A well-done overview of some of the best recordings by trumpeter Roger Guerin – one of the most important players on his instrument in Paris during the postwar years – and one of the few to regularly interact with important soloists from overseas! This set brings together Guerin in both dates as a leader, and as a key guest with others – pulled from a section of rare 10" and 7" releases, plus a few full album recordings as well – all bundled together here in a package that really lets Roger's trumpet talents shine! There's a huge range of material here – and the set begins with a few tracks from a session with James Moody on alto in 1961, a few more from a date with guitarist Jimmy Raney in 1954 – then moves into a quartet date with Martial Solal in 1956 and one with pianist Christian Chevailier during that same year. The set has four great tracks with a 1958 date co-led with the great Benny Golson on tenor, with Bobby Timmons on piano in the group – then ends with one track with Michel Hausser on vibes and Martial Solal on piano. The book includes detailed notes on all the sessions – and titles include "Bootsie", "Vline", "Chet", "Mythe", "Blues March", "I Remember Clifford", "Not Serious", "Ca Turne", "Night & Day", "Deep Purple", and "Sweet Feeling". CD

Guitarist Henri Crolla pays tribute to his friend and influence Django Reinhardt – in a set of tracks pulled from a rare album issued in 1958, plus a shorter ep from 1956. The first 10 tracks feature Henri working with a group that includes Stephane Grappelli on violin, plus either Rene Urtreger or Maurice Vander on piano – on tracks that include "Minor Swing", "Nuages", "Swing 42", "Anouman", and "Place De Brouckere". The next 4 tracks feature Crolla with Roger Guerin on trumpet, Hubert Rostaing on clarinet, and Martial Solal on piano – on tracks that include "What's New", "Night & Day", and "Hallelujah". CD

A deep dive into the work of pianist Raymond Fol as a leader – material that includes a number of rare broadcast tracks, and a handful of records that have Fol in the spotlight – something that didn't happen all that much, even though Raymond played on dozens of important sessions for other musicians on the French scene! The set begins with Fol's initial four track EP for Columbia, a trio date that's followed by more live recordings in Paris – then steps into an assortment of unusual dates from the late 50s – including two tracks with singer Annie Fratellini, three with trumpeter Nonzio Rotondo and tenorist Enzo Scoppa, and more trio recordings as well. CD2 features rare broadcast material from the 60s – including one title with Donald Byrd on trumpet, and six more with a septet that also includes Ivan Jullien and Roger Guerin on trumpets! The package has copious notes on Fol and his contribution to the postwar scene in Paris – and the 2CD collection features a massive 38 tracks in all, with titles that include "Hush", "Melancholia", "Scandinavian", "Lazy Lady Daisy", "John's Groove", "Tune Up", "Circeo", "Thrilling", "Oh My Lord", "Out Of Art", "Where Is Salvador", and "Little Niles". CD

Fantastic French grooves from the end of the 60s – a killer set of jazz-based tracks recorded by trumpeter Ivan Jullien, with help from funky arranger Michel Colombier! Jullien recorded a fair bit of jazz and studio work around the time, and his playing here is razor-sharp – and supported by Colombier grooves that rival his best soundtrack material, his experiments with Pierre Henry, or his backings for singers like Serge Gainsbourg or Brigitte Bardot! Colombier also plays keyboards on the record, as does the great Maurice Vander – amidst a host of other great French jazzmen who include Pierre Gossez on sax, Roger Guerin on additional trumpet, and Eddie Louiss on organ. Drums are nice and funky on most cuts – and the whole thing kicks even more than most funky big band records on MPS! Includes the great break cut "I Remember Otis" – plus "Sonoro", "The Looser", "Talk", "An Oscar For Eddy", "Wake The Monster", "Edith", and "Crescendo". CD

French journalist/composer Andre Hodier was one of the leading voices of European jazz in the postwar years – a committed modernist, but with a strong understanding of all the traditions of jazz. This classic set features American drummer Kenny Clarke working with a group of French musicians on a set of originals and jazz standards set to arrangements by Hodier. Players include trumpeter Roger Guerin, pianists Marial Solal and Rene Utreger, and saxophonists Armand Migani and Hubert Rostaing. The set's a great batch of angular bop numbers – and it's a great chance to hear what Clarke can really do on the drum kit when he's given a chance to open up. Titles include "Oblique", "On A Riff", "Bemsha Swing", "Cadenza", "Eronel", "The Squirrel", and "Tahiti". CD

An ultra-hip live set from bassist Oscar Pettiford – recorded in Germany during the late 50s stretch when he'd taken up residency overseas, and was making some great connections on the scene! This set definitely reflects Pettiford's reach at the time – as it's got an excellent group that includes Dusko Goykovich on trumpet, Michel Hausser on vibes, Hans Koller on tenor, Roger Guerin on trumpet, and Attila Zoller on guitar – all top-shelf talents of the time who really make the record shine! Tracks have that tightly arranged quality that Pettiford brought to his 50s American recordings – but also have a looser, more open vibe that allows the solos to really stretch out – especially on some of the album's longer numbers. The full concert is presented here for the first time ever – and titles include "Are You Real", "HEC Blues", "Happy Afternoon", "Rue Dauphine", "Blues Around Joe", "Autumn Leaves", and "Minor Meeting". CD

A huge overview of work from one of the hippest large group leaders in France at the end of the 50s – the mighty Christian Chevallier, who was almost to the Parisian scene what Quincy Jones was to the American one! Chevallier has a great way of building a larger group out of really strong individual voices – using key jazz musicians on almost all the tracks here – players who include Roger Guerin on trumpet, Benny Vasseur and Billy Byers on trombones, Bobby Jaspar and Jean Louis Cheautemps on tenors, Armand Migiani on alto and baritone, Michel Hausser and Fats Said on vibes, Pierre Michelot on bass, and even Kenny Clarke on drums on a few great tracks! The set begins with a famous soundtrack done in collaboration with Martial Solal for a film by Jean Pierre Melville – then moves into a great range of jazz material from assorted albums and EP releases from the late 50s and early 60s. The set feature a great EP with Kenny Clarke, a Madison record, a date with Bilbert Becaud, and assorted other releases – a total of 75 tracks in all! CD

An ultra-hip live set from bassist Oscar Pettiford – recorded in Germany during the late 50s stretch when he'd taken up residency overseas, and was making some great connections on the scene! This set definitely reflects Pettiford's reach at the time – as it's got an excellent group that includes Dusko Goykovich on trumpet, Michel Hausser on vibes, Hans Koller on tenor, Roger Guerin on trumpet, and Attila Zoller on guitar – all top-shelf talents of the time who really make the record shine! Tracks have that tightly arranged quality that Pettiford brought to his 50s American recordings – but also have a looser, more open vibe that allows the solos to really stretch out – especially on some of the album's longer numbers. The full concert is presented here for the first time ever – and titles include "Are You Real", "HEC Blues", "Happy Afternoon", "Rue Dauphine", "Blues Around Joe", "Autumn Leaves", and "Minor Meeting". CD

It's no secret that some of the greatest jazz soundtracks ever were recorded in Paris – and this CD contains 2 of them! First up is the landmark Un Temoin Dans La Ville – recorded under the leadership of tenor sax player Barney Wilen, who had made such a huge contribution to Miles Davis' famous score for Acenseur Pour L'Echafaud. Wilen's score features 12 incredible tracks that are just dripping with black and white cinematic mood – played by a group that includes Kenny Dorham, Duke Jordan, and Kenny Clarke. Titles on that set include "La Pendaison", "Sur L'Antenne", "SOS Radio Taxis", "La Vie N'est Qu'Une Lutte", and "Ambiance Pourpre". The remaining 6 tracks on the CD are from the very rare soundtrack to J'Irai Cracher Sur Vos Tombes – written and arranged by pianist Alain Goraguer, with a group that includes trumpeter Roger Guerin, vibist Michel Hausser, and bassist Pierre Michelet. The soundtrack recalls a lot of Davis and Wilen's work together – and tracks include "Theme De Liz", "Blues De Memphis", and "Surprise Partie Au Bord De L'Eau". CD