A rare Japanese-only session – one that has vocalist Salena Jones joining the fusion supergroup Stuff – in a set that's easily one of the most soulful outings from both artists involved! Although Jones mostly worked overseas, she's got a slinky style here that really fits the groove of the American group – a slow-stepping approach that wraps nicely around keyboards from Richard Tee, and twin guitars from Eric Gale and Cornell Dupree. Steve Gadd's drums keep a nice undercurrent of funk, even when things are mellow – and Tee's arrangements are tight, but never slick or overdone. Titles include "Loving Arms", "My Love", "Everyday", "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me", "Help Me Make It Through The Night", and "Lately". CD

With Cedar Walton on piano! CD

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Ernie Watts on saxophone, Arturo Sandoval on trumpet, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Charles Fambrough on acoustic bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums. CD

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Bluesy quartet material by Lockjaw, with his combo that featured Shirley Scott on organ and Arthur Edgehill on drums. The tracks are standards, but Davis plays them with a nice deep soulful sound, reaching deeply into his tenor, wrenching out hard-edged notes that drip with a deep rich emotion. Titles include "I'll Never Be The Same", "Old Devil Moon", "Too Close For Comfort", "Tangerine", and "But Not For Me". CD

Tiger Okoshi on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kenny Barron on piano, Hank Roberts on cello, Jay Anderson on bass, and Mino Cinelu on percussion. CD

Sadao Watanabe on alto sax and flute, Gerald Clayton on piano, Ben Williams on bass, and Johnathan Blake on drums. CD

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Includes the songs "Front Runner", "Isn't She Lovely", "St Thomas", "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", "I Mean You", "Just Friends", "Primrose Path", "The Moon Of Manakoora", and "The Real You". CD

Featuring Bob Cooper on tenor sax, Bob Summers and Don Rader on trumpet, Lanny Morgan on alto sax, Rick Culver and Bob Enevoldsen on trombone, and Rich Eames on piano. Titles include "Front Runner", "Isn't She Lovely", "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", "St Thomas", and "The Moon Of Manakoora". CD

Dave Carpenter on acoustic bass, Lanny Morgan on alto saxophone and flute, Bill Perkins on on alto and soprano saxophone and flute, Bob Efford on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, Kenny Shroyer on bass trombone, Bob Leatherbarrow on drums, Doug MacDonald on guitar, Rich Eames on piano, Pete Christlieb on tenor saxophone and flute, Ray Herrmann on tenor and soprano saxophone, Andy Martin and Jack Redmond on trombone, Bob Summers, Carl Saunders, Frank Szabo and Ron Stout on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Bob Enevoldsen on valve trombone. CD

All tracks arranged by Bill Holman. Titles include "Straight, No Chaser", "Bemsha Swing", "Thelonious", "'Round Midnight", "Bye Ya", "Misterioso", "Friday The 13th", "Rhythm-a-ning", "Ruby, My Dear", and "Brilliant Corners". CD

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On The Line has a style that's a bit keyboard-heavy – in a way that seems to borrow from some of the 80s soundtrack work of the time, and which is clearly a nod to the success of the Lyle Mays/Pat Metheny sound that was breaking big on ECM. The move is a nice one for Lee on the best cuts – those that underplay the cheesier aspects of the style – and other players on the album are a batch of likely suspects that include Harvey Mason, Dave Grusin, Ernie Watts, and Steve Forman. Titles include "The Rit Variations", "Dolphin Dreams", "California Roll", "On The Line", "Tush", and "Heavenly Bodies". CD

An excellent LP that brings together a dozen tracks from some of Chris Connor's lesser-known recordings for the Bethlehem label – originally released as eps and early 10" LPs. Backing on the set is by The Ellis Larkins Trio, The Vinnie Burke Quartet, The Ralph Sharon combo, and Sy Oliver's orchestra – and the set features tracks that include "All About Ronnie", "In Other Words", "A Good Man Is A Seldom Thing", "I Hear Music", "Out Of This World", and "Lush Life". Chris herself is singing in that moody, icy style that we love so much – sounding especially nice on the sparer tunes, which seem to wallow in lost love and distant longing. CD

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Dave Carpenter on acoustic bass, Lanny Morgan on alto saxophone and flute, Bill Perkins on on alto and soprano saxophone and flute, Bob Efford on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, Kenny Shroyer on bass trombone, Bob Leatherbarrow on drums, Doug MacDonald on guitar, Rich Eames on piano, Pete Christlieb on tenor saxophone and flute, Ray Herrmann on tenor and soprano saxophone, Andy Martin and Jack Redmond on trombone, Bob Summers), Carl Saunders, Frank Szabo and Ron Stout on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Bob Enevoldsen on valve trombone. CD

With Randy Roos on guitar. CD