Great stuff by this sublime Swedish jazz singer! Alice Babs has a cool breezy vocal style – one that graced more than a few albums by the time of this 1973 session, including great sets with both American and Swedish backup groups. This one features Alice singing with the orchestra of Nils Lindberg – in a sophisticated jazzy mode that's a bit like some of the styles used by singers like Monica Zetterlund or Sheila Jordan during the early 70s, but perhaps a bit more flowery. The album features her jazz dance version of "Been To Canaan", done with some heavily grooving congas in the mix – plus the tracks "Song For The Dreamer", "Checkered Hat", "Hody", and "A Hundred Years From Today". CD also features 2 bonus tracks – "Say When" and "Natural Affection". CD

Nicolas Bearde is a singer with equal parts experience in jazz and soul – which makes him a perfect artist to take on the music of Nat King Cole – which he does here in a way that may well be better than any other Cole tribute we've heard, including a recent effort by Gregory Porter! This set's got more of a jazz vibe, and a very open style – classics associated with Nat's years recording for Capitol Records, but swung with a modern small combo style – thanks to arrangements from pianist Josh Nelson, whose talents really shape the set in a great way – as does tenorist Eric Alexander, who appears on a few tracks too – adding a tenor/vocal approach that Nat never used. Titles include "Funny", "That Sunday That Summer", "Sweet Lorraine", "Tenderly", "Rules Of The Road", and "I Wish You Love". CD

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Proof that Helen Merrill was continuing to grow as a singer – well into her fourth decade of recording! This obscure session was recorded in France in 1986 – with a lineup that includes Steve Lacy on soprano sax, Gordon Beck on acoustic and electric piano, and Stephane Grappelli on violin. In this spare setting, Merrill's are wonderfully at home – sadly picking her way through a host of tunes that includes great readings of some more familiar numbers, plus a few originals by players on the set. Titles include "Nuages", "Round Midnight", "A Tout Choisir", "As Time Goes By", "Laura", "Music Makers", "And She Still Is With Me", and "Solitude". LP, Vinyl record album

(Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Vocalist Fay Victor joins the wonderful group Other Dimensions In Music – for a performance that really helps deepen the sound and knock the whole thing out of the park! Make no mistake, we already love the instrumental side of the group – Roy Campbell on trumpets and other instruments, Daniel Carter on saxes and flute, William Parker on bass, and Charles Downs on drums and percussion – all shifting instruments, and working together in a mode that's very strongly in a legacy that runs from the AACM through the loft jazz generation! But the presence of Victor's voice really adds a whole new layer – contributions from various texts, which are spoken and sung, but in ways that are as unconventional as the music that Campbell and Carter make on their horns. Titles include "An Open Letter", "We Is We Trini", "Saltfish Refried", "Three Friends Advised", "Kitch Goes Home", and "John Gilman Wants Tobacco". (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Key proof that great songs never get old – and maybe even more, that the political messages of yesterday still have plenty of power today! Drummer Ulysses Owens mines the righteous territory of the 60s and 70s here – bringing together songs originally performed by Nina Simone, Abbey Lincoln, and Joni Mitchell – all with a fresher, more contemporary approach that resonates surprisingly strongly – especially given the superb vocals on the album by Rene Marie, Theo Bleckmann, Alicia Olatuja, and Joanna Majoko! You'll no doubt know some of these songs – and most of the originals have been inspiring us for many years – but Owens finds a great way to open them up and make them sound even more vibrant, working with a group that also includes Allyn Johnson on Fender Rhodes and Hammond, David Rosenthal on guitars, and Reuben Rogers on bass. Titles include "Balm In Gilead", "Borderline", "Driva Man", "Baltimore", "Everything Must Change", "Freedom Day", "Be My Husband", "Mississippi Goddamn", and "Both Sides Now". (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

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Excellent work from Helen Shapiro – a UK singer known for a few big hits in the 60s, but represented here by a much wider scope of work – including a number of tracks that appear here on CD for the first time ever! Like some of the best of her generation, Helen's got that sweet UK female pop approach that's often heavy on influences from American soul, especially Motown – so that she really soars as she belts on the lyrics, over tunes that often have similarly soulful arrangements and really impeccable production! The package brings together both the a-sides and b-sides of singles recorded for a number of different labels – all with the superb Ace Records presentation that includes detailed notes and excellent sound quality – and the focus is mostly on material from the late 60s and early 70s. Titles include "She Needs Company", "Sill Boy", "Today Has Been Cancelled", "Face The Music", "Stop & You Will Become Aware", "Just Another Weekend", "Brickyard Blues", "That's The Reason I Love You", "A Glass Of Wine", "Waiting On The Shores Of Nowhere", "Take Me For A While", "The Way Of The World", and "Touchin Wood". CD

(Soul, Vocalists) CD

A key later album in the career of Perry Como – and a record that has him hitting a nicely mature sort of sound! The title track was a big hit for Perry, and is still relatively well-remembered now – but the whole set is pretty darn great – with swirling strings that couch a subtle sense of darkness that takes Como way past the simpler pop of earlier years. There's a world-weary quality here that's really great – one that seems to hide broken dreams underneath a sweeter smile, but which seems out especially on a few of the album's more contemporary covers. Backings are arranged by Nick Perito, Don Costa, and others – and wonderfully use strings to pillow-up Perry's vocals. Titles include "I Think I Love You", "Close To You", "It's Impossible", "Snowbird", "Something", "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", and "A House Is Not A Home". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful set of hipster jazz vocals! This legendary album by Pittsburgh pianist Frank Cunimondo has always been a favorite for the jazz-dance groover "Feelin Good" – a cut which has an incredible drum and bass riff, and which has been sampled more than a few times over the past few years. But even above that track, the whole album's pretty darn great – and it features an excellent set of vocals by the lovely Lynn Marino, a very unique vocalist with a sweet style that's sort of like Blossom Dearie. The whole album's got a lovely light groove, with some heavy rolling piano lines from Frank, tight rhythm backing by the trio, and a great sweet sound from Lynn. A real treasure, and impossible to find on the original vinyl. Titles include "Beyond The Clouds", "Pretty Pretty", "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life", "Love So Fine", "A House Is Not A Home", and the incredible "Feelin Good"! (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

(Soul, Vocalists) CD

Lovely work from Lisa Ono – one of the first singers of the modern age to return to the genius of 60s bossa, and one of the few to keep getting it right over the years! Here, Lisa sings with studio help from Mario Adnet – that great contemporary bossa talent who's got a key ear for updating instrumentation without ever losing the charm of the past – keeping things live, spontaneous, and with just the right current of sadness – but all without ever just aping the styles of the 60s either. Lisa's voice is wonderful – maybe even better here than on her earlier records – and titles include "Upa Neguinho", "Roda", "Mas Que Nada", "O Cantador", "Lapinha", "Tim Dom Dom", "Sa Marina", "Bossa Na Praia", and "Chove Chuva". (Brazil, Vocalists) CD

Amazing work from singer Dee Alexander – a wonderfully soulful album of jazz vocals, and one that we'd rank right up there with our favorite records by Carmen Lundy or Dee Dee Bridgewater! Dee's a singer who's worked in Chicago for years, but we've honestly only begun to appreciate her talents of late – possibly because she's really hipped up her sound a lot over the years, picking up a range of spiritual, soulful influences that push her music to a whole new level – as you might have heard on her recent collaboration with IG Culture. The music on the set is wonderful too – work by Chicago players we know, but have never heard this strongly before – grooving in modal and soulful modes behind Dee's great vocals, with a lineup that includes Miguel De La Cerna and Michael Logan on piano, Harrison Bankhead on bass, and Leon Joyce on drums and percussion. Titles include versions of two tunes by AACM member Henry Huff – "Live" and "You & I" – plus the Alexander originals "Long Road Ahead", "Rossingnol", "Butterfly", and "C U On The Other Side". CD

A beautiful album from Lorez Alexanderia – one of her two excellent sessions for Impulse! The record was cut after Lorez recorded some great sides for the Argo label – and it works off the strength of those sides, taking her unique vocal approach, forged in R&B, but smoothed by jazz, into a whole new level of expression! The backing is great – small combo, with featured musicians who include Bunk Shank and Paul Horn on reeds, and Victor Feldman and Wynton Kelly on piano – all working with moody, soulful arrangements that are a perfect accompaniment to Lorez' beautiful voice. Includes the cuts "Get Me To The Church On Time", "Satin Doll", "Show Me", "The Best Is Yet to Come", "I'm Through With Love", and 5 more! CD

A pairing of classic A&M talents Herb Albert & Lani Hall – covering well known numbers by Van Morrison, Peggy Lee, The Beatles and comparably lesser known gems with vibrant, genuine passion – clearly doing it for purely for the love of great music after all these years! The sunny, Latin rhythms and sunny, breezy jazzy grooves of records from the 60s & 70s is here in full force on titles that include "Moondance", "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" (which really soars), "There Will Never Be Another You", "Fever", "Here Comes The Sun", "Blackbird", "I Feel You", "'Til There Was You", "Club Esquina" and more. CD

Early American work from Julie Andrews – recorded right at the start of her big fame on the stage, but with styles that almost hearken back more to the sound of her homeland! Many titles have musical elements or themes that echo the British Isles – a few traditional folk tunes here, or more sentimental styles there – all arranged by Irwin Kostal in ways that are not as swinging or bold as some of her more dynamic Broadway material. There's a sense of subtlety to some of the tunes, and a bit of sadness too – and titles on the set include "Canterbury Fair", "To A Wild Rose", "Where'er You Walk", "These Precious Things", "The Floral Dance", and "London Pride". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic collection of work from those years when singer Ann-Margret first popped up on the American market – young, fresh, and sexy – and willing to do whatever it took to make her music stand out from the pack! Ann-Margret's got a vocal range that's maybe deeper than most of her contemporaries – a lusty growl that makes you feel like she's singing from way down in her toes – with odd bluesy currents mixed with jazzier backings – all in a mode that has really blows away the sultry tones of previous singers like Peggy Lee or Julie London. This 30 track package is a very well-chosen array of tunes from the early RCA years – and includes lots of solo numbers, plus work with Elvis Presley and Al Hirt – on titles that include "Man's Favorite Sport", "Next Time", "Madrid/The Pleasure Seekers", "Mack The Knife", "My Baby Just Cares For Me", "Teach Me Tonight", "The Lady Loves Me", "You're The Boss", "Mr Wonderful", "That Old Black Magic", "Everything Makes Music When You're In Love", "Let Me Entertain You", "Take All The Kisses", "Something To Think About", and "Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang". CD

Dreamy 60s pop from Ginny Arnell – a sweet-voiced singer working in a very echoey space! There's a nicely weepy quality to Ginny's music – not in a way that's overly emotive, but which comes from the odd mix of guitar lines, bubbling bass, and heavy echo used to record the music – all with qualities that start feeling sad long before Arnell even sings a word of the lyrics – and which is almost a female equivalent to the best blue modes of Bobby Vinton's work of the same time! Arrangements are by a variety of talents – including Bill McElhieny, Al Gorgoni, and Ray Stevens – but there's a nicely unified feel to the set, thanks to the strong production on the album from Jim Vienneau – clearly an under-acknowledged genius of 60s pop. Titles include "Dumbhead", "I Wish I Knew What Dress To Wear", "I'm So Afraid Of Loving You", "He's My Little Devil", "This Is Mine", "You Pulled A Fast One", "I Don't Want You This Way", and "This Is Mine". CD features 6 bonus tracks too – including "I'm Getting Mad", "Bill Why", "I'm Crying Too", "Trouble's Back In Town", and "Just Like A Boy". CD

Bessie Smith by LaVern Baker – a great blend of modes that really comes off great! Instead of sounding like a throwback blues album, the set comes across with a nice degree of contemporary class – thanks in part to a jazzy presentation that's a bit different than some of Baker's other music of the time – and which sports reeds from Sahib Shihab, tenor from Paul Quinichette, trumpet from Buck Clayton, and trombone from Jimmy Cleveland! Baker's voice is in fine form in this comfortable setting – and really works magic with tracks that include "After You've Gone", "Preaching The Blues", "Empty Bed Blues", "Back Water Blues", and "Gimme A Pigfoot". (Soul, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Molly's got a bit of a twang, but is more of a pop singer than a country one – singing here with music by Bob Bain! (Funky 45's, Vocalists) 7-inch, Vinyl record

Terry Callier's first album for Cadet – and the kickoff of one of the greatest three album runs that any soul artist ever recorded! This one's got a different feel than the later two, as it takes songs by Terry, and structures them with these little musical "seque" tracks in between every song, done in a sparer folksy style that recalls Terry's roots in the Old Town scene in Chicago. At the time, Terry was making the transition from folk artist to soul singer – and he'd been picked up by Jerry Butler and The Dells as a promising young songwriter, one of the best talents of the second generation of Chicago soul stars. The record's a stripped-down affair that features a small group with Charles Stepney on harpsichord and organ, Callier on guitar, and backing vocals by Minnie Riperton, Shirley Wahls, and Kitty Haywood. The album kicks off with Terry's great little pop ditty "Ordinary Joe" – probably the catchiest song he ever wrote – then rolls into more somber titles like "Occasional Rain", "Do You Finally Need A Friend", "Golden Circle", and "Blues For Marcus". A totally unique album – and a prime example of the genius that was coming out of Chicago at the time! (Soul, Vocalists) CD

Terry Callier's first album for Cadet – and the kickoff of one of the greatest three album runs that any soul artist ever recorded! This one's got a different feel than the later two, as it takes songs by Terry, and structures them with these little musical "seque" tracks in between every song, done in a sparer folksy style that recalls Terry's roots in the Old Town scene in Chicago. At the time, Terry was making the transition from folk artist to soul singer – and he'd been picked up by Jerry Butler and The Dells as a promising young songwriter, one of the best talents of the second generation of Chicago soul stars. The record's a stripped-down affair that features a small group with Charles Stepney on harpsichord and organ, Callier on guitar, and backing vocals by Minnie Riperton, Shirley Wahls, and Kitty Haywood. The album kicks off with Terry's great little pop ditty "Ordinary Joe" – probably the catchiest song he ever wrote – then rolls into more somber titles like "Occasional Rain", "Do You Finally Need A Friend", "Golden Circle", and "Blues For Marcus". A totally unique album – and a prime example of the genius that was coming out of Chicago at the time! (Soul, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

An assortment of early tracks with the great songwriter Hoagy Carmichael performing his own creations! Some tunes have smaller groups, others are in larger settings with the groups of Buddy Cole, Gordon Jenkins, or Glen Gray! Titles include "Stardust", "Hong Kong Blues", "The Old Music Master", "Judy", "Washboard Blues", "Doctor Lawyer Indian Chief", and "My Resistance Is Low". LP, Vinyl record album

Chie's got kind of a washed-out look on the cover of this one, but the album's a warmly glowing little set – filled with gentle bossa colors, and sung with a light and lovely feel! There's a great Japan-meets-Brazil feel to the record – one that's put together from some well-crafted backings that feature lots of acoustic guitar and percussion, then topped by Chie's slightly fragile vocals – which offer a different take on the music than you might get from a Brazilian singer. Arrangements are by Dudu Trentin, Alex Fonseca, and Celso Fonseca – and titles include "Embola A Bola", "A Ilha", "Minha Voz Minha Vida", "Everytime We Say Goodbye", "So Liguei", and "Ate Nao Mais". (Brazil, Vocalists) CD