A very cool album from the Italian branch of RCA Records – and a set that features a host of artists from other nations who briefly stopped over in Italy, and recorded some of these gems for the label! There's a core energy to the set, which balances contributions from a few key artists, mostly from America – and for jazz fans alone, the set is noteworthy for two tracks that have trumpeter Chet Baker blowing with orchestrations from a young Ennio Morricone – "So Che Ti Perdero" and "Il Mio Domani"! And there's plenty of other great bits too – singer Helen Merrill working with maestro Armando Trovajoli on "Nessuno Al Mondo" and "Estate" – plus Perez Prado on "Guaglione" and "Arrivederci Roma", Antonio Prieto on "Papa" and "Baciami", and even some very cool cuts from young poppers Paul Anka and Neil Sedaka. (Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

A very different album than the 60s material that Jackie DeShannon cut for Imperial Records – a set that marks a very hip shift to Atlantic, where Jackie got the chance to record down in Memphis! There's a soulful vibe to the record that really unlocks qualities that DeShannon had back in the 60s, but which really step out more strongly here – and the songs mix in material from hip contemporaries like John Prine, Steve Goodman, and Neil Young next to some of Jackie's always well-penned material! The great Reggie Young handles lead guitar on the set, and the other session players are great too – equally balanced between soul and country, on titles that include "Full Time Woman", "Paradise", "Heavy Burdens Me Down", "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", "I Won't Try To Put Chains On Your Soul", "Anna Karina", and "Peaceful In My Soul". CD features LOTS of bonus tracks, most of which are previously unissued – titles that include "Drift Away", "Grand Canyon Blues", "Hydra", "Speak Out To Me", "The Wonder Of You", "Through The Gates Of Gold", "Flamingos Fly", "Santa Fe", "Sweet Sixteen", and "Your Old Lady's Leaving". (Rock, Vocalists) CD