An amazing departure for David Bowie – hardly the kind of record you would expect from his oboe-filled tunes of a few years before – and really the start of the groundbreaking, earthshaking, reinventionist era of his genius! There's a spacious, soaring quality to Space Oddity that's every bit the kind of magical music you might hope for in a set recorded at the close of the 60s – a shift into new modes, new sounds that seem to suck up all the best influences in rock from the previous few years, but fuse it into a new cosmic vision for the next decade. And while others might stumble on cliche with the weight of such a task, Bowie pulls it off brilliantly – mixing his fuzzier feelings with some of his more personal leanings – and showcasing a newly deep sense of songwriting here that's really amazing. Some tunes have the sensitivity of work on Hunky Dory, while others burn with the fire of Man Who Sold The World – all in a balance that never sounds schizophrenic at all. Titles include"Space Oddity", "Memory Of A Free Festival", "God Knows I'm Good", "Cygnet Committee", and "Unwashed & Somewhat Slightly Dazed". LP, Vinyl record album

Arguably one of the greatest rock and roll albums of all time – and the key flowering of the partnership between David Bowie and Mick Ronson! The guitars here are heavy – so much so that the record's always crossed over big with crowds who are always suspicious of Bowie's artier work of the 70s – and represented a crucial moment when his groundbreaking music also found a large mainstream audience as well. And despite the fact that Ziggy's an androgynous space rocker with a spurious pedigree, the manufactured posturing of the album's come to be taken quite literally over the years – a vivid text of alienation, expression, and redemption – served up beautifully over a host of classic tracks that include "Five Years", "Soul Love", "Moonage Daydream", "Suffragette City", and "Ziggy Stardust" – all further proof of Bowie's 70s ability to slide in wherever he wanted with ease! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most spiritual albums we've ever heard from reedman David Boykin – a beautiful batch of long, flowing tunes that have tremendous modal energy and a very cohesive feel! We've always loved Boykin, right from the start – but here he's showing an even deeper sense of spirituality and direction – a great evolution after so many years in jazz, with a strong ability to build new ideas over a very long space – and still communicate in this universal style that transcends time and place! The package is lean – just a small cardboard sleeve – but the music is mighty, and feels like some lost underground jazz classic from the 70s. Boykin plays reeds and a bit of percussion – in a quintet with some really tremendous bass from Josh Abrams – plus piano from James Baker, guitar from Alex Wing, and drums from Marcus Evans – on the tracks "Love Power Magic", "Hyperspace", "6/10/13", and "Some Slick 8 Bar Blues". CD

One of the most spiritual albums we've ever heard from reedman David Boykin – a beautiful batch of long, flowing tunes that have tremendous modal energy and a very cohesive feel! We've always loved Boykin, right from the start – but here he's showing an even deeper sense of spirituality and direction – a great evolution after so many years in jazz, with a strong ability to build new ideas over a very long space – and still communicate in this universal style that transcends time and place! The package is lean – just a small cardboard sleeve – but the music is mighty, and feels like some lost underground jazz classic from the 70s. Boykin plays reeds and a bit of percussion – in a quintet with some really tremendous bass from Josh Abrams – plus piano from James Baker, guitar from Alex Wing, and drums from Marcus Evans – on the tracks "Love Power Magic", "Hyperspace", "6/10/13", and "Some Slick 8 Bar Blues". CD

A great lost performance from David Boykin's Expanse group – one of the boldest forces in Chicago underground jazz a few years back! The lineup here is great – with Boykin on tenor, Nicole Mitchell on flute, Josh Abrams on bass, James Baker on piano, and Myron Cherry on drums – working together beautifully in a tribute to the late Hazel Boykin – at a level that arguably has more structure and force than even other great Boykin recordings of the time! The interplay between tenor and flute is wonderful – very complex, but also deeply soulful, and quite organic – and David's especially great, blowing with that spiritual power that really made us sit up and take notice when he first came onto the scene. Titles include "His & Hers", "1/20/03", "Eli Whitney", "Gates", and "Big & Fine". CD

Saxophonist David Boykin never fails to blow us away – but this time around, his music seems even deeper and more ambitious than ever – as he works with his Expanse group on three long tracks that have a very spiritual mix of ensemble moments and improvised individual actions! The group's a hip one – and in addition to Boykin on tenor, bass clarinet, and a bit of percussion – the record also features Nicole Mitchell on flute, Eliel Sherman Storey on tenor, Musah Hollins on trumpet, Sean Hafeli on piano, and Avreeyal Ra on drums. Glenda Baker sings a bit, and the album's got a definite loft jazz sense of collaboration at the fringes! CD

A killer bit of female soul by a very short-lived group – one with a great sound that comes out of some real criss-crossing of styles – some deep soul currents, but some hipper modern soul touches at the top! The set was produced by Brad Shapiro, and has a good blend of his modern and southern styles of the mid 70s – similar to his work with Candi Staton – but it also features some impeccable arrangements from David Van DePitte, who gives the record a sweeping, swaying feel that buoys the vocals up on some really soulful backings. Titles include a great version of "How Long", plus the tracks "Mr Mystery", "You Accuse Me", "Rhythm Of Love", "One Woman's Trash", and "I Can't Weigh My Love". CD

A killer bit of female soul by a very short-lived group – one with a great sound that comes out of some real criss-crossing of styles – some deep soul currents, but some hipper modern soul touches at the top! The set was produced by Brad Shapiro, and has a good blend of his modern and southern styles of the mid 70s – similar to his work with Candi Staton – but it also features some impeccable arrangements from David Van DePitte, who gives the record a sweeping, swaying feel that buoys the vocals up on some really soulful backings. Titles include a great version of "How Long", plus the tracks "Mr Mystery", "You Accuse Me", "Rhythm Of Love", "One Woman's Trash", and "I Can't Weigh My Love". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic set of Verve tracks, arranged by the great Ralph Burns, very much in the same style as his work on the legendary Jazz Scene set. The set's far from a "soloists with strings" snoozer, and features some stunningly edgey arrangements by Burns, with purposefully off-kilter orchestral parts, which provide a startling counterpoint to solos by players like Flip Phillips, Jimmy Hamilton, Roy Eldridge, Ray Brown, and Bill Harris. Hard to find in any format, and with the tracks "Pimlico", "Perpetual Motion", "Sprang", and "Taxco". Comes in a great David Stone Martin cover, too! LP, Vinyl record album

A sweetly soulful soundtrack from Cagnet – music for the extremely popular Long Vacation series in the 90s, done in that Japanese style from the time that was very heavy on influences from American soul! There's English language lyrics on most tracks – sung by Natalie and Anna, with a bit of work from male singer David too – and the music has that groove from this key moment in Japanese club, when it seemed as if productions like this could easily cross the boundaries of cultures, as ears in both the US and UK scenes were really opening up to the groove. Titles include "Here We Are Again", "Long Vacation", "Into You", "Under The Moonlight", "What Will I Do", "Deeper & Deeper", and "Our Romance". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredibly soulful work from 70s west coast player Hadley Caliman – a great talent on both sax and flute, and a player who only cut a very small number of albums under his own name! The album's got a really seductive feel – gently spiritual, with a style that bubbles with restrained energy, but which runs very very deeply through the length of the set. The album's really well put together – stuffed with original tracks, and featuring backing by Hotep Cecil Bernard on piano, David Williams on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. Both Caliman's tunes and playing have a lightly magical feel to them – a sadness behind the sun, done at a complicated level that we appreciate more and more over the years. Titles include "Gala", "My Marie", "Presenting Mr. Jones", and "Schyleen". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's way more than just a "best of" from Anthony David – as it opens with his great recent cut "Heaven", a sublime duet with Algebra Blesset, and a stunning acoustic remake of a classic Womack tune from way back! The warmth of David's vocals has only deepened over the years – and it's great to trace the evolution from the already-great early cuts to some of the really wonderful recent ones – as Anthony works both solo, and in duets with other artists who include India Arie, Kiesha Jackson, and Giovanca. Titles include the original version of "Heaven", and "Heaven (amapiano mix)" – and Blessett returns on "Need You Now" – next to other tunes that include "Words", "Something About You", "Yes", "Smoke One", "Everything Is Everything", "Need You Now", "Lady", "4Evermore", "Livin It Up", "Rule The World", "Cheatin Man", and "The Further We Go". CD

Steve Davis on trombone, Jim Rotondi on trumpet and flugelhorn, Eric Alexander on tenor sax, David Hazeltine on piano, Nat Reeves on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. CD

A record that really dives deep with a rich mix of creative rhythms and inventive horn lines! The album still has Jack DeJohnette staying true to his more avant roots – working with tenor from David Murray, alto and soprano sax from John Purcell, baritone and tuba from Howard Johnson, and bass from Rufus Reid – a lineup that's a bit bigger than on other Special Edition albums, and which is used to fill in even more colors and deeper elements than before. Some of the tunes are wonderfully vivid in approach – and titles include "Festival", "Third World Anthem", "Zoot Suite", "Ahmad The Terrible", and "New Orleans Strut". LP, Vinyl record album

Darkly beautiful sounds from the duo of Don & Stevie Gere – a husband and wife who work here with a style that's folksy, but a bit spooky too – possibly due to the fact that the music within was recorded in their California home, and never issued for years! There's a deeply personal feel to the songs here – almost like we're peeking in on the intimacy of the couple, but as they try to put together a message to reach outside of their home too – themes of their own love mixed with greater societal issues – later taken up as some of the songs were reworked by other artists like David Gates, Curt Boettcher, and Waddy Wachtel. Yet there's an innocence to these original recordings that's really mindblowing – rescued from oblivion on aging acetates, and represented here on cuts that include "Sweet Sugar", "Keep An Eye On You", "Another Blue Day", "What Do You Think Of Me", "Kindly", and "Tell Me Now". LP, Vinyl record album

Smooth and soulful guitar work from Cornell Dupree – a player who recorded on countless sessions as a studio sideman, but didn't break out as a leader until the late 70s! The set has a full sound that's in the mode of the larger Kudu/CTI productions of the time – an approach that takes larger orchestrations and uses them as the backdrop for Dupree's work on guitar, often with a fair bit of keyboard support on Rhodes, Korg and piano from Mario Sprouse, who arranged the set. The set's made up of pop tunes from the day, and will remind you of 70s am radio at some level, which for us isn't a terrible thing, though there is a commercial sheen to the whole affair that still has a touch of what we love about the funky dancefloor style of David Matthews during the same stretch – and the album features a total of 7 tracks that include "Stayin' Alive", "Slip, Slidin' Away", "How Deep Is Your Love", "Lovely Day", "Boogie Nights", "It's So Easy", and "Shake It Well". LP, Vinyl record album

A really classic album from The Emotions – much harder and grittier than their earlier singles from Chicago, and quite different than their later sounds in the Earth Wind & Fire generation! The style here is almost funk – and definitely gets pretty close on a few cuts – thanks to sharp production from David Porter and Ronnie Williams, who dredge up some of the deeper sounds of the Stax label at the time, and match them with the trio's impeccable vocals! The record's got a down-looking vibe that really lives up to the cover image – a kind of subtle pride that really comes through in the music, and which may well make this album the greatest the girls ever cut. Titles include the stellar cut "Blind Alley" – a famous sample from years back, and a wonderful funk tune on its own – plus "Boss Love Maker", "Love Ain't Easy Onesided", "Show Me How", "Love is The Hardest Thing To Find", and "Boy I Need You". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the last albums the Four Tops ever issued on Motown – but also one of the best, and a set that really has the group taking off in a strong new direction for the 70s! Frank Wilson's at the production helm, and the set has all these cool little twists and turns that work perfectly with the magnificent harmonies of Levi Stubbs and the group – a mode that draws on all their vocal highlights from older years, but also refits them with a more spacious, more mature sort of sound! The approach is different than that used with the Temptations at the same time – less political, but still flowing with plenty of new ideas – handled by arrangers Jerry Long, Jimmy Roach, and David Van DePitte. The title cut – "Still Waters (Run Deep)" – is a perfect example of this – as the tune's got weirdly wonderful production, almost as watery as the cover image, and a bit of moog buried in there – which comes forward even more on the reprise of the song at the end of the record. Other titles include "Love Is The Answer", "Reflections", "I Wish I Were Your Mirror", "Bring Me Together", "LA (My Town)", and "Everybody's Talkin". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the last albums the Four Tops ever issued on Motown – but also one of the best, and a set that really has the group taking off in a strong new direction for the 70s! Frank Wilson's at the production helm, and the set has all these cool little twists and turns that work perfectly with the magnificent harmonies of Levi Stubbs and the group – a mode that draws on all their vocal highlights from older years, but also refits them with a more spacious, more mature sort of sound! The approach is different than that used with the Temptations at the same time – less political, but still flowing with plenty of new ideas – handled by arrangers Jerry Long, Jimmy Roach, and David Van DePitte. The title cut – "Still Waters (Run Deep)" – is a perfect example of this – as the tune's got weirdly wonderful production, almost as watery as the cover image, and a bit of moog buried in there – which comes forward even more on the reprise of the song at the end of the record. Other titles include "Love Is The Answer", "Reflections", "I Wish I Were Your Mirror", "Bring Me Together", "LA (My Town)", and "Everybody's Talkin". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the last albums the Four Tops ever issued on Motown – but also one of the best, and a set that really has the group taking off in a strong new direction for the 70s! Frank Wilson's at the production helm, and the set has all these cool little twists and turns that work perfectly with the magnificent harmonies of Levi Stubbs and the group – a mode that draws on all their vocal highlights from older years, but also refits them with a more spacious, more mature sort of sound! The approach is different than that used with the Temptations at the same time – less political, but still flowing with plenty of new ideas – handled by arrangers Jerry Long, Jimmy Roach, and David Van DePitte. The title cut – "Still Waters (Run Deep)" – is a perfect example of this – as the tune's got weirdly wonderful production, almost as watery as the cover image, and a bit of moog buried in there – which comes forward even more on the reprise of the song at the end of the record. Other titles include "Love Is The Answer", "Reflections", "I Wish I Were Your Mirror", "Bring Me Together", "LA (My Town)", and "Everybody's Talkin". CD

Brilliant soul from the Columbia Records years of Aretha Franklin – exactly the kind of collection you need to hear if you only think she sounded great on Atlantic! The styles here are somewhat more varied than in the late 60s, but that's only proof that Aretha could handle just about anything that came her way – and with a hell of a lot more soul than just about any of her contemporaries! The package does a wonderful job of sorting through the Columbia sides to come up with key singles, album tracks, and even two previously unissued titles – all well-chosen by Franklin friend and fan David Nathan, who also co-wrote the notes. The booklet's got lots of history from these overlooked years, plus cover images and label scans too – and titles include "Hands Off", "One Step Ahead", "When They Ask About You", "One Room Paradise", "It's So Heartbreakin", "Rough Lover", "Here's Where I Came In", "Tighten Up Your Tie Button Up Your Jacket", "Remember Me","Deeper", "I Told You So", "When They Ask About You", "The Shoop Shoop Song", "Follow Your Heart", and "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face". CD

A wonderful, easygoing live set by the Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band – a short-lived 80s project that featured a whole new side of the Grateful One's musical explorations! In a way, the music here almost goes back to some of Garcia's roots – which were occasionally a bit bluegrass-oriented – and joyous cheers of the crowd really add the listening experience here. The group features Jerry and David Nelson on guitar and vocals, with Kenny Kosek on fiddle, and Sandy Rothman on mandolin, dobro, and banjo – and the titles include "Deep Ellum Blues", "I've Been All Around This World", "Oh The Wind & Rain", "I'm Troubled", "Diamond Joe", "Gone Home" and "Ripple". LP, Vinyl record album

One of those great 80s albums that really helped Jerry Garcia demonstrate his commitment to deeper currents of American acoustic music – sounds that always colored his contributions to the Grateful Dead, but which by this point have emerged as a fantastic second side of Jerry's genius! And sure, the guy's a superstar, so most folks would lend their ears to anything he does – but the sounds here are really balanced so that Garcia is hardly the leading light of the set – trading guitar lines and vocals with David Nelson, in a group that also features John Kahn on bass, Kenny Kosek on fiddle, David Kemper on snare drum, and Sandy Rothman on mandolin, dobro, and banjo – all of which really add a lot to the set. Titles include "Bright Morning Stars", "Turtle Dove", "Rosa Lee McFall", "Deep Elem Blues", If I Lose", "Ragged But Right", and "I Ain't Never". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice collection of famous work by tenor players recorded for Verve and Norgran – all packaged in a classic David Stone Martin cover! Titles include "All Of Me" and "Pastel" by Illinois Jacquet, "Tenderly" and "Almost Like Being In Love" by Ben Webster, "With The Wind & The Rain In Your Hair" and "I Hadn't Anyone Till You" by Stan Getz, "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" and "Take The A Train" by Flip Phillips, and "Swinging On A Star" and "Charlie's Venture" by Charlie Ventura. LP, Vinyl record album

This one-man orchestra just keeps on getting better and better with each new record – working with the funk you'd expect from the name, but also all these cool and moody touches that mix together David Axelrod-like ambition with some of the sharper snap of hip hop production! This time around, Seth Applebaum has a fair bit of strings and horns in the mix – plus added voices, some strong lead singers – and an array of sonic touches that make for a richness that's much deeper than it is ghostly! Previous records were good, but Seth's really onto something great hear – and mixes together strands of sounds into something that's much richer than its parts – emerging as a surprising maestro for the underground, on titles that include "Stoop Talk", "Mourning", "Drop Me A Line", "Little Bird", "Fuzzy Logic", "Quiet Soul", "Tojours", "Queen Bee", and "Cost Of Living". LP, Vinyl record album

Sublime work by Dizzy! Although Charlie Parker's "with strings" experiments are always the best known in the Verve catalog, Dizzy's work in this vein is simply amazing, and has him playing in a more avant garde setting than you'll ever hear from the time! The set features tracks that have Dizzy blowing over arrangements by either Johnny Richards or Buster Harding, wrapped up in a beautiful abstract David Stone Martin cover. Titles include "Pile Driver", "Cool Eyes", "Confusion", "Silhouette", and "O Solow", which also has some vocalization from Diz! LP, Vinyl record album

An unusual later set from the great Dexter Gordon – and a record that features the surprising addition of Hammond organ! Shirley Scott's on the record with Dex, and plays organ on half the cuts (Kirk Lightsey handles piano on the others) – bringing a soulful depth to the record which then seems to inspire Gordon to move into the sort of territory we might have expected from Stanley Turrentine back in the 60s! Grover Washington's on the record, blowing soprano sax on a few cuts with Scott – and reminding us of his deeper soul jazz roots – and other players include David Eubanks on bass and Eddie Gladden on drums. Titles include "Besame Mucho", "Skylark", "Sticky Wicket", and "For Soul Sister" – plus an interview with Dex! LP, Vinyl record album

Steve Grossman joins the Cedar Walton Trio – on a sweet little set that makes for one of Grossman's deepest records of the 80s! Although Steve can really blow with a lot of power when he wants to, he hits a much more lyrical mode here – one that's clearly in line with the warm tones of Walton's piano, opened up nicely in the album's collection of familiar tunes that provide plenty of gentle ballad space for Grossman to blossom. Walton plays piano with David Williams on bass and Billy Higgins on drums – and titles include "Naima", "Easy To Love", "My Old Flame", "Easy Living", "415 Central Park West", and "What's New". CD

Steve Grossman joins the Cedar Walton Trio – on a sweet little set that makes for one of Grossman's deepest records of the 80s! Although Steve can really blow with a lot of power when he wants to, he hits a much more lyrical mode here – one that's clearly in line with the warm tones of Walton's piano, opened up nicely in the album's collection of familiar tunes that provide plenty of gentle ballad space for Grossman to blossom. Walton plays piano with David Williams on bass and Billy Higgins on drums – and titles include "Naima", "Easy To Love", "My Old Flame", "Easy Living", "415 Central Park West", and "What's New". LP, Vinyl record album

Steve Grossman joins the Cedar Walton Trio – on a sweet little set that makes for one of Grossman's deepest records of the 80s! Although Steve can really blow with a lot of power when he wants to, he hits a much more lyrical mode here – one that's clearly in line with the warm tones of Walton's piano, opened up nicely in the album's collection of familiar tunes that provide plenty of gentle ballad space for Grossman to blossom. Walton plays piano with David Williams on bass and Billy Higgins on drums – and titles include "Naima", "Easy To Love", "My Old Flame", "Easy Living", "415 Central Park West", and "What's New". CD

Charlie Haden has made many wonderful albums over the years, in many different formats, both large and small – but this set holds a really special place in our heart, as it's got this close-up and intimate approach that really shows the world what a special musician Haden can be! Each track on the album is a duet – one with Ornette Coleman on alto, one with Keith Jarrett on piano, one with Alice Coltrane on harp, and the last with Paul Motian on drums – on long tracks that feature some really magical interplay between the musicians. The spare format is an extremely wonderful showcase for Haden's expressive bass work – and the intimacy of the tracks is different from some of the ECM recordings made during the same stretch – as the feel here is less a muted exploration of sound than it is a deeply personal interaction with some of the best talents of his generation. Tracks include "Ellen David", "For Turiya", "OC", and "For A Free Portugal". CD

Charlie Haden has made many wonderful albums over the years, in many different formats, both large and small – but this set holds a really special place in our heart, as it's got this close-up and intimate approach that really shows the world what a special musician Haden can be! Each track on the album is a duet – one with Ornette Coleman on alto, one with Keith Jarrett on piano, one with Alice Coltrane on harp, and the last with Paul Motian on drums – on long tracks that feature some really magical interplay between the musicians. The spare format is an extremely wonderful showcase for Haden's expressive bass work – and the intimacy of the tracks is different from some of the ECM recordings made during the same stretch – as the feel here is less a muted exploration of sound than it is a deeply personal interaction with some of the best talents of his generation. Tracks include "Ellen David", "For Turiya", "OC", and "For A Free Portugal". CD

Charlie Haden has made many wonderful albums over the years, in many different formats, both large and small – but this set holds a really special place in our heart, as it's got this close-up and intimate approach that really shows the world what a special musician Haden can be! Each track on the album is a duet – one with Ornette Coleman on alto, one with Keith Jarrett on piano, one with Alice Coltrane on harp, and the last with Paul Motian on drums – on long tracks that feature some really magical interplay between the musicians. The spare format is an extremely wonderful showcase for Haden's expressive bass work – and the intimacy of the tracks is different from some of the ECM recordings made during the same stretch – as the feel here is less a muted exploration of sound than it is a deeply personal interaction with some of the best talents of his generation. Tracks include "Ellen David", "For Turiya", "OC", and "For A Free Portugal". LP, Vinyl record album

Drummer Louis Hayes always finds a way of working with great groups – and here he's got an especially well-chosen lineup with Abraham Burton on tenor and Steve Nelson on vibes! Both players ring out with this strongly soulful vibe that's clearly inspired by the leader – Burton's very deep tones a perfect complement to some of the sharper, more modern lines from Nelson – driven strongly by the work of David Bryant on piano and the excellent Dezron Douglas on bass. Hayes' power can be felt strongly, even in mellower moments – and Nelson's oft-percussive approach to his tones makes for an excellent choice for the group. Titles include "Shape Shifting", "Groovin For Nat", "Soul Leo", "Simple Pleasures", "Vagabond Ron", and "Lou's Idea". CD

The killer debut of a group we hope are going to be huge – as they definitely bring a whole new vibe to the world of funk – by combining lean combo instrumentation with some much larger arrangements, all at a level that's almost more in the David Axelrod side of the spectrum! There's a really majestic quality to the record – as the slow funk elements are expanded with strings in all the right ways – deepening, darkening the sound incredibly – so that there's way more going on here in terms of colors and tones than on the usual funk record! And if you're worried about things sounding too soft, don't – because the drums are heavy throughout, even when slow – and arranger Lou King really knows how to balance the elements perfectly. Titles include "The Web", "Ligurian Dream", "Shades Of Silver", "Violet Vanished", "Outlines", "West Wind", "Changing Light", and "A Return From Ashes". CD

The killer debut of a group we hope are going to be huge – as they definitely bring a whole new vibe to the world of funk – by combining lean combo instrumentation with some much larger arrangements, all at a level that's almost more in the David Axelrod side of the spectrum! There's a really majestic quality to the record – as the slow funk elements are expanded with strings in all the right ways – deepening, darkening the sound incredibly – so that there's way more going on here in terms of colors and tones than on the usual funk record! And if you're worried about things sounding too soft, don't – because the drums are heavy throughout, even when slow – and arranger Lou King really knows how to balance the elements perfectly. Titles include "The Web", "Ligurian Dream", "Shades Of Silver", "Violet Vanished", "Outlines", "West Wind", "Changing Light", and "A Return From Ashes". LP, Vinyl record album

Acoustic sounds from two players who made their mark during the fusion generation – and a wonderful illustration that at their core, both Bob James and David Sanborn are pretty darn great jazz musicians! The album's got a laidback vibe that's wonderful – these flowing lines on acoustic piano from James, mixed with Sanborn's well-blown alto and soprano sax solos – moving with this mellow groove that's never sleepy, and certainly never cheesy in a commercial way – just a great late night sort of mode with a surprisingly classic feel. The quartet also features Steve Gadd on drums and James Genus on bass – both working at a well-matched pace with the leaders – and titles include "Geste Humain", "You Better Not Go To College", "Maputo", "Deep In The Weeds", and "Genevieve". CD

A real turning point in the career of Japan – and a set that really shows David Sylvian coming into his own, both as a singer and a songwriter! The sound here is a complete change from the group at the start – these really wonderful tunes that mark Japan as one of the smarter, more sophisticated groups of the new romantic generation – and one that maybe is even better, as they never had the same sort of chart success, and only let the skills of David Sylvian deepen as they went on – instead of trying to sound more commercial, and grabbing for hits! John Punter produced, and does a good job of focusing on the more subtle elements in the mix – on titles that include "Quiet Life", "Fall In Love With Me", "Halloween", "Alien", "The Other Side Of Life", "Despair", and a nice remake of "All Tomorrow's Parties". CD

Features work by Gene Krupa, Oscar Peterson, a trumpet battle with Roy Eldridge and Charlie Shavers, and the classic "Jam Session Blues" – all packaged in a box with a David Stone Martin cover! LP, Vinyl record album

Although the Anita Kerr singers were not often the swinginest group in town, this LP has them doing a nice selection of Bacharach material, including "What's New Pussycat?", "Are You There (with Another Girl)", and "Windows of the World". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful hard burner from Gene Krupa – a perfect example of the way he could skirt different camps of jazz when working in small group format! Players here are all top shelf – and include Ben Webster, Bill Harris, Teddy Wilson, Ray Brown, and Charlie Shavers – a lineup that almost makes the record come across like a JATP All-Star session, save for the fact that the tracks are a bit shorter! Titles include "Don't Take Your Love From Me", "Capital Idea", "Paradise", "Overtime", and "Coronation Hop". David Stone Martin cover, too! LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning reinvention of the music of Charles Mingus – still very much with all the fire and spirit of the great one's original intent – but taken to new territory here in the hands of Frank Lacy! Lacy is every bit the same sort of visionary leader as Mingus – and although he plays a hell of a trombone, he acts here mostly as a singer and director of a sublime large ensemble that features Jack Walrath and Lew Soloff on trumpets, Wayne Escoffery and Craig Handy on tenors, Conrad Herwig and Earl McIntyre on trombones, Ronnie Cuber on baritone, and David Kikoski and Helen Sung on piano. Frank's voice is warmly raspy, and deeply personal – just right for the straining tension that often comes from the best Mingus music – that yearning for expression that continues to make his sound so powerful. Lyrics here are penned by Mingus himself – plus Langston Hughes, Joni Mitchell, and Elvis Costello – and titles include "Weird Nightmare", "Consider Me", "Eclipse", "Chair In The Sky", "Noonlight", "Dry Cleaner From Des Moines", and "Sweet Sucker Dance". CD

We've loved the work of Timo Lassy and Jukka Eskola for many years – right back to when we first heard them in the Five Corners Quintet – and here, the players are reunited in a set that was recorded in New Orleans, and digs deep into that city's musical roots! Make no mistake, this isn't some hokey attempt to recreate a Nola sound – but just overseas musicians using the scene to really find new inspiration – as the tenor of Timo and trumpet of Jukka are matched with work from Delfeayo Marsalis on trombone, David Torkanowsky on keyboards, Roland Guerin on bass, and Herlin Riley on drums. A few tracks add in additional brass – and titles include "Cross Atlantic Connection", "At Leroys", "King Cake", "Duke Of Bayou", "Long Walk", and "Sweet Holler". LP, Vinyl record album

Quite an unusual pairing – and a wonderful sound, too – just piano and drums, which is unique for both Louis Bellson and Meade Lux Lewis! Back cover also sports a nice David Stone Martin image. LP, Vinyl record album

Martha & The Vandellas were one of the few Motown 60s pop groups who actually got better as they got past their initial hit status – as these two albums will nicely attest! Reeves' vocals are fantastic, and very well trained for material such as this – nice little tracks with tight arrangements by Paul Riser, Wade Marcus, and David Van DePitte. She really shines on the material, and has a much deeper sound than we remember from her earlier stuff. Tracks on Natural Resources include "People Got To Be Free", "Won't It Be So Wonderful", "Put A Little Love In Your Heart", "Easily Persuaded", and "I'm In Love". Black Magic has some excellent moments – like the amazing track "Bless You". The cut was written by The Corporation, and it's got this incredible wall of sound arrangement, with Martha singing verse after verse about the religiosity of love. It's a great pop track, and you'll get it on the album along with other cuts like "No One There", "I Want You Back", "Hope I Don't Get My Heart Broke", and "Tear It On Down". And if that's not enough, the CD also features 3 bonus tracks – "I Gotta Let You Go", "Earthquake", and "People Got To Be Free". CD

A sweet groover from the Marvelettes – and a record that completely re-casts their sound for the Motown of the 70s! The group's still got the great soprano harmonies that made their early hits so wonderful, but the arrangements on the set are deeper and more sophisticated – taking them into hipper adult soul territory that we really love. Smokey Robinson produced, and wrote a lot of tracks for the set – and the backings are the work of Wade Marcus and David Van De Pitte – both well matched, and giving the album a fully unified sound. Titles include "So I Can Love You", "Marionette", "A Breathtaking Guy", "Uptown", "Someday We'll Be Together", and "Our Lips Seem To Rhyme Everytime". LP, Vinyl record album

A very cool record that we might well put right up there with Mel Torme's "California Suite" as a musical tribute to the west coast – or the "Manhattan Tower" of Gordon Jenkins as some sort of tribute to a city! The album's a long piece on the glory of San Francisco – with lots of differently-themed tunes that refer to aspects of the city in mid-century – composed by the team of Libby and Stephen McNeil, set to music by David Rose –a nd featuring vocals by Ray Goman, Shepard Menken, Bob Grabot, Bill Thompson, and others. Titles include "Fog Over Frisco", "Meet The Press", "When You Call It Frisco Smile", "Around The Town Sequence", andee "Mission Dolores". Side two features "Four Moods In Memory" – a suite of themes played by Rose, with narration by Don Sherwood. LP, Vinyl record album

A set with maybe the most striking cover image that Monday Michiru's given us in years – and a record that really delivers on that promise, too – filled with really captivating tunes that represent a new high level in Monday's already-high career! There's a depth and maturity to the record that we never would have guessed when we first fell in love with her music – and we thought she was already pretty darn deep way back then – as Monday delivers hers vocals alongside musical complexity that takes strong advantage of the many great guest jazz musicians in the lineup – players who include Misha Tsiganov and David Kikoski on Fender Rhodes, Gil Goldstein on piano, Lew Tabackin on flute, and Steve Wilson on soprano sax. But at the center of it all is Monday – far more a jazz singer in recent years than the soul artist of her start – but balancing the spirit of both worlds beautifully, and with command of her vocal instrument that's completely stunning! Where most singers seem to get a bit more casual about their craft over the years, Michiru's just continued to master her natural instrument with a fantastic range and wonderfully expressive quality. Titles include "Ombre Of Time", "Pivot", "Cycles", "The Sound", "Ringo Oiwake", "Hope Pretend To Sleep", "Rise Above", "Life", and "Gossamer's Touch" – plus "Untethered", which features some great guest work from Ursula Rucker! LP, Vinyl record album

80s electro soul from Marcus Miller – nicely grooving in a mix of beats, keyboards, and vocals – all handled by Marcus himself! As with his other work from the decade, there's a jazzy flair to much of the record – a style that goes a bit deeper than just the simple soul that you might guess from the album's cover – but which also has an unabashed feel for a tight groove and a nice little hook! Marcus gets a bit of help on the set from guests that include David Sanborn and Fonzi Thornton – but most of the album's a one-man affair, made possible by the advances in studio technology at the time. Titles include "Unforgettable", "Is There Anything I Can Do", "Superspy", "Juice", "I Could Give You More", and "Perfect Guy". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unusual album from the young Stephanie Mills – not only because it captures the singer at a wonderful early point in her career, when she was still open to a rich range of expression – but also because the whole thing was written and produced by the team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David – who almost work with Mills as a 70s update of their classics with Dionne Warwick! Yet the sound here is also different – deeper in that nicely matured way that Burt had brought to his own great albums and special projects of the time – with these sensitive emotional moments that are a real surprise from Mills, especially as she could have just been phoning it in at this point. Backings are definitely Bacharach-like, but nicely subtle too – again like the direction Burt himself was going at the time – and titles include "No One Remembers My Name", "Loneliness Remembers (What Happiness Forgets)", "This Empty Place", "The Way I Fell About You", and "All The Way To Paradise". CD

Really fantastic early work from guitar genius Wes Montgomery – a series of live recordings from his Indianapolis roots – done at a level that's quite different than his bigger records of the 60s! Even at this early age, Wes is already a chromatic master – able to get sounds out of his guitar that are so different than most of his contemporaries – playing in a small combo mode on most tracks, but with less of the R&B influence than most postwar guitarists. Instead, Montgomery is pure jazz all the way through, but also without that too-clean tone that some folks were going for – just a great focus on color and open, honest tone – in the company of musicians who include Carl Perkins and Buddy Montgomery on piano, Mel Rhyne on Hammond, Monk Montgomery on bass, David Baker on trombone, and David Young on tenor. Those last two players only make a few appearances – as most groups are horn-less, which gives Wes even more solo space – on titles that include "Four", "Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea", "It's You Or No One", "Ecaroh", "Sandu", "Whisper Not", "Four On Six", "Mr Walker", "Round Midnight", "West Coast Blues", "Tune Up", "So What", and "The End Of A Love Affair". CD

A great late 70s chapter in the career of funky drummer Idris Muhammad – moving into very different territory here than his early soul jazz with Lou Donaldson, and even his earliest solo material too! David Matthews arranged the tracks, and he's given them a slick but soulful sound, with lots of spacey fusion elements, and a nice funky soul vibe that's a bit similar to some of Larry Mizell's work – stretched out in this great mix of grooves and deeper jazzier elements – even at a level that's hipper than Matthews' usual material from the time. Idris is at the core on percussion – and the lineup also includes Jeremy Steig on flute, Eric Gale on guitar, Randy Brecker on trumpet, and Wilbur Bascomb on bass – and titles include the seminal "Could Heaven Ever Be Like This", plus "Cambay Bolongo", "Tasty Cakes", "Crab Apple", "Moon Hymn", and "Say What". LP, Vinyl record album

A great late 70s chapter in the career of funky drummer Idris Muhammad – moving into very different territory here than his early soul jazz with Lou Donaldson, and even his earliest solo material too! David Matthews arranged the tracks, and he's given them a slick but soulful sound, with lots of spacey fusion elements, and a nice funky soul vibe that's a bit similar to some of Larry Mizell's work – stretched out in this great mix of grooves and deeper jazzier elements – even at a level that's hipper than Matthews' usual material from the time. Idris is at the core on percussion – and the lineup also includes Jeremy Steig on flute, Eric Gale on guitar, Randy Brecker on trumpet, and Wilbur Bascomb on bass – and titles include the seminal "Could Heaven Ever Be Like This", plus "Cambay Bolongo", "Tasty Cakes", "Crab Apple", "Moon Hymn", and "Say What". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful side of David Murray – his deep skills with a tenor ballad, heard here in a quartet with Dave Burrell on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums! CD

Beautifully soulful work by David Murray – a mostly-straight session, but one that seems to push his level of expression even further than before! Murray's working here in a "deep river" style that seems to draw on decades of jazz influence, yet forge it into a fresh modern voice – played on both tenor and bass clarinet, in a quartet that includes Dave Burrell on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums. The tracks have a nice easy feel, with solos that are laidback, never forced – and the album features originals that include "Dakar Dance", "Home", and "Mbizo" – plus a great 13 minute reading of Coltrane's classic "Mr. PC". CD

Features Hugh Ragin on trumpet, Jamaaladeen Tacuma on bass, Amiri Baraka on vocals and spoken word, and many others! CD

An album of spiritual tunes and spiritual themes – played by David Murray in a style that's quite similar to his work on the Deep River set! The format's a bit more traditional here, given the album's use of older themes from gospel music – but the core quartet of Dave Burrell, Fred Hopkins, and Ralph Peterson all work together with Murray's tenor to keep things fresh throughout. The album features 2 great originals by Dave Burrell – "Dave Blue" and "Abel's Blissed Out Blues" – plus versions of "Crucifixion", "Amazing Grace", and "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen". CD

One of David Murray's most ambitious projects ever – and that's saying a lot, given the depth of the 150-plus albums in his recording career! As you'd guess from the title, the set's a tribute to the En Espanol albums by Nat King Cole from the early 60s – and like those gems, Murray's project is a trans-cultural outing that brings together his jazz roots with Cuban musicians, additional strings, and an occasional vocalist – all recorded in studios from Argentina, to Portugal, to France! There's still a nicely unified feel to the whole record, though – and there should be, given how long Murray has kept this musical vision in his heart – and honestly, the whole thing is one of the most impressive things he's recorded in years – not only a great reminder that he's got deep respect for many jazz traditions, but also that he can inflect his horn with rich flavors with effortless ease. Titles include "Quizas Quizas Quizas", "Black Nat", "Piel Canela", "Cachito", "Aqui Se Habla En Amor", and "El Bodeguero". US version features the bonus cut "El Chocolo"! CD

One of David Murray's straighter sides from the early 80s – and exactly the kind of record to prove to the world that he could be a strong tenor traditionalist while still bringing an inventive sound to play! Murray's tone is deep and soulful, and often quite lyrical – set nicely in a quartet that features warm piano from John Hicks, bass from Reggie Workman, and drums from Ed Blackwell. The Workman/Blackwell component ensure that things still have an edge at times, even when swinging – and the tunes are a mix of Murray originals and a few standards. Titles include "Morning Song", "Light Blue Frolic", "Off Season", "Duet", "Body and Soul", and "Jitterbug Waltz". CD

One of David Murray's straighter sides from the early 80s – and exactly the kind of record to prove to the world that he could be a strong tenor traditionalist while still bringing an inventive sound to play! Murray's tone is deep and soulful, and often quite lyrical – set nicely in a quartet that features warm piano from John Hicks, bass from Reggie Workman, and drums from Ed Blackwell. The Workman/Blackwell component ensure that things still have an edge at times, even when swinging – and the tunes are a mix of Murray originals and a few standards. Titles include "Morning Song", "Light Blue Frolic", "Off Season", "Duet", "Body and Soul", and "Jitterbug Waltz". LP, Vinyl record album

David Murray finds a fantastic new outlet for his many talents here – working with the younger songwriter Saul Williams – who delivers some fantastic lyrics throughout! Saul's as much a spoken word artist as he is a singer – and his passages on the album have this righteous power that takes us back to the hippest sort of music like this from the 70s – but also filtered through some of the lyrical possibilities of the better side of the hip hop generations, especially in the way the power of his messages come across! Murray is fantastic, too – really soulful and swinging, both on tenor and clarinet – and the songs often have Williams or Murray soloing first, then the other taking over. The rest of the group is pretty great as well – with Orrin Evans on piano, Craig Harris on trombone, Jaribu Shahid on bass, Nasheet Waits on drums, and a bit of Fender Rhodes from Jason Moran. Almost all tracks are originals – with titles that include "A Mirror Of Youth", "Kush", "Forever Brothers", "Music Of The Mind", "Deep In Me", "Positive Messages", "Obe", and "Citizens" – and the album also features a version of the Sun Ra tune "Enlightenment". CD

Wow, the title definitely gets it right here – as the set's verging on perfection, and is maybe one of the best records we've heard from David Murray in years! The reedman is fantastic throughout – and the album really hits the sort of deeper soul of some of his DIW or Black Saint sessions from the mid and late 80s – a more straight head style of jazz tenor that instantly links Murray to a John Coltrane tradition, while still giving a nod to his more adventurous roots! The group's a trio – with beautiful work from Geri Allen on piano, whose sound is key to the success of the record – plus drums from Terri Lyne Carrington – on titles that include "Perfection", "Samsara", "Cycles & Seasons", "Barbara Allen", "Mirror Of Youth", and "Geri-Rigged". CD

James Blood Ulmer on guitar, David Murray on tenor saxophone, Jamaaladeen Tacuma on bass, and Ronald Shannon Jackson on drums. Tracks include "Bodytalk", "Nisa", "Playtime", "Blues For David" and "Burn!". CD

A hip Philly group moving in the tradition of the The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron – features Byard Lancaster, Jamaldeen Tacuma, and David Murray! CD

... LP, Vinyl record album