Thelonious Monk on piano – with Charlie Rouse, Wilbur Ware, Shadow Wilson, John Coltrane, Phil Woods, Johnny Griffin, and others. (Jazz, Soundtracks)CD
A fantastic meeting of the minds – as director Jim Jarmusch makes a film that's a nod to the old martial arts films of the 70s that inspired the Wu-Tang Clan in their music – and RZA gets a chance to contribute to the soundtrack, with help from the Clan as well! The music is maybe the strongest realization of the Wu aesthetic at work – and RZA also shows that he's got a great flair for the right sort of sound for an action scene too – on titles that include vocal and instrumental versions of "Raise Your Sword" – plus "Fast Shadow", "Ghost Dog Theme", "Funky Theme", "RZA's Theme", "Gangsters Theme", and "Dead Birds". (Hip Hop, Soundtracks)CD
A great presentation of the set that finally gave Motown's legendary studio combo their due – the soundtrack to the documentary Standing In The Shadows Of Motown – expanded tremendously for this set! The 15 tracks on the set includes some killer Motown instrumentals, plus "tribute" tracks sung by contemporary artists. (Soul, Soundtracks)CD