One of the best records we've ever heard from pianist Lou Levy – a record that steps past the simple format of earlier records, into a style that's slightly modern, and very cool – thanks to the addition of vibes to his usual trio format. Larry Bunker plays vibes on the record, and rhythm's by Stan Levy and Leroy Vinnegar – both of whom hip things up nicely, and give the album a soulful bottom that offsets Levy's sprightly piano lines in a wonderful way. A real delight, even on the familiar tunes – and titles include "Gray Fox", "Tune Up", "Without You", "Wail Street", "Star Eyes", "Imagination", and "Indiana". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the cookinest albums we've ever heard from pianist Lou Levy – an obscure early 60s trio session that shows a whole new side of his sound! Lou's playing with likely suspects Max Bennett on bass and Stan Levy on drums – but unlike some of his west coast sides of the late 50s, this album's got a broader, freer approach – one that brings in more hues and colors than we're used to hearing in Lou's piano, and which has a kind of sparkle that we really love. Timings for the tunes are all a bit unconventional, making things more interesting even on the familiar tunes – and titles include "Davana", "My Old Flame", "Won't You Please Let Me In", "The Piccolino", and "The Hymn". LP, Vinyl record album

A strong mid 50s trio outing from west coast pianist Lou Levy – recorded under the supervision of Shorty Rogers during his time working with RCA. The set's got a harder-swinging edge than you might expect – and grooves in the manner of some of Levy's other fine mid 50s work – thanks to excellent accompaniment from Max Bennett on bass and Stan Levy on drums. Lou's work on the keys really pushes things nicely – hitting some unexpected gutbuckety tones, and working with a bluesy undercurrent that's a far cry from his west coast roots. Titles include "Apartment 17", "Yesterdays", "Angel Eyes", "Lou's Blues", "How About You", and "Woody N Lou". LP, Vinyl record album

Given that a busty babe is leaning into the left side of the piano keyboard on the cover, we'd almost expect Lou Levy to focus mostly on the lighter notes on the right – but instead, he really opens up with some great deep notes on the cover, and takes the album far past anything you might expect! Levy's a really subtle player, one who never overstates his obvious ear for modern tones and musical elements – but he's really got a way of bringing them into his music in ways you wouldn't expect – either in the way he shapes a note on the mellower cuts, or comes up with a groove on the more lively ones. There's none of the flowery sounds you might expect from the "baby grand" title – and instead, Lou is in very comfortable territory – working in trio format with the great Max Bennett on bass, and drummer Gus Johnson – on titles that include "Little Girl", "Undecided", "The Gypsy", "Sunday Kind Of Love", "I've Found A New Baby", and "You Don't Know What Love Is". LP, Vinyl record album

This was originally recorded in 1959 and it was meant to be a homage to Benny Goodman and the guitarist who played with Goodman back then, Charlie Christian. Auld was asked to join the Goodman band back in 1940 where he worked closely with Christian. Auld plays tenor sax and is joined by Don Fagerquist on trumpet, Howard Roberts on guitar, Lou Levy on piano, Larry Bunker on vibes, Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Mel Lewis on drums. Tracks include "I Found A New Baby", "On The Alamo", "Wholly Cats", "Scarecrow", "Benny's Bugle", "Soft Winds", and "Flying Home". LP, Vinyl record album

An obscure moment in June Christy's career, but a great one too – a rare later recording, done many years after her time at Capitol Records – in a laidback setting with a hip group of west coast players! June's voice definitely shows a bit of age, but she's still head and shoulders above most jazz singers of her generation – mixing subtle feeling and darkness together beautifully, in a way that makes for a wonderfully moody record! Lou Levy leads the group on piano, and other players include Bob Cooper on tenor and flute, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Jack Sheldon on trumpet – although the horns don't seem to appear on all the tracks on the date. Titles include "The Trouble With Hello Is Goodbye", "My Shining Hour", "Once Upon A Summertime", "Show Me", "Willow Weep For Me", "Everything Must Change", and "Autumn Serenade". LP, Vinyl record album

A great small combo set from Ella Fitzgerald – and a record that maybe has a bit more bite than some of her Songbook sessions from the time! The combo's a great one – with excellent piano from Lou Levy, balanced with guitar work from Herb Ellis – a pair whose chromatic contributions really resonate wonderfully with the vocal range of Ella – especially as the singer is hitting that 60s stretch when she seemed to find an even more expressive tone than in earlier years! Other players include Joe Mondragon on bass and Gus Johnson on drums – no other players at all, a nice lean set – and titles include "Night In Tunisia", "Cry Me A River", "This Year's Kisses", "Music Goes Round & Round", "Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie", "My Reverie", and "You're My Thrill". LP, Vinyl record album

The tenor of Stan Getz meets the baritone sax of Gerry Mulligan – and then they switch things around for half of the record, as Stan picks up the baritone and Mulligan takes on tenor! Gerry always seems to open up whole new sides of his playing when sharing the leader spotlight with another star – and here, in the company of Getz, he hits a shimmering, sparkling sound that's really great, and filled with feeling. Stan's wonderful too – very much in his best mid 50s Verve period – working in a groove that's deep and laidback, with a strong undercurrent of warmth – thanks to familiar rhythm backing from the trio of Lou Levy on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Stan Levey on drums. Titles include "Anything Goes", "Ballad", and "That Old Feeling". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic shift in the sound of the Supersax ensemble – one that has the group's jazzy instrumentation mixed with a vocal chorus – in a way that's a bit similar to some of the best Singers Unlimited albums for MPS in the 70s! The title, cover, and group's name might make you think the whole thing's a bit cheesy – but it's not, and the presentation is wonderful – thanks to strong work on saxes from west coast legends like Med Flory, Lanny Morgan, Jay Miglori, and Jack Nimitz – plus work from other group members who include Conte Candoli on trumpet, Lou Levy on piano, and Monty Budwig on bass – all strong LA jazz musicians with a legacy that goes back to the 50s! The vocal group's a quartet, with the lovely Sue Raney in the lead – a singer that we loved on her 50s and 60s recordings for Capitol, and who here re-emerges with a new sophisticated vibe that's wonderful. Titles include "He Ain't Got Rhythm", "Skylark", "Speak Low", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Bloomdido", and the Med Flory composed "Out The Window" and "Bossa No No". LP, Vinyl record album

A great small combo set from Ella Fitzgerald – and a record that maybe has a bit more bite than some of her Songbook sessions from the time! The combo's a great one – with excellent piano from Lou Levy, balanced with guitar work from Herb Ellis – a pair whose chromatic contributions really resonate wonderfully with the vocal range of Ella – especially as the singer is hitting that 60s stretch when she seemed to find an even more expressive tone than in earlier years! Other players include Joe Mondragon on bass and Gus Johnson on drums – no other players at all, a nice lean set – and titles include "Night In Tunisia", "Cry Me A River", "This Year's Kisses", "Music Goes Round & Round", "Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie", "My Reverie", and "You're My Thrill". LP, Vinyl record album

The tenor of Stan Getz meets the baritone sax of Gerry Mulligan – and then they switch things around for half of the record, as Stan picks up the baritone and Mulligan takes on tenor! Gerry always seems to open up whole new sides of his playing when sharing the leader spotlight with another star – and here, in the company of Getz, he hits a shimmering, sparkling sound that's really great, and filled with feeling. Stan's wonderful too – very much in his best mid 50s Verve period – working in a groove that's deep and laidback, with a strong undercurrent of warmth – thanks to familiar rhythm backing from the trio of Lou Levy on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Stan Levey on drums. Titles include "Anything Goes", "Ballad", and "That Old Feeling". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice little Verve session that breaks from the usual format – especially the "Songbooks" one – and features Ella in LA with small group backing by Jim Hall, Lou Levy, Wilfred Middlebrooks, and Gus Johnson. The set was recorded live at the Crescendo – in a jazzily swinging mode that's a bit looser than some of Ella's other Verve sessions, but which still demonstrates some nice control on the vocals. Titles include "Mr Paganini", "Stairway To The Stars", "Air Mail Special", "Blue Moon", "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big", and "Just In Time". LP, Vinyl record album

With work from Lionel Hampton on vibes, Roy Eldridge on trumpet, and Lou Levy on piano. Titles include "Soft Winds", "It Never Entered My Mind", "Blues For Janet", and "Cherokee". LP, Vinyl record album

70s issue of the mid 50s recording from Levey, a nice little bit of bop from LA – featuring drummer Stan Levey at the head of a sextet that includes Dexter Gordon, Conte Candoli, Frank Rosolino, Lou Levy, and Leroy Vinnegar. Tracks are harder than the usual Bethlehem LA set, thanks to the bite of Gordon's tenor, and most tracks run for longer than five minutes, giving the players more space than usual to solo. Titles include "Diggin For Diz", "Ruby My Dear", "Tune Up", "Stanley The Steamer", and "This Time The Drum's On Me". LP, Vinyl record album

With Lou Levy on piano, Monty Budwig on bass, and Donald Bailey on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Surprising 70s work from tenorist Bill Perkins – a set with a very different groove than his better-known sides from the 50s, with lots of sharp angles, modern touches, and a wonderfully rich sound overall! Perkins plays tenor, baritone sax, and flute – and he's working with some very hip players who include Pepper Adams on baritone, Gordon Goodwin on tenor and soprano sax, and Lou Levy on piano – the last of whom is most likely a key component in the sound, as Perkins' music here has some of the same fresh notes and new tones we've heard on Lou's overlooked 70s recordings. Goodwin's a player we don't know at all, but we love his work here – and he also contributed two great tunes to the set too. Titles include a killer remake of Natalie Cole's "La Costa" – plus "Confluence", "Indoor Sports", "Civilization & Its Discontents", and "Dylan's Delight". LP, Vinyl record album

Bop modes, updated strongly for the 70s – and played by a hip group of older players who really know how to cook! Supersax is led by Med Flory on alto, who also did the arrangements – and works here with great reed help from Warne Marsh and Jay Migliori on tenor, Joe Lopes on alto, and Jack Nimitz on baritone – plus soaring sounds from Conte Candoli and Blue Mitchell on trumpets, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Lou Levy on piano – all of whom really help the reed players find their groove! Charts are large, as is the ensemble, but there's a nice sense of individual personalities too – even when all the saxophonists are taking a solo together at once. Titles include "Shaw Nuff", "Drifting On A Reed", "Oop Bop Sh'Bam", "Now's The Time", and "The Song Is You". LP, Vinyl record album

A stone classic from Supersax – a record with plenty of classic bop elements, despite a very 70s-styled group name and cover! The combo's a large one, and features tight horn formation deftly cutting through a host of bop classics – lots of ensemble passages at the start, then breakout solos that really get things going! Horn players include Conte Candoli on trumpet, Carl Fontana on trombone, and supersax players Med Flory and Joe Lopes on alto, Warne Marsh and Jay Migliori on tenor, and Jack Nimitz on baritone. Ronnell Bright, Lou Levy, and Walter Bishop Jr handle the piano – and titles include "Confirmation", "Lover Man", "Salt Peanuts", "The Bird", "Groovin High", and "Yardbird Suite". LP, Vinyl record album

With Joe DiOrio on guitar, Lou Levy on piano, John Dentz on drums, and Fred Atwood on bass. LP, Vinyl record album

Remarkable work from Jane Fielding – a little-known west coast singer from the 50s, one who cut a handful of great rare albums! This set's a stone winner all the way through – stripped down backing by a small combo that includes Lou Levy and Red Mitchell – and a set of songs that includes some familiar numbers, but done in an easily swinging style that captures all the warmth of an intimate live show. Titles include "One Song", "Stars Didn't Fall", "A Summer Day", "I'll Remember April", and "Long Ago & Far Away". LP, Vinyl record album

50s material – with a variety of groups, and players who include Herb Ellis on guitar, Lionel Hampton on vibes, Jimmy Rowles or Lou Levy on piano, and Roy Eldridge on trumpet. Also features a long ballad medley – which takes up all of side two. LP, Vinyl record album

The title may be a bit strangely put – as "Steamer" isn't a word that we'd necessarily think to use with the gently flowing tenor tone of Stan Getz – but that doesn't stop the album from being a great one, and perhaps in Getz-like terms, it might well have a bit more steam than usual! The album features Getz in a quartet with a nicely flowing groove – nicely vamping piano from Lou Levy in the background on most numbers, and a definite edge in the lead tenor solos – still blown with the warmth of earlier Getz recordings, but perhaps showing some of the modern flourishes to come. Bass is by Leroy Vinnegar and drums are by Stan Levey – and titles include "Blues For Mary Jane", "There'll Never Be Another You", and "You're Blase". LP, Vinyl record album

A nice little bit of bop from LA – a tightly-crafted mid 50s date for the Bethlehem label – featuring drummer Stan Levey at the head of a great group of horn players! The album features some standout work from Dexter Gordon on tenor – making a rare appearance here as a sideman – and the frontline of the sextet also features Conte Candoli on trumpet and Frank Rosolino on trombone – both well-matched players, especially at this point in their careers. The group's completed by Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Lou Levy on piano – and there's a bit more bite on some tracks than the usual Bethlehem set. Titles include "Diggin For Diz", "Ruby My Dear", "Tune Up", "Stanley The Steamer", and "This Time The Drum's On Me". LP, Vinyl record album

The tenor of Stan Getz meets the baritone sax of Gerry Mulligan – and then they switch things around for half of the record, as Stan picks up the baritone and Mulligan takes on tenor! Gerry always seems to open up whole new sides of his playing when sharing the leader spotlight with another star – and here, in the company of Getz, he hits a shimmering, sparkling sound that's really great, and filled with feeling. Stan's wonderful too – very much in his best mid 50s Verve period – working in a groove that's deep and laidback, with a strong undercurrent of warmth – thanks to familiar rhythm backing from the trio of Lou Levy on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Stan Levey on drums. Titles include "Anything Goes", "Ballad", and "That Old Feeling". LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Cutty Ranks, Barrington Levy, Patra, Papa San, Frankie Paul, Shabba Ranks & Lovindeer, Louie Rankin, Poison Chang, Capleton, Pinchers, Ninjaman & Flourgon, and Cocoa Tea. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best albums on the rare Mode label – and a great quintet side by trombonist Frank Rosolino! The group here features Vince Guaraldi on piano, Richie Kamuca on tenor, Monty Budwig on bass, and Stan Levy on drums – and the sound's a lot harder than you'd expect from the combo. Guraldi's especially rough-edged – with a soulful sound that's quite different than his 60s recordings, one that sounds great next to Rosolino's horn. Titles include "Tuffy", "Fine Shape", "Cherry", "Let's Make It", "Fallout", "Thou Swell", "How Long Has This Been Going On" and "They Say". LP, Vinyl record album