Stanley Turrentine's no spoiler here – as his tenor sax soars out over the top of some sweet larger group arrangements from Duke Pearson – all awash in a great sense of soul, joy, and life! The album's got a much brighter feel than you might guess from the cover – a vibe that's a bit similar to Stan's classic Joyride album, but a bit more open and free – thanks to the lyrical touches of Pearson on the charts. Other players include Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Julian Priester on trombone, James Spaulding on alto and flute, and Pepper Adams on baritone sax – plus rhythm from McCoy Tyner on piano, Bob Cranshaw on electric bass, Mickey Roker on drums, and Joseph Rivera on percussion. As on some of the other Pearson dates from the time – particularly those with Donald Byrd – the use of electric bass really opens things up, by creating a subtle rhythmic pulse that really drives most numbers along. And also in the Pearson mode, the added players aren't really a horn section in the conventional way – just a group of like-minded, top-shelf jazz players who egg on the main soloist with a great sense of enthusiasm for the music! Titles include "La Fiesta", "The Magilla", "Sunny", "Maybe September", "You're Gonna Hear From Me", and "When The Sun Comes Out". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare non-Blue Note 60s date as a leader from Stanley Turrentine – recorded for Impluse when his (then) wife Shirley Scott was contracted to the label – and featuring the talents of both players on some very groovy tracks! The quartet features both Stan's tenor and Shirley's Hammond – with bass by Ron Carter and drums from Mack Simpkins – all in an easy-going groove that recalls some of the best Turrentine/Scott pairings on Prestige! There's a quality here that's relaxed, but never lazy – professional, but never slick – and the album's great proof that although both players could be great on their own, they often sounded even better together at this point in their careers. The album features a cool version of "On a Clear Day", which Shirley always manages to kick into a nice groove – plus the tracks "Good Lookin Out", "Let It Go", "Sure As You're Born", "T'Aint What You Do", and "Ciao Ciao". LP, Vinyl record album

Although this should be a "sell out" album for Stan – because it's got his tenor set amidst some sweeping larger arrangements – it's actually still a pretty dope little LP, and one that shows Turrentine's capacity for hitting a nice groove in kind of a soundtrack-y funk vein. The record features keyboards by Gene Page, who also arranged the whole thing – and it's also got a little bit of background vocals by Edna Wright and Jim Gilstrap. A nice batch of sophisticated easy tunes from Stan the Man – and with the cuts "In The Pocket", "Naked As The Day I Was Born", "Spaced", and "Black Lassie". LP, Vinyl record album

(Soundtracks, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

A real 70s standout from guitarist Al Di Meola – and that's saying a lot, given the strength of most of his albums from the decade! The record's one that broke Al's talents out to so many different groups – yet never in a way that waters down his sound, nor dims his genius for a solo. Al plays a host of guitars – electric, and both six and 12 string acoustic – the latter of which are especially beautiful, and handled in a balance between European virtuoso modes, and some of the more rhythmic elements of the American fusion scene. Speaking of fusion, the other players on the date really help set the tone – Chick Corea on keyboards and piano, Barry Miles on Fender Rhodes and mini-moog, Stanley Clarke on bass, and both Steve Gadd and Lenny White on drums – each setting a different pace when they appear. Titles include "The Wizard", "Suite Golden Dawn", "Short Tales Of The Black Forest", and "Land Of The Midnight Sun". LP, Vinyl record album

A legendary meeting of these two jazz talents – and knowing the famous temper of Buddy Rich, this probably really was a battle of the drummers! Kidding aside, though, the set's a very unusual one for Buddy – as the group here features players normally associated with Max Roach – a very cool lineup that includes Julian Priester on trombone, Tommy Turrentine on trumpet, and Stanley Turrentine on tenor – all of whom keep things cool, and bring in some great solo moments when needed! Rich also brings a few of his key men to the set, too – including Phil Woods on alto and Willie Dennis on trombone – on titles that include "Sleep", "The Casbah", "Limehouse Blues", and "Big Foot". LP, Vinyl record album

Cootie Williams on trumpet, Abraham 'Boomie' Richman, Al Klink, Elwyn Fraser, Nick Caizza, Phil Bodner, Romeo Penque, and Stanley Webb on saxophone, Billy Byers, Bobby Byrne, Lou McGarity, and Richard Hixson on trombone, Hank Jones, Henry Rowland, and Lou Stein on piano, Barry Galbraith, George Barnes, and Tony Mottola on guitar, Eddie Safranski on bass, and Don Lamond, and Osie Johnson on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A killer live set by Les McCann – a rare 60s outing that moves past his more familiar trio format, and adds some horn players to the mix! The change is wonderful – as the set features work from Blue Mitchell on trumpet, and both Stanley Turrentine and Frank Haines on tenor – players who work with Les on longer tracks that really pick up an even stronger 60s soul jazz vibe than before – while McCann handles piano with his core group that includes Herbie Lewis on bass and Ron Jefferson on drums. The set feels much more like a Blue Note title than some of Les McCann's other Pacific Jazz material of the early 60s – and titles include "Cha Cha Twist", "Chip Monck", and "Maxie's Changes". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic Hammond work from female organ legend Shirley Scott – in her best mode of the 60s! Here's the reasons: 1) The group features husband Stanley Turrentine on tenor, adding in some nice extra tones to Shirley's usual trio! 2 ) The rhythm section is Bob Cranshaw and Otis Finch – surely one of Shirley's best. 3) The set was recorded live, in the Front Froom in Newark, with a real down-home gutbucket approach that's different from some of the other Impulse albums. 4) Tracks are long, with plenty of room for soloing – even more so than some of Shirley's other records of the time. Titles include "That's For Me", "Rapid Shave", and "Squeeze Me". Nuff said! LP, Vinyl record album

Landmark early work from the legendary Weldon Irvine – recorded way back when he was first coming to fame with Nina Simone, but done as an obscure indie effort for his tiny Nodlew label! The set's a wicked batch of keyboard-heavy funk – at a level that's similar to some of the best titles on Black Jazz or Strata East at the time, but also filled with an even richer array of colors and musical ideas. Weldon's work on electric piano is worth the price of admission alone – often spare, spacious, and perfectly placed – especially on the funky classics "Homey", "Mr Clean", and "Sister Sanctified" – a tune later cut by Stanley Turrentine, but heard here in Weldon's original version! Other cuts include "Gloria", "Juggah Buggah", "Blues Wel-Don", and "Liberated Brother". LP, Vinyl record album

2 mid 50s sets by a young Phil Woods! Record one features Pairing Off – a well-blown album with lots of room for solo space! – Working with a group that includes Donald Byrd, Gene Quill, Kenny Dorham, and Tommy Flanagan – and the 4 tracks off of that album are all quite long, with an open, hardbop-driven blowing session feel, including "The Stanley Stomper", "Cool Aid", "Suddenly It's Spring", and "Pairing Off". Record 2 features material from Bird Feathers, an alto player anthology, & the album Phill & Quill, including the tracks "Creme de Funk", "Solar", "Black Cherry Fritters", and "Altology". LP, Vinyl record album