At last! The work of this hard blowin' Chicago sax player's always been tough to get, but now this great comp by AVI pulls together 24 tracks of his best R&B sax work. Loads of great stuff, including "Tea Bird", "Fruit Boots", "Zip", "Red Speaks", "Paquino Walk", "What Next", and "Zip". We can't find this stuff on LP, and we're mighty happy to have it on CD. CD

Excellent work from this Chicago tenorist – a killer postwar talent who was equal parts jazz and R&B! Although the cover of the record includes a picture of Eddie's wife, Dinah Washington, and the "Friend" in the title would seem to imply that she's on the album, the set's really just a bunch of hard jazz cuts that showcase Eddie's screaming tenor sax, and which don't include Dinah's vocals. Not that that's a problem, though, because the record's a great one, and it's a good peek at player who was one of the biggest in Chicago during the 50's, and who had a loud hard R&B sound, in a mode that was similar to other Chicago players, such as Gene Ammons and Red Prysock. The record's got a number of originals by Chamblee, plus a few tracks written by Julian Priester and Dinah Washington (but did she really write them?). Titles include "Back Street", "Strollin Sax", "Village Square", and "Swing A Little Taste". CD

Compilation of recordings from the late 40s through the early 50s, with sidemen including George Kelly, Ike Isaacs, Red Prysock, Benny Golson, and Freddie Red. LP, Vinyl record album

A classic little record from this 60s instrumental group – a set that probably got more play among the rock crowd than the jazz scene – but one we strongly associate with the latter, given the strength of the tenor solos! That instrument, featured in a sexy scene on the cover, gets plenty of heavy play here – blown in a soulful mode that recalls 50s work by artists like Sam "The Man" Taylor, Red Prysock, or Sil Austin – but set to a slight 60s vibe with some guitar-based instrumentation that rings out in almost a crime jazz mode – sometimes mixed with organ, recorded like a small instrumental combo – but with a echoey, late nite vibe that feels more like a noir soundtrack at all the best moments. In addition to the hit title reading of "Harlem Nocturne", other titles include "Dig", "Viscount Rock", "The Touch", and "Chug A Lug". (Rock, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible pairing of two important 60s talents – magnificent vocals from Arthur Prysock, and some of the best backings he ever received – thanks to Basie! (Vocalists, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible pairing of two important 60s talents – magnificent vocals from Arthur Prysock, and some of the best backings he ever received – thanks to Basie! CD adds in three more tracks – originally done for Old Town Records! (Vocalists, Jazz) CD