A compelling album of twin-piano lines – one in which Bill Evans and Bob Brookmeyer play head-to-head, in a spiraling modernist style that brings out the best in each player! Although Brookmeyer's best known as a trombonist, he's pretty great here on piano – and the album's a real treasure from his legendary late 50s years – a time when Bob was really opening up tremendously in his music! The album separates out the players via stereo – with Bill Evans in the right channel and Brookmeyer in the left – and the format usually has one player in a rhythm groove while the other solos over the top. The bass of Percy Heath and drums of Connie Kay complete the group – and titles include longish versions of "As Time Goes By", "I Got Rhythm", "The Man I Love", and "The Way You Look Tonight". CD

Sweet LA soul jazz from trumpeter Bobby Bryant – an oft-overlooked player with a hard hitting sound that was a bit like Nat Adderley! The album's one of Bobby's best (and few) – and it's got a really groovy little feel, almost in a Jazz Crusaders mode – with a small combo playing live on tight bouncy little tracks that still have some nice room for solo work. The Crusaders reference is a clear one – as Joe Sample's in the group on piano – and other players on the record include Hadley Caliman and Herman Riley, both of whom play tenor. Titles include "Sunny", "Love Is Supreme", "58th Street", "Don't Say Goodbye", and "Blues For Ramona". CD

A killer album by soul jazz pianist Ray Bryant! The title track, "Slow Freight", is an amazing 10 minute groover that moves at a very slow pace (just like a freight train), and which features some very cool ad-lib talking by Paul Serrano – a pretty groovy touch that really adds a lot to the track! Ray's piano is in the lead, with a sinister soulful groove – and he's backed by his patented two-trumpet rhythm sound, played here by Art Farmer and Snookie Young – blasting away with a tightly vamping approach that's really in the groove. The rest of the record's great too – and other tracks include "The Fox Stalker" and "Return Of The Prodigal Son". One of Ray's best ever! CD

A stone groover from the great Ray Bryant – one of his brilliant albums for Cadet from the 60s! Ray's soul jazz trio (with Freddie Waits on drums) is augmented by the 2-horn trumpet section he used on some of his other Cadet recordings from the time – trumpet from Snookie Young and flugelhorn from Clark Terry, both of whom really help the album open up from the usual standard soul jazz trio side! The sound is really unique, and the "bottom" of the brass gives his piano a nice deep sound that you wouldn't necessarily expect from the arrangement – almost a bit of a bounce at the bottom, always helping the groove. The record includes a number of nice originals, like "Little Soul Sister", "All Things Are Possible", "Erewhon", and "Monkey Business" – plus versions of "Gotta Travel On" and "Bag's Groove". CD

A stone groover from the great Ray Bryant – one of his brilliant albums for Cadet from the 60s! Ray's soul jazz trio (with Freddie Waits on drums) is augmented by the 2-horn trumpet section he used on some of his other Cadet recordings from the time – trumpet from Snookie Young and flugelhorn from Clark Terry, both of whom really help the album open up from the usual standard soul jazz trio side! The sound is really unique, and the "bottom" of the brass gives his piano a nice deep sound that you wouldn't necessarily expect from the arrangement – almost a bit of a bounce at the bottom, always helping the groove. The record includes a number of nice originals, like "Little Soul Sister", "All Things Are Possible", "Erewhon", and "Monkey Business" – plus versions of "Gotta Travel On" and "Bag's Groove". CD

Mighty nice work from singer Ann Burton – one of those jazz vocalists who was almost a secret star in the 70s – continuing a legacy of earlier fame, but through a series of overseas recordings and small label dates that really let her grow creatively and open up fresh territory as an artist! The set features accompaniment from a shifting lineup of Japanese jazz players – and includes some especially nice tenor and flute from Akira Miyazwa, plus piano from Masahiko Satoh and Toshihiko Ogawa, guitar from Sadanori Nakamure, and bass from Kunimitsu Inaba – an especially great player whose round, warm tone really shapes the record. Titles include "Yesterday & Yesterdays", "Come Rain Or Come Shine", "May I Come In", "Love Is A Necessary Evil", "By Myself Alone", and "That Old Feeling". CD features two bonus tracks – "Oh What A Shame" and "Nice To be Back Again". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

Tenorist Don Byas is one of those players who always seemed to get more recognition in Europe than the US – or if that's not entirely the case, he at least got more chances to record properly than he ever did over here! This excellent 18 track CD features tunes from 3 early 50s sessions that Byas recorded in Paris – all of them in a small group setting that really let him open up on tenor in a mellow soulful way. Most tracks are relatively short, but the quality of Byas' solos is wonderful – and the CD represents some of the finest work you could ever hope to find by him from the postwar years. Titles include "Summertime", "The Man I Love", "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "Riviera Blues", "Somebody Loves Me", and a sublime version of "Laura". CD

Some of the first bop sides cut by Americans in Paris – a quartet of material from four different sessions, issued properly for the first time on CD, with great mastering, and a good set of notes in French and English! Don Byas is at the forefront of two sessions here – one with the Tyree Glenn Orchestra, the other featuring the Don Byas Ree-Boppers – and tracks on those include "Walking Around", "Red Cross", "Cement Mixer", "Mad Monk", "Billie's Bounce", and "The Hour Of Parting". Howard McGhee is next up – with 7 tracks from a rare 1948 session, and titles that include "Big Will", "Donna Lee", "Nicole", "Denise", and "Punkins". Last up are four tunes by James Moody – cut during the prime of his early bop years, in 1949, and done with a nicely modern edge. Titles include "Verso", "Recto", "Oh Well", and "Convulsions". 23 tracks in all! 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

The team of Al & Zoot are wonderfully reunited in this classic 70s session – an album that still crackles with all their best twin-tenor frontline styles, but which also has a more fluid, free, and easygoing feel than their work in the 50s! The rhythm session on the set features some great work by Horace Parlan on piano, giving the set a nice gutbuckety bottom, and making the whole thing come across with a lot more soul than you might expect. Titles include "Motoring Along", "Fallin", "What The World Needs Now", and "Stockholm LA". CD also features 3 bonus tracks too! CD

Wonderful work from vocalist Freddie Cole – brother to Nat, and an equally talented singer! Freddie's got a sound that's a bit sadder and more world-weary than Nat – still in kind of a small combo jazzy mode, as would bespeak his roots, but singing with a really honest approach that makes the album the kind of rare male vocal jazz treasure that hardly shows up! Tracks are a great mix of bar songs and lost love numbers – and titles include "Black Night", "Just A Dream", "Rain Is Such A Lonely Sound", "This Life I'm Living", and "Waiter Ask The Man To Play The Blues". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

An unusuallly hip trio for Chick Corea – one that features Miroslav Vitous on bass and Roy Haynes on drums – a double-length split set that features one batch of improvisations, and one batch of interpretations of the music of Thelonious Monk! CD

A classic set of jazz vocals from Blossom Dearie – recorded at Ronnie Scott's nightclub when she was living in London during the 60s! The set's got a nice intimate feel, and is one of Blossom's best-ever jazz recordings – a bit more live and hip than some of her Verve material, with backing from Jeff Clyne on bass and Johnnie Butts n drums. The record has little of the cocktail sound that marred some of her other releases, and more of the swinging jazz piano and vocals that you find on her best work. Blossom's voice is as unique as always, and the set's got some great groovy numbers, like "I'm Hip", "Once Upon A Summertime", "When In Rome", and "The Shape Of Things". Very nice vibe, with a good live feel and lots of interaction with the audience! CD features the bonus track "Cornflower Lavender Wallflower Blue (mono)". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

One of a handful of totally wonderful albums cut by Blossom Dearie in London – a gem of a set, and one that really takes off from the style of her earlier American albums on Verve, thanks to some hip Brit arrangements from Reg Guest! Blossom embraces all sorts of sounds here that she hadn't touched before – a bit of bossa, French soundtrack, and material from other sources – all wrapped up with those wonderfully charming vocals that are unlike anyone else at all – in a way that makes even familiar tunes sound very much like Dearie's own! There's some great jazzy elements in the music – including alto sax from Keith Bird – and titles include "Dindi", "Once I Loved", "Trains & Boats & Planes", "Watch What Happens", "Sunny", "The Folks Who Live On The Hill", "Once I Loved", "A Wonderful Guy", "Meditation", and the incredible "Soon It's Gonna Rain". CD features two bonus tracks – mono single versions of "Discover Who I Am" and "The Music Played". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

One of a handful of totally wonderful albums cut by Blossom Dearie in London – a gem of a set, and one that really takes off from the style of her earlier American albums on Verve, thanks to some hip Brit arrangements from Reg Guest! Blossom embraces all sorts of sounds here that she hadn't touched before – a bit of bossa, French soundtrack, and material from other sources – all wrapped up with those wonderfully charming vocals that are unlike anyone else at all – in a way that makes even familiar tunes sound very much like Dearie's own! There's some great jazzy elements in the music – including alto sax from Keith Bird – and titles include "Dindi", "Once I Loved", "Trains & Boats & Planes", "Watch What Happens", "Sunny", "The Folks Who Live On The Hill", "Once I Loved", "A Wonderful Guy", "Meditation", and the incredible "Soon It's Gonna Rain". CD features two bonus tracks – mono single versions of "Discover Who I Am" and "The Music Played". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

2 lesser-known sides of Blossom Dearie – both recorded in Paris in the 50s! The first 8 tracks on the set are from a rare 10" session recorded in 1955 – one that features Blossom only at the piano, not singing, but swinging in a solid trio format. Tracks on that session include "The Boy Next Door", "Down In The Depths Of The 90th Floor", "April In Paris", and "Blue Moon". The other 4 tracks on the set are from a 45rpm ep by Blossom's famous vocal group, The Blue Stars. The ensemble featured vocalese performances by young singers that included Christine Legrand, Jeanine De Waleyne, and Fats Sadi – and was the virtual blueprint for later jazz vocal groups, like Les Double Six or The Swingle Singers. Titles from that group include "Toute Ma Joie", "Embrasse Moi Bien", and "Toute Ma Joie". (Vocalists, Jazz) CD

Classic set of European recordings – made by Dolphy in 1961, before the fateful 1964 European tour that would later claim his life. The group features Swedish piano giant Bent Axen, plus a rhythm section that includes Erik Moseholm on bass and Jorn Elniff on drums. Like most Dolphy recordings from the time, however, the main focus is on Dolphy himself, and the long tracks feature some beautiful extended solos on alto and flute. Tracks are long, and titles include "Hi Fly", "Oleo", and "Glad To Be Unhappy". CD

One of Lou's more unique sides of the 60s – as the album features him as the main soloist over arrangements by a group headed up by Oliver Nelson. As has been ably demonstrated on many sides on labels like Verve, Impulse, and Capitol – there's no better talent than Nelson for taking a strong soulful player, and putting him into a context that will let him solo at his best, and not be overwhelmed by the band. There's some nice organ in the group, and titles include "Tippin In", "Back Talk", "Huffin N Puffin", and "Ignant Oit". CD

One of the most jazz-based groups of the German prog scene of the early 70s – heard here on a rare outing that features Mal Waldron playing electric piano with the group! Despite Waldron's presence, though, the real keyboard star of the set is Jimi Jackson – who plays mellotron and organ on the record, and sounds especially wonderful on the side-long track "The Call" – a fantastic 17-minute track that arose out of collective improvisations by the group! Instrumentation on the whole set is great – and includes the keyboards, plus heavy bass, vibes, marimba, guitar, sax, and even a bit of electric violin! Titles include "Radio Marrakesch/Orient Express", "Dreaming Girls", and "The Call". CD

On Golden Hair Gil Evans on piano and electric piano, Laurent Cugny on keyboards, Philippe Sellam on alto saxophone, Pierre-Olivier Govin on alto saxophone and flute, Denis Barbier on flute, alto flute and piccolo flute, Bernard Francois on French horn, Bobby Rangell on alto and soprano saxophone and flute, Andy Sheppard and Charles Schneider on tenor saxophone, Gilles Salommez on trombone, Christian Martinez, Francois Chassagnite, and Stephane Belmondo on trumpet, Didier Havet and Philippe Legris on tuba, Lionel Benhamou on guitar, Benoit De Mesmay on keyboards, Dominique Di Piazza on electric bass, Stephane Huchard on drums, and Stephane HuchardMarilyn Mazur and Xavier Desandre Navarre on percussion. CD

Wonderful mellowness recorded by Art during the 70s – a beautiful little session done in Stockholm with some really great touches! At the beginning, things start out in typical Farmer ballad mode, but as the album moves on, Sabu Martinez comes in with some added percussion – and the lineup of guitar, bass, and two drummers picks things up with a nice little pace. The whole thing hits its stride on the tune "Green Witch" – a track that has a slight Latin pulse on the bottom, and which almost threatens to go modal – but enjoys its skittish approach to percussion and the way it keeps things edgey! Other tracks include "Smiling Billy", "A Bitty Ditty", and "A Sleeping Bee". CD

An amazing debut from pianist Clare Fischer – an artist who went onto have a subtle, but immediate influence upon both the American and Brazilian jazz scenes of the time! Fischer's got a lyrical approach to rhythm that's simply amazing – modern, but never cold and academic – and instead always freely dancing around, in a way that gives equal melodic roles to the bass and drums in his trio. There's a clear bossa nova inspiration here, but keep in mind that Fischer's sensibility was also a big influence on the bossa players of the time. The whole session sparkles with a fresh genius that still beats the work of most players still recording today – and Fischer's piano is accompanied by equally free-thinking work on bass by Gary Peacock and drums by Gene Stone. Most titles are originals, and tunes include "Toddler", "Stranger", "Nigerian Walk", "Afterfact", "Free Too Long", "Piece For Scotty", and "Blues For Home". CD

Red Garland's piano was certainly humming strong at the time of this session – as Red's trio were one of the key rhythm components of many Prestige albums of the late 50s, but also a real starring act on their own! The album's got a laidback, almost mellow feel that's a bit different from some of the Garland accompaniment on horn-based sessions – a style that's introspective, but always spirited – sprightly, but never flowery – that magical style that allowed Garland to bridge different worlds of jazz piano in the 50s. Paul Chambers is a perfect accompaniment here on bass, Art Taylor's work on drums is a masterpiece of understatement, and although the titles are all familiar, they're certainly given a special Garland touch! Titles include "The Very Thought Of You", "If I Were A Bell", "Please Send Me Someone To Love", "I Know Why", and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love". CD

A seminal piece of west coast bop from the mid 50s – featuring altoist Geller in group with wife Lorraine on piano, and either Curtis Counce or Leroy Vinnegar on bass, and either Larry Marable or Eldridge Freeman on drums. The groove's nice and hard, nice and stripped-down – and Geller proves himself to be a fantastic player with a soulful edge that sets him apart from most of his LA contemporaries. Titles include "Sweet Vinegar", "Love Is Like a Turtle", "Kahagon", "Breaking Through The Sound Barrier", and "Days I Never Knew". 12 tracks in all! CD

One of the few albums ever cut as a leader by pianist Lorraine Geller – a player who's probably best remembered for her work with saxophonist (and husband) Herb Geller, but who also really swings nicely on her own! The album has Lorraine working with an LA trio that features Leroy Vinnegar on bass and drumming by either Lawrence Marable or Bruz Freeman – all of whom bring in a very soulful undercurrent to the record, helping bridge the two sides of the LA scene of the time, and making the album way deeper than you'd expect from the slightly elegant cover and title! The tracks aren't as strikingly modern as work cut by her husband during the 50s, but are quite strong nonetheless – with many unusual titles that include "Clash By Night", "Madam X", "Mystery Theatre", and "Everybody's Blues". CD

Dizzy and strings – a surprisingly great combination! Although it was Charlie Parker who first made famous the modernist "jazz with strings" approach, Dizzy does wonderfully here in the format – working in similar fashion with edgey backing from the "Operatic String Orchestra" in sessions recorded in Paris in the early 50s! The material was originally only issued as a number of separate 78rpm singles, but is brought together here with full notes and a few bonus tracks – making for a wonderful album that documents this really under-represented part of Dizzy's career. The solos are warm, but edgey – blown over the top of backings that shimmer with rich colors, but have a slightly modern bent. Titles include "Fine & Dandy", "Stormy Weather", "The Very Thought Of You", "Jalousie", "Sweet & Lovely", "The Man I Love", and "Ghost Of A Chance". CD

Way more than the simple Charlie Parker tribute promised in the title! For starters, the set's got two of the best cuts by Gillespie's mid 60s group with James Moody – "Um-Hmmm" and "Groovin High" – both of which have Moody playing in an incredibly unbridled tone that's just great! Next up are Coleman Hawkins and Roy Eldridge fronting a hip group with Billy Taylor on a long version of "Now's The Time". Taylor also makes an appearance on Dave Lambert's scatted vocal version of "Donna Lee", as well as on a large group medley of the tunes "Bird Watcher" and "Disorder At The Border". Finishing off the set is an amazing Lee Konitz solo version of "Blues For Bird", his own composition, played as a spare solo tune on alto! 9 tracks in all. CD

Without a doubt, Benny Golson is one of the most underrated tenorists of his generation – a player with a tone and conception that's always tremendous – but which comes across especially well on this early 60s session for Argo Records! As you might guess from the title, things aren't as tightly structured as on some of Benny's more arranged albums of the period – and he opens up wonderfully in a small group setting – playing in a beautifully confident tone, but with a slightly raspy edge – cutting, changing, and swinging perfectly in lines that are masterfully crafted, yet full of raw emotion. The group's a thoughtful quartet, and includes Tommy Flanagan on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Art Taylor on drums – and tracks that inlcude "Sock Cha", "Shades Of Stein", "Just By Myself", and "Just In Time". CD

A wonderful small combo session from tenorist Benny Golson – one of a few key albums like this from the early years! Although Golson is perhaps best known as a lively arranger in the modern idiom, he's also a kick-ass tenor player when he wants to be – and on this classic, he definitely wants to be! Unlike some of Golson's more tightly arranged records of the early years, this date is a deeply gutsy soul jazz session – support from a group that includes Ray Bryant on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, Art Blakey on drums, and Curtis Fuller on trombone – all sliding into long tracks that have plenty of room for solos! The whole thing's a bit like the more spontaneous side of the Jazz Messengers groove – and titles include "The Stroller", "Drumboogie", "My Blues House", and a beautiful version of "Yesterdays". CD

An incredible, and oft-overlooked album from the great Benny Golson – and one of the few early albums that really point the way to his huge run of work for decades to come! The style here is a bit looser, and more open than some of Golson's previous albums – less of a focus on arrangements, and more on the spontaneous interplay between his tenor and the crack rhythm section – which features Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – a dream lineup who really make the record sparkle. But the real star of the show is Golson – who's hitting this raspy, soulful tone he never had before – much freer of soul jazz formalities, and with a modern edge that's wonderful – as you'll hear on titles that include "Alone Together", "Turning Point", "Stella By Starlight", and "Dear Kathy". CD

The legendary meeting of two of the greatest jazz violinists ever! Stephane Grappelli was one of the best-recorded European jazz artists by the time of this 1965 album – and here, he gets the chance to play with Stuff Smith, an American talent on the instrument who was decidedly less well-known, but every bit as great (actually, far better, and more expressive, at least in our book!) Steph and Stuff play with backing by a French rhythm section that includes Rene Urtreger, Michel Gaudry, and Michel Delaporte – and tracks include "S'posin", "Skip It", "Blues In The Dungeon", and "This Can't Be Love". CD

The Great Jazz Trio really stretch out here – taking each of the album's four songs at a mighty relaxed pace – which allows even more room than ever for the creative expression of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! The cover's got a slick look that might be more at home on a fusion record – but the set's all acoustic, and has this warm, personal vibe that's really tremendous – that special sound that the three legendary musicians brought to their great run of albums in this format! Titles include "Satin Doll", "My Funny Valentine", "Night In Tunisia", and "Round Midnight". CD

A wonderful live set from the legendary Great Jazz Trio of Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and Hank Jones – one of the group's key Japanese albums of the 70s! As the title implies, the set was recorded live at the Village Vanguard – in a setting that has the trio stretching out even more than on their already-spacious studio sides of the time. Williams is especially nice on the record – light and free on the kit, and miles away from some of his fusion work of the 70s. Jones' tones are warm and soulful, and Carter's bass work is always a treat in a setting like this. The album features a great take on "Naima", plus the tracks "Moose The Mooche", "Favors", and "12+12" – all done in nice long versions. CD

One of the most open-ended sessions ever recorded by the Great Jazz Trio of Hank Hones, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams – a live set from the Village Vanguard, and one that features them really stretching out on 4 longer tracks! Jones' work on piano is an especially nice treat here – as he's still got the poise that we know from his more restrained studio sessions, yet also seems to really loosen up with the warm rhythm accompaniment of Carter and Williams. The session features a great obscure gentle groover titled "Wind Flower", plus a really introspective take on Miles Davis' "Nardis", and the tunes "Lawra" and "Confirmation". CD

A rare European gem from Johnny Griffin – recorded in quartet formation with backing from the rhythm trio of the Clarke Boland Big Band! Johnny was working with the trio in the bigger group at the time, but he gets plenty of space to state his case here – stretching out on hard-bitten, almost-modern solos that are some of his most adventurous to date on record – supported strongly on the album's longish tracks by Francy Boland on piano, Jimmy Woode on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums! There's a quality to Griffin's tone that's incredible – urgent, edgey, but never too far out – completely in command of itself, and able to run free, but without wasting at note at all – unlike some of his over-stretched European solos of later years. The set features beautiful long readings of Boland's "Night Lady" and "Old Stuff", plus Griffin's "Scrabble", and versions of "Summertime", "All The Things You Are", and "Little Man You've Had A Busy Day". CD

Paris was always a great city for Lionel Hampton – but it seemed like in the mid 50s, it was also a place where he cut some of his best work, too! The French New Sound pair of albums are both classics in Hamp's book – records that take off from the looser, longer-form style that he'd been hitting with his Verve recordings of the early 50s – yet which also retain some of the tighter, fuller elements of his famous large ensembles. Players on the records are great – a lineup that includes travelling American jazz greats like Benny Bailey and Nat Adderley on trumpets, and a young David Amram on French Horn – plus crack Parisian players who include Sacha Distel on guitar, Rene Urtreger on piano, and Guy Pederson on bass. The tracks are simple jamming numbers – long and open-ended, in the mode of some of Hamp's very popular live work at the time, and the vibes are right out front – hard-edged, with that soulful sound that Hamp pioneered on the instrument – and the other players are given very ample room to solo. Tracks on this second volume include "All The Things You Are", "Night & Day", and "Red Ribbon". CD

A fantastic album by Slide Hampton – one of his best, and one of his rarest! Like a number of other important players of his generation, Slide got his start on the American scene, but moved to Europe during the 1960s – where he really began to open up. This excellent session was recorded in Paris in 1962, and it features Slide leading an octet through some of the most complicated arrangements of his early years. Players include some great underground American players, like trumpeter Richard Williams, bassist Butch Warren, tenorist George Coleman, and trombonist Benjamin Jacobs-El, whose frequent co-tromboning with Hampton always made for an excellent sound. As on Slide's Atlantic sides, the group swings like a mofo – staying tight on the choruses, but really breaking out from the pack with some amazing solo work. Titles include "Star Eyes", "Straight No Chaser", "Confirmation", "Exodus", and "A Moment's Notice". CD

Maybe the title's a bit overly-optimistic – but with a record like this, you can certainly imagine a world in which everybody does like Hampton Hawes! The record's the third in a legendary early run for the Contemporary label – trio material that broke Hawes out of the box and firmly put his rich talents on the keys at the top of the list of the best players in jazz. The sound's an amazing blend of jazz idioms at the time – with some of the flourishes of the Peterson or Jamal crowd, but often a tighter, almost rootsier bottom in the rhythms – a touch of the LA soul jazz sound, showing up here quite early! The trio features Red Mitchell on bass and Chuck Thompson on drums – and tracks are short, but showcase the open sound that Hawes was developing at the time. Titles include "Night In Tunisia", "Body & Soul", "Lover Come Back To Me", and the Hawes originals "The Sermon" and "Coolin The Blues". CD

A record that certainly makes us smile – as it's got the fantastic cornet of Terumasa Hino in a group that features Cedar Walton on piano, David Williams on bass, and Michael Carvin on drums – all working together as almost a "Walton plus one" sort of date – but with specially sparkling solos from the leader! The mix of Walton and Hino is one that we never would have thought possible 20 years before – but here, the maturing players come together wonderfully with energy that's very intuitive, as they make their way through the set of mellow ballads you might expect from the title. Tunes include the original "Blue Smiles", plus "Alfie", "My Funny Valentine", "Smile", "You Are So Beautiful", "Unforgettable", and "My One & Only Love". CD

A lovely blend of fusion and Brazilian roots – and one of Toninho Horta's standout sets from his US years at Verve! The album's got a warm, organic feel that's quite different from other American fusion of the time – still filled with some of the influences that drove that music in the US, but carried off in a way that's much deeper and more personal overall – thanks to Toninho's always-great approach! Horta sings wordlessly and plays guitars – and the instrumentation shifts a bit from track to track, creating different moods with the addition of players who include Pat Metheny on guitar, Onaje Allen Gumbs on synth, Billy Drewes on soprano sax, and Nana Vasconcelos on percussion. Titles include "Spirit Land", "Francisca", "Sun Song", "Bicycle Ride", "Eternal Youth", and "Gershwin". (Brazil, Jazz) CD

A record with a staid sort of cover, one that hides all the great funky energy underneath – as the set's a killer album from Japanese drummer Takeshi Inomata, working here with his Sound Ltd group in a wonderful blend of jazz, funk, and psychedelic mode! There's a fantastic swirling of elements going on here – including guitar from a young Ryo Kawasaki, plus trumpet from Shunzo Ohno, flute from Toshiako Yokota, and tenor from Takao Uematsu – as well as trombone from Takashi Imai, who handled the arrangements with Inomata and Norio Maeda. The record is a key evolution of the late 60s Japanese way of serving up new jazz takes on American hits – as the record is funky, yet filled with original material that really pushes the boundaries – on titles that include "It Better End Soon", "Sometimes In Winter", "South California Purples", "Tell All The People", "Tag 5 Tune", and "Pacific C55". LP, Vinyl record album

Sublime 70s work from pianist Fumio Itabashi, easily one of our favorite Japanese talents of the time – a pianist with a wonderful sense of rhythm and freedom at the same time – very much on display on this beautiful record! The tracks are long and flowing – full of feeling, and as lyrical at times as they are rhythmic – set up with perfect trio accompaniment that features Tsutomu Okada on bass and Takuji Kusimoto on drums – working with Fumio in this special sort of magic that's a bit hard to put in words, but which really demonstrates on record why this moment in Japanese jazz was such a special time! Ties include "TOH", "Alligator Dance", and "Goodbye". LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet session of laidback trio material – recorded by Dutch pianist Pim Jacobs in the early 80s, with a much more expansive sound than his more famous recordings from the 50s! In the postwar years, Pim was one of the bigger new talents on the European scene – famous for his backing work with a number of singers – but this set from later years shows that he hasn't lost an ounce of his talent, and has really developed a way of stretching out, even in a small space – to make the most of whatever tune he takes on! The album has Pim on acoustic piano – working across the keys with a nice light touch that almost shows the influence of the electric generation – and tracks include "Come Fly With Me", "I've Got The World On A String", "I Love You", "Body & Soul", and "Sultry Serenade". CD

Go Power indeed – as the album's a really stripped down groover, and one that has the tenor of Illinois Jacquet working in spare trio formation with Milt Bucker on Hammond and Alan Dawson on drums! The record's got a sound that's even earthier than some of Jacquet's other work for Argo – partially because the session was recorded live at Lennie's On The Turnpike in Boston, but also because the tracks are longer and a bit more open-ended. Buckner's a great counterpart for the album, with a groove that's deeper than we remember – and the hip drumming of Alan Dawson helps keep things in a groovier 60s mode throughout. Titles include "Watermelon Man", "Illinois Jacquet Flies Again", "On A Clear Day", and "Pamela's Blues". CD

Stunning live work from piano genius Ahmad Jamal – still very young at this point, but already working with the fluid sense of imagination that would only unfold even more in the 60s! As with most of Jamal's live dates of the time, the balance of lyrical energy on the keys and rhythmic sensitivity at the core is fantastic – given sublime support from Israel Crosby on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums – a trio who were as unique in their own way as the three piece combo of Ramsey Lewis was as well – although in a completely different style. The tunes are all familiar, but given these really fantastic readings – and titles include "April In Paris", "I'll Take Romance/My Funny Valentine", "Falling In Love With Love", and "The Second Time Around" – plus the Jamal original "Night Mist Blues". CD

Magical early work from Ahmad Jamal – a scintillating blend of piano, percussion, and bass – with a sound that was incredibly fresh at the time, and which still sounds pretty much so to our ears! The album crackles with imagination and rhythm – really hitting on all burners without burning itself out – and showing that even in these early days, Jamal's approach was one that could be as striking as it was mellow. Bass is by the incredible Israel Crosby, and drums are by Vernell Fournier – and tracks include "Taboo", "The Girl Next Door", "Should I", "Secret Love", and "Squatty Roo". CD

Not just a wonderful record for the music, but also for the classic cover image too – a photo of Ahmad Jamal's righteous night club The Alhambra – an Eastern-themed spot on Chicago's Michigan Ave, where Jamal made some incredible music for a few short years! Jamal was one of the few jazz musicians to control his means of production this strongly – and, according to legend, the club actually closed down because he wouldn't allow alcohol to be served – a key support of his spiritual beliefs, but not the greatest choice when running a nightclub. Regardless of that history, though, the music continues to be as proud and powerful as ever – a key modern moment in jazz piano, handled by a trio that also features the legendary Israel Crosby on bass, as well as Vernell Fournier on drums. The set was recorded inside the Alhambra – and tracks include the lovely "Snow Fall", plus hip Jamal takes on "The Breeze & I", "Sweet & Lovely", "The Party's Over", and "Autumn Leaves". CD

A beautiful demonstration of the unique piano genius of Ahmad Jamal in the early years of his career – his way of blending together some of the complex fluidity and keyboard range of postwar pianists from more staid settings, while also picking up a warmer, more soulful groove – but in styles that are so different than soul jazz contemporaries like Ramsey Lewis and Ray Bryant! Instead, Jamal's got this way of swinging the whole trio with a beautiful sense of cohesion – pulsating enough to groove, but also light enough to be lyrical as well – qualities that are really shared by the bass of Israel Crosby and drums of Vernell Fournier – as they work here alongside Jamal in the space of his famous Alhambra nightclub. Titles include "Time On My Hands", "Angel Eyes", "You Go To My Head", "Star Eyes", and "What Is This Thing Called Love". CD

A mindblowing album from Ahmad Jamal – a fantastic start to the 70s, and a set of music that shows just how far the pianist had come in just a few short years! The album's all acoustic, but has some of that spacious flow that Jamal would bring to his work on Fender Rhodes – with an approach that's even more open in terms of song structure than his earlier trio material – as if Jamal's choosing to omit more notes than he's including – but all with a quality that still keeps the music very full and rhythmic – pulsating with a special sort of energy that's neither Bill Evans, nor McCoy Tyner – but instead this really amazing sound that's all Ahmad's own. The trio features equally wonderful work from Jamil Nasser on bass and Frank Gant on drums – and titles include "The Awakening", "I Love Music", "Patterns", "Wave", and "Dolphin Dance". CD

That's right, count 'em – 88 keys on the piano in all, and Ahmad does a pretty good job of hitting them all in this early album of piano virtuosity! The album's amazing – set the pace for a whole new generation of piano expressiveness, with a cool and earthy approach that also still has quite a bit of poise. The group features Walter Perkins on drums and Israel Crosby on bass – fantastic rhythm players both of them, giving the album a pulsating live that goes way beyond the simple format of the tunes! Titles include "Beat Out One", "Jim Love Sue", "Maryam", "Volga Boatman", and "Green Dolphin Street". CD

That's right, count 'em – 88 keys on the piano in all, and Ahmad does a pretty good job of hitting them all in this early album of piano virtuosity! The album's amazing – set the pace for a whole new generation of piano expressiveness, with a cool and earthy approach that also still has quite a bit of poise. The group features Walter Perkins on drums and Israel Crosby on bass – fantastic rhythm players both of them, giving the album a pulsating live that goes way beyond the simple format of the tunes! Titles include "Beat Out One", "Jim Love Sue", "Maryam", "Volga Boatman", and "Green Dolphin Street". CD

A sprightly set from the Ahmad Jamal Trio – but also a record that's not as brightly colored as you might guess from the title, thanks to a nice undercurrent of darkness in the mix! Jamal's piano work is often nicely punctuated – perhaps living up to the "happy moods" promised on the cover – but the bass work of Israel Crosby and drums by Vernell Fournier are a lot more subtle – magical element that really makes the record sparkle with that unique Jamal-like approach to rhythm. Titles include "For All We Know", "Excerpt From The Blues", "Little Old Lady", "Pavanne", "Time On My Hands", "Raincheck", and "Rhumba No 2". CD

A compelling title – as the record was recorded at Nola Penthouse Studios in New York, one of the hippest places to lay down tracks at the time – but the cover shows an image of the Playboy building in Chicago, famous from the TV show Playboy's Penthouse, Hugh Hefner's first foray into television! The actual music is equally compelling too – as the record is one of Ahmad's first non-trio sessions, and features some great larger arrangements from Joe Kennedy – backing the trio of Jamal, Vernel Fournier, and Israel Crosby with some light strings that create a wonderfully dreamy feel! Ahmad's piano glides along wonderfully in such a setting – set free a bit more than usual, and really sounding great on tracks that include "Ivy", "Comme Ci, Comme Ca", "Tangerine", "Never Never Land", "Ahmad's Blues", and "Seleritus". CD

Groundbreaking work from the legendary Ahmad Jamal – not just in his own career, but in live jazz in general! The album's a classic recording of Jamal's trio with Israel Crosby on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums – captured at the Pershing Lounge on the south side of Chicago, where Jamal was clearly wowing the crowd with his amazing talents on the piano. The groove here is sublimely fluid and soulful – clearly the next wave of expression on the piano in the 50s, and as important to the Chicago scene as Bill Evans was to that of New York at the time. The recording quality is wonderful – clear enough to capture the subtleties of Crosby's amazing bass, and the lightly tippling sound of Fournier's drums. Titles on this second volume include "Billy Boy", "Too Late Now", "All The Things You Are", "My Funny Valentine", and "I'll Remember April". CD

A nicely expanded take on the Ahmad Jamal sound of the early 60s – one that adds in guitar from Ray Crawford and violin from Joe Kennedy to Jamal's usual trio grooving! The main focus here is often still on the core group – which features Israel Crosby on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums – but the added elements are used sparely to bring in new colors to the tunes, with Kennedy bowing violin lines on most of side one, and Crawford hitting some of his great single-note lines on most of side two. Titles include "Ahmad's Waltz", "Valentina", "Tempo For Two", "Yesterdays", and "Baia". CD

A really special album from Belgian reedman Bobby Jaspar – a rare late 50s record that features some of his best work of the decade on flute! The session's got Bobby playing with great backings on vibes by Fats Sadi and Michel Hausser – both of whom use the instrument in ways that resonate strongly with the modern tones in Jaspar's phrasing – and the great Kenny Clarke is on drums, with bass from either Paul Rovere or Jimmy Merrit, plus additional percussion from Humberto Canto. There's a light groove on most numbers – kind of a lyrical swing that's perfect for the flute and vibes! Titles include "Le JAMF", "Speak Low", "Doxology", "Jeux De Quartes", "Chasing The Bird", and "Misterioso". CD

Hank Jones takes on Porgy & Bess – with some wonderfully groovy results! The set is one of many version of the Gershwin musical that were timed to come out with the release of the late 50s film – but thanks to some careful handling by Jones, the music is way more than a cash-in session – and in fact, it's almost as if Jones is doing his best to really change up some of the tunes, and present them in fresh new ways! A key element to the set is guitarist Kenny Burrell – who joins Hank's trio with Milt Hinton on bass and Alvin Jones on percussion – playing with a nice rhythmic pulse that moves things a bit past the usual Jones groove. Titles include "Summertime", "I Ain't Got No Shame", "It Ain't Necessarily So", and "A Woman Is A Sometime Thing". CD

Hank Jones on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. CD

A killer set from those magical 70s years when Quincy Jones was effortlessly blending jazz, soul, and contemporary R&B – all to come up with a genre that's almost completely his own! In the early 70s, Quincy Jones surrounded himself with some of the best young soul and jazz talent he could find, plus a few older pros – and the result was a great series of albums that spanned genres and created a whole new approach to modern R&B. This gem of an album was put together with a young Leon Ware and an older Ray Brown – and it features some killer mellow soul tracks that rank with Quincy's best work – with especially strong contributions from Ware, who'd yet to really shine on his own! Titles include the sublime version of "If I Ever Lose This Heaven", plus "Body Heat", "Soul Saga", "Everything Must Change", "One Track Mind", and "Along Came Betty". CD

A much-needed look at an overlooked side of the genius of Quincy Jones – not his jazz work, not his productions for famous soul artists, but instead his huge legacy of soundtrack material – a part of Q's career that really took off in the 60s! By the time he started working in films, Jones had already had a decade under his belt as one of the hippest arrangers, leaders, and composers in jazz – and the film business really respected those talents, and allowed Quincy to bring some really fresh styles into play – modes that really opened up the vibe of American cinema, and also paved the way for the funky styles of the 70s! As that decade approached, Jones left behind the cinema to take on some more higher-profile records of his own – but all the charms of those great albums can be found here at their roots – in this stunning collection of soundtrack material, some of which has never been on CD. The package is way more than just a sampler – and includes an album's worth of material from the films The Pawnbroker, Slender Thread, Mirage, The Deadly Affair, In The Heat Of The Night, In Cold Blood, Walk Don't Run, The Italian Job, Lost Man, and John & Mary – plus two versions of the love theme from The Getaway, and a bonus CD with 18 tracks – titled Q's highlights, and featuring tracks from his Mercury records – plus more by Billy Preston, Arthur Prysock, Bill Cosby, Shirley Horn, Letta Mbulu, Toots Thielemans, and others. Even features the "Sanford & Son" and "Ironside" themes! (Soundtracks, Jazz) CD

A much-needed look at an overlooked side of the genius of Quincy Jones – not his jazz work, not his productions for famous soul artists, but instead his huge legacy of soundtrack material – a part of Q's career that really took off in the 60s! By the time he started working in films, Jones had already had a decade under his belt as one of the hippest arrangers, leaders, and composers in jazz – and the film business really respected those talents, and allowed Quincy to bring some really fresh styles into play – modes that really opened up the vibe of American cinema, and also paved the way for the funky styles of the 70s! As that decade approached, Jones left behind the cinema to take on some more higher-profile records of his own – but all the charms of those great albums can be found here at their roots – in this stunning collection of soundtrack material, some of which has never been on CD. The package is way more than just a sampler – and includes an album's worth of material from the films The Pawnbroker, Slender Thread, Mirage, The Deadly Affair, In The Heat Of The Night, In Cold Blood, Walk Don't Run, The Italian Job, Lost Man, and John & Mary – plus two versions of the love theme from The Getaway, and a bonus CD with 18 tracks – titled Q's highlights, and featuring tracks from his Mercury records – plus more by Billy Preston, Arthur Prysock, Bill Cosby, Shirley Horn, Letta Mbulu, Toots Thielemans, and others. Even features the "Sanford & Son" and "Ironside" themes! (Soundtracks, Jazz) CD

A great bit of 70s electric work from Quincy – and probably his funkiest album ever! Quincy's really stepping out here from the straighter and spacier styles of earlier records – going for more of the dirty grooves he was cutting up for soundtrack albums, and hitting notes that were a lot more fitting for the blacksploitation era. The record includes the massive funky track cut "Hikky-Burr", which was the theme to the first Bill Cosby Show, and which has a sinister groove, and some wild shouted lyrics! Also features two more great themes – "Ironside" and "The Anderson Tapes" – both of which have a cool electric sound to them, and the nice title cut, which actually features Quincy on vocals! Other tracks include "Cast Your Fate To The Wind", "What's Going On", "Brown Ballad" and more. CD

One of the wildest sets ever recorded by Japanese guitarist Ryo Kawasaki – and that's saying a lot, given some of his other work! The vibe here is fusion, but with a definite 80s spacey twist that's hinted at by the cover – as Kawasaki handles most of the instruments himself, mixing his cool guitar lines with keyboards, rhythm patterns, and other elements – all in a wonderful wave of sound, almost similar to some of the Japanese electronic instrumental work of the time, but still very jazz-oriented overall! Titles include a nice reading of "Concierto De Aranjuez" – plus "Cancion Del Fuego Fatuo", "Introduction From Schelomo", "A Felicidade", "Marilyn", "Mercy Of The Dragon", "Hawaiian Caravan", and "Twilight Song". LP, Vinyl record album

Midnite is right – as the session's a moody, mellow late nite one – just spare trio material by Wynton, played in a group that features Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums! The titles are all nice and long – and really let Kelly stretch out on the keys – working in a mode that's lyrical and soulful – on a set of titles that include include Babs Gonzales' "Weird Lullaby", plus "Skatin", "Temperance", "On Stage", and "Pot Luck". CD

One of Wynton Kelly's greatest albums, and an all-star hardbop session that includes Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. With Philly Joe on drums, and Morgan and Shorter, the LP almost has the feel of a classic Art Blakey session for Blue Note, but Kelly's piano gives it a feel that's a bit warmer, and more relaxed. The tracks are nearly all long, with very open room for soloing, and nice catchy hooks by the various writers – who include Kelly, Morgan, and Shorter. Titles include "Wrinkles", "Mama G", "What Know", and "Sidney". CD

Rock-solid work from Wynton Kelly – a standout trio side from the early 60s, and one of his few dates recorded for Vee Jay Records! Kelly seems to have a bit more kick here than in the 50s – and a bit more of a down to earth quality than on his later sides for Verve – really laying back on the keys of the piano, and getting some great help from a rhythm group that features Jimmy Cobbs on drums, and either Sam Jones or Paul Chambers on bass. The tunes are mostly familiar numbers, but they're offset by a few strong Kelly originals – including "Joe's Avenue" and "Sassy" – amidst other titles that include "Love I've Found You", "Autumn Leaves", "Gone With The Wind", and "Autumn Leaves". CD

One of the most soulful sessions we've ever heard from Japanese pianist Masabumi Kikuchi – a brilliant quintet outing that features some really great work on tenor and soprano sax! Kikuchi's piano is usually enough to grab our attention, but the album's got a great added bonus in the presence of Kosuke Mine on soprano sax and Hideo Miyata on tenor – both players whose horns bring in some added sharpness to the date, and further underscore the spiritual elements in Kikuchi's music – almost with the same mix of reeds and driving rhythms you'd find in the post-Coltrane work of Elvin Jones. Titles include "Green Dance", "Bell", "Admire But Destest", "Gin Kai", and "Drizzling Rain". CD