One of the few albums ever cut as a leader by pianist Tony Aless – an unsung hero of the big band years, especially in the Woody Herman group – and a great arranger too! This set's an all-original outing – a suite of tracks dedicated to Long Island, and played by a very hip group that has tenorist Seldon Powell in the lead – serving up work that's every bit as great here as on his own albums for Roost from the time! The record's got a slightly largish group – a tentet that's stuffed with great players – including Billy Bauer on guitar, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, and Nick Travis on trumpet – all modernists who really bring in the sound you'd expect. Titles include "Fire Island", "Valley Stream", "Levittown", and "Massapequa". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Produced by Andre Cymone. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Perhaps the greatest volume in this always-great series! Mr Bongo take another firm dip into their Brazilian bag – and come up with an excellent batch of dancefloor tracks, old and new alike, that sum up the best of funky Brazil! The track selection here is great – with less familiar numbers than on other volumes, and a seamless blend of styles that shifts effortlessly between older and newer material – funky samba grooving with sweet dancefloor beats, with lots of soulful vocals, and a very solid approach that will please newcomers and crate-diggers alike! Titles include "E Isso Ai" by Paulo Lima, "Chega No Suingue" by Seu Jorge, "Riacho" by Guem, "Misapeque" by Sao Benitez, "Maria (One Rascal main mix)" by Bazedo, "Para Ti (Criancas mix)" by Malena, "Saudacao A Toco Preto" by Candeia, "Nao Adianta" by Trio Mocoto, and "Kriula" by Clube Do Balanco. 11 tracks in all. LP, Vinyl record album