Album III from Loudon Wainwright III – a fine showcase for his wry songwriting, uncommon melodies and a unpredictable niche in the 70s singer/songwriter realm! Album III continues Loudon's progression from folk influenced storyteller to more of a pop rock mode, a record that starts out with the funny "Dead Skunk", kind of catching you off guard for some sharper words to come. Titles include the weird leftfield hit "Dead Skunk", plus "Red Guitar", "East Indian Princess", "Hometeam Crowd", "Needless To Say", "Drinking Song", "Say That You Love Me" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful little concept for a beautiful little album – a "duologue" in which Lee Wiley sings one track, then Ellis Larkins plays the next, and so on – making for a split LP, but one with a lot of variety along the way! Wiley sings on about two thirds of the tracks on the set – working with a small combo that features Jimmy Jones on piano, Ruby Braff on trumpet, Jo Jones on drums, and Bill Pemberton on bass – all of whom provide gentle accompaniment to Lee's traditionally styled vocals. Ellis Larkins plays piano on the rest of the tracks – solo, with that wonderful late nite style of his – an approach that's more complicated than cocktail piano, but a bit more laidback than straighter jazz. Wiley numbers include "My Heart Stood Still", "Give It Back To The Indians", "My Romance", "You Took Advantage Of Me", and "My Funny Valentine". Larkins numbers include "Perfume & Rain", "By Myself", "Looking At You", and "Then I'll Be Tired Of You". LP, Vinyl record album

Two different sides of Verve Records in the 50s – one modern, one a bit more traditional – and both represented in live material from the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957! Side one features a stunning live performance from pianist Teddy Wilson – working in a tight trio with Milt Hinton on bass and Spec Powell on drums – and really blowing away any conceptions we might have had about Wilson being aging or flowery at the time. Instead, he's got a sharp edge and command of the keys that's amazing – and which almost seems to have a bit more bite than usual in this concert setting. Titles include "Stompin At The Savoy", "Basin Street Blues", and "Airmail Special" – and Gerry Mulligan joins the group on baritone for a reading of "Sweet Georgia Brown". Mulligan then takes off with his own group, in a completely different format – no piano at all, just beautiful work from Joe Benjamin on bass and Dave Bailey on drums – and sublime sounds from Bob Brookmeyer's valve trombone, which is a perfect match for Gerry's deep tones. The group plays long takes on "My Funny Valentine" and "Utter Chaos". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet electric funk from Womack and Womack – a set that's got the same sort of tight songwriting as their classic Love Wars set from the 80s, but a groove that's maybe even heavier on the beats and keyboards too! The style's still nice and warm, in all the right ways to work with the duo's vocals trading back to back – and in addition to Fender Rhodes from Linda, the album also features some nice worm from Bobby Lyle, Neal Larson, and Eddie Noble on the keys. Titles include "No Relief", "Maze", "Night Rider", "Strange & Funny", "Eyes", and "Radio MUSC Man". LP, Vinyl record album

A late 50s issue of some of Prez's early bop sides – mostly recorded in LA, with groups that include players like Dodo Marmarosa, Red Callender, Willie Smith, Curtis Counce, Howard McGhee, and Chico Hamilton. Tracks include "DB Blues", "Jumpin At Mesner's", "She's Funny That Way", "Lester Leaps In", and "SM Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Maybe one of the greatest albums of Chet Baker vocal material you could ever hope to buy – a fantastic testament of the young talent at the top of his game – effortlessly moving between well-conceived trumpet solos and those fantastic vocals that were unlike any other singer at the time! Half the album was recorded live, the other half in the studio, but there's a very unified vibe to the whole thing – and the great Russ Freeman plays piano on both tracks, and a bit of celeste at a few points too. Titles include "That Old Feeling", "Look For The Silver Lining", "There Will Be Another You", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "My Buddy", "My Funny Valentine", and "I Get Along Without You Very Well". Every track is great, and these are the original vocal recordings that put Chet on the map! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the coolest soundtracks ever for a Burt Reynolds film – an a hip mix of soul and jazz tracks that's gone onto become a classic over the years! The album's a compilation of sorts, but most of the material was recorded fresh for the film – and the different artists really work together here to forge some great backdrops for the action on the screen! Al Capps handled the larger charts, but most numbers really spotlight an individual artist – and highlights include Randy Crawford singing a new version of "Street Life" – different than the one with The Crusaders – Sarah Vaughan singing "Love Theme From Sharky's Machine", Peggy Lee vocals on "Let's Keep Dancing", and Julie London singing "My Funny Valentine" – as one of the first recordings after many years of retirement. Other great numbers include "Dope Bust" by Flora Purim & Buddy DeFranco, "Sharky's Theme" by Eddie Harris, "Before You" by Sarah Vaughan & Joe Williams, "8 To 5 I Lose" by Joe Williams, and the instrumental cuts "Sexercise" and "High Energy" by Doc Severinsen. LP, Vinyl record album

The album's one of Jackie Gleason's finest – and a perfect demonstration of the lush, romantic backings that he did so well for Capitol during the decade – an approach that was very much in direct contrast to Gleason's pyrotechnic personality in TV comedies, but which was a surprisingly good fit for the late nite, booze-heavy antics of Jackie in real life. There's a sense of loss and longing here that few other arrangers at the time could duplicate – and while the album's clearly poised to be a tool in the act of seduction, it's got an emotional depth that might actually have your potential conquest running home with memories of sadness past flooding her mind – not actually coming across with the goods! Titles include "You're My Greatest Love", "It's The Talk Of The Town", "She's Funny That Way", "Coquette", "Did I Remember", "Dancing In The Dark", and "You & The Night & The Music". LP, Vinyl record album

Stunning live work from piano genius Ahmad Jamal – still very young at this point, but already working with the fluid sense of imagination that would only unfold even more in the 60s! As with most of Jamal's live dates of the time, the balance of lyrical energy on the keys and rhythmic sensitivity at the core is fantastic – given sublime support from Israel Crosby on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums – a trio who were as unique in their own way as the three piece combo of Ramsey Lewis was as well – although in a completely different style. The tunes are all familiar, but given these really fantastic readings – and titles include "April In Paris", "I'll Take Romance/My Funny Valentine", "Falling In Love With Love", and "The Second Time Around" – plus the Jamal original "Night Mist Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

We're always big fans of Bev Kelly's work, but this album is way hipper than the usual vocal album of its type from the time – thanks to a sweet little lineup that features Pony Poindexter on alto sax and Flip Nunez on piano! The presence of Poindexter's horn is always a treat, on the handful of smaller group sides he cut from this time – and Nunez's piano lines have an inherently rhythmic groove that comes out even on the mellower numbers – which often are somewhat spacious, but stepping along with a gentle groove underneath Kelly's fantastic vocals. Part of the credit for this groove goes to Johnny Allen, whose work on bass is great – and the group's completed by the drums of Tony Johnson, who's a bit more down in the mix. Titles include "Long Ago & Far Away", "My Foolish Heart", "Night & Day", "Just Friends", "Love Letters", "This Is Always", and "My Funny Valentine". LP, Vinyl record album

A surprisingly wonderful 70s meeting between Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker – recorded live, with sweet electric touches from CTI – in a style that shouldn't work so well, but which really comes off great! The approach is simple – Mulligan and Baker solo in a manner that's a bit like their 50s work, but which also unfolds more than usual with backing from a group that includes Bob James on electric piano, Ron Carter on bass, John Scofield on guitar, and Harvey Mason on drums. Tracks are long, with lots of space – hanging in a beautiful balance between electric and acoustic sounds. Titles include "Line For Lyons", "Song For An Unfinished Woman", "Song For Strayhorn" and Baker's favorite standard "My Funny Valentine". LP, Vinyl record album

Pryor's really hit his stride here, and made the transition to the mainstream, though he's still a darn funny motherf*#ker. Skits include "Shortage Of White People", "New N*ggers", "Cocaine", "Mudbone", "When Your Woman Leaves You" and "Our Text For Today". Recorded live at the Latin Casino, NJ. LP, Vinyl record album

A classic full length collection of early Frank Sinatra recordings for Columbia Records – and maybe the definitive album of his mid 40s material originally issued on 78s! The quality of Sinatra's vocals here definitely live up to "The Voice" promised on the cover – as the singer's really finding himself away from the big bands of his youth, and singing with amazing clarity from both a position of musicality and expression. Titles include incredible readings of "Laura" and "Try A Little Tenderness" – plus "Paradise", "A Ghost Of A Chance", "Fools Rush In", "Lover", "She's Funny That Way", and "I Don't Know Why". LP, Vinyl record album

The title's a bit misleading – as Chet Baker never really stopped singing, and in fact had found a way to mix his vocals with really nicely stretched-out solos on some of his European recordings from this generation! But the set does feature maybe a bit more vocals upfront than some of Chet's other records from the time – although there's also plenty of trumpet too – on nicely compact tracks performed with a great group that's perfect for the laidback, airy style of this generation of the Baker sound – one that we love more and more as the years go on! The quartet features the great Michel Graillier on piano, Ricardo Del Fra on bass, and John Engels on drums – on titles that include "How Deep Is The Ocean", "I Can't Get Started", "All Of You", "Look For The Silver Lining", "My Funny Valentine", "Alone Together", and "Body & Soul". LP, Vinyl record album

A sublime blending of modes – the sound of the excellent Count Basie band during their Roulette Records years, mixed with a bit of strings for a very moody sound! Don't worry about any too-commercial or pop modes going on here – as the arrangements are all super hip, and handled by talents like Quincy Jones and George Williams – who keep things in this dark-tinged style that's just perfect for the key talents in the Basie group, as the album features standout solos on almost every number – including a bit of tenor from guest Ben Webster! Titles include "Song Of The Islands", "Stringing The Blues", "The One I Love", "Blues Bittersweet", "She's Funny That Way", and "Summertime". LP, Vinyl record album

A massive set from the legendary Chic – and a set that has the dancefloor combo coming down perfectly throughout! Riffing Nile Rodgers guitars really make the tunes cook – as does the superb production – and although the record played plenty in discos and radios of the mainstream, it's still got a raw funky power that holds up brilliantly over the years! The set features the legendary "Le Freak" – a classic cutting track from the old school – plus "I Want Your Love", "Sometimes You Win", "Savoir Faire", "Happy Man", and "(Funny) Bone". LP, Vinyl record album

What can we say? Bootsy's on top of the world here – not only The Player Of The Year, but also the most soulful artist in the P-Funk stable, and a master of the smooth, sly, slinky groove that would forever be taken up by bands from LA – both in the immediate soul years and in later sampling hip hop ones. The record's got a sophisticated soul approach that moves the music way past slapped basslines and funny glasses – and thanks to top-line musicianship, including some help from Fred Wesley, Bootsy avoids any cliches that might have buried this one under the mountain of P-Funk albums hitting the market at the same time. Includes the monster track "Hollywood Squares" – plus "May The Force Be With You", "Very Yes", "Bootsy?", and "Bootzilla". LP, Vinyl record album

Seminal work from trumpeter Ted Curson – a set that's issued under his own name, but which continues a string of key early 60s performances with tenorist Bill Barron – who's work together here with Ted is fantastic! The group has no piano – just Herb Bushler on bass and Dick Berk on drums – both players with a fluid, open sense of rhythm – one that allows for plenty of horn interplay, at a level that almost has Curson borrowing some of the lessons he learned from Mingus, then taking them into small group formation and really opening things up! Curson also blows a bit of pocket trumpet, and Barron handles some clarinet – on a set of all original material that includes a great version of Curson's "Quicksand", plus the tracks "Kassim", "East 6th Street", "Tears For Dolphy", "7/4 Funny Time", "Reava's Waltz". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent and oft-overlooked 50s session from Duke – recorded in Chicago as a one-off for the Bethlehem label, and done with a lush, rich sound that's really tremendous! The group's nicely restrained and very moody – playing here in a mellow late nite mode that offers a good focus on the best horn soloists in the group, yet which also really hangs together perfectly from the slow-moving and eerie tone of the rest of the group. Jimmy Grissom sings a bit on the set, and other players include Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Cat Anderson, and Ray Nance – on tracks that include "Day Dream", "Blues", "Frustration", "My Funny Valentine", and "Laura". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent and oft-overlooked 50s session from Duke – recorded in Chicago as a one-off for the Bethlehem label, and done with a lush, rich sound that's really tremendous! The group's nicely restrained and very moody – playing here in a mellow late nite mode that offers a good focus on the best horn soloists in the group, yet which also really hangs together perfectly from the slow-moving and eerie tone of the rest of the group. Jimmy Grissom sings a bit on the set, and other players include Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Cat Anderson, and Ray Nance – on tracks that include "Day Dream", "Blues", "Frustration", "My Funny Valentine", and "Laura". LP, Vinyl record album

Al Green, 1973 – what could be better? The king of Memphis soul is at the height of his powers here – working in a setting that yielded less chart hits than some of his other albums for Hi Records, but which is still as sublime as the rest – thanks to an undeniable studio magic guided by Willie Mitchell! The sound is full, but never slick or smooth – and Al's vocals are tremendous throughout (but honestly, did you expect anything less?) Titles include "Call Me (Come Back Home)", "Here I Am (Come & Take Me)", "Funny How Time Slips Away", and the beautiful "Have You Been Making Out OK?" LP, Vinyl record album

Buddy Boy is on all of side one – with titles that include "Snatch It & Grab It", "Raggin The Blues", "How Come Mama Blues", and "Number Three Blues". Side two features work from buddies who include Blind Percy, Will Day, Texas Alexander, and Funny Paper Smith! LP, Vinyl record album

No blues at all – just some great funky soul from the mighty Willie Hutch – served up here on one of his classic full length sets for Motown in the 70s! The vibe's kind of an extension of Willie's great blacksploitation soundtrack material from a few years before – lots of bad-strutting rhythms, peppered with some larger horn arrangements – but a bit more vocals from Willie himself, and lots of sweet guitar too! There's a few great mellow moments that remind us that Hutch can be as super-dope in a laidback mode as in a funky one – and the whole thing was arranged and produced by Willie himself. Includes the single "Party Down", plus "Baby Come Home", "I Finally Made The Headlines", "Stormy Weather", "Precious Pearl", and "Don't Let A Little Money Keep You acting Funny". LP, Vinyl record album

A slightly different take on the Modern Jazz Quartet sound of the early years – as the album features Milt Jackson's vibes in the company of MJQ bandmates Percy Heath and Connie Kay, but also includes Horace Silver on piano – in the spot normally reserved for John Lewis! The presence of Silver on piano gives a bit of a harder edge to the set, one that almost recalls some of Jackson's work on Blue Note in the early 50s, yet which is rounded out here by a few lighter and more lyrical touches on rhythm. The set includes a great reading of "Moonray", the Jackson original "Stonewall", and the tracks "Wonder Why", "I Should Care", and "My Funny Valentine". LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite albums ever – and every track is a masterpiece! The album was originally cut for the tiny Chiaroscuro label in 1977 – and it's got a sound that's unlike anything else we can think of – soaring, soulful, jazzy, and righteous – wrapped up in a blend that's never been done this perfectly again! James Mason's a player who's know for a bit of keyboard work with other artists – but here, he's really working as a collective power – bringing together a brilliant ensemble that work as one to hit some sublime sounds – much in the way that Roy Ayers could work some key magic with his groups at the same time, but with a vibe that's very different too. Players include Ayers associates Justo Almario on saxes and Philip Woo on piano – and a young Narada Michael Walden adds some excellent drums to the record – a lot more powerful and funky than on most of his own albums! Lead vocals are by Clarice Taylor – who's got this unique voice that really makes the record – proud, but sensitive at the same time too – and Mason plays lots of Fender Rhodes, polymoog, Arp, and a bit of guitar. Titles include the breakbeat classic "Funny Girl", the monster groover "Sweet Power Your Embrace", the funky "Slick City", and the massive "Free" – but every cut's a winner, and others include "Mbewe", "Rhythm Of Life", and "Dreams". This is the kind of album that makes us proud to be in business! LP, Vinyl record album

The second album from Queen, and a record that definitely has some ties to the prog and hard rock generation from which they emerged – but also a set that clearly has the group really coming into their own! There's a few thematic moments on here that are maybe more fantasy-based than fans of the group's later hits might expect – but they're also delivered with the sort of searing intensity that Brian May can bring to the group, and really driven far past familiar modes by Freddie Mercury's amazing vocals. Titles include the hit vocal version of "Seven Seas Of Rhye" – plus "Ogre Battle", "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke", "White Queen", "Father To Son", "Some Day One Day", "The Loser In The End", "Funny How Love Is", "The March Of The Black Queen", and "Never More". LP, Vinyl record album

2 classic 50s sessions – on a 2LP 80s set! On the first self-titled abum, Prez plays nice easy-going solos with a combo that includes Jessie Drakes on trumpet, Gildo Mahones on piano, John Ore on bass, and Connie Kaye on drums. The style of the tracks is in a warm mellow tone, which fits perfectly with Young's sweet sweet solo style. Tracks include "Another Mambo", "Somebody Loves Me", "Rose Room", and "Kiss Me Again". Next is the Pres & Sweets album – a classic Verve pairing of two of its greatest soloists, Lester Young and Harry Sweets Edison – both recorded here in a laidback, easily-swinging session that allows both players to shine equally! Young's tenor is always a welcome addition to any set of this nature, and Edison's playing here in a gentler, relaxed mode that's a wonderful fit to the easygoing groove laid down by the rhythm section of Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, and Buddy Rich. Titles include "Mean To Me", "That's All", "She's Funny That Way", and "Red Boy Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unusual album in the Chet Baker catalog – a bit of a mystery from top to bottom, but with a classic vibe nonetheless! First off, the album's got Chet with guitar on the cover – odd, as he never plays the instrument – then the back lists Joe Pass on guitar as being on the record – but there doesn't seem to be any guitar at all! Instead, these appear to be mostly the older 50s Chet Baker vocal recordings for Pacific Jazz, with Russ Freeman on piano – but presented in a way that has the echo turned up, which actually sounds pretty darn cool. Titles include "That Old Feeling", "Look For The Silver Lining", "There Will Be Another You", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "My Buddy", "My Funny Valentine", and "I Get Along Without You Very Well". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Chet's rarer albums from the Pacific Jazz years – a late 50s set that compiles earlier recordings, making for a whopping 14 tracks in all from Chet's glory days! The core of the album features Chet fronting the original quartet with Russ Freeman on piano, plus some occasional guest guitar work – but a number of tracks also feature appearances by Bill Perkins and Jimmy Guiffre. Tracks are short and very to the point – in that early Baker mode – and titles include "Look For The Silver Lining", "Band Aid", "Pavane", "Winter Wonderland", "Batter Up", "Long Ago & Far Away", "Carson City Stage", "But Not For Me", and "My Funny Valentine". LP, Vinyl record album

Genius work from Tony Bennett – a very jazzy album, with a group that features Joe Wilder and Joe Newman on trumpets, Urbie Green on trombone, Joe Soldo on flute, and orchestrations from Marion Evans – all of whom really bring out those unique qualities that set Bennett apart from so many other singers in his generation! Where a Vic Damone might have used his inherent richness to push things over the top, the maturing Tony is a master of restraint – still able to run the full gamut of his amazing range, but set up with these beautiful arrangements that bring some adult understanding to the tunes, in a beautifully subtle vibe. Titles include "What Makes It Happen", "I Don't Know Why", "Can't Get Out Of This Mood", "She's Funny That Way", "A Beautiful Friendship", and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". LP, Vinyl record album

A hell of a jam session record from Emarcy Records – a set that almost seems as if they jazz label were trying to beat Verve Records at their own game! The style here is a bit more unusual than some Verve dates, though – maybe even more in the spontaneous spirit of a real jam session – with a lineup of all-stars that includes Clifford Brown, Clark Terry, and Maynard Ferguson on trumpets – plus Herb Geller on alto, Harold Land on tenor, Max Roach on drums, and either Richie Powell or Junior Mance on piano! There's a definite tie here to the Brown/Roach recordings for Emarcy – augmented by the presence of Powell and Land – but the others clearly change things up, and Dinah Washington even makes a vocal appearance on one track too. Titles include "What Is This Thing Called Love", "Darn That Dream", "Move", and a medley of "My Funny Valentine/Don't Worry Bout Me/Bess You Is My Woman/It Might As Well Be Spring". LP, Vinyl record album

Prime Elvis Costello work from his early run with The Attractions – a set that's overflowing with tunes that are catchy yet biting, and which get superb production from Nick Lowe! Titles include "Oliver's Army", "Green Shirt", "Party Girl", "Good Squad", "Moods For Moderns", "Two Little Hitlers", "Accidents Will Happen", "Senior Service", and "What's So Funny Bout Peace Love & Understanding". LP, Vinyl record album

A very hip session that has Buddy working with some of the fresher modern players on the scene at the time – all in a groove that echoes with some of the sharpest notes we've heard from his clarinet in the 50s! The ensemble has a really dreamy feel – with flute from Herbie Mann, vibes from Victor Feldman, tenor from Bob Hardaway, guitar from Barney Kessel, and piano and organ from Pete Jolly – all backed by rhythm from the legendary Scott LaFaro on bass and Stan Levey on drums. Tracks include "Satin Doll", "Oh Lady Be Good", "Crazy Rhythm", "Blues For Space Travelers", and "My Funny Valentine". LP, Vinyl record album

Dreamy vocals from Matt Dennis – a set of Rodgers & Hart numbers, performed in a sweetly swaying style that has plenty of warm touches. Unlike some of Matt's smaller combo records, this set's got larger backings from the orchestra of Harry Geller – using some light strings and woodwinds to give the set a darker sort of finish that works nicely with Matt's fragile vocals. The approach is unique for a male singer at the time – fitting, given that Matt's such a uniquely talented vocalist! Titles include "Have You Met Miss Jones", "This Funny World", "Give Her A Kiss", "Mimi", "Nobody's Heart", and "I Married An Angel". LP, Vinyl record album

A cool jazz classic from altoist Paul Desmond and guitarist Jim Hall! The album was recorded under Desmond's name, but Hall's the guitarist throughout, and his playing lends an indescribably wonderful edge to the set, making the album a real team effort! Unlike other RCA sides by Hall and Desmond, this one features the pair with larger string backings by Bob Prince, which create a dreamy pillow for alto and guitar to solo across. Titles include the Desmond originals "Late Lament" and "Desmond Blue" – plus "Ill Wind", "My Funny Valentine", and "Like Someone In Love". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet keyboards and lots of funky grooves – one of the best of George Duke's seminal albums for MPS – and a record that captures him at a key middle point in his growth! The sound here is tighter than the trippier records of before, but also never too smooth or commercial – still with plenty of cosmic influences in the funk, and a wealth of great keyboard work that rivals some of Herbie Hancock's best from the same stretch. George sings a bit himself – in a warmly compressed mode that's simply wonderful, and which further expands the grooves – and although much of the album's instrumentation comes from the keyboards, the record also features guest appearances from Airto on percussion and Ndugu on drums – as well as a bit of guest vocals from Flora Purim. Titles include "The Once Over", "Tzina", "Statement", "Love", "Feel", "Funny Funk", "Rashid", and "Cora Joberge". LP, Vinyl record album

A follow up to the similarly-titled Conversations With Myself album recorded several years before – and like that one, a record that has Bill Evans playing "with" himself, via the technology of overdubs! The album's less a solo album, than a duet one – given that most of the numbers feature Evans working between melody and rhythm on overlapping piano lines – creating a mini chorus of pianos that sounds totally great, and wonderfully unique! Titles include "Emily", "Yesterdays", "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", "Funny Man", "The Shadow Of Your Smile", "Little Lulu" and "Quiet Now". LP, Vinyl record album

The Great Jazz Trio really stretch out here – taking each of the album's four songs at a mighty relaxed pace – which allows even more room than ever for the creative expression of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! The cover's got a slick look that might be more at home on a fusion record – but the set's all acoustic, and has this warm, personal vibe that's really tremendous – that special sound that the three legendary musicians brought to their great run of albums in this format! Titles include "Satin Doll", "My Funny Valentine", "Night In Tunisia", and "Round Midnight". LP, Vinyl record album

Wonderful work from a player who never ceases to please us! Even at this early point in his career, Jimmy Heath had a soulful hipness that you'd be hard pressed to find in another musician – working with a vision of soul jazz that most other players wouldn't hip to until the 70s. Jimmy wrote most of the tracks on the set, and arranged the album with a style that's as strikingly modern as it is in the pocket and grooving – played superbly by a combo that include Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Julius Watkins on French Horn, Cedar Walton on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Albert Heath on drums. Tracks include "Funny Time", "Down Shift", "The Quota", and "Bells & Horns". LP, Vinyl record album

Not really a recital in the "live" sense, in that the album's a studio session – but a great batch of classic Verve sides by Billie Holiday! The care and quality of the record definitely demonstrate that the Verve years are some of Holiday's best – and for the session, Norman Granz has backed up Billie with a great batch of musicians – including Charlie Shavers on trumpet, Flip Philips on tenor, Barney Kessel on guitar, and Oscar Peterson on piano. Tracks include "Remember", "Yesterdays", "He's Funny That Way", "Stormy Weather", "My Man", and "Lover Come Back To Me" – and the cover has a portrait of Billie by David Stone Martin! LP, Vinyl record album

The one that put Janet over the top – and a record that also set the standard for so much more soul music to come – thanks to the production efforts of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis! Jam and Lewis had been doing some great work for other artists in the years before this set – and here, they bring an extra special sort of punch to the music – almost a sense of "blast" in the rhythms, which makes the rising talents of the young Janet sound even better than they would have otherwise – creating a style that's badass, but also perfect for the crossover fame that this classic album attained! The set's overflowing with classics – and titles include "Control", "Nasty", "What Have You Done For Me Lately", "The Pleasure Principle", "He Doesn't Know I'm Alive", "You Can Be Mine", "When I Think Of You", and "Funny How Time Flies". LP, Vinyl record album

Groundbreaking work from the legendary Ahmad Jamal – not just in his own career, but in live jazz in general! The album's a classic recording of Jamal's trio with Israel Crosby on bass and Vernell Fournier on drums – captured at the Pershing Lounge on the south side of Chicago, where Jamal was clearly wowing the crowd with his amazing talents on the piano. The groove here is sublimely fluid and soulful – clearly the next wave of expression on the piano in the 50s, and as important to the Chicago scene as Bill Evans was to that of New York at the time. The recording quality is wonderful – clear enough to capture the subtleties of Crosby's amazing bass, and the lightly tippling sound of Fournier's drums. Titles on this second volume include "Billy Boy", "Too Late Now", "All The Things You Are", "My Funny Valentine", and "I'll Remember April". LP, Vinyl record album

A dozen soulful tracks from Etta Jones – a unique singer who managed to straddle the worlds of jazz and blues, without giving short shrift to either! The selection brings together tracks that Etta recorded for the Prestige label in the 60s, some of which were released as singles – none of them really crossover or chart singles, but some of Etta's strongest work of the decade, the sort that got spun over and over again on jukeboxes in smaller jazz lounges in America's cities. Titles include "Old Folks", "Don't Go To Strangers", "If You Are But A Dream", "If You Were Mine", "Reverse The Charges", "Fine & Mellow", "My Gentleman Friend", "Funny", "Love Is The Thing", and "I Miss You So". LP, Vinyl record album

Most likely our favorite album by John McLaughlin – and one that features him in a wonderfully spare setting – alongside John Surman on saxes, Brian Odges on bass, and Tony Oxley on drums. The playing has a free and loose quality that McLaughlin would later lose on some his more fusion-y outings, and the group runs through some excellent post bop originals and modal excursion – all done with a wide open sound and a great sense of dynamics. Titles include "Extrapolation", "It's Funny", "Argen's Bag", "Pete The Poet", "This Is For Us To Share", "Spectrum", "Binky's Beam", "Really You Know", "Two For Two", and "Peace Piece". LP, Vinyl record album

A very different side of Ken Nordine than you might know from his more gimmicky records – and an album that showcases his voice in a whole new way! Apart from being the inventor of Word Jazz, Ken also did a heck of a lot of voiceover work in the 50s, 60s, and 70s – and this set has Ken reciting lyrics to evergreens and standards, in a mellow and romantic way that comes across quite nicely. Backing is by Fred Katz on cello, Johnny Frigo on bass, Dick Marx on piano, and Red Holt on drums – and titles include "Midnight Sun", "When I'm With You", "My Funny Valentine", "I'm Glad There Is You", and "All Of You". LP, Vinyl record album

Run-DMC's great second album, with rock hard production by Russell Simmons and classic cuts! It's fascinating to listen to this album all these years later, with the knowledge that this hungry hip hop act from Queens was so soon to conquer the world. Great stuff from a legendary crew! This is the record where Run-DMC transitioned from their earlier style that put their own distinctive stamp on early-to-mid 80s east coast rap, to the rap group who fearlessly put rock music on notice that rap was coming to takeover. Amazing! Includes "Jam Master Jammin", "Can You Rock It Like This", "King Of Rock", "Rock The House", "You're Blind", "You Talk Too Much", "It's Not Funny" and "Darryl And Joe (Krush-Groove 3)". LP, Vinyl record album

A stone classic from the team of Morrissey and Marr – a record that manages to wear its politics on its sleeve, yet still express things in a highly personal way! The balance is a key part of what made The Smiths go farther than just about all their 80s Brit indie contemporaries – and is what still keeps them going so many years later – not to mention great songwriting, haunting vocals, and some damn catchy guitar! Titles include "The Headmaster Ritual", "What She Said", "I Want The One I Can't Have", "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore", "Nowhere Fast", "Barbarism Begins At Home", and "Well I Wonder". LP, Vinyl record album

A truly unbelievable album from Billy Stewart – maybe his standout moment of the 60s, and a record that set him apart from every other singer of his time! Stewart's famous vocals break out instantly on the huge hit "Summertime" – a leadoff number that really sets the record on fire – and sets the scene for an amazing batch of tunes that follow a similar format – familiar tracks that are completely recast in a new mode by Billy – pyrotechnic soul vocals that are as filled with feeling as they are shaped by technique! Backings are great, too – full and a bit jazzy at points – and with just the right sort of energy to keep things bouncing along all the way through. Titles include "Summertime", "A Foggy Day", "Canadian Sunset", "Time After Time", "Misty", "Moon River", "My Funny Valentine", and "That Old Black Magic". LP, Vinyl record album

The first single from Super Nature, who later went on to fame and fortune after changing their name to Salt N Pepa. "Show Stoppa" is a funny reply to Doug E Fresh's "The Show." The production and rhymes follow the pattern of "The Show", from the live crowd intro to the beatboxing. With early production by Hurby Luv Bug. The 7-minute "Def Mix" is a dub version with extended beatboxing not on the original version. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A tremendous album from Thundercat – an artist who just seems to get better and better with every new record, and who's maybe here defining a genre that's completely unto himself! The record is soulful, and has a lot of contemporary cosmic currents – but it's also more far-reaching and fluid than anything that Thundercat's ever given us before – still done with key help from Flying Lotus, but with a majestic, confident quality that seems to have the duo ready to take over the universe! The airy soulful vocals are great, but the rhythms and instrumentation are maybe even more compelling – as there's a number of tunes here that are almost impossible to describe in words, even though they're instantly appealing and wonderfully soulful – a balance that's the sort of special genius from an artist who's ready to write himself into the pop music history books with a key release like this. There's a whole host of guests – including Ty Dolla Sign, Childish Gambino, Louis Cole, Kamasi Washington, Badbadnotgood, Miguel Atwood Ferguson, and many others – but it's clear that the Thundercat/Flying Lotus axis holds all the power – on titles that include "Fair Chance", "Funny Thing", "How Sway", "Miguel's Happy Dance", "Lost In Space/Great Scott/22-26", "Interstellar Love", "Overseas", "Dragonball Durag", "King Of The Hill", and "Existential Dread". LP, Vinyl record album

Rare work from Lennie Tristano – some brilliant recordings made at the Half Note in 1958 and 1964, all of which feature Warne Marsh in the group on tenor sax! The first half of the set features Lennie's piano with Marsh's tenor – in a cool quartet with Henry Grimes on bass and Paul Motian on drums. Remaining tracks feature Tristano and Marsh with Lee Konitz on alto, Sonny Dallas on bass, and Nick Stabulas on drums – working in slightly more open territory than the other tracks. Titles include "Continuity", "My Baby", "She's Funny That Way", "Subconscious Lee", "317 East 52nd", and "Background Music". LP, Vinyl record album

Late 60s Bosstown psychedelia at its finest – and one of the coolest psych era nuggets on the MGM label! The '68 Ultimate Spinach LP has enough raw, hypnotic rock & roll in the mix to have made it a bonafide hit LP at the time, but there's all kinds of weirder, tripped out and kind of baroque touches that kind of make it one of the stranger LPs to walk on the edge of the mainstream – with oddball spoken word bits and more. Includes "Ego Trip", "Sacrifice Of The Moon (In Four Parts)", "Plastic Raincoats/Hung Up Minds", the 8 minute standout "(Ballad Of The) Hip Death Goddess" certainly one of the more influential jams on the record, plus "Your Head Is Reeling", "Dove In Hawk's Clothing", "Baroque #1", "Funny Freak Parade" and "Pamela". LP, Vinyl record album

A collection of 20 titles over 2 LPs – with "Lament (Love, I Found You Gone)", "Say It Isn't So", "On The Street Of Regret", "In The Dark", "Don't Come Runnin' Back", "Duck Before You Drown", "Why Was I Born", "Funny Thing", "Me & My Gin", "He's Gone Again", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A classic Verve pairing of two of its greatest soloists – both recorded here in a laidback, easily-swinging session that allows both players to shine equally! Young's tenor is always a welcome addition to any set of this nature, and Edison's playing here in a gentler, relaxed mode that's a wonderful fit to the easygoing groove laid down by the rhythm section of Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, and Buddy Rich. Titles include "Mean To Me", "That's All", "She's Funny That Way", and "Red Boy Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

A jazz message from late 50s Tokyo – loud, proud, and proof that the Japanese scene was really coming into its own! The set's awash in great bop and swing performances from the postwar years – exclusive tracks to this set, played by four different groups that include Akira Miyazawa on tenor, Shungo Sawada on guitar, and Eiji Kitamura on clarinet – all players that work with other key jazzmen of the Tokyo scene at the time, on sharp-edged tracks that include "An Instant Of The Life", "Funny Bone", "Wherever I Go", "Hello Mr Basie", "Flashing", and "Jog". LP, Vinyl record album

An important album by Nat King Cole – one that presented him in a live format, working in front of a very relaxed crowd at the Sands, expressing himself in a way that's quite different than some of his studio albums. The staid sound of Cole is opened up a bit here in the live set – a bit more relaxed, not necessarily improvised, but with a familiarity that shows Nat as more of an entertainer than you might expect. Titles include "Thou Swell", "Ballerina", "Funny (Not Much)", "I Wish You Love", "You Leave Me Breathless", and "Where Or When". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Frances Faye's best sessions – thanks to sharp 50s arrangements from Russ Garcia! Titles include "Love For Sale", "He's Funny That Way", "Toreador", "I've Got You Under My Skin", and "Somebody Loves Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A collection of the great early Savoy material recorded by Erroll Garner! Titles include "Moonglow", "Laura", "This Can't Be Love", "She's Funny That Way", "I Surrender Dear", "Stormy Weather", and "All Of Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic work from Joe Hinton – a labelmate to Bobby Blue Bland and Little Junior Parker on Duke Records, but an artist who was a bit more jazzy! The set includes his classic "Funny" – plus "If It Ain't One Thing", "Be Ever Wonderful", "The Whole Town's Talking", "Baby Please", "I'm Waiting", and "Tell Her The Truth". LP, Vinyl record album

One of those great stripped-down Peterson-plus dates for Pablo Records from the 70s – a session that features Oscar on both piano and organ, working alongside the trumpet of Roy Eldridge! There's no other instrumentation at all, and the sound is completely charming – intimate without sounding too laidback – and especially nice when the organ comes in, which makes for a real change from some of the other Peterson dates of this nature. Eldridge has more than enough command of his horn to still swing mightily in the setting – and titles include "Little Jazz", "Bad Hat Blues", "Sunday", "Blues For Chu", "She's Funny That Way", and "The Way You Look Tonight". LP, Vinyl record album

Tremendous work from Howard Rumsey's early Lighthouse group – and a great example of why they were such a great act at the time! The "solo spotlight" in the title is extremely apt here – as each of the album's tracks features a standout performance by group members who emerge from the larger ensemble beautifully – all players who were in the larger backings on other numbers, but who really sparkle brilliantly on their solos. Soloists include Frank Rosolino on trombone, Richie Kamuca on tenor, Stan Levey on drums, Conte Candoli on trumpet, Bob Enevoldsen on valve trombone, Bob Cooper on tenor, and Bud Shank on alto. Titles are all plenty fresh originals – and include "Funny Frank", "Claude", "Coop", "Stan", "S&B", and "Bud". LP, Vinyl record album