One of the grooviest records ever cut by Brit easy maestro Harry Roche – and a set that's got plenty of sweet 70s touches in the mix, at a level that really opens things up in a great way! The set's got some key Fender Rhodes from Alaln Branscombe, who has a very unique touch on the instrument – and in addition to Harry's own work on valve trombone, the record also features Ray Swinfield on flute, Chris Pyne on trombone, and Roy Wilcox on soprano and alto sax. There's plenty of other jazz players in the mix too, grooving to sweet arrangements from David Lindup, Derek Cox, Pete Moore, and others – on titles that include "Superwoman", "Pinball Wizard", "Good Morning Heartache", "Lay Lady Lay", "Ludmilla's Theme", "That's Living", and the 10 minute title track, "Spiral" – a mighty nice number! LP, Vinyl record album

Rich sound paintings from Kenny Wheeler – working here with a large lineup, yet one that has all the spacious sensibilities of his smaller ensemble work from years back! Wheeler's always had a great sense of space in his flugelhorn – and he brings that sensibility to play here with the fuller lineup of players, too – fusing them together in ways that leave just the right sort of spaces between the notes to often great a gentle groove, and an inherent sense of soulfulness that really stands out! The set's one of our favorite recent recordings on Cam Jazz – with a richer feeling than most – and Wheeler's chosen a great lineup that includes older Brit contemporaries such as Ray Warleigh on alto, Henry Lowther and Derek Watkins on trumpet, and John Taylor on piano. Titles include "The Long Waiting", "Canter No 6", "Comba No 3", "Upwards", and "Seven Eight Nine". CD

The Texas tenor legend soars again – in three great albums from his later years! Funky Butt is strong later work by tenor sax legend Arnett Cobb – in a quartet session cut in New York in January of 1980 – sounding fresh and revitalized one of his final studio dates! Funky Butt actually isn't a left turn into a funk sound Cobb, but it is a pretty darn great showcase for his rich, full sounding and playful tenor approach – not too out of character from his work in the late 50s on Prestige. He's backed by a great group that includes Ray Drummond on bass, Derek Smith on piano and Ronnie Bedford on drums. It's got a few fairly stomping numbers, particularly the opener "Jumpin' At The Woodside" and their energetic take on "I Got Rhythm" – and the whole set is terrific – with the bluesy Cobb-composed title track, plus "September In The Rain", "Isfahan", "Georgia On My Mind" and "Satin Doll". Wild Man From Texas is a great overseas set from tenor giant Arnett Cobb – a set done after a bit of a late 60s comeback on Prestige Records, and one that takes him back into even grittier territory overall! The great Milt Buckner is on the set on organ and a bit of vibes – and the record also features work from Eddie Chamblee on tenor, Buster Cooper on trombone, Wallace Davenport on trumpet, and Earl Warren on alto – players of a generation who really resonate well with Arnett's lead! Titles include "Where Or When", "Ghost Of A Chance", "Smooth Sailing", "Dutch Kitchen Bounce", and "Flying Home No 2". Again is a set that has the tenor of Arnett Cobb reunited with the Hammond of Milt Buckner – but in an unusual quartet that also features Clarence Gatemouth Brown on guitar! Brown's presence definitely brings out some bluesier currents at times, and the tunes also get plenty of that raw, raspy tenor treatment that Cobb can do so well – on tunes that include "Cobb's Boogie", "Deep Purple", "Cobb's Blues", "Light Like That", and "Willow Weep For Me". CD

With Howard Riley on piano and Derek Bailey on guitar. CD

A lost session of spiritual jazz – recorded in LA in the latter half of the 80s, but with a soaring, righteous vibe that's right up there with the 70s scene! The group here is incredible – an all-star array of the best talents working for Nimbus Records – Nate Morgan on piano, Rickey Kelly on vibes, Jesse Sharps on reeds, Danny Cortez on trumpet, Joel Ector on bass, and Derek Roberts on drums – all moving with the cohesiveness of a well-honed small combo, in territory that's right in line with some of Morgan's most glorious recordings for the label! The use of Kelly on vibes is especially nice – as he's a player we've always loved, but hardly ever get to hear in a setting this ambitious – and his presence on the record makes the whole thing sound even more magical and majestic. Tracks are quite long, with a soaring, searching feel – driven on strongly by Morgan's piano, and topped by some great explorations by Sharps. Titles include "Retribution Reparation", "Big Spliff", "A Bientot", "The Goat & The Ram Jam", "Mfaconi", "Mrafu", "Distant Vibes", and "Journey Into Nigritia". LP, Vinyl record album