The only album to ever feature drummer Lawrence Marable as the leader of a group – and a cooking little hardbop set that showed the world that LA wasn't just a source for cool jazz in the 50s! The record is quite different than anything you'd hear from Chet Baker or Shorty Rogers – much more a Blue Note or Prestige-styled session, thanks in large part to the bold work of James Clay on tenor – who's noted here in the title, but is also an undeniable force in the music, and part of a wave of Texas talent that was really helping to transform the Cali sound in the 50s. Other players include the great Sonny Clark on piano – making a strong pre-Blue Note appearance – and the equally great Jimmy Bond on bass. Titles include "Airtight", "Easy Living", "Minor Meeting", "Marbles", and "Three Fingers North". CD

James Clay on tenor sax, Cedar Walton on piano, David Williams on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. CD

One of the most revelatory albums ever cut by reedman James Clay – a player who's often lumped into the "hard blowing" camp because of his Texas roots, but one who emerges here with a great deal of sensitivity and imagination! The record features Clay playing both tenor and flute – clearly a "double dose of soul" – and on the latter instrument, he's got a really wonderful style that's a bit like Yusef Lateef, still hardbop and swinging, but touched with a sense of exoticism that really makes for a unique sound to the record. And even on tenor, Clay's got a looser, more introspective sound here – one that catches the mood set by the rest of the group – with Victor Feldman on vibes, Gene Harris on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums – plus a bit of extra cornet from Nat Adderley on a few tracks. The album has a good modal feel in parts, and a stronger soul jazz groove in others – and it's one of the great sets put together as part of the "Cannonball Presents" series for Riverside in the early 60s. Tracks include "Lost Tears", "Pockets", "New Delhi", and "Linda Serene". CD also features 2 bonus tracks! CD

Texas tenors locked in hard formation! The set's a wonderfully stripped-down set that has James Clay and David Fathead Newman playing head-to-head in a rootsy Texas tenor style jazz session – one that's a bit more open-ended and earthy than some of the faker tones on Newman's early work for Atlantic! The setting is nicely relaxed – New York blowing session, taken down south – and rhythm is from a trio that includes Wynton Kelly on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. Tracks are long, with lots of focus on the solos – and the set includes two hip compositions by Babs Gonzales – "Wide Open Spaces" and "Figger-ation" – plus the titles "Some Kinda Mean", "What's New", and "They Can't Take That Away From Me". CD

The only album to ever feature drummer Lawrence Marable as the leader of a group – and a cooking little hardbop set that showed the world that LA wasn't just a source for cool jazz in the 50s! The record is quite different than anything you'd hear from Chet Baker or Shorty Rogers – much more a Blue Note or Prestige-styled session, thanks in large part to the bold work of James Clay on tenor – who's noted here in the title, but is also an undeniable force in the music, and part of a wave of Texas talent that was really helping to transform the Cali sound in the 50s. Other players include the great Sonny Clark on piano – making a strong pre-Blue Note appearance – and the equally great Jimmy Bond on bass. Titles include "Airtight", "Easy Living", "Minor Meeting", "Marbles", and "Three Fingers North". CD

With Billy Mintz on drums. CD

A really back to basics album from trumpeter Don Cherry – or maybe a set that goes back to basics that Don didn't even have, given that most folks initially heard him in the freewheeling group of Ornette Coleman! The album's straighter than his work with Ornette, and also different than his 70s experiments with world cultures and fusion – as the record has a tight, acoustic vibe – Cherry blowing these great solos on pocket trumpet, in the company of a swinging lineup that also features James Clay on tenor, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums! The lack of piano is definitely a nod to Don's roots, and there's certainly an open vibe to the record at times – but things are mostly straight and swinging, in a way that opens up another level in Cherry's long and varied career. Titles include "Art Deco", 'When Will The Blues Leave", "Body & Soul", "Bemsha Swing", "Maffy", "Folk Medley", "The Blessing", "Passing", "I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face", and "Compute". CD

A really back to basics album from trumpeter Don Cherry – or maybe a set that goes back to basics that Don didn't even have, given that most folks initially heard him in the freewheeling group of Ornette Coleman! The album's straighter than his work with Ornette, and also different than his 70s experiments with world cultures and fusion – as the record has a tight, acoustic vibe – Cherry blowing these great solos on pocket trumpet, in the company of a swinging lineup that also features James Clay on tenor, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums! The lack of piano is definitely a nod to Don's roots, and there's certainly an open vibe to the record at times – but things are mostly straight and swinging, in a way that opens up another level in Cherry's long and varied career. Titles include "Art Deco", 'When Will The Blues Leave", "Body & Soul", "Bemsha Swing", "Maffy", "Folk Medley", "The Blessing", "Passing", "I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face", and "Compute". LP, Vinyl record album

Wes Montgomery with a bit of sax and flute – a nice change from the sound of some of his other early records, thanks to key work on the set from James Clay! Clay plays mostly flute on the record, but does so with a hard edge that reminds us of Frank Wess' work from the same stretch – really bringing a raspy edge to the record, and seeming to bring out the same in Wes' guitar work. The rest of the group includes Victor Feldman on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums – and titles include the nice groover "Movin' Along", plus "So Do It", "Sandu", "Tune Up", and "Says You". CD

A love letter to the legendary Fame Records – filled with unissued tracks and rare gems from the vaults! Fame was one of the great ones back in the day – the driving force behind Muscle Shoals soul music, and a company that helped really redefine the sound of the music in the 60s – thanks to incredible production, and a tight cast of studio musicians who knocked it out of the park on nearly every session! 21 of the set's 24 tracks have never been issued before – and, even more compelling, none were featured on the similar 7" box set from Ace – making the package a treasure trove of music, even for the serious soul collector. Titles include "Tell It Like It Is" by Big Ben Atkins, "Almost Persuaded" by Jackie, "You're So Fine" by James Barnett, "I Do" by June Conquest, "Your Helping Hand" by Otis Clay, "In The Heat Of Love" by Marjorie Ingram, "Steal Away 67" by Jimmy Hughes, "You Really Know How To Hurt A Guy" by Ralph Soul Jackson, "Let's Do It Over" by Travis Wammack, "For You" by George Jackson, "Baby Come Back" by Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces, "Keep On Talking" by Prince Phillip, "It Ain't No Harm" by George Byrd & The Dominoes, "Blind Can't See" by Richard Earl & The Corvettes, and "I Need Someone" by The Entertainers. CD

Rare killers from Atlantic Records – served up here on a hip Japanese collection! Includes lots of obscure singles – including "Hold On" by James Carr, "Faithful & True" by Percy Sledge, "Sister Pitiful" by Judy Clay, "Lovebones" by Mighty Sam, "Only Be True To Me" by JP Robinson, "Is It Over" by Otis Clay, "Holding The Losing Hand" by Rozetta Johnson, "We Will Always Be Together" by Peggy Scott & Jojo Benson, "I Found All These Things" by CP Love, "Suppertime" by ZZ Hill, and "Cover Me" by Jackie Moore. LP, Vinyl record album

A really back to basics album from trumpeter Don Cherry – or maybe a set that goes back to basics that Don didn't even have, given that most folks initially heard him in the freewheeling group of Ornette Coleman! The album's straighter than his work with Ornette, and also different than his 70s experiments with world cultures and fusion – as the record has a tight, acoustic vibe – Cherry blowing these great solos on pocket trumpet, in the company of a swinging lineup that also features James Clay on tenor, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums! The lack of piano is definitely a nod to Don's roots, and there's certainly an open vibe to the record at times – but things are mostly straight and swinging, in a way that opens up another level in Cherry's long and varied career. Titles include "Art Deco", 'When Will The Blues Leave", "Body & Soul", "Bemsha Swing", "Maffy", "Folk Medley", "The Blessing", "Passing", "I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face", and "Compute". LP, Vinyl record album

A great date with tenor sax from James Clay and Harold Land – plus sublime piano from Cedar Walton! Titles include "Deception", "Evidence", "Bridgework", "Old Folks", "The Theme", and "Plexus". LP, Vinyl record album

Great early work from bassist Red Mitchell – one of his few sets as a leader in the US, before going on to a wide range of records overseas! The lineup is unusual – as Red is working with a group that features the great James Clay on flute and tenor, alongside Lorraine Geller on piano, and Billy Higgins on drums – and tracks are longer than usual for a Contemporary Records session – which gives Clay some moments to stretch out, spurred on by the lively drumming of Higgins. Titles include "Sandu", "Paul's Pal", and "Out Of The Blue". CD

A pretty cool set – one that dips back into Wes' early recordings for Riverside, and brings together a bunch of alternate takes of the tunes that appeared on albums like Full House, Guotar On The Go, Bags Meets Wes, and Groove Yard. Players on the tracks include Johnny Griffin, Wynton Kelly, Jimmy Cobb, Mel Ryne, Milt Jackson, Buddy Montgomery, Monk Montgomery, and James Clay – and the album features alternate takes of tunes that include "Tune Up" (2 versions, one with strings!), "Bock To Bock", "Movin Along", "Besame Mucho", "Fried Pies", "The Way You Look Tonight", "Born To Be Blue" and "Jingles". CD

Although he doesn't always get the same sort of coverage as Otis Clay, Johnny Sayles was another one of the great underground deep soul singers of the Chicago scene of the 60's. This excellent single on Mar V Lus features two nice ones – the bluesy "You Told A Lie", with screaming that would put Screamin' Jay to shame; and the excellent uptempo "Don't Turn Your Back On Me", which has a good mid 60's James Brown sort of groove. 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great groovy take on the sound of the legendary Hi Records – the Memphis soul powerhouse that gave us so many wonderful records in the 70s! The sound of Hi here is a bit different than you may know from the hits – as the label is seen through the great filter of the Free Soul series – which focuses on mellow groovers and midtempo tracks that have a bright, bubbly approach to soul – all work that still has all the deep soul roots of Hi at its best, but which also features rhythms and grooves that are less familiar in the label's catalog! There's some very choice singles here, next to overlooked album cuts by artists who got to issue full length sets for Hi – and as always with Free Soul, you get plenty of music for your money. Titles include "Little Things" by Phillip Mitchell, "Got To Find My Baby" by James Gadson, "Roots Of Love" by Quiet Elegance, "Too Much Mystery" by Otis Clay, "Look At The Boy" by Jean Plum, "I Don't Do Windows" by OV Wright, "Everything Is Gonna Be Alright" by Willie Mitchell & Don Bryant, "Somebody's On Your Case" by Ann Peebles, "Save The Last Dance For Me" by Henry She, "Let Them Know You Care" by George Jackson, and "I'm So Thankful" by Al Perkins. CD

Great early work from bassist Red Mitchell – one of his few sets as a leader in the US, before going on to a wide range of records overseas! The lineup is unusual – as Red is working with a group that features the great James Clay on flute and tenor, alongside Lorraine Geller on piano, and Billy Higgins on drums – and tracks are longer than usual for a Contemporary Records session – which gives Clay some moments to stretch out, spurred on by the lively drumming of Higgins. Titles include "Sandu", "Paul's Pal", and "Out Of The Blue". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic Memphis soul! This nifty 22 track compilation brings to light some excellent material recorded for the legendary Hi label – most of which was not issued on albums, by far the most-reissued part of the label. The set combines material from some of the label's bigger stars, and some of it's lesser-known treasures. Titles include "Is it Over?" by David Duke, "It Was Jealousy" by Otis Clay, "Still Around" by James Fry, "I Can't Let You Go" by Ann Peebles, "She's My Woman" by Bobo Mr. Soul, "Hey Little Girl" by Norm West, and "What Made You Change" by Eddie McGhee. CD

A pretty cool 2LP set – one that dips back into Wes' early recordings for Riverside, and brings together a bunch of alternate takes of the tunes that appeared on albums like Full House, Guotar On The Go, Bags Meets Wes, and Groove Yard. Players on the tracks include Johnny Griffin, Wynton Kelly, Jimmy Cobb, Mel Ryne, Milt Jackson, Buddy Montgomery, Monk Montgomery, and James Clay – and the album features alternate takes of tunes that include "Tune Up" (2 versions, one with strings!), "Bock To Bock", "Movin Along", "Besame Mucho", "Fried Pies", "The Way You Look Tonight", "Born To Be Blue", "SOS", "Doujie", and "Jingles". LP, Vinyl record album

Upbeat sounds from Muscle Shoals – music that's normally dubbed by the term of Northern Soul, but which was recorded in one of the best scenes in the American south! That confusion's easy to fix – as the "northern" in Northern Soul has always referred to the interest in a certain type of rhythm in the 60s UK scene up north – which means that the sounds can come from anywhere, especially a place that's as well-tuned to vintage soul styles as the legendary Fame studios! The tracks here were all recorded at Fame – handled by Rick Hall and his top-shelf lineup of studio musicians – and were issued on his own Fame label, and other imprints that include Atlantic, Bell, Cotillion, and a few others – appearing here alongside a number of tracks that weren't issued back in the day as well. The main thing to know is that the rhythms are upbeat and romping – and the singers are all pretty darn wonderful – as many are also known for famous deep soul recordings at fame. Titles include "A Stone Loser" by Ben & Spence, "I'm Qualified" by Otis Clay, "Love Is A Wonderful Thing" by Prince Phillip, "Ten Miles High" by David & The Giants, "Keep On Talkin" by James Barnett, "A World Of My Own" by Billy & Clyde, "It's Not Safe To Mess On Me" by George Jackson, "In The Heat Of Love" by Marjorie Ingram, "It Ain't What You Got" by Jimmy Hughes, "Slippin Around With You" by Art Freeman, "Your Love Lifted Me" by James Govan, and "Everytime" by Linda Carr. CD

With selections by The Tams, Joe Turner, The Temptations, Chairmen Of The Board, Mary Wells, William Bell & Judy Clay, Patty & The Emblems, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs, The Impressions, Marvin Gaye, James & Bobby Purify, Archie Bell & The Drells, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

Barclay James Harvest sound almost a bit more melancholy here than on previous records – maybe just because the leadoff hit track "Hymn" has a brooding message on drug deaths – but also because there seems to be a slightly more intense quality to their overall approach! The group are in very comfortable, confident territory – so much so, they can slow things down a bit and move with a brooding sense of soul that almost seems a precursor to the power ballad scene that would emerge a few years later. These tracks are still nicely free of the schmaltz of those – but definitely have a sense of compression that points the way forward – on titles that include "Hymn", "Love Is Like A Violin", "Leper's Song", "Taking Me Higher", "Spirit On The Water", "Sea Of Tranquility", and "Hard Hearted Woman". LP, Vinyl record album

Barclay James Harvest sound almost a bit more melancholy here than on previous records – maybe just because the leadoff hit track "Hymn" has a brooding message on drug deaths – but also because there seems to be a slightly more intense quality to their overall approach! The group are in very comfortable, confident territory – so much so, they can slow things down a bit and move with a brooding sense of soul that almost seems a precursor to the power ballad scene that would emerge a few years later. These tracks are still nicely free of the schmaltz of those – but definitely have a sense of compression that points the way forward – on titles that include "Hymn", "Love Is Like A Violin", "Leper's Song", "Taking Me Higher", "Spirit On The Water", "Sea Of Tranquility", and "Hard Hearted Woman". CD

A nice lean set from Barclay James Harvest – a record that gets more to the core of their sound after the larger arrangements of some of their albums for Harvest Records – in a way that also seems to bring out more of an edge in their songwriting, too! The shift is somewhat subtle, but effective – as the quartet manage to find ways to make simple guitar and keyboard lines come across with this flowing vibe that often makes the sum sound way more than its parts – especially when set to the inventive themes covered by some of the album's lyrical topics! The drums are great, too – seemingly stronger than before – and titles include "Negative Earth", "Paper Wings", "The Great 1974 Mining Disaster", "Mill Boys", "Poor Boy Blues", and "Child Of The Universe". LP, Vinyl record album

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... LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Ma Rainey, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson, Tommy Johnson, Charley Patton, Bessie Smith, Blind Willie McTell, Cannon's Jug Stompers, Son House, Skip James, Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell, Tampa Red, Sleepy John Estes, Blind Boy Fuller, Memphis Minnie, Big Joe Williams, Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Bill Broonzy, Big Maceo, Doctor Clayton, Roy Brown, T-Bone Walker, Buddy Johnson And His Orchestra, Dinah Washington, Louis Jordan, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Paul Williams Sextet, Bullmoose Jackson, Julia Lee, Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers, Lonnie Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker & The Groundhogs, Lightning Slim, Ruth Brown, Lowell Fulson, Honeyboy Edwards, Jimmy Witherspoon, Otis Grand & The Dance Kings, Alexis Korner Blues Inc, Duster Bennett, The John Dummer Blues Band, Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, John Mayall, Jo-Ann Kelly, Herbie Goins, Paul Jones, Alan Price & The Electric Blues Company, Chris Farlowe, Stan Webb's Chicken Shack, Mick Abrahams, Ruby Turner, Paul Lamb & The King Snakes, and Fred James. CD

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... LP, Vinyl record album

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A classic from Jimmy Rushing – recorded at a time when he was really finding a new audience for his vocals! In a style that Columbia was using on a number of sides in the late 50s and early 60s, Jimmy and Buck do a bit of educatin' – and trace a progression of jazz styles from New Orleans, to Chicago, to Kansas City, and New York. The Odyssey's not really Jimmy's, so much as it is the jazz that was defined by the white liberal tastes that always were the main force between Columbia in the early years – but the set's still a nice one, like all of Jimmy's later work for Columbia, which features some of the best-recorded vocal work of his career. Titles include "New Orleans", "Doctor Blues", "Rosetta", "Piney Brown Blues", "Lullaby Of Broadway", and "Some Of These Days". LP, Vinyl record album

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... LP, Vinyl record album

A collection of tracks recorded during their early run on the Harvest label. Includes "Early Morning", "Mr. Sunshine", "Pools Of Blue", "I Can't Go On Without You", "Eden Unobtainable" and more – 31 tracks over 2 discs! CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A really cool collection, and one that's got a very special focus – an imaginary soundtrack for the record-breaking British summer of 1976 – a searingly hot time that really pushed the nation to the brink! Bob Stanley's given us some great collections on Ace Records before – often with Pete Wiggs, or as Saint Etienne – and this set continues the very special vibe of those sets, by bringing together cuts that we never would have thought would work so well otherwise – a sublime mix of soul, rock, and pop – all glowing together with the warm vibe of the summer of 1976! Titles include "I'm Mandy Fly Me" by 10CC, "Walking So Free" by Spike Janson, "Sugar Shuffle" by Lynsey DePaul, "Liquid Sunshine" by John Cameron, "Not On The Outside" by Sylvia, "You Are My Love" by Liverpool Express, "You're The Song" by Hollywood Freeway, "Discover Me" by David Ruffin, "Stoned Out" by Simon Park, "Montreal City" by Azimuth, "Stay With Me" by Blue Mink, "Music" by Carmen McRae, "Rock N Roll Star" by Barclay James Harvest, "Fallin In Love" by Hamilton Joe Frank & Reynolds, "Inspiration Information" by Shuggie Otis, and "Miss My Love Today" by Gilbert O'Sullivan. Imagine the mixtape from Guardians Of The Galaxy, but done by a much hipper ear, and you'll get a good idea of this one! CD

A great illustration of the sorts of qualities that always made the British scene so interesting over the years – as even in the big year of hits that was 1972, these groups still had a way of coming up with all sorts of interesting modes and really fresh styles – maturing the earlier experiments of prog rock, going for some continued inventiveness in more edgey groups, and furthering a new generation of songwriting that took things way past too-familiar pop themes! The depth of music here is really great – and although the set features a few bigger names, they're easily matched with a number of groups who never charted on our side of the Atlantic, and who were really part of the record-buying cognoscenti on both sides of the ocean – represented here by the kind of album nuggets that really pushed this generation past singles and 45s! As with other Esoteric packages in this series, the choice of cuts is great – never too familiar, but also never too obscure for obscure's sake – as the 55 track package moves through work by Khan, Bombadil, Pretty Things, Ten Years After, Skin Alley, Rare Bird, Edgar Broughton Band, Uriah Heep, Hawkwind, Atomic Rooster, Barclay James Harvest, Mellow Candle, Van Der Graaf Generator, Help Yourself, Matching Mole, Bond & Brown, Vinegar Joe, Nektar, Family, Free, and others! CD