A standing room ovation in the A&M Studios – certainly the kind of reception we'd imagine Herb would get during these glory years of his career! The set's one of the most no-nonsense Tijuana Brass sessions of the 60s – a tightly crafted album that has a bit more jazz than usual sneaking in on some of the tunes, but still enough of that snapping, punchy rhythmic approach that makes Herb and the group so great! As usual, the fluidity here is the strongest point – as the A&M touch takes a sound that should be hokey, and flips it into something really really groovy through warm use of compression in the studio. Titles include "Blue Sunday", "Bean Bag", "Work Song", "Our Day Will Come", "Mexican Road Race", and "Freight Train Joe". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the grooviest records ever – a sublime blend of African percussion, soulful orchestrations, and Dorothy Ashby's amazing electric harp! By the time of this landmark album, Dorothy had been knocking around the jazz world for a number of years, but it wasn't until she hooked up with Richard Evans at Cadet Records that her sound really began to cook – breaking down genres and expectations in the trademark style of the best late 60s sides from the Chicago underground. The record's got a bit of funk, a bit of jazz, and a heck of a lot of soul – and the setting works perfectly for Dorothy's harp, giving it a lot more room to work around than some of her smaller jazz combo albums. The album includes two great originals – "Soul Vibrations" and "Afro-Harping" – both of which have a nice funky edge, and a groovy soulful bounce – and other tunes include "Lonely Girl", "Life Has Its Trials", "Look Of Love", "Come Live With Me", and a great version of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower". (Jazz, Now Sound) CD

Two of the best Nelson Riddle instrumental albums for Capitol Records – both of them nice and jazzy! Let Yourself Go is totally great – a set that soars out with the fire and energy of some of the best jazz-based big band albums of the 50s – with plenty of room for strong solos from the individual players (who sadly aren't named in the notes, but who are most likely the cream of the crop of the west coast!) In keeping with the Riddle vibe, there's some great twists and turns in the music – but hardly ever in a way that's just gimmick for gimmick's sake. Titles include "You're An Old Smoothie", "Let's Face The Music & Dance", "You Are My Lucky Star", "Let Yourself Go", "Darn That Dream", and "I Can't Escape From You". C'Mon Get Happy is a wonderful album too – a set that's almost like soundtrack jazz at its best – well conceived, and tightly arranged – but with some strong moments of individual instrumentation! There's a slight touch of sweetness at times, but never in a way that's too string-heavy – and instead, the emphasis here is mostly on the horns, which burst out with a great sense of power and sound. Titles include "Rain", "Diga Diga Doo", "Get Happy", "Time Was", "Without A Song", "Jeannine", and "September In The Rain". CD

Fantastic stuff! In case you don't know it, this is one of Lalo Schifrin's most incredible soundtracks, and it's a stunning mix of jazz, bossa, and groovy grooves. There's lots of cool bubbling electric bass, lilting keyboards, and moody breezy rhythms. Nearly every cut's a winner, and if you like his stuff, we can bet that this will become one of your favorites. The record's darn tough to find, and this reissue is a real treat to have around! Cuts include "Bullitt", "Room 26", "On the Way To San Mateo", and "Shifting Gears". (Soundtracks, Now Sound) CD

Fantastic stuff! In case you don't know it, this is one of Lalo Schifrin's most incredible soundtracks, and it's a stunning mix of jazz, bossa, and groovy grooves. There's lots of cool bubbling electric bass, lilting keyboards, and moody breezy rhythms. Nearly every cut's a winner, and if you like his stuff, we can bet that this will become one of your favorites. The record's darn tough to find on wax – and cuts include "Bullitt", "Room 26", "On the Way To San Mateo", and "Shifting Gears". (Soundtracks, Now Sound) LP, Vinyl record album

Pianist Cy Walters takes on a bakers dozen of songs by composer Richard Rodgers – all familiar tunes from mid-century shows – played here by Cy in spare solo piano readings! The tunes have a warmly crackling feel – of the sort you might expect if you found Walters tinkling the ivories late at night, in the back room of some small lounge. The style's somewhere in a space between cocktail piano and jazz – with the best qualities of both – and titles include "This Can't Be Love", "Soliloquy", "March Of The Siamese Children", "Sing For Your Supper", "Slaughter On 10th Avenue", and "Getting To Know You". (Jazz, Now Sound) LP, Vinyl record album

A crazy album of funky tracks from Lalo Schifrin – very different than most of his other jazz and bossa work! This set's got some very tripped out styles that mix together funky backings, jazzy riffing, and even some nice electronics – a sweet little groove that's even more wild and hip than even the best of Schifrin's soundtrack work from the 60s! Some tunes certainly show the deft talent for arranging woodwinds and rhythms that first caught the ears of so many listeners on famous soundtracks – but in the setting of this record, away from any directorial needs, Lalo's also free to explore some groovier music ideas – and he really lets loose tremendously as the set rolls on! The titles alone should tell you the feel of the record – with names like "Secret Code", "Dissolving", "Vaccinated Mushrooms", "Wheat Germ Landscapes", and "How To Open at Will The Most Beautiful Window". (Jazz, Now Sound) LP, Vinyl record album