An excellent CD that features some of Betty Carter's earliest work – sides recorded for the album Meet Betty Carter & Ray Bryant, plus other rare ones that were later collected on the Social Call album! The set features some sublime tunes arranged by Gigi Gryce – with a floating jazzy style that works perfectly with Betty's incredible voice – plus others with backings by Ray Bryant's combo, and a few more that feature Ray's group playing without Betty's vocals. Betty's voice is already fantastic – even at this early point in her career – with an amazing range of expression, and a jazz-based approach that's different from most of her generation. There's a total of 19 tracks in all – including one previously unissued number – and titles include "Bryant's Folly", "Social Call", "Thou Swell", "Frenesi", "Run Away", "Tell Him I Said Hello", "Can't We Be Friends", "Sneaking Around", and "Let's Fall In Love". CD

Sublime early work from Carmen McRae – a collection of recordings done with backing from pianist Ray Bryant in both small combo and large group settings! The first dozen tracks on the album have Carmen singing in a beautifully fragile mode – with only Ray's piano and a bit of bass and drums to back her up – and it's a real treat to her the McRae vocal approach in such an unfettered format, because even at this earlier age, Carmen had a sense of control, poise, and grace that shines through immediately. Next up are 14 more tunes that also feature Bryant's piano, but over larger backings directed by Jack Pleis – in a way that's more similar to some of McRae's better known recordings from the time, but still quite great – done with a level of sophistication that clearly paved the way for Nancy Wilson and Marlena Shaw in years to come – on a batch of 12 mostly Noel Coward numbers, and 2 other tunes. 26 tracks in all – and titles include "I Can't Escape From You", "Guess Who I Saw Today", "Exactly Like You", "All My Life", "Dream Of Life", "Zigeuner", "A Room With A View", "Never Again", "Invitation", "If Love Were All", "Why Does Love Get In The Way", and "Mad About The Boy". CD

Although Pat was a mainstream vocalist, she's got a heck of a great sound – one that's lean, groovy, and very well suited for the 60s-styled title of the album! Pat's a jazz singer on one side, but also has an edge to her tone – at a level that's a bit like Lorez Alexandria during some of her jazz outings of the same time – a very groovy mode that's quite different than most other standard vocals, with a depth of feeling that's totally great! Backings are by a small combo with Seldon Powell on tenor and flute, Kenny Burrell on guitar, and Ray Bryant on piano – and the album's got some groovy tracks like "Joey Joey Joey", "Get Out Of Town", "Don Cha Go Away Mad", "Moon & Sand", "The Music That Makes Me Dance", and "The Sounds Of The Night". LP, Vinyl record album

Two of the biggest singers who ever worked for Verve Records – captured perfectly at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957! Ella Fitzgerald steps out with a strong, lively groove on the first half of the set – swinging things with a looser, more upbeat quality than on some of her mellower Verve studio sets of the late 50s – really grooving it up with small combo backing from the trio of pianist Don Abney! Billie Holiday also gets some small combo backing too – a hip trio with Mal Waldron on piano, Joe Benjamin on bass, and Jo Jones on drums – often a bit more laidback than the group on Ella's sides, but in a great way that helps Holiday hit a very intimate sound, even before this large audience. Ella sings "This Can't Be Love", "Body & Soul", "April In Paris", "I Got A Crush On You", and "Airmail Special" – and Billie sings "Nice Work If You Can Get It", "What A Little Moonlight Can Do", "My Man", "Willow Weep For Me", and "Lady Sings The Blues". CD also features 3 more unissued bonus tracks by Ella – "Too Close For Comfort", "Lullaby Of Birdland", and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down & Write Myself A Letter". And, added to all of this are 7 more tracks recorded by Carmen McRae at Newport, not issued by Verve in the 50s because Carmen was working for Decca! These sides feature trio backing too – from groups featuring Ray Bryant and Junior Mance on piano – on titles that include "Body & Soul", "Skyliner", "I'll Remember April", "Perdido", and "Love Is Here To Stay". CD

One of Max's many great records from the late 50's, most of which tend to get overlooked in favor of his more experimental sessions. The group here includes Ray Bryant, Stanley Turrentine, Julian Priester, and Turrentine's great brother Tommy – and they're joined by Abbey Lincoln on vocals on a number of tracks. The set is mostly standards, and titles include "Never Let Me Go", "Namely You", "Speak Low", and "Wild Is The Wind". (Jazz, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Two excellent albums from Jimmy Rushing – packed together on one CD, with extra tracks and great liner notes! Rushing Lullabies is a killer album by Jimmy – and certainly one of his best later records! The album includes the amazing track "Russian Lullaby", done in a totally swinging jazz version with Ray Bryant, Buddy Tate, and Sir Charles Thompson on organ. The track's incredible, and still sends shivers down our spines when we hear it – even though we've owned it for years! Other material's pretty darn great, too – including "Three Long Years", "Did You Ever", "I Cried for You", and "You Can't Run Around". Great organ by Thompson really makes the set swing! Jimmy & The Big Brass is another excellent session – and his approach to the material is extremely thoughtful, and always tinged with a good sense of jazz, making it swing a bit more than on earlier recordings. On this album, he's singing to a set of arrangements by Jimmy Mundy, Buck Clayton, and Nat Pierce – and titles include "Jimmy's Blues", "It's A Sin To Tell A Lie", "I'm Coming Virginia", and "Knock Me A Kiss". 25 tracks in all! CD