25 tracks. CD

Includes tracks from Cal Tjader, Miss Ann-Margret, Walter Wanderley, Nancy Wilson, Harold Johnson Sextet, Mel Torme, Quincy Jones, Les Elgart & His Orchestra, Connie Francis, Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers, Dick Hyman, and more – 18 tracks in all. CD

Early work from pianist Paul Bley – material that really shows his commitment to the songwriting strengths of the great Annette Peacock! The first two thirds of the set features European material recorded in Rome and Baarn in 1966 – Bley working alongside bassist Mark Levinson and drummer Barry Altschul, both of whom had joined Paul on the groundbreaking Blood album – and who work here in similar territory, but on shorter tracks that are still relatively free and open overall! The tracks represent key recordings of songs that Bley would rework later on – titles that include "Blood", "Touching", "Nothing Ever Was Anyway", "Kid Dynamite", "Mister Joy", "Albert's Love Theme", and "El Cordobes". The last third of the record features material from 1968, recorded in Seattle with a trio that features Gary Peacock on bass and Billy Elgart on drums – revisiting some of the same material, but with a very different vibe – on tracks that include "Mister Joy", "Touching", "Kid Dynamite", "El Cordobes", "Blood", and "Nothing Ever Was Anyway". CD

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Sublime vocal work from Carol Sloane – one of her earliest sessions, and one of her greatest too – recorded in 1959 by Larry Elgart, yet never issued at the time! The album is very intimate, and Carol's vocals really sound beautiful in the setting – moving with more poise and gentle power than on other records – alongside backing that just features light guitar from either Chuck Wayne or Bucky Pizzarelli, plus bass and a bit of cello! There's no drums or piano at all – so the feel is very moody, and nicely blue-tinged through the use of guitar – in ways that make even the familiar tunes sound quite unique and special. Titles include "April Ador Cools", "Summertime", "Angel Eyes", "It Could Happen To You", "Hush-A-Bye", "In The Wee Small Hours", and "Guess Who I Saw Today". CD

Warmly expressive work from trumpeter Kenny Wheeler – a set that's got the same depth of tone as his work for other labels, but which has a bit of a different feel as well. The record has maybe a bit more bite – not necessarily on Wheeler's trumpet or flugelhorn, the latter of which still retains its wonderfully airy sound – but instead on the overall conception, which makes careful but creative use of other group members – especially John Taylor on piano and Dave Holland on bass, as well as Billy Elgart on drums, and Stan Sulzmann on soprano, tenor, and flute. All tunes are originals by Wheeler, and really lovely ones at that – and titles include "Gigolo", "The Little Fella", "Miold Man", "We Salute The Night", and "Everybody's Song But My Own". CD