A twin-tenor classic from the team of Al Cohn and Zoot Sims – one of the duo's best-remembered albums from their 50s years at RCA – and a perfect blend of their talent for individual improvisation and unified ensemble energy! The album boasts 2 different groups – one with Hank Jones on piano, Milt Hinton on bass, and Osie Johnson on drums; the other with Dick Sherman on trumpet, Dave McKenna on piano, and the rhythm team of Hinton and Johnson – but the main focus is on Al and Zoot throughout, both blowing these lines that are crisp and modern, yet filled with soul – especially on Sims' passages, which break free a bit more than some of the other RCA jazz sessions of the time. Titles include "My Blues", "More Bread", "Sherm's Terms", "From A To Z", "Crimea River", and "Mediolistic". CD

A massive set of music recorded for RCA in 1955 – five classic albums, all featuring shifting lineups of players related to the Count Basie Band! The style here is often a bit more modern than most Basie work, but still also shows an undeniably strong sense of rhythm – one that comes into play wonderfully with the tighter RCA approach to hornwork of the 50s – which often brings out some of the sharper edges of the players. Although the material's been partially issued separately over the years, this complete Mosaic package is a real delight through and through – as it brings together all albums in one set, showing shared players and a very similar sensibility running through all the record. Albums include The Natural Seven, led by Al Cohn on tenor and featuring Joe Newman on trumpet and Freddie Green on guitar; Mr Rhythm, led by guitarist Green, and featuring Newman, Cohn, and trombonist Henry Coker; Lullaby Of Birdland, a leaderless date with Newman, Cohn, and Green, plus Frank Rehak on trombone and Ernie Wilkins on alto; I'm Still Swinging, led by newman with Cohn on tenor, Urbie Green on trombone, and Gene Quill on alto; and The Jazz Workshop Four Brass One Tenor – a set that has Cohn's tenor with trumpets from Newman, Thad Jones, Joe Wilder, Bernie Glow, Phil Sunkel, and Nick Travis – each playing in shifting lineups. The package features a whopping 61 tracks in all – and the usual thorough Mosaic notes! CD

A classic set of interlocking tenor work from 3 giants who made up the best part of Woody Herman's classic 4 horn lineup – Al Cohn, Bill Perkins, and Richie Kamuca – all coming together here in small group formation! The album's a wonderful example of the way that the hornplay of the larger Herman group had an influence on the smaller combos of the west coast scene – and Perkins and Kamuca are especially great here, working with a strong sense of precision, but also some nice humanity in their tone. Other group members include either Jimmy Raney or Barry Galbraith on guitar, Hank Jones on piano, John Beal on bass, and Chuck Flores on drums – and titles include "Cap Snapper", "Pro Ex", "Hags", "Gay Blade", and "The Walrus". This CD offers up the complete sessions, and features a number of extra tracks! CD

A live album with Steve Coleman on alto saxophone, David Murray on tenor saxophone, Andy Milne on keyboards and piano, Reggie Washington on bass, and Gene Lake on drums. CD

With Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Vijay Iyer on keys, Miya Masaoka on koto, and vocals from Yassir Chadly. CD

That's "Take Ten", not "Take Five" – a great title cut that echoes Paul Desmond's previous work with Dave Brubeck – but which then gives way quickly to some sweet bossa-styled grooves done with guitar from Jim Hall! The album's one of the strongest of the Hall/Desmond collaborations for RCA – A sublime showcase not just for Paul's impeccable alto, but also for the amazing tones and chromes that fly freely from the strings of Jim's guitar! Both players are set up with just a bit of gentle backing – light percussion from Connie Kay, and a bit of bass from Gene Cherico or Gene Wright. The whole thing's a well-conceived study in economy, as the two players craft sly and subtle lines around spare drum and bass backings – slowly hanging sound in space to weave a rich web of sound that's as compelling as it seems to be effortless! Titles include "Take Ten", "El Prince", "Embarcadero", "Samba De Orfeu", "Theme From Black Orpheus", and "Alone Together". CD

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With Dave Douglas on trumpet, Chris Potter on tenor sax and bass clarinet, Uri Caine on electric piano, James Genus on bass, and Clarence Penn on drums. CD

Dave Douglas on trumpet, Chris Speed on clarinet and tenor saxophone, Joshua Roseman on trombone, Greg Tardy on clarinet, bass clarinet and tenor saxophone, Uri Caine on piano, James Genus on bass, and Joey Baron on drums. Tracks are a mix of originals and compositions by Mary Lou Williams. CD

Dave Douglas on trumpet, Mark Feldman on violin, Guy Klucevsek on accordion, and Greg Cohen on bass. CD

A nicely understated session that was recorded in honor of Billy Strayhorn – who'd passed away a few months before the recording. The set features all classic Strayhorn compositions – played in new versions by Duke and a group that includes Clark Terry, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Aaron Bell, and Jimmy Hamilton. The recording quality is great, and the sound of the album really makes old classics sparkle nicely once again! Titles include "UMMG", "Blood Count", "Boo Dah", "Rain Check", "Day Dream", "All Day Long", and "Lotus Blossom", done in a haunting solo piano version by Duke! LP, Vinyl record album

A nicely understated session that was recorded in honor of Billy Strayhorn – who'd passed away a few months before the recording. The set features all classic Strayhorn compositions – played in new versions by Duke and a group that includes Clark Terry, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Aaron Bell, and Jimmy Hamilton. The recording quality is great, and the sound of the album really makes old classics sparkle nicely once again! Titles include "UMMG", "Blood Count", "Boo Dah", "Rain Check", "Day Dream", "All Day Long", and "Lotus Blossom", done in a haunting solo piano version by Duke!. Includes the bonus tracks "Raincheck (take 4)", Smada (takes 3 & 4)", "Midriff", "My Little Brown Book" & "Lotus Blossom (trio version)'. CD

A massive selection of songs from the same period as Ellington's album of the same name. With a whole bunch of his classic players, including Billy Strayhorn, Johnny Hodges, Ray Nance, Al Hibbler, Oscar Pettiford, and many more. Tracks include "Work Song", "Come Sundday", "The Blues", "Three Dancers", "I Ain't Got Nothin But The Blues", "I'm Beginning To See The Light", "I Didn't Know About You", "Mood To Be Woo'd", "Prelude To A Kiss", "Caravan", "Everything But You", "Mood Indigo", "Sophisticated Lady", "Solitude", "Black Beauty", "Balcony Serenade", "Tell Ya What I'm Gonna Do", "Come To Baby, Do!", "I'm Just A Lucky So-And-So", "Suddenly It Jumped", "A Gathering In A Clearing", "You Don't Love Me No More", "Back Home Again In Indiana", "Just You, Just Me", "Beale Street blues", "Transblucency", "My Honey's Lovin Arms", "Memphis Blues", "St Louis Blues", "Midriff", and "I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You". CD

With Brock Peters, Esther Marrow, Jimmy McPhail, Bunny Bridges, and the Herman McCoy Choir. LP, Vinyl record album

Classic 30s Ellington for Bluebird – with Cootie Williams on trumpet, Juan Tizol on trombone, Johnny Hodges on alto and soprano sax, and Harry Carney on baritone and clarinet. LP, Vinyl record album

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Features 53 tracks on 3 CDs and some great work from the massive Centennial CD box set! CD

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With Mercer Ellington, Money Johnson, Johnny Coles, and Barry Lee Hall on trumpets; Vince Prudente, Art Baron, and Chuck Connors on trombone; Harry Carney, Harold Ashby, Russell Procope, Geezil Minerve, and Percy Marion on reeds; Joe Benjamin on bass; Rocky White on drums; and Anita Moore and Money Johnson on vocals. LP, Vinyl record album

One of Ellington's greatest albums of the 60s – and a record tinged with Eastern themes and darkly angular modern arrangements. The group here features Ellington stalwarts Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, and Rufus Jones – and the players work together tightly to craft the suite of tracks based on Ellington's impressions of recent travels through the Mid and Far East during the 60s. Titles include "Tourist Point Of View", "Isfahan", "Depk", "Mount Harissa", "Amad", "Agra", and "Blue Pepper". CD

One of Ellington's greatest albums of the 60s – and a record tinged with Eastern themes and darkly angular modern arrangements. The group here features Ellington stalwarts Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, and Rufus Jones – and the players work together tightly to craft the suite of tracks based on Ellington's impressions of recent travels through the Mid and Far East during the 60s. Titles include "Tourist Point Of View", "Isfahan", "Depk", "Mount Harissa", "Amad", "Agra", and "Blue Pepper". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Ellington's greatest albums of the 60s – and a record tinged with Eastern themes and darkly angular modern arrangements. The group here features Ellington stalwarts Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, and Rufus Jones – and the players work together tightly to craft the suite of tracks based on Ellington's impressions of recent travels through the Mid and Far East during the 60s. Titles include "Tourist Point Of View", "Isfahan", "Depk", "Mount Harissa", "Amad", "Agra", and "Blue Pepper". LP, Vinyl record album

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With Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard, Al Sears, Ben Webster, Ray Nance, Al Hibbler, Ivie Anderson, and Kay Davis. LP, Vinyl record album

With Cootie Williams, Tricky Sam Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard, and Harry Carney. CD

A beautiful 60s album from Duke Ellington – one that features some of his more popular numbers, as you'd guess by the title – but captured in these sublime, sophisticated arrangements that really reflect the genius sound of his group during the later years! The tracks are familiar, and the arrangements are maybe never too way out – but they're also these mini-masterpieces in color and tone – carried off by a fantastic group of all-stars who've matured and grown as much as the Duke himself – Cootie Williams and Cat Anderson on trumpets, Lawrence Brown and Buster Cooper on trombones, Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet, Johnny Hodges on alto, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, and Harry Carney on piano. There's a darkness in Duke's piano that's maybe missing from earlier versions of this material – that great modern undercurrent of the late years – and titles include "Black & Tan Fantasy", "The Twitch", "Perdido", "Solitude", "The Mooche", "Creole Love Call", "Take The A Train", and "Sophisticated Lady". CD

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Recorded in Westminster Abbey, with some really fantastic sound – featuring guest vocals by Alice Babs! LP, Vinyl record album

A collection of Duke's signature tunes spanning two decades – with "Black And Tan Fantasy", "The Mooche", "Ring Dem Bells", "Mood Indigo", "Solitude", "Take The A Train", "Perdido", "C Jam Blues", "Caravan", "Sophisticated Lady", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Special material recorded live for this album at a Jazz Piano Workshop in Pittsburgh. LP, Vinyl record album

Gil plays Jimi? Sounds like a gimmick, but it comes off pretty darn great – and it helps you forgive him for trying to convince the kids that he's not as old as his grey hair might make you think! As always with Evans, the key to the album is a beautiful balance between the strength of the players and vision of the arrangements – a hip mix of musicians who include Billy Harper on tenor and flute, Marvin Hannibal Peterson on trumpet, and both Ryo Kawasaki and John Abercrombie on guitars! Arrangements are great too – handled by Tom Malone, Warren Smith, and Howard Johnson – all of whom make the album way more than just an instrumental reading of Jimi Hendrix tunes – and instead a great platform for improvisation that uses tunes that include "Up From The Skies", "Foxy Lady", "Gypsy Eyes", "Voodoo Chile", "Angel", "Crosstown Traffic", and "Castles Made of Sand". Plus, the CD features 4 bonus alternate tracks – not on the original album! CD

A dream band indeed – as the set features Maynard working with some excellent players who manage to come together tightly as a unit, then break out in really strong and hard-blown solos! Even in these early recordings, the style of the Ferguson group is firmly in place – incredible tightness, but a real respect for the soloists – and a power to kick it louder and larger than even in a small group setting. Players include Herb Geller, Al Cohn, Hank Jones, Budd Johnson, and Ernie Wilkins – and titles on this first volume include "Maynard The Fox", "The Wailing Boat", "Somebody Wants Me Down There", "Little Girl Kimbi", and "Button Nose". CD

Great RCA comp of Dizzy's earlier bop sides for the label, many of which came out first only as singles! Titles include "Anthropology", "Jumpin With Symphony Sid", "Ool Ya Koo", "Duff Capers", "I'll Be Boppin Too", and "Guarachi Guaro" – the precursor to "Soul Sauce"! LP, Vinyl record album

Great RCA comp of Dizzy's earlier bop sides for the label, many of which came out first only as singles. Tracks include all the classics like "Cubana Be", "Cubana Bop", "Manteca", "Night in Tunisia", and a whole bunch more that you've heard him reprise a million times on later albums, but which are laid out here in their (mostly) original recordings. Great bop classics, and a nice cover of Dizzy with his head in his hands. LP, Vinyl record album

(78 RPM, Jazz) 78 RPM, Vinyl record

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Trio and quartet work from Benny Goodman featuring pianist Teddy Wilson and drummer Gene Krupa plus Lionel Hampton on vibes. CD

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A great return to form for George Handy – working here with a hip lineup that includes Allen Eager on tenor, Dave Schildkraut on alto, Kai Winding on trombone, and Ernie Royal on trumpet! LP, Vinyl record album

Less of a jazz album than some of Eddie's other records – but that's ok with us! As a soul album, the record's actually pretty darn great – arranged and produced by Richard Evans with a late Chicago soul approach that has Eddie's funky sax stepping amidst some larger orchestrations and some occasional female vocal choruses. There's still plenty of cool Harris touches on the material – like odd instrumentation that creeps in from time to time, making for an exotic feel – and titles include "The Loneliest Monk", "Theme For The Foxy Ladies", "You Stole My Heart", "I'm Tired Of Driving", "You Are The One", "Two Times Two Equals Love", and "What's Wrong With The World Today". LP, Vinyl record album

An unusual session from Hampton Hawes – recorded in Tokyo during the late 60s, and issued as sort of a one-off album for RCA in the 70s. The album's got a lot of sensitivity on the recording tip, with excellent acoustics, and a warm sense of production that brings out all of the beautiful tones that Hampton gets from the instrument. The tracks are mostly short, with a mix of originals and standards. Cuts include "Tokyo Blues", "Young People's Tune", "Shinjuku", and "Summertime". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful late album from Coleman Hawkins – recorded in 1956 with the orchestra of Billy Byers, including soloists Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and Hank Jones. Coleman's the main blower, though – and the arrangements have a solid base that lets him open up in that exploratory tone he was crafting during the time. And although tracks are short, there's a heck of a lot of soul packed into them – recorded with impeccable quality, much more so than earlier sides. Titles include "I Never Knew", "Bean & The Boys", "The Essence of You", "Have You Met Miss Jones", "Dinner For One Please, James", and "I'm Shooting High". Plus, the CD features 8 bonus tracks – all unreleased extra takes! CD

A vintage performance from the Verve years – featuring a small group with Harry Carney on baritone, Lawrence Brown on trombone, and Ray Nance on cornet! CD

Includes the tracks "Day Dream", " Good Queen Bess (take 1 & 2)", "That's The Blues", "Old Man", "Junior Hop", "Squaty Roo", " Passion Flower", "Things Ain't What They Used To Be", "Going Out The Back Way", " Never No Lament (Don't Get Around Much Anymore)", "Blue Goose", "In A Mellowtone", "Warm Valley", "After All", "The Giddybug Gallop", "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)", "Clementine", "Moon Mist", "Sentimental Lady", "Come Sunday", " Mood To Be Woo'd", and "Rockaby River (Hop, Skip, Jump)". CD

A split LP with Johnny Hodges and his orchestra on side one and Rex Stewart and orchestra on side two. LP, Vinyl record album

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One of the lesser-known JJ Johnson albums of the mid 60s – and nice little session that's done with a fresh sort of style! The album's got JJ playing mostly with larger arrangements – penned by Dick Hyman, Slide Hampton, and Billy Byaers – in modes that range from upbeat, mod, and swinging – to mellow, lush, and soulful. A few cuts have vocalists – like the lovely Marlene Ver Planck, who sings wordlessly on the album's amazing groover "Pense A Moi" – a sweetly skipping jazz waltz that's almost worth the price of the record alone! Marlene returns on a great version of "Agua De Beber", and Osie Johnson sings on versions of "The Seventh Son" and "In The Name Of Love" – and other nice tracks include "008", "Feeling Good", and "G'Won Train". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the few American releases by this legendary Japanese fusion artist – and a pretty funky little record as well! Ryo Kawasaki plays lead guitar and the very cool "string synthesizer" on the set – making for a sweet mix of electric grooves that has some really great spacey touches! Tracks have a core funky base at the bottom – grooving in a mode that's tight, but never too slick – and which allows just the right amount of space to make the album work in equal parts electric jazz and funky fusion. The whole thing's great, and tracks include the great sample cut "Bamboo Child", the nice break cut "Raisins", plus other nice groovers like "East Side Boogie", and "El Toro". LP, Vinyl record album

Dynamic sounds from this overlooked 60s leader – played in a sharp mix of swing and modern styles – with work from Levitt on trombone, plus Bill Berry on trumpet, Buzz Renn on alto and flute, George Marge on tenor and flute, and Gene Allen on baritone and bass clarinet! LP, Vinyl record album

Tight hard swinging big band set, with really complicated arrangements and some great writing. Not all of the players are names you'll recognize, but Levitt's talent for arrangement and leadership ensure a tight tight band, and the album wails nicely. Tracks include "Stop Those Men!", "Vera Cruz", "Insight", and "The Mayor Of Vermont Village". Levitt's always talked about in hipster musician circles. Get this and find out why. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best records we've ever heard from pianist Lou Levy – a record that steps past the simple format of earlier records, into a style that's slightly modern, and very cool – thanks to the addition of vibes to his usual trio format. Larry Bunker plays vibes on the record, and rhythm's by Stan Levy and Leroy Vinnegar – both of whom hip things up nicely, and give the album a soulful bottom that offsets Levy's sprightly piano lines in a wonderful way. A real delight, even on the familiar tunes – and titles include "Gray Fox", "Tune Up", "Without You", "Wail Street", "Star Eyes", "Imagination", and "Indiana". LP, Vinyl record album

A strong mid 50s trio outing from west coast pianist Lou Levy – recorded under the supervision of Shorty Rogers during his time working with RCA. The set's got a harder-swinging edge than you might expect – and grooves in the manner of some of Levy's other fine mid 50s work – thanks to excellent accompaniment from Max Bennett on bass and Stan Levy on drums. Lou's work on the keys really pushes things nicely – hitting some unexpected gutbuckety tones, and working with a bluesy undercurrent that's a far cry from his west coast roots. Titles include "Apartment 17", "Yesterdays", "Angel Eyes", "Lou's Blues", "How About You", and "Woody N Lou". LP, Vinyl record album

A bit of an obscure session, but the first of John Lewis' works for a larger jazz orchestra – recorded with a lineup that includes larger strings and woodwinds next to rhythm backing by Percy Heath and Connie Kay of the MJQ! The tracks are all longer originals arranged by Lewis – except for one track orchestrated by Gunther Schuller – and the album's especially noteworthy for its extensive solo work by British baritone saxophonist Ronnie Ross, a player who's been one of the great under-discovered sides of the European scene of the late 50s and 1960s for years – and who really steps out here in some wonderful moments. The only other major soloist on the set is flute player Gerry Weinkopf – who provides a nice lighter tone next to that of Ross. Titles include "Midsommer", "The Queen's Fancy", "Cortege", "Three Windows", "England's Carol", and "Two Degrees East Three Degrees West". LP, Vinyl record album

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Very early work from guitarist Mundell Lowe, and quite compelling, too – with small combo instrumentation that includes Phil Kraus on marimba and celeste, Stix Kahn on vibes, and either Sal Salvador or Don Arnone on second guitar. LP, Vinyl record album

A really amazing set from this ultra-cool quartet – a group that features lots of soulful reed work from Steve Marcus on tenor and soprano sax, plus smoking guitar lines from a young Sonny Sharrock! Sonny's funkier here than we've ever heard him before – and gets some strong inspiration from the bass of Miroslav Vitous and drums of Daniel Humair – the latter of whom also hits grooves we never would have expected – sometimes bold and avant, but sometimes very tight and rhythmic! The album's got four long tracks, all very much in the kind of trippy space between funky jazz and freer work you'd find on the Vortex albums of Steve Marcus – and titles include "The Echoes", "Green Line", and "Melvin". LP, Vinyl record album

Nice album from the 70s that brings together some of the beautiful jazz sides that Charlie Mariano cut while he was living in Japan with his (then) wife, pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi. The record's split up into two sets of tracks – one is a series of compositions from West Side Story that feature Mariano's icy alto playing in beautiful light, free lines. The other set's comprised up of 2 longer, later tracks – "Haru-No-Umi" and "Stone Garden Of Ryoan Temple" – both of which show Charlie in a haunting experimental period, and playing a number of different reed instruments, in addition to his usual alto. If you're a bit fan of Mariano (and we're huge fans of his), the record is an essential collection of some great rare stuff by him. LP, Vinyl record album

A rare electric outing from legendary altoist Jackie McLean – and one that comes off surprisingly well, given that the move was quite a shift for the reedman! The album's got a spiritual current that McLean developed in some of his earlier 70s material – like his gems for the Steeplechase label – but also mixes in some funky fusion elements too, in a blend that almost puts Jackie in the territory that Gary Bartz hit with his Music Is My Sanctuary album – another musician who made a similar shift at the time! Production is by Mitch Farber, who also wrote most tracks – and Jackie really holds his own in the setting! Titles include the classic funk numbers "On the Slick Side" and "Long Time Lover" – plus "Gotta Get A Piece Of Your Soul", "The Molimo", and "Dr Jeckyll & Mr Funk". CD

A great little session of chamber-type jazz – and the only record we've ever seen by drummer Freddy Merkle. The set is very much in the manner of some of the other tightly-arranged RCA sessions from the mid 50s – with a style that's kind of "New York modern", in a similar mode to the work of Hal McKusick. Pianist Bill Potts wrote and arranged the sessions, and most tracks are relatively short, but still have strong breakaway solos. Half the material's played by a 10-tet, and the rest are played by Merkle's core quintet, with Potts on piano and Earl Swope on trombone. Titles include "Proto Cool", "Shhhh!", "DC Current", "Lunch Box", "Pernod 806", and "Pottsville, USA". CD

The title sort of gives the whole thing away – so we'll just tell you that Glenn's playing versions of "Tuxedo Junction", "St Louis Blues", "In The Mood", "String Of Pearls", "Little Brown Jug", and "American Patrol". LP, Vinyl record album

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Oh how we love this one! This killer 2LP set takes one of Mingus' best-ever records, and makes it even better! The original Tijuana Moods album was recorded in 1957 but not released until 1962 – and the record features one of Mingus' strongest groups ever, with Shafi Hadi on alto and Clarence (aka Gene) Shaw on trumpet. If you've ever had any doubts about Mingus, this album will blow your mind! This great double set features original takes and alternate ones for every track on the album, including "Dizzy Moods", "Ysabel's Tabel Dance", and "Tijuana Gift Shop". 10 tracks in all – and one of the best bunches of Mingus you can buy! LP, Vinyl record album

Oh how we love this album – and we think it may well be the best album ever from Charles Mingus! The set was recorded in that magical Mingus year of 1957, but oddly not released until 1962 – missing some of the initial frenzy of his discovery during the Atlantic and Columbia years. But the album's actually a treasure that predates the better-known latter sides – with a sharpness and intensity that Mingus hardly ever matched again! The group is one of his strongest ever – with Shafi Hadi on alto, Clarence Shaw on trumpet, Jimmy Knepper on trombone, and Bill Triglia on piano. There's a slight Latin vibe, as you might expect from the title – but it's very slight overall, and most of the tunes are in that sharply angular, fully expressive style that flowered most strongly for Mingus in the late 50s. There's not a wasted moment of music on the whole album – with tight solos and incredible rhythms that dominate every second of the extended tracks – and titles include "Dizzy Moods", "Flamingo", "Los Mariachis", "Ysabel's Tabel Dance", and "Tijuana Gift Shop". Plus, this 2CD set features a whopping 19 tracks added to the original album – with the bonus "A Colloquial Dream (aka Scenes In The City)", plus many alternates, breakdowns, and partial takes. A fitting tribute to this amazing album! CD

A pretty swinging batch of tracks that are very much in the same vein as Buddy Morrow's crime jazz LPs cut for RCA at the end of the 50s! The album features all TV themes from the time, most of them detective ones – like "Richard Diamond", "Perry Mason", "Naked City", "Sea Hunt", "Peter Gunn", and "Riff Blues" – plus a few others from westerns or other action shows. In all, the set's a very strong one in the style – with a blaring hard sound that must have been great to hear coming out of a tinny little speaker on an old black & white TV! (Now Sound, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

Groovy instrumentals by a combo led by pianist Page Cavanaugh, and featuring Bob Jung on baritone and alto, Jack Sperling on drums, John Pisano on guitar, and Don Bagley on bass! LP, Vinyl record album

Rare pre-Verve material from the great Oscar Peterson – a host of early tracks recorded for RCA in the 50s! If you think that Peterson only emerged fully-formed in the hands of Norman Granz during the 50s, then think again – because this work really shows a young player already hitting tremendous heights – full, fluid, and very commanding – at a level that's kind of a rougher around the edges version of his Verve years – but in a great way! Peterson echoes some of his predecessors a bit – and you can hear a bit more proximity to Erroll Garner or Eddie Heywood in the way he embraces the rhythms with his solos – but the overall presentation is still pure Oscar. Titles include "China Boy", "I Got Rhythm", "My Blue Heaven", "Honeydripper", "Humoresque", and "The Sheik Of Araby". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the few Bud Powell sessions cut for RCA, but a brilliantly swinging date that has the pianist working at the height of his powers! There's an edge here that comes through right from the start – an off kilter vibe in both Bud's tone, and even in the way he's vocalizing joyously in the background at a few spots – not singing, but exclaiming – at a level that really helps you feel how much he owns the piano while he's performing! Dark pockets and sharp angles pervade – while still swinging right down the middle – balanced off perfectly with work from Art Taylor on drums and George Duvivier on bass. Tremendous all the way through – and different than Bud's work for Verve and Blue Note – in a really compelling way. Titles include "Another Dozen", "Like Someone In Love", "She", "Oblivion", "Swedish Pastry", and "Birdland Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Shorty's best albums for RCA, and an album of hard-driving jazz by The Giants that's comparable to some of the great work they did in the soundtrack to Man With The Golden Arm. The group includes Shorty, Bil Holman, Richie Kamuca, Paul Horn, Bud Shank, and the Candoli Brothers – and titles (all written by Robert Allen) includes "Lilac Chiffon", "Who Needs You", "No Such Luck", "Chances Are", "Very Special Love", and "Teacher, Teacher". Very swinging, as the title says! LP, Vinyl record album

A 31 track collection pulled from sessions in 1953 and 1954, featuring Shorty Rogers with His Giants and His Orchestra, with personnel that includes Art Pepper, Jimmy Giuffre, Hanpton Hawes, Shelly Manne, Pete Candoli, Bob Cooper, Marty Paich, Curtis Counce, Bud Shank, Herb Geller, Zoot Sims, and many more! LP, Vinyl record album

Features Coleman Hawkins on tenor, Herbie Hancock on piano, and Jim Hall on guitar. Tracks include "Yesterdays", "Summertime", "Now's The Time", and "My One And Only Love". CD

A landmark album from Sonny Rollins – one that marked his comeback in the early 60s, after a brief period of retirement, and which also initiated a string of incredible recordings with guitarist Jim Hall. Given Hall's gentleness and spare modernity on the guitar, a fan of Rollins' hard-blowing late 50s sessions might not expect the album to work – but instead, it sets up his playing in a whole new mode that brings out a leaner, more confident, more sophisticated solo mode that shows that his time woodshedding in retirement was well spent. Rollins playing is impeccable, with a maturity not heard in his late 50's work, and the whole album is a beautiful study in measured, thoughtful soloing. Tracks include "John S.", "The Bridge", and "God Bless the Child". CD

A killer album from Sonny Rollins' prime 60s years at RCA – almost a return to basics, but always with that edge that makes Rollins stand out way more than most of his contemporaries – a subtle balance between straight and modern that really makes the album crackle! The album features Sonny working with Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter or Bob Cranshaw on bass, Roy McCurdy on drums – and a bit of welcome additional cornet from Thad Jones – sounding great here in a small group setting. Tracks are mostly jazz standards, but done with an incredible poise on the solos – completely transforming the tunes with Rollins' rich imagination! Titles include "52nd St Theme", "Round Midnight", "Four", "Afternoon In Paris", "St Thomas", and "I Remember Clifford". LP, Vinyl record album