Two later album's from Allison's stay at Prestige, Ramblin' With Mose and Autumn Song – before he moved over to Atlantic to go on to greater success – collected in one package. Unlike his later, more well-known sets, this is mostly instrumental, but there are a couple of nice vocal tracks, with the roots to his bluesy hipster approach in evidence: "I Got A Right To Cry", "Eyesight To The Blind", "That's All Right" and "Do Nothing Till You Here From Me". The remaining piano trio sides have a great rollicking almost boogie feel to them, with Addison Farmer and Ronnie Free rounding out the group, and include "Old Devil Moon", "Stranger In Paradise", "Kissin' Bug", "Ramble", "Old Man John", "Ingenue", "Promenade", "It's Crazy", "Strange", "Autumn Song" and "Groovin High". LP, Vinyl record album

A surprising sort of set, one in which Dee Dee Bridgewater pays tribute to Ella Fitzgerald – a link we might never have expected in her style! Dee Dee's not totally copping Ella here, though – although she does sing a good number of tunes from the Fitzgerald songbook – and as usual for Bridgewater, there's a pretty unique flavor to most of the material, something that comes through strongly with help from arrangers Lou Levy, Slide Hampton, and Cecil Bridgewater! The band's upbeat and groovy on most numbers – and titles include the Kenny Burrell-penned "Dear Ella", done as a duet, plus "How High The Moon", "Mack The Knife", "A Tisket A Tasket", "Midnight Sun", "Undecided", "Oh Lady Be Good", and "If You Can't Sing It You'll Have To Swing It (aka Mr Paganini)". CD

A well-chosen batch of tunes from June Christy's legendary years at Capitol Records – material that really helped transform the sound of the voice in jazz during the 50s! Arrangements are by Pete Rugolo or Bob Cooper – and there's a tremendous amount of darkness in many of these tunes – a mix of cold and sweet that's simply breathtaking, and which is still a style that June does better than anyone else. Titles include "How High The Moon", "Nobody's Heart", "Something Cool", "Just A Sittin & A Rockin", "Midnight Sun", "Willow Weep For Me", and "My Heart Belongs To Only You". LP, Vinyl record album

Sublime vocal work from the lovely Chris Connor – a collection of her key mid 50s recordings for Bethlehem Records, all tracks that really helped redefine the sound of the voice in jazz at the time! Before working at Bethlehem, Chris was mostly known as the singer in the big bands of Stan Kenton and Claude Thornhill – but on these recordings, the label wisely set her up in small group format – giving Connor a newly sensitive setting that produced tracks that are still some of her greatest ever! Backings are by the Ellis Larkin Trio, The Vinnie Burke Quartet, and the Ralph Sharon Group – and the CD features 21 tracks that include "All About Ronnie", "Lush Life", "Why Shouldn't I", "Ridin High", "All This & Heaven Too", "Fly Me To The Moon", "Trouble Is A Man", "Stella By Starlight", "He's Coming Home", "Goodbye", and "A Cottage For Sale". CD

Joe Derise was great male vocalist from the 50s – one who only recorded a few sides under his own name, but really left his mark on music! Joe's got an easily swinging style that's a bit in the mode of other 50s male singers, like Bobby Troup or Jackie Paris – but he's also a bit more fragile, in that intimate style used more by female singers like Chris Connor or June Christy – not nearly as icy, but with a sense of care that really comes through strongly in this rare Bethlehem release. This album features Joe working with a trio that includes Osie Johnson on drums and Milt Hinton on bass – and Joe accompanies himself on piano, gently coaxing warm feeling out of tunes that include "Maybe", "Comes Love", "My Romance", "It Might As Well Be Spring", and "How High The Moon". CD

The title says it all – as Billy sings themes from 12 big movies of the late 50s and early 60s – familiar tunes done here in a nice soulful setting, with arrangements by Billy Byers, and Bobby Tucker at the head of the orchestra. Titles include "More", "The High & The Mighty", "Moon River", "Never On A Sunday", "The Good Live", "On Green Dolphin Street", and "The Days Of Wine & Roses". CD includes a bonus cut – "Tonight", with backings by Hal Mooney! CD

A previously-unknown recording of two giant Verve Records stars of the 50s – captured here in a European performance, but not as part of the regular Jazz At The Philharmonic touring package! The set begins with two long tracks that are a superb showcase for the trumpet of Roy Eldridge – as Roy blows with a crisp muted style that has plenty of room to open up – with backing from the quartet of Herb Ellis on guitar, Lou Levy on piano, Wilfred Middlebrooks on bass, and Gus Johnson on drums – players who continue to then back up Ella Fitzgerald for the remaining nine tracks on the album! There's a nicely intimate, less iconic presentation of Fitzgerald here – still as great as her famous Verve dates, but maybe slightly more relaxed too. Eldridge blows "Soft Winds" and "Roy's Riff" – and Ella's tracks include "Whatever Lola Wants", "All I Need Is You", "I Loves You Porgy", "Lady Be Good", "How High The Moon", and a nice take on "Alright Okay You Win". (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Quite a popular live album from Ella – recorded in Berlin at the height of the cold war years – featuring a famous recording of "Mack The Knife" that almost blew away Bobby Darin's hit with the cut! The album's nicely free of some of the stodginess of some of Ella's Songbook albums from the same time – with light and jazzy backing by a group that includes Jim Hall, Paul Smith, Wilfred Middlebrooks, and Gus Johnson. Titles include "Mack The Knife", "How High The Moon", "Too Darn Hot", "Gone With The Wind", "Misty", and "Summertime". Features bonus tracks not on the original album! CD

Quite a popular live album from Ella – recorded in Berlin at the height of the cold war years – featuring a famous recording of "Mack The Knife" that almost blew away Bobby Darin's hit with the cut! The album's nicely free of some of the stodginess of some of Ella's Songbook albums from the same time – with light and jazzy backing by a group that includes Jim Hall, Paul Smith, Wilfred Middlebrooks, and Gus Johnson. Titles include "Mack The Knife", "How High The Moon", "Too Darn Hot", "Gone With The Wind", "Misty", and "Summertime". Features bonus tracks not on the original album! CD

Quite a popular live album from Ella – recorded in Berlin at the height of the cold war years – featuring a famous recording of "Mack The Knife" that almost blew away Bobby Darin's hit with the cut! The album's nicely free of some of the stodginess of some of Ella's Songbook albums from the same time – with light and jazzy backing by a group that includes Jim Hall, Paul Smith, Wilfred Middlebrooks, and Gus Johnson. Titles include "Mack The Knife", "How High The Moon", "Too Darn Hot", "Gone With The Wind", "Misty", and "Summertime". CD

Quite a popular live album from Ella – recorded in Berlin at the height of the cold war years – featuring a famous recording of "Mack The Knife" that almost blew away Bobby Darin's hit with the cut! The album's nicely free of some of the stodginess of some of Ella's Songbook albums from the same time – with light and jazzy backing by a group that includes Jim Hall, Paul Smith, Wilfred Middlebrooks, and Gus Johnson. Titles include "Mack The Knife", "How High The Moon", "Too Darn Hot", "Gone With The Wind", "Misty", and "Summertime". LP, Vinyl record album

A definite shot at the pop market by Ella Fitzgerald – quite possibly recorded as a follow-up to the 60s success of former singing partner Louis Armstrong, who's referenced nicely in Ella's rendition of the title hit! The first 4 tracks on the set were done in the UK, under the leadership of arranger Johnny Spence – and the remaining 8 were done back on Ella's home turf, with familiar backings by Frank DeVol, and an overall sound that's a bit more lush than those on the British numbers. Includes a hit reading of "Can't Buy Me Love", plus "Hello Dolly", "The Sweetest Sounds", "My Man", "Volare", "The Thrill Is Gone", "How High The Moon", and "Lullaby Of The Leaves". CD

Seminal pre-Verve work by Ella Fitzgerald – a variety of early singles from the late 40s and early 50s, collected together in one full album by Decca! Even at this point in her career, the Fitzgerald magic is firmly in place – sensitively taking on familiar lyrics on some tunes, scatting breezily on others – all with a lot more jazz in the mix than her contemporaries, but not nearly as much pyrotechnics as the bebop-era vocalese crowd. Backings are by Sy Oliver on many numbers, by small groups on others – and a few tracks feature backing vocals by the Ray Charles singers. Titles include "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Rough Ridin", "Smooth Sailing", "Later", "Ella Hums The Blues", "How High The Moon", "Air Mail Special", and "Flying Home". CD

Seminal pre-Verve work by Ella Fitzgerald – a variety of early singles from the late 40s and early 50s, collected together in one full album by Decca! Even at this point in her career, the Fitzgerald magic is firmly in place – sensitively taking on familiar lyrics on some tunes, scatting breezily on others – all with a lot more jazz in the mix than her contemporaries, but not nearly as much pyrotechnics as the bebop-era vocalese crowd. Backings are by Sy Oliver on many numbers, by small groups on others – and a few tracks feature backing vocals by the Ray Charles singers. Titles include "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Rough Ridin", "Smooth Sailing", "Later", "Ella Hums The Blues", "How High The Moon", "Air Mail Special", and "Flying Home". CD

Some of the best material Slim Gaillard ever recorded! Although he's best known for his Verve work, and for his early 40s sessions in LA – these 1959 recordings for Dot have Slim hitting a groove that's far tighter than usual, with a better jazz influence, and a much freer approach to singing than his usual stock style. There's a wonderful version of "How High The Moon" that's got crazy guitar, and wild lyrics from Slim about life on the moon. Other nice cuts include "Sukiyaka Cha Cha", "Chicken Rhythm", "Slim's Cee", "Lady Be Good", and "Thunderbird". If you've ever wondered why people think Slim is so great, check this one out – and you'll flip! CD

Some of the best material Slim Gaillard ever recorded! Although he's best known for his Verve work, and for his early 40s sessions in LA – these 1959 recordings for Dot have Slim hitting a groove that's far tighter than usual, with a better jazz influence, and a much freer approach to singing than his usual stock style. There's a wonderful version of "How High The Moon" that's got crazy guitar, and wild lyrics from Slim about life on the moon. Other nice cuts include "Tall And Slim", "Take The A Train", "Slim's Cee", "Lady Be Good", and "Rooster Rock". If you've ever wondered why people think Slim is so great, check this one out – and you'll flip! LP, Vinyl record album

A great illustration of the upbeat, positive vibe that Peggy Lee could serve up when she was at her best – a cool Capitol Records mode that really helped Lee set a whole new tone for singers in the 60s! The great Jack Marshall is at the helm on arrangements – putting things together with a vibe that's bright, but also pretty modern as well – thanks to work from a west coast jazz lineup that includes Shelly Manne on drums, Joe Harnell on piano, Pete Candoli on trumpet, and Barney Kessel on guitar! The set includes Lee's famous version of "Fever" – plus "It's A Wonderful World", "Things Are Swingin'", Alright, Okay, You Win", "Ridin' High", "Alone Together", "Life For Livin'", and"You Don't Know". A classic collaboration between Peggy Lee and Nelson Riddle – and a record that really set the tone for Lee's famous Capitol sides of the 60s! The groove here is very upbeat – as you might guess from the title – with a bouncing, almost syncopated approach that's definitely Riddle's, but which also hints at some of Lee's more soul-based backings of the 60s from Jack Marshall – those slinky-stepping groovers that would really put her back in front of American ears. Many tunes are older numbers, but they're updated nicely by Riddle's playful backings – and cuts include "Jump For Joy", "Back In Your Own Back Yard", "Old Devil Moon", "What A Little Moonlight Can Do", "Just In Time", "Music Music Music", "Four Or Five Times", and "Ain't We Got Fun". CD

One of the greatest early moments from Dianne Reeves – a set that's still steeped in plenty of jazz, but one that also has the singer coming across with a more personally poetic vibe as well – a quality that opens up Reeves in ways we never would have expected a few years before! Dianne really comes across with an intimate feel on the ballads – almost more in a soul-styled approach – but can still swing the best jazz numbers too – with some especially inventive arrangements that really keep things interesting. Titles include "Afro Blue", "I Remember Sky", "Love For Sale", "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise", "How High The Moon", "For All We Know", and "You Taught My Heart To Sing". CD

A hip album from Sarah Vaughan – one recorded with great jazz backings from Ernie Wilkins, and featuring a young Cannonball Adderley as the main soloist! The addition of Adderley's alto definitely brings a swinging sound to the set – a sense of soul that's even deeper than usual for Vaughan, and which helps the album live up to its hi-fi promise! Wilkins arrangements have a bit of a Basie bounce at times, but never overwhelm Sarah's vocals – and Jimmy Jones is also on the set, handling the piano lines. Titles include "An Occasional Man", "Oh My", "Soon", "How High The Moon", "It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream", and "Maybe". CD

A hip album from Sarah Vaughan – one recorded with great jazz backings from Ernie Wilkins, and featuring a young Cannonball Adderley as the main soloist! The addition of Adderley's alto definitely brings a swinging sound to the set – a sense of soul that's even deeper than usual for Vaughan, and which helps the album live up to its hi-fi promise! Wilkins arrangements have a bit of a Basie bounce at times, but never overwhelm Sarah's vocals – and Jimmy Jones is also on the set, handling the piano lines. Titles include "An Occasional Man", "Oh My", "Soon", "How High The Moon", "It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream", and "Maybe". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Tony Bennett's greatest jazz sessions – a sublime mid 50s outing that features small combo backing from guitarist Chuck Wayne! The setting is extremely spare for the time – a real contrast from the higher drama of some of Tony's 50s chart hits, and the kind of a record that really lets him open up with the warmer vocal tones that could sometimes be lost on the pop numbers. Wayne's guitar is great too, really chromatic and moody, bringing out the darker colors in the tunes nicely. Other players include Dave Schildkraut on alto and Al Cohn on tenor – and titles include "Darn That Dream", "My Reverie", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "My Heart Tells Me", "Old Devil Moon", and "Love Letters". CD

Here's a nice one – the only album we've ever seen by vocalist Dee Lawson, an icy yet soulful singer with a style that's clearly forged in the June Christy mode! The set features some nice small combo backing that really matches the late night mood of the tunes – more jazz-based overall than some of the vocal sets with larger orchestrations on Roulette – and featuring some of the great little unusual tunes that used to show up on that label's better vocal sides of the time. Highlights include "A Ballad At 5am", "It Was Nice While The Money Rolled In", "You Can't Hardly Get Them No More", "If The Moon Turns Green", and "Lost Within A Dream". Players include Jimmy Cleveland, Doc Severenson, and Eddie Safranski. LP, Vinyl record album

A great singer and a great trio – a unique Verve outing that has vocalist Anita O'Day joining forces with the Three Sounds combo of pianist Gene Harris! The Three Sounds were always happy to serve as a rhythm combo on dates like this – and they really bring a lot of their own flavor to the record – standing out on a few instrumental selections that highlight their own brief relationship with Verve – but mostly backing Anita with a groove that's tight and always soulful! O'Day's vocals are as confident as Harris' work on the keys – making for a very nice match – and titles include "Fly Me To The Moon", "All Too Soon", "My Ship", and "Whisper Not", which also features a guest solo by Roy Eldridge. LP, Vinyl record album

The songwriting of Jimmy Webb meets the studio genius of producer/arranger George Martin – for this one-off Atlantic album from 1977, a strange little set that almost has Jimmy sounding far older than his young years at the time! Martin's working in a style that follows nicely from Webb's earlier Land's End album – using full backings to color in the tunes with just the right shades and sounds to flesh them past Jimmy's vocals. But the unusual thing is the raspy, almost faltering quality of Jimmy's vocals – sung in a style that moves into his own words tentatively, as if he's rediscovering the lyrics after many years, or making them up on the spot. The mix of Webb's roughness and Martin's warmth makes the album more compelling than it might be otherwise – and titles include a version of Jimmy's classic "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress", plus "The Highwayman", "Christiaan No", "Moment In A Shadow", "Sugarbird", "Where The Universes Are", and "Mixed-Up Guy". (Rock, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album