar Payano and Todd Nicholson. CD

An early gem from keyboardist Carlos Franzetti – a mid 70s session done with a really ambitious sound, and easily one of Franzetti's most righteous recordings ever! At the time of the set, Carlos was fresh on the New York scene from years in his native Argentina – but he's working here with a host of American players to craft a record of boundless soul and imagination – in a style that mixes free solo work on keyboards and saxes with added strings on many tracks, and a few choice vocals that really expand the set. There's a sound here that almost reminds us of the mix of modes used by another Argentinian, Gato Barbieri, in some of his best work of the period – but Franzetti's approach is much more in a spiritual soul jazz mode than Gato's, yet it shares a similar optimism and ability to freely combine styles. Players on the session include Omar Clay on drums, Marvin Blackman on soprano and tenor sax, Kenny Rogers on flute, and Ray Mantilla on congas – and voices are by Mel Dancy and Gayle Dixon Clay. Titles include "Southamelodic", "In The Dawn Of Time", "Prime Element", "Lola", "Aldebaran", "Norma Jean", "Shave & Haircut", and "Alborada". Originally only out on the Argentinian Trova label – beautifully presented here! CD

A later percussion ensemble album by Max Roach – one done in the style of some of his earlier 60s percussion experiments, but with a fuller scope, and a more serious feel overall. The ensemble was first formed in 1970, but recorded here with a very ambitious tone as part of Columbia's classical/jazz crossover experiments of the late 70s – with percussionists that include Omar Clay, Roy Brooks, Fred King, Ray Mantilla, Warren Smith, Freddie Waits, and Joe Chambers. Titles have a variety of styles – some more tribal, some more jazz-based, and others with almost a 20th century avant feel. Tunes include "Onomatopoeia", "Glorious Monster", "January V", "Caravanserai", "Rumble In The Jungle", and "Epistrophy". CD

Angelica Sanchez on piano, Chris Speed on tenor sax and clarinet, Ben Goldberg on contra alto clarinet, Omar Tamez on guitar, John Hebert on bass, and others. CD

John Scofield's still plenty warm on the tones of his guitar – even though the record's got some sharp electric action in an 80s fusion mode – thanks to both acoustic drums and beats from Omar Hakim! The lineup has John's guitar dancing nicely with that airy sense of space he first developed in the 70s – a warmly chromatic mode that brings a sense of humanity to the record right from the start – and which gets equally soulful support from Don Gronick on keyboards. Tracks include "Techno", "High & Mighty", "Still Warm", "Rule Of Thumb", and "Protocol". CD

John Scofield's still plenty warm on the tones of his guitar – even though the record's got some sharp electric action in an 80s fusion mode – thanks to both acoustic drums and beats from Omar Hakim! The lineup has John's guitar dancing nicely with that airy sense of space he first developed in the 70s – a warmly chromatic mode that brings a sense of humanity to the record right from the start – and which gets equally soulful support from Don Gronick on keyboards. Tracks include "Techno", "High & Mighty", "Still Warm", "Rule Of Thumb", and "Protocol". LP, Vinyl record album

A true treasure from this righteous Philly collective – a group who only issued one album in the 70s, and who finally double their catalog with the release of this rare performance from 1973! Sounds Of Liberation have this all-star lineup of musicians who did great work in Philadelphia and elsewhere – with Khan Jamal on vibes, Monette Sudler on guitar, and Omar Hill and Rashid Salim on percussion – working alongside some great work on flute and alto from Byard Lancaster, heavy bass from Billy Mills, and just the right touch of drums from Dwight James! The style here is maybe tighter, and occasionally more funky than on their one self-titled album – but the group also stretch out strongly too – hitting all the right spots in this forward-thinking blend of spiritual jazz modes, of the sort that would have made them a huge 70s ensemble, had they held on and found the right venue. Titles include the extended "New Horizon", plus "Badi", "Sweet Evil Mist", "Thoughts", and "Keno". CD

Featured guests include Chieli Minucci, George Jinda, Omar Hakim, Mark Egan, Dave Weckl, Michael Bearden, Robbie Kondor, Szakcshi, and Bemshi. LP, Vinyl record album

Art Blakey at the Keystone Korner – really rattling the rafters with a great lineup that includes Bobby Watson on alto sax, David Schnitter on tenor, and Valery Ponomarev on trumpet! Although the Shorter/Morgan lineup is always hailed as one of Blakey's best, we're also pretty partial to this great late 70s stretch of The Jazz Messengers – as it shows some wonderful early flowering of Watson's alto, and his songwriting abilities; Ponomarev's well-blown trumpet lines; and Schnitter's crisp, sharp lines on tenor – always carved out with a great depth of feeling. Add to the mix some great piano from James Williams, and bass from Dennis Irwin, and you've got a great lineup next to Blakey's drums – all working together in a rough-edged, hard soul space on tracks that include "Pamela", "Unlimited", "Dark Side Light Side", "Blues For Two", and "In This Korner". LP, Vinyl record album

Art Blakey at the Keystone Korner – really rattling the rafters with a great lineup that includes Bobby Watson on alto sax, David Schnitter on tenor, and Valery Ponomarev on trumpet! Although the Shorter/Morgan lineup is always hailed as one of Blakey's best, we're also pretty partial to this great late 70s stretch of The Jazz Messengers – as it shows some wonderful early flowering of Watson's alto, and his songwriting abilities; Ponomarev's well-blown trumpet lines; and Schnitter's crisp, sharp lines on tenor – always carved out with a great depth of feeling. Add to the mix some great piano from James Williams, and bass from Dennis Irwin, and you've got a great lineup next to Blakey's drums – all working together in a rough-edged, hard soul space on tracks that include "Pamela", "Unlimited", "Dark Side Light Side", "Blues For Two", and "In This Korner". CD also features the bonus track "1977 AD". CD

A beautiful big band set from the great Art Blakey – but one that's got all the sharp focus of his small group sides by the Jazz Messengers! The lineup here is a great one – that very vibrant early 80s version of Blakey's group with Bobby Watson on alto sax, Bill Pierce on tenor, and James Williams on piano – augmented by Kevin Eubanks on guitar, Valerie Ponomarev on trumpet, and the Marsalis brothers rounding out the set with some extra horn work! The sound is strong and proud, and handled by Blakey with a tightness that's similar to his smaller group work of the time – but with a power that's simply incredible – especially when Watson's presence is made known on his tunes "Wheel Within A Wheel", "Linwood", and "Bit A Bittadose". Also features a take on Williams' "Minor Thesis". LP, Vinyl record album

Two different slices of Art Blakey – served up here in a 3CD set! Moanin isn't the Blue Note album of the same name, but a fantastic live set from 1968 – recorded after Blakey's classic Blue Note years, but with a group of fantastic players that includes a young Billy Harper on tenor, Ronnie Matthews on piano, and Julian Priester on trombone. Harper alone is worth the price of the CD – as his firey solos are great, and the whole album's an excellent peek at his early career! There's a sense of open freedom here that's quite different than the earlier Jazz Messengers groove – and this European date is a great complement to the better-known US live recording with the same group from the time. The set features a number of nice long tracks – like Slide Hampton's "Slide's Delight", Billy Harper's "Blues For Eros", Bobby Timmons' "Moanin", and the Jazz Messengers' standard "You Don't Know What Love Is". Sesjun Radio Shows 1 is fantastic radio performances from one of our favorite stretches of the legendary Jazz Messengers group – a time when the lineup featured a young Bobby Watson on alto and Valery Ponomarev on trumpet – two players who'd grow into fantastic leaders on their own, but who here help bring a lot of new life to the group! Watson is especially wonderful – contributing a few key compositions, and that soaring spirit in his horn, which really helped usher in a whole new generation for Blakey's group. James Williams is on piano too, and we actually love his work in this group more than on his later sets as a leader – and remaining players include David Schnitter on tenor on the first six tracks, and Billy Pierce on the horn on the remaining two – and either Dennis Irwin or Charles Fambrough on bass. Art's still the rock-solid core of the group – a tremendous leader who always gets fantastic performances out of young players – and titles include "ETA", "Dr J", "Free For All", "Along Came Betty", "ETA", and "Evaline". Sesjun Radio Shows 2 is live work from the great Art Blakey – a set that features two different performances from two really great groups! The first two cuts are from 1980 – from a time when the Jazz Messengers features up and coming 80s giants Bobby Watson on alto, Valery Ponomarev on trumpet, Billy Pierce on tenor, James Williams on piano, and Charles Fambrough on bass – all young musicians who'd evolve into leaders on their own in a few short years after these recordings, but who really sparkle here under Blakey's leadership! The cuts feature a great take on the Williams tune "1977 AD", and a long version of the Jazz Messengers standard "Blues March". The last four tracks feature a slightly later group – still with Fambrough on bass, but including wonderful tenor and soprano sax work from Jean Toussaint, plus trumpet from Terence Blanchard, alto from Donald Harrison, and piano from Johnny O'Neal – an equally great lineup, but in a completely different way. Titles include a great take on the Fambrough tune "Little Man" – plus "Polka Dots & Moonbeams" and "Moanin". CD

Key proof that Art Blakey was still going strong in the late 70s – continuing his 60s legacy of working with the best young players he could find, in a setting that was bristling with sweet soul jazz energy! This version of The Jazz Messengers includes some tremendous players – including a young Bobby Watson on alto, the great David Schnitter on tenor, James Williams on piano, and Valery Ponomarev on trumpet – all grooving with Art in a style that steps nicely from the soulful Prestige Records years, when Blakey was leading the group with Woody Shaw and Carter Jefferson. Tracks are nearly all originals – loping and grooving with a soulful finish that's really wonderful, showing off equal parts of writing from nearly all corners of the group. The album's awash in soulful joy and love, and titles include "Reflections In Blue", "ETA", "Mishima", "Say Dr J", and "Stretching". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the few key recordings issued by baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff before his untimely early death – a tremendous little record that really helped redefine the place of his instrument in jazz! The album is one of a number produced by Stan Kenton for Capitol at the time, but it's far from the cooler jazz outings of other "Kenton Presents" sessions – a real Boston Blow up that has Serge standing starkly out front on the baritone, hitting some tremendous notes that show a command and dexterity on his instrument that few other players could match! Also noteworthy is the presence of the great Boots Mussulli on alto sax – a sharp-edge player with a lot of Charlie Mariano touches, and an artist who's rarely heard in a setting so stripped-down as this. Other artists include Herb Pomeroy on trumpet, Ray Santisi on piano, and Jimmy Zitano on drums – and titles include the original numbers "Kip", "Unison", "Bob The Robin", and "Sergical" – plus versions of "What's New", "Yesterday's Gardenias", and Jaki Byard's "Diane's Melody". CD features 3 bonus tracks that include "Boomareemaroja", plus long and short takes on "Herbs". CD

With Branford Marsalis on soprano sax, Omark Hakim on piano, Marcus Miller on bass, and Hugh Masekela on trumpet. CD

Roger Kellaway on piano, John Goldsby on bass, Terry Clarke on drums, and Valery Ponomarev on trumpet. CD

Tenorist Eero Koivistoinen first rose to fame with a handful of groundbreaking records in the 70s – but in more recent years, he's reemerged with maybe an even sharper sound and bolder sense of his talents! The music here feels like that of a young artist spreading his wings and on fire with new ideas – brilliantly fresh tenor lines from the leader, but tied to a unified group sound that's every bit as great – work from Alexi Tuomarila on piano, Jorhi Huhtala on bass, and Jussi Lehtonen on drums – all lesser-known players from the Finnish scene, but who really follow the visionary lead of Koisivistoinen as he moves between equal moments of darkness and light! Titles include "Stammer", "Played Twice", "Casa De Ferro", "Kelo", "Body Language", "Hokum", and "Diversity". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Don Braden on tenor sax. CD

With Ben Riley on drums. CD

With Mike Karn on tenor saxophone, Sid Simmons on piano, Martin Zenker on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. CD

Valery Ponomarev, Chris Rogers, and Josh Evans on trumpet, Benny Golson, Peter Brainin, and Steve Harrington on tenor saxophone, Todd Bashore on alto saxophone, Corey Wallace on trombone, Mamiko Watanabe on piano, and Victor Jones on drums. CD

With Bob Berg on tenor saxophone, Sid Simmons on piano, Ken Walker on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. CD

... CD

With Mats Eilertsen on bass and Olavi Louhivuori on drums. CD

Features music from Bobby Watson, Denis DiBlasio, Mike Tomaro, Leo Potts, Willie Hill, and Dave Sletten. CD