A legendary bassist in a really top-shelf group – a tight lineup that may well make the set one of the best records from Buster Williams in many years! Williams has that tight, tremendous groove that we've loved in his sound for decades – forged here with a killer quartet that includes lots of sharp soprano and alto sax work from Steve Wilson, piano from George Colligan, and drums from Lenny White – a group who can take off with power when needed, then hit some of those more introspective, moody moments that Williams could always bring to his music! There's a great depth of spirit to the record – which features original tracks by Williams, plus one more by each member of the band – titles that include "Where Giants Dwell", "Song Of The Outcasts", "Sisko", "Ariana Anai", "Lost On 4th Avenue", "Stumblin", "Triumph", "Briana", and "Audacity". CD

Darkly expressive work from Wallace Roney – one of those key albums that seems to push his original Muse Records sound even further with a range of more expansive elements! Roney's still got that brooding post-Miles sound in his horn – but here, it's used in some more complicated soundscapes at points – still mostly jazz, but almost with a soundtrack element too – especially in the way the keyboards drift in and out of the mix. Other players include Antoine Roney and Steve Hall on saxes, Geri Allen on Fender Rhodes and piano, Adam Holzman on organ, Buster Williams on bass, and Lenny White on drums – plus a fair bit of samples dropped into the mix by Val Gelder Jeanty. Titles include "NeuBeings", "Cygroove", "Metropolis", "Straight To Nothing", "No Room For Argument", and "Midnight Blue". CD

One of the last records that Booker Ervin ever recorded, and one of the best! There's a depth of tone and conception here that goes far beyond even Ervin's already-great albums for Prestige – a mix of modernism and soulful expression that really points the way towards jazz expression in the 70s – although sadly, Booker was to leave the planet before getting a chance to stretch out in that era. All 6 tracks on the album are originals – and they sparkle with the imagination found on some of the most top-shelf Blue Notes of the time – work by Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, or Wayne Shorter – played by a group that includes the amazing Richard Williams on trumpet (almost worth the price of the record alone), Bobby Few on piano, Lenny McBrowne on drums, and the little-known Cevera Jefferies on bass. Loads of dark edges, searing solos, and plenty of free flights into the sky – on titles that include "The In Between", "Tyra", "The Muse", "Mour", "Sweet Pea", and "Largo". CD

Geri Allen on piano, Wallace Roney on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Buster Williams on bass, Lenny White on drums, Mino Cinelu on percussion, and others. CD

One of the last records that Booker Ervin ever recorded, and one of the best! There's a depth of tone and conception here that goes far beyond even Ervin's already-great albums for Prestige – a mix of modernism and soulful expression that really points the way towards jazz expression in the 70s – although sadly, Booker was to leave the planet before getting a chance to stretch out in that era. All 6 tracks on the album are originals – and they sparkle with the imagination found on some of the most top-shelf Blue Notes of the time – work by Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, or Wayne Shorter – played by a group that includes the amazing Richard Williams on trumpet (almost worth the price of the record alone), Bobby Few on piano, Lenny McBrowne on drums, and the little-known Cevera Jefferies on bass. Loads of dark edges, searing solos, and plenty of free flights into the sky – on titles that include "The In Between", "Tyra", "The Muse", "Mour", "Sweet Pea", and "Largo". CD

Willie Pickens on piano, David Williams on bass, and Lenny White on drums. CD

Classic east bay grease from the early days – featuring the good lineup of T of P, with Chester Thompson on organ, and Lenny Williams on lead vocals. Titles include "Give Me The Proof", "I Believe In Myself", "Walkin Up Hip Street", "Maybe It'll Rub Off", and "Come Back Baby". CD