An excellent – and totally rare – recording of Freddie Redd's score to The Connection – done more famously on Blue Note under Freddie's own name. This isn't the version that was released by Blue Note, nor is it the version on Charlie Parker records – instead, it's an obscure set led by trumpeter Howard McGhee (during his great comeback period of the early 60's), and featuring the amazing tenor talents of Tina Brooks (whose few Blue Note sessions are the stuff of legend!) Freddie Redd plays piano on the set, and he plays with as much fire as on his Blue Note recording of the music – with with McGhee in the lead, the sound is quite different. Titles include "Wigglin", "Who Killed Cock Robin", "OD", "Jim Dunn's Dilemma", and "Time To Smile". LP, Vinyl record album

Later than the classic vintage of Erroll Parker's work for the Sahara label – but an excellent album of large ensemble soul jazz tracks that's really great all the way through! The group's a tentet, and they're boldly expressive – bursting out with a sense of power that's almost more focused than some of Parker's earlier music, with some especially sharp edges on the horn work in the set. Players include Steve Coleman on alto, Wallace Roney and Graham Haynes on trumpets, Bill Saxton on tenor, and Robin Eubanks on trombone – and the cuts all have Parker's heavy drum sound in the groove, dancing along with guitar at a rhythmic pace that keeps things nice and lively! Titles include "Baobab", "The Dancer", "Chega De Saudade", and "Three Blind Mice". LP, Vinyl record album

All of Prima's sides for Capitol from the late 50s and early 60s, plus wife and colleague Keely Smith and band leader Sam Butera's solo work from the era in an incredible 8 CD box! We often think of Louis as kinda of a loungey, Vegas cool cat, but what is so awesome about the material you'll find here is how furiously manic so much of it is. The first 3 discs document Prima at his wild, hard-swinging studio best – and could give Tito Puente a run for his money in the sweaty big-beat department! Tracks include "Buona Sera", "Just A Gigolo/I A'int Got Nobody ", "Jump, Jive, And Wail", "The Closer To The Bone", "Pennies From Heaven", "Pump Song", "Fee Fio Foo", "Lazy River", "I've Got You Under My Skin", and tons more. Discs 4 covers live sets at the Harrah's Club and the Sahara, and includes "On The Sunny Side Of The Street", "A Foggy Day", "Robin Hood", "Judy", and "Greenback Dollar Bill". Discs 5 & 6 cover Keely's sweeter but nearly as great sides, with Nelson Riddle and others, and tracks include "I Wish You Love", "It's Magic", and "Nothing In Common" and "How Are Ya' Fixed For Love?" with Frank Sinatra. Finally, Sam Butera's solo work is collected on the last 2 discs, returning things to Prima-style rockin' jazz, and including "Bim Bam", "Twinkle In Your Eye", "Bugs", "Tennessee Waltz", "Better Twist Now Baby", and "I'll Feel Good All Over". Great stuff from one of the tightest working units from the era, and a real treat to have in one place! (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

A soul jazz gem from drummer Alvin Queen – one of the overlooked treasures on his own Nilva Records label from the 80s! The set's a monster all the way through – a cut above so many other sides like this from the time, and put together with a sock-solid energy that almost recalls earlier brilliance on labels like Blue Note or Prestige! Queen's at the head of the group on drums – pushing the lineup with Blakey-like intensity, yet in a slightly looser, more open feel overall – especially when it comes to the structure of the solos. Players include Manny Boyd on saxes, Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, John Hicks on piano, and Ray Drummond on bass – the last of whom produced the record with a very jazz-sensitive ear! Titles include "Hassan", "Europia", "Jammin Uptown", "After Liberation", and "Mind Wine". CD also features the bonus track "Hear Me Drummin". CD

One of the greatest albums ever from trombonist Roswell Rudd – an early Impulse Records session, cut right at a time when Rudd was a crucial part of the New York "new thing" scene in the 60s! The album's almost more of an ESP session from its lineup – which includes Giuseppi Logan on flute and bass clarinet, Robin Kenyatta on alto sax, Charlie Haden and Lewis Worrell on bass, and Beaver Harris on drums – yet the overall feel of the record has more of the control and sense of vision we've come to love on Impulse – the mix of structure and freedom you might find in crucial 60s recordings by Marion Brown or Archie Shepp on the label – particularly the latter's Fire Music generation! Titles include "Respects", "Satan's Dance", "Everywhere", and "Yankee No How". CD

A great lineup – with Don Sickler on trumpet and arrangements, plus Wallace Roney on trumpet, Bobby Watson on alto, Ralph Moore on tenor, Rene Rosnes on piano, Bob Hurst on bass, Marvin Smitty Smith on drums, and Robin Eubanks on trombone! CD

The great Oliver Lake joins the Tarbaby trio of pianist Orrin Evans – along with a few other players who really help the group knock the record out of the park! There's a vibe here that's different than some of Evans' other Tarbaby sets – not just the presence of Lake's alto, which is superb, and given a showcase that could make the album one of his best in years – but also because there seems to be a higher sort of spirit to the whole record overall – really reaching for new goals in the music, as Evans piano resonates strongly with the bass of Eric Revis and drums of Nasheet Waits – with added guest work from Josh Lawrence on trumpet and Dana Murray on percussion. The set begins with Orrin singing on a composition by the great Trudy Pitts (one of our all-time heroes of jazz) – the tune "Blessed Ones The Eternal Truth" – and other tunes are by group members, and include "Purple", "Paix", "Bonu", "Bumper", "Round Robin", "House Of Leaves", and "Dance Of The Evil Toys" – plus a version of the Prince tune "Sometimes It Snows In April". CD

Features a long list of collaborators including Herbie Hancock, Pharoah Sanders, Jon Faddis, Stanton Davis, Robin Eubanks, Andy Gonzalez, and Kimati Dinizulu. CD

With David McMurray on soprano sax and flute, Racy Biggs on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Steve Coleman on alto, and Tani Tabbal on drums. CD

With John Goodsall on guitars, Percy Jones on bass, Robin Lumley on pieano and keyboards, Phil Collns on guitar and piano, and Morris Pert on percussion. LP, Vinyl record album

With Phil Collins on all percussion, Percy Jones on bass, John Goodsall on drums, and Robin Lumley on keys. LP, Vinyl record album

Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, Alex "Sasha" Sipiagin on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Joyce Hammann and Mark Feldman on violin, Lois Martin on viola, John Patitucci on bass, Iain Dixon on bass clarinet, Erik Friedlander on cello, Iain Dixon on clarinet, Antonio Sanchez on drums, Charles Pillow on English horn, Steve Wilson on flute, Peter Gordon on French horn, Adam Rogers on guitar, Charles Pillow on oboe, and Daniel Sadownick on percussion. CD

An overlooked US date from 1970 – a set that Dexter Gordon recorded during a quick stop home from his time abroad – really cooking away in the Prestige studios with a great little rhythm section, in ways that are quite different than his better-known European work of the time! The title cut's a groover that definitely matches the promise of its name – a slinky soul jazz number driven along nicely by a rhythm trio that features Tommy Flanagan on piano, Larry Ridley on bass, and Alan Dawson on drums. The group keep things interesting on other cuts too – even when Gordon's dominating with the kind of inventive solo lines he was forging in Europe – and most tracks are longish, with plenty of room for action. Titles include "The Panther", "Valse Robin", "Mrs Miniver", and "The Blues Walk". CD

An overlooked US date from 1970 – a set that Dexter Gordon recorded during a quick stop home from his time abroad – really cooking away in the Prestige studios with a great little rhythm section, in ways that are quite different than his better-known European work of the time! The title cut's a groover that definitely matches the promise of its name – a slinky soul jazz number driven along nicely by a rhythm trio that features Tommy Flanagan on piano, Larry Ridley on bass, and Alan Dawson on drums. The group keep things interesting on other cuts too – even when Gordon's dominating with the kind of inventive solo lines he was forging in Europe – and most tracks are longish, with plenty of room for action. Titles include "The Panther", "Valse Robin", "Mrs Miniver", and "The Blues Walk". CD

With Steve Wilson on alto and soprano sax, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Steve Nelson on vibraphone and marimba, and Billy Kilson on drums. CD

With Chris Potter on saxophones, Robin Eubanks on trobmone and cowbell, Steve Nelson on vibraphone and marimba, and Bill Kilson on drums. CD

Features Dave Holland on bass, Chris Potter on saxophones, Robin Eubanks on trombone, and Billy Kilson on drums. CD

Featuring Ralph Moore on tenor sax, Donald Harrison on alto sax, Brian Lynch on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Geoff Keezer on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. CD

Features Randy Brecker on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Gary Smulyan on baritone sax, Gary Bartz on alto, Kenny Drew and John Hicks on piano, and others! CD

With Marvin Sewell on acoustic guitar, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Alex Harden on bass clarinet, Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums, Cleave Guyton on flutes and tenor saxophone, James Williams on piano, Robin Eubanks on trombone, and Bryan Carrott on vibraphone. CD

A landmark album – not only for Freddie Redd, but for Jackie McLean, who's the real star of the session! In the early 60s, both Freddie and Jackie played together in a hip New York play called The Connection – working as a part of a live jazz band who were hanging out in an apartment, waiting for their "connection" to bring them some heroin. The music on this set was forged during the course of the play – played live, improvised, but tightly honed into some fantastic tunes over the course of the run – so that by the time Blue Note went to record this set, the whole thing had a razor-sharp intensity that blew away even the best other Blue Note work of the time! Redd wrote all the tracks, and he plays with a dark and fiery edge that we've never heard in his work on other records – superbly matched by McLean's alto, which blows these amazingly precise and soulful notes throughout. Titles include "Who Killed Cock Robin", "Wigglin", "Music Forever", and "O.D." LP, Vinyl record album

A great showcase for the endless talents of the San Francisco Jazz Collective – as the set features some stunning original material, balanced with classics from Ornette Coleman, Thelonious Monk, and Stevie Wonder – all served up here in a beautiful extended performance! As always, the group are really brilliant with color – with this special quality that really sets them apart from so many other all-star groups, and which always seems to give their performances such a strongly unified vibe. Players include David Sanchez on tenor, Miguel Zenon on alto, Warren Wolf on vibes, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Sean Jones on trumpet, Edward Simon on piano, Matt Penman on bass, and Obed Calvaire on drums – and titles include the originals "Off Kilter", "Perseverance", "Tune For June", "Tidal Flow", "Venezuela Unida", and "Give The Drummer Some" – plus versions of "Creepin", "When Will The Blues Leave", "School Work", "Una Muy Bonita", "Reflections", "Criss Cross", and "Sir Duke". Includes a bonus DVD – four songs from a Music Of Miles Davis performance! CD

Heavy fusion from Brand X – the late 70s heirs to some of the harder, rock-inspired modes of the earlier part of the decade! The music is still mostly jazz, but there's a lot of mainstream influence here – especially in the guitars played by John Goodsall, and the drums, which are handled by Mike Clarke, or Phil Collins on a few famous tracks. Keyboards are by Peter Robinson and Robin Lumley – and titles include "Act Of Will", "Voidarama", "Noddy Goes To Sweden", "Triumphant Limp", and "Cambodia". LP, Vinyl record album

Two classic Capitol albums by Serge Chaloff on one CD – both of them great together! Blue Serge is a classic Capitol jazz session, and one that pairs Boston baritone player Serge Chaloff with an LA rhythm section that has Sonny Clark on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. The album's a perfect example of Chaloff's legendary (and short-lived) talents on the baritone – and listening to it, you'll hear how Chaloff was one of the few players ever to get such a rich tone and fluid style out of the instrument. Titles include "How About You?", "Handful Of Stars", "The Goof & I", "Susie's Blues", and "All The Things You Are". Boston Blow Up 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

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

With Vincent Herring on alto sax, Javon Jackson on tenor sax, Gary Smulyan on baritone sax, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Stephen Scott on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. CD

Freddie Hubbard on trumpet – with Vincent Herring on alto sax, Javon Jackson on tenor sax, Gary Smulyan on baritone sax, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Stephen Scott on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. CD

One of the great larger group recordings that pianist Abdullah Ibrahim gave us in the 80s – from a moment when he was able to use added horns to really expand that amazing sense of color and rhythm he'd brought to his music on earlier trio recordings! There's a sense of musical vision here that really lives up to Abdullah's majestic look on the cover – a fantastic merging of flute and tenor from John Stubblefield, soprano and alto from Horace Alexander Young, tuba and baritone from Howard Johnson, and trombone from Robin Eubanks – all vibrant horn players who seem to have just about every tone and mood covered with their horns – given this wonderfully warm support from Buster Williams on bass, and Brian Adams on drums. All titles are originals by the leader – and tunes include "Chisa", "Sweet Samba", "Duke 88", "The Wedding", and "Joan Capetown Flower". CD

One of the great larger group recordings that pianist Abdullah Ibrahim gave us in the 80s – from a moment when he was able to use added horns to really expand that amazing sense of color and rhythm he'd brought to his music on earlier trio recordings! There's a sense of musical vision here that really lives up to Abdullah's majestic look on the cover – a fantastic merging of flute and tenor from John Stubblefield, soprano and alto from Horace Alexander Young, tuba and baritone from Howard Johnson, and trombone from Robin Eubanks – all vibrant horn players who seem to have just about every tone and mood covered with their horns – given this wonderfully warm support from Buster Williams on bass, and Brian Adams on drums. All titles are originals by the leader – and tunes include "Chisa", "Sweet Samba", "Duke 88", "The Wedding", and "Joan Capetown Flower". CD

Great work from Lonnie Smith – one of the few Hammond heroes from the past who's continued to give us fresh-sounding music over the years! Lonnie's been reinvigorated after returning to Blue Note – and this tight little set follows all the growth he's experienced at the label – organ lines that soar nicely, with a complexity that Smith never had in his early years – given strong rhythmic support from Johnathan Blake on drums and Jonathan Kreisberg on guitar! The middle core of the album is live – recorded at the Jazz Standard – and features work from John Ellis on trumpet, Jason Marshall on baritone, Robin Eubanks on trombone, and Sean Jones on trumpet – on titles that include "Bright Eyes", "Pilgrimage", "Two Damn Hot", "Track 9", and "World Weeps". The set also features two covers – both with surprising vocals from Iggy Pop – a nice take on the Timmy Thomas tune "Why Can't We Live Together", and a version of "Sunshine Superman". LP, Vinyl record album

Growing brilliance from the young Archie Shepp – a record that's not just about Archie's own amazing work on the tenor, but also his keen modern vision as a leader! The combo here is an ensemble that features some of the hippest modernists of the 60s – Roswell Rudd and Grachan Moncur on trombone, Perry Robinson on clarinet, Howard Johnson on tuba, Charlie Haden on bass, and Tommy Turrentine on trumpet – making a rare non-bop appearance here, and further enforcing our already-high estimation of his talents! The style's somewhat in the "new thing" mode of the period, but it's also a bit more tightly arranged too – almost hitting Mingus-like modes for the bigger ensemble – balancing the force of the group together with very free, bold solo impulses from the players. Side one features the extended "Portrait Of Robert Thompson (As A Young Man)" – and side two features "Mama Too Tight", "Theme For Ernie", and "Basheer". CD

Jeri Southern can be a hell of a jazz singer when she wants – and that was definitely the case on this gem of a record – a laidback small combo setting with excellent guitar accompaniment from Johnny Smith! Smith's trademark tones really color the record in a great way – enriching the sound and offsetting some of the more understated vocals from Jeri – but in a way that also lets us really hear her phrasing, too. The setting is spare and simple – and the song choice is great, too – with shifts between standards and a few more obscure numbers that show Jeri working at a deeper range than we know from other records. Titles include "Robins & Roses", "Without A Warning", "Where Or When", "Two Sleepy People", "Isn't It Romantic", and "Until The Real Thing Comes Along". (Vocalists, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

The title's a bit of a joke, given the image of money on the cover – but the album's a tight little set from this classic Basie tenorist, recorded with a largeish group that would have made his old boss proud! Frank keeps things upbeat and soulful on most tracks – mostly blowing tenor, but also some of his famous flute, and some alto sax too – in the company of players who include Cecil Bridgewater and Greg Gisbert on trumpet, Scott Robinson on saxes, Steve Turre on trombone, and Richard Wyands on piano. The best numbers are actually some of the more laidback ones – and the album features originals by Wess and Robinson that stand out from the rest of the tunes. Titles include "Little Esther", "Short Circuit", "And So It Is", "Listen To The Dawn", "Tryin To Make My Blues Turn Green", "Blues In The Car", "Surprise Surprise", and "Small Talk". CD

With Frank Greene and Terell Stafford on trumpet, Steve Turre on trombone, Ted Nash on alto sax and flute, Scott Robinson on bass sax, baritone sax, and flute, Gerald Clayton and Michael Wess on piano, Peter Washington and Rufus Reid on bass, and Winard Harper on drums. CD

Jazz harp genius Amanda Whiting takes on a host of older tracks here – and completely makes them her own, thanks to some very sensitive, spiritual handling of the material! The group is a trio – Deej Williams on bass and Tony Robinson on drums – and they take the tunes in a style that's very open, but gently rhythmic – allowing Whiting's work on the strings to open up all these beautiful currents on the songs – really transforming them, at a level that reminds us of the way that Dorothy Ashby could take a simple tune and lift to the heavens with her own famous work on the instrument! Titles include a great reading of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower" – plus the famous Astor Piazzolla tune "Libertango", and takes on "Caravan", "Can't Get You Out Of My Head", and "In A Sentimental Mood". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest, most righteous albums ever cut by pianist Jessica Williams – a set where it feels like all of her ideas come together perfectly, and are carried forward by a wonderful lineup of players! The group is small, but there's a very large feel to the whole thing – such that there's moments when we have to remind ourselves that this is still a small combo, even if Williams' music make things feel larger and more ambitious – a lineup that includes the great Eddie Henderson on trumpet, plus Jim Grantham on tenor, Kim Stone on bass, Henry Robinette on guitar, and Dave Tucker on drums. Williams is superb throughout on piano – and titles include "To The Children Of The Future", "The Demise Of Armored Man", "Weapon Of Truth", "Up The Entropy Slope", and "Longing". Expanded version features lots of bonus tracks – including "Power Of Love", "Gratitude", "The Shroud", "All Strange", and "Orgone". LP, Vinyl record album

With vintage selections by Bert Mays, Barrel House Welch, Rudy Foster, Jack O'Diamonds, James "Bat" Robinson, Louise Johnson, Little Brother Montgomery, Jabo Williams, and Turner Parrish. (Blues, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

A trio of albums from this famous Brazilian trombonist – all of them great! First up is Sweet Lucy – a wonderful album from Raul De Souza, cut during the height of his fame on the California scene! Like Raul's other work for Capitol, this record really sparkles from tight help from George Duke – who handles production, and some of the arrangements – and really helps De Souza find a tight jazzy groove! The instrumentation is a bit leaner than some of Raul's other records of this nature, which is a nice thing – as you get to hear plenty of keyboards from Patrice Rushen, Fender Rhodes from Dawilli Gonga, trumpet from Freddie Hubbard, and percussion from Airto. There's a bit of chorus vocals at times, but the main focus is on Raul's trombone solos – and cuts include of Joao Donato's "Banana Tree", plus "Sweet Lucy", "New Love", "Wild & Shy", "Bottom Heat", "Wires", and "At Will". Don't Ask My Neighbors is a tremendous moment for trombonist Raul De Souza – working here in a style that's light years past his roots in bossa nova! The set's got a heavy California vibe – a late 70s blend of jazz and soul handled by producer George Duke, who also arranges many tracks on the record – but still leaves plenty of room for Raul to step out strongly in the lead! Things are never too overdone, and handled with that sunny style that players like Duke did so well – lots of warm jazzy elements in the backings, coming from Fender Rhodes by Bobby Lyle, percussion from Airto, and drums from the great Harvey Mason – who really brings an edge to some of the groovers. Titles include a killer cover of the Skip Scarborough tune "Don't Ask My Neighbors" – plus "La La Song", "Overture", "At The Concert", "I Believe You", and "Jump Street". Til Tomorrow Comes is filled with soaring sounds from Raul De Souza – a Brazilian musician who first recorded under the name of Raulzinho during the bossa nova years – but one who's at the height of his powers here working on the Cali scene at the end of the 70s! Raul manages to blend his lead instrument with fuller arrangements from Arthur Wright – who brings in plenty of the best elements from contemporary R&B, adds in some backing vocals, yet never diminishes Raul's presence on the record at all! Instead, De Souza seems to draw all sorts of energy from the folks around him on the sessions for the record – really stepping out with the best sort of jazz funk grooves that Capitol Records were laying down at the time – as you'll hear on cuts that include "Up & At It", "Self Sealing", "Pleasurize", "Fe No Me Nol", and "Til Tomorrow comes". CD features bonus tracks – single versions of "Til Tomorrow Comes", "Sweet Lucy", and "Daisy Mae". CD

One of the most beautiful albums that Charlie Haden ever recorded – and if he only ever appeared on one record in his life, we'd still love him tremendously for this one! The album has a feel that's very much in keeping with both the "liberation" and "orchestra" in the title – "liberation", in that the music is filled with inspiration from South American sources, and has a strongly political feel at times; and "orchestra" because the group here is somewhat large, and filled with a tremendous array of expressive players – including Gato Barbieri on tenor, Dewey Redman on alto and tenor, Don Cherry on cornet and flutes, Michael Mantler on trumpet, Roswell Rudd on trombone, Robert Northern on French horn, Paul Motian and Andrew Cyrille on percussion, Carla Bley on piano, and Perry Robinson on clarinet. Haden leads these disparate talents through a set of tremendously focused music – filled with as many ideas as it is with a sense of humanity and soul – all to brilliantly point the way forward for the new sound of Impulse Records in the years after Coltrane's death! Titles include the classic "Song For Che", plus Ornette's "War Orphans", Carla Bley's "The Interlude", and "Song Of The United Front", by Hans Eisler, and with words by Brecht! CD

One of the most beautiful albums that Charlie Haden ever recorded – and if he only ever appeared on one record in his life, we'd still love him tremendously for this one! The album has a feel that's very much in keeping with both the "liberation" and "orchestra" in the title – "liberation", in that the music is filled with inspiration from South American sources, and has a strongly political feel at times; and "orchestra" because the group here is somewhat large, and filled with a tremendous array of expressive players – including Gato Barbieri on tenor, Dewey Redman on alto and tenor, Don Cherry on cornet and flutes, Michael Mantler on trumpet, Roswell Rudd on trombone, Robert Northern on French horn, Paul Motian and Andrew Cyrille on percussion, Carla Bley on piano, and Perry Robinson on clarinet. Haden leads these disparate talents through a set of tremendously focused music – filled with as many ideas as it is with a sense of humanity and soul – all to brilliantly point the way forward for the new sound of Impulse Records in the years after Coltrane's death! Titles include the classic "Song For Che", plus Ornette's "War Orphans", Carla Bley's "The Interlude", and "Song Of The United Front", by Hans Eisler, and with words by Brecht! LP, Vinyl record album

Ronnie Laws at the top of his early game – working in a tight mix of jazz and soul put together with some great help from Wayne Henderson's At Home Productions – very much in the hit style that team was putting out at the time! The work's surprisingly open and hip compared to efforts like this from a decade later – still smooth in production, but with lots of room for instrumental solos, and a groove that's still more heavy on fusion influences than anything else! Laws plays tenor, flute, and soprano sax – and other players include Larry Dunn on keyboards and Melvin Robinson on guitar – and a few cuts feature chorus vocals, by hip singers who include Eloise and Debra Laws, Diane Reeves, and Phillip Bailey. Titles include "All For You", "These Days", "Flame", "Living Love", "Joy", "Live Your Life Away", and "Love Is Here". LP, Vinyl record album

With George Guesnon on banjo, Kid Thomas on trumpet, Jim Robinson on trombone, John Joseph on bass, and Josiah Frazier on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest, most righteous albums ever cut by pianist Jessica Williams – a set where it feels like all of her ideas come together perfectly, and are carried forward by a wonderful lineup of players! The group is small, but there's a very large feel to the whole thing – such that there's moments when we have to remind ourselves that this is still a small combo, even if Williams' music make things feel larger and more ambitious – a lineup that includes the great Eddie Henderson on trumpet, plus Jim Grantham on tenor, Kim Stone on bass, Henry Robinette on guitar, and Dave Tucker on drums. Williams is superb throughout on piano – and titles include "To The Children Of The Future", "The Demise Of Armored Man", "Weapon Of Truth", "Up The Entropy Slope", and "Longing". Expanded version features lots of bonus tracks – including "Power Of Love", "Gratitude", "The Shroud", "All Strange", and "Orgone". CD

A never-issued live performance from a really incredible trio – and a set that has reedman Perry Robinson coming across with some of the bold energy he brought to his important avant recordings on the New York scene of the 60s! The pairing of Barry Altschul's drums and David Izenson's bass is wonderful – as they work with that freewheeling sense of rhythm learned from their earliest experiences with important avant players a decade before, and Izenson's especially great here, as he moves between plucked and bowed passages that remind us just how great he can be in the right setting! Robinson is a delight throughout, and his use of clarinet continues to be a next step past the work of Jimmy Giuffre in terms of free, avant expression on the instrument – much sharper here than on some of his more common European recordings from the period. The set features four long improvisations – and is a revelation throughout! CD

We're not sure what a neck-peckin jammie is, but drummer Cecil Brooks really makes us want to know more – as the sound of this set is solidly soulful, and way deeper than you might guess from the cartoony image on the cover! Brooks has some very sharp help here in the group – Craig Handy on tenor and soprano sax, Justin Robinson on alto, and Terell Stafford on trumpet – a really bold frontline that steps out beautifully with Cecil's strongly rhythmic insistence – supported even further in these efforts by Geoff Keezer on piano and Christian McBride on bass. Tracks are easygoing and soulfully flowing – just the sort of soul jazz that Muse Records always got so right – and tunes include "In Jody's Corner", "Hill District", "Yvette", "Creepin", "One By One", "Blues Citizens", and "Mood Swings". CD

With Harbie Hancock on piano, Greg Kurstin on piano & keyboards, Gary Thomas on saxes, Wallace Roney & Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Kevin Eubanks, Paul Bollenback, Jeff Richman & Danny Robinson on guitar, Bob Hurst & Malcolm Jamal Warner on bass, Katisse Buckingham on soprano sax, Ed Barguiarena & Darryl Jackson on percussion & Teri Lyne Carrington on drums. CD

Matthew Shipp on piano, Scott Robinson on tenor saxophone, alto clarinet, tarogato, trumpet, and slide cornet, Gerald Cleaver on drums and Kevin Ray on bass. CD