One of the coolest collaborations of Dave Brubeck's years at Columbia Records – and one of the greatest jazz sessions from vocalist Jimmy Rushing too! On paper, the modernist Brubeck and Kansas City roots singer Rushing would seem to be a very unlikely pair – but by this time in his career, Jimmy had gotten extremely inventive and was very open to new ideas – and manages to lend his amazing vocals to some sublime instrumental backdrops from the Brubeck quartet! Dave unlocks a whole host of bluesy tones for the session, and really matches Rushing's energy – and Paul Desmond's alto sounds somewhat unusual in that setting, but with a real appeal too – a very unusual sound for a record like this. Titles include "There'll Be Some Changes Made", "My Melancholy Baby", "Blues In The Dark", "I Never Knew", "Ain't Misbehavin", "Evenin", "All By Myself", "River Stay Way From My Door", "You Can Depend On Me", and "Am I Blue". (Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

One of the coolest collaborations of Dave Brubeck's years at Columbia Records – and one of the greatest jazz sessions from vocalist Jimmy Rushing too! On paper, the modernist Brubeck and Kansas City roots singer Rushing would seem to be a very unlikely pair – but by this time in his career, Jimmy had gotten extremely inventive and was very open to new ideas – and manages to lend his amazing vocals to some sublime instrumental backdrops from the Brubeck quartet! Dave unlocks a whole host of bluesy tones for the session, and really matches Rushing's energy – and Paul Desmond's alto sounds somewhat unusual in that setting, but with a real appeal too – a very unusual sound for a record like this. Titles include "There'll Be Some Changes Made", "My Melancholy Baby", "Blues In The Dark", "I Never Knew", "Ain't Misbehavin", "Evenin", "All By Myself", "River Stay Way From My Door", "You Can Depend On Me", and "Am I Blue". CD features the previously unreleased bonus track "Shine On Harvest Moon". (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

One of the best studio albums in years from Kurt Elling – the much-overlooked Blue Note vocalist who's truly one of the greatest singers of his generation! The album returns Elling to a format that we really love – a setting in which he's able to craft his own lyrics to tunes – either jazz classics by Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Joe Zawinul, and others, or original tunes written in collaboration with players on the album. More than ever, Elling displays a tremendous understanding of jazz in all its shapes and forms – pushing the boundaries of jazz vocals farther than anyone we've heard since Mark Murphy in the 70s, and giving us hope for the future of singers in jazz! There's no warmed-over standards or easy classics here – but really incredible tunes that show that at least there's one person out there willing to do more than just provide a soundtrack to Starbucks. Titles include great versions of Coltrane's "Resolutions" and Herbie Hancock's "A Secret I", plus the tunes "Higher Vibe", "All Is Quiet", "Minuano", "In The Winelight", "Time To Say Goodbye", and "The More I Have You". CD

The first-ever Christmas album from Norah Jones – done in close collaboration with funk maestro Leon Michels, who also co-wrote some of the songs on the album! The album's still got the jazz-tinged approach of Norah's familiar music – but there's a different spirit, too – maybe a bit more up-close and soulful at times, especially on the original material. Backing is by a small combo that features Brian Blade on drums – and titles include "It's Only Christmas Once A Year", "Christmas Calling", "Christmas Don't Be Late", "Christmastime", "You're Not Alone", "A Holiday With You", and "Christmas Glow". (Holiday Music, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

A really wonderful collaboration between two very unlikely partners – and a great album that really stands out as some of the best work from both artists in the 60s! Count Basie's group gets hard and soulful on the record – and even a little funky on the best cuts – and Jackie Wilson is in a raw bluesy vocal style that recalls the best moments of his earlier Brunswick singles – a great edge that makes the whole Basie groove sound even more hard-hitting than ever. Benny Carter arranged, but the groove is more a hard-edged Count Basie mode mixed with Brunswick soul styles – and Jackie blows it out over the top on great versions of "Funky Broadway", "Ode To Billie Joe", "I Was Made To Love Her", "Even When You Cry", and "Respect". Also features a version of "For Your Precious Love" that was a bit of a hit for the pair! (Soul, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful collaboration between vocalist Pinky Winters and pianist Lou Levy – the second half of the live date that was partially issued on the album Shadow Of Your Smile – recorded back in 1983, but making its world premiere here! There's a mellow, intimate feel to the record that really fits Pinky's vocals – a style that's relaxed, but never sloppy or sleepy – and which ignites a surprising amount of fire from the interplay between Pinky's vocals and Lou's careful work on the keys. Bill Takas plays bass on the date, and titles include the vocal numbers "Speak Low", "I Am In Love", "Never Let Me Go", "The Trolly Song", "I'm Old Fashioned", and "No More Blues" – and Lou plays beautifully on 2 instrumental tracks, "The Piccolino", and a great reading of "The Dolphin". CD