Essential dub material from the legendary King Tubby – a set that's one of the best of the genre during the classic years – and which stands as a true testament to how great the format can be when handled right! The watchword here is simplicity – as the key elements are almost isolated in little sonic chambers, then set to resonate alongside each other – pulled from rhythms from tracks initially done as vocal productions, but reworked through the mixing talents of Erroll "ET" Thompson and Tubby. Players include Bobby Ellis on trumpet, Richard "Dirty Harry" Hall on tenor, and Augustus Pablo on organ and piano, plus a bit of clarinet. Titles include "Keep On Dubbing", "Stop Them Jah", "Young Generation Dub", "Each One Dub", "555 Dub Street", "Braces Tower Dub", "King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown", "Corner Crew Dub", "Say So", "Skanking Dub", and "Frozen Dub". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the deepest, trippiest sounds from the Jamaican scene in the 70s – a classic collection of dubbed-up cuts from Augustus Pablo – who throws in loads of sweet melodica lines to the rhythms, at least in between hits of the pipe he's smoking on the cover! Pablo took the laidback side of dub to a whole new level with a record like this – finding a way to let the rhythms bump out and swirl around themselves in space, then improvise his own keyboard lines with the airy tone of the melodica – itself already a haunting instrument, but taken to very original territory in the hands of Augustus. Titles include "Rockers Dub", "Up Warrika Hill", "Cassava Piece", "Tubby's Dub Song", "Jah Dread", "Brace A Boy", "Thunder Clap", "Park Lane Special", "New Style" and "A P Special". LP, Vinyl record album

It's a good thing the Rockers All-Stars met King Tubby in a firehouse – as the record's so burning, somebody almost had to put out the fire! The album's a classic from that moment when Agustus Pablo was crafting some of his best lines on melodica, and helping out with the arrangements too – with instrumentation from a group that includes Earl Chinna Smith on guitar, Robbie Shakespeare on bass, and the great Deadly Headly on horns – all given some cool combinations of keys from Pablo, who also handles organ, piano, and the cool "strings assemble" too! Mixed by Prince Jammy and King Tubby – with titles that include "Zion Is A Home", "Jah Say Dub", "Dub In Matthews Lane Arena", and "Simeon Tradition". LP, Vinyl record album

There's few folks who could make a melodica sound so sinister – yet that's always been the crazy genius of Augustus Pablo – the way he takes such a simple instrument and makes it sound so wild on vintage albums like this! The set was arranged and produced by Enos McLeod, one of Pablo's more obscure musical partners in the decade – and it's got a lean style that's nice and raw, and which definitely has plenty of echo in the production, but maybe even more of a straightforward vibe than some of the other albums cut by Augustus during the decade! The whole thing's great – a sometimes-overlooked jewel in his mighty crown – with titles that include "Fat Girl Jean", "Marcus Garvey", "Skibo Road", "Striker", "Last Of The Jestering", "Pablo Style", "Thriller", and "Pablo Nuh Jester". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most unusual albums ever cut by the legendary Latin jazz trombonist Juan Pablo Torres – and one of the grooviest, too – a special set that was recorded in Milan in the mid 80s, with backings by a sweet group who do a great job of blending Latin rhythms, clubby grooves, and just the right touch of jazz! Juan's on trombone in the lead – working with the Algo Nuevo group, which features the mighty Gonzalo Rubalcaba on piano, Fender Rhodes, and other keyboards – plus trumpet work from Adalberto Lore, who balances out Torres' sound in a really great way! There's both a mix of electric and acoustic percussion on the set, and the groove is more 80s club than 70s disco – and also comes across with the style of some of the more unusual hybrids that you'd be likely to find on the Areito label during Juan's generation in Cuba. Titles include "Alone", "Que Melcocha", "Y Caramba Que Son", "Oblivion", "Rialto", "Bermuda Triangle", and "Cubadisco". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

One of Augustus Pablo's most classic records – from the title, to the cover, to the melodica-laden grooves within – prime Pablo with that ethereal sound that few other players could match on the instrument! The backings are warm and dubby – a perfect complement to the moody lead lines – and players include an all-star cast - with Earl Chinna Smith on guitar, Family Man Barrett and Robbie Shakespeare on bass, and Max Edwards and Carlton Barrett on drums. All tunes are instrumental – and titles include "Chant To King Selassie I", "Natural Way", "Nature Dub", "Upfull Living", "Unfinished Melody", "Jah Light", "Memories Of The Ghetto", "Africa (1983)", "East Of The River Nile", "Sounds From Levi", "Chapter 2", and "Addis A Baba". CD

A set that's maybe even better than you might expect from the title – as it not only features never-heard music from the great Augustus Pablo, it also includes killer material from a time when he was burning with a tremendously righteous fire! Backings on most tracks are by the Rockers All Stars, who take the lead on a few tunes – and the lean production has a great sound – dubby elements that are nicely compressed, and maybe even more so by the quality of the tapes – not in a bad way, just as if you're hearing Pablo spin some rare plates of his own, in the backroom of his studio during his free time. Titles include "All Nations", "Sons Of Negus", "A Mother's Love", "Stand Strong", "Omo Valley dub", "Took My Love", "Visions Of Zion", "All Nations Dub", "Gates Of Dub (dubplate mix)", and "Leave The Dreadlocks". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Although Pablo Beltran Ruiz is better known for more traditional material, this groovy album from the 60s has him moving through a great batch of 60s pop and Latin tracks – and it's got a wonderful lively sound! The album kicks off with a great instrumental version of Joe Cuba's "El Pito", rolls into a nice version of "Strangers In The Night", hits a go go version of "Batman", and moves through groovy instrumental versions of "Hanky Panky" and "Lara's Theme". The whole album's packaged in a great cover, with a lot of "op art" imagery and some very weird typographical stylings! LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Beautiful solo material from Art Tatum – a setting in which he really shines – material recorded in the 50s by Norman Granz! CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... CD

With a bonus disc of rehearsals. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes 22 tracks on 2 CDs – the first covering Peterson's Pablo recordings, the second with more recent Telarc material. CD

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

A special package that includes the full Montreux 77 Jam albums by Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson and Ray Brown, Pablo All Stars, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Oscar Peterson and the bassists. LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent 2LP set that brings together a whole bunch of great Machito sides from the late 40s. This is classic stuff that defined the Latin jazz idiom, and stood as an inspiration to players for years. The group includes Mario Bauza on trumpet, Jose Madera on tenor, Frank Davila on trumpet, Jose Mangual on bongos, and Machito and Graciela on vocals. The set includes 24 tracks, with the titles "Asia Minor", "Jungle Drums", "Donkey Serenade", "Mambo Jambo", "Babalu", and "Gone City". Great stuff, and very hard to find otherwise. LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Tracks include "Cherokee", "Ain't Misbehavin", "Stardust", "You Go To My Head", "Night And Day", "Stompin' At The Savoy", and "Over The Rainbow" – 20 tracks total. CD

Includes music from Ella Fitzgerald, Lester Young, John Coltrane, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, Oscar Peterson, Louis Bellson, Benny Carter and more – 15 tracks in all. CD

A great live date – recorded in Tokyo with Jackson on vibes, Teddy Edwards on tenor, Cedar Walton on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Tracks include "Killer Joe", "All Blues", "St. Thomas", "The Prophet Speaks", and "Stolen Moments". CD

Milt plays mostly Monk – recorded live at Ronnie Scotts, with Ray Brown on bass, Monty Alexander on piano, and Mickey Roker on drums. CD

With Butch Miles on drums, Freddie Green on guitar, John Clayton on bass; Danny Turner, Bobby Plater, Eric Dixon, Charlie Fowlkes, and Kenny Hing on saxophone; Wayman Reed, Lyn Biviano, Sonny Cohn, and Pete Minger on trumpets; and Bill Hughes, Mel Wanzo, Fred Wesley, and Dennis Wilson on trombones. Titles include "9:20 Special", "Sunny Side Of The Street", "Lena & Lenny", "Easy Does It", "Every Tub", and "Blues For Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Jackson, Johnson, Brown, and company – and a few more too – a nicely laidback sextet date from the later years of Pablo Records, done in the great mode that always made the label's work a 70s extension of the Verve Records ethos! Key players here, obviously, are Milt Jackson on vibes, JJ Johnson on trombone, and Ray Brown on bass – Brown also produced the set – and the group also features John Collins on guitar, Tom Rainer on piano, and Roy McCurdy on drums. Tracks are shorter and tighter than a jam session mode for three such heavy players – and titles include "Jaybone", "Lament", "Our Delight", "Bag's Groove", "Watch What Happens", and "The Jumpin Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

A Pablo Records release – but featuring material that was originally destined for Verve Records in the 50s – a rare performance in Japan by the Jazz At The Philharmonic! The double-length set is overflowing with goodness, all recorded in the open-ended, warm-hearted style that Norman Granz brought to these classic performances! The album starts with an extended set by the JATP All-Stars – a group that features Roy Eldridge and Charlie Shavers on trumpets, Willie Smith and Benny Carter on alto, Bill Harris on trombone, and Ben Webster and Flip Philips on tenors – with rhythm from the combo of Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and JC Heard on drums. JATP titles include a "Ballad Medley", "Tokyo Blues", and "Cotton Tail". The set then features six more tracks by the Oscar Peterson Trio – including "Sushi Blues" and "Up" – and another four by the Gene Krupa Trio – including "Don't Be That Way", and "Cocktails For Two". The set then ends with a long set by Ella Fitzgerald with a quartet – on titles that include "Smooth Sailin", "How High The Moon", "Body & Soul", "Lady Be Good", and "My Funny Valentine" – plus a reading of "Perdido" with the whole JATP group. LP, Vinyl record album

A lesser-known later album from JJ Johnson – but a surprisingly great one too, recorded with a sense of fire and inspiration that's no doubt driven by the mighty Al Grey! At the time of this set, Johnson was hardly recording much jazz at all – but Grey was still burning strong, and managed to hold onto the soulful modes of his 60s years. Johnson produced the record, and most likely handled the charts – and the record shows his strong work in the studio through the late 60s into the 70s, with a tightness that's different than some of the other Pablo albums of the era. Other players include Ray Brown on bass, Kenny Barron on acoustic and electric piano, Mickey Roker on drums, and Dave Carey on percussion – and titles include "Soft Winds", "Let Me See", "It's Only A Paper Moon", "Boy Meets Horn", "Doncha Hear Me Callin To Ya", and "Things Are Getting Better All The Time". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Joe Pass joined by Oscar Castro Neves, Ray Brown, Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson, and Paulinho Da Costa. Tracks include "Satin Doll", "Que Que Ha", "How High The Moon", "On Green Dolphin Street", and "Summertime". CD

Just Joe, just solo – doing great versions of tunes made famous by Fred Astaire! CD

Joe Pass plays a host of Gershwin-penned material – working in a spare combo with a slightly different sound than usual! Pass' guitar still has that deep, round tone that you'll hear on his best Pablo sides – but the group also features rhythm guitar from John Pisano, who makes for a bit of contrast with Joe – almost a second voice that makes things more interesting than a usual trio date. Other players include Jim Hughart on bass and Shelly Manne on drums – and titles include "Soon", "Oh Lady Be Good", "Love Is Here To Stay", "Embraceable You", and "How Long Has This Been Going On". CD

Solo guitar by Joe Pass – a beautiful little album that's a perfect showcase for the new sensitivity in his music during his years at Pablo records! The Joe Pass heard here is light years away from the guitar player who made a few gimmicky records a decade before – and this album has Joe coming across with a gentle, but sophisticated approach to his instrument that we never would have expected in the past! Titles include "Off Beat", "Sultry", "Trinidad", "Ninths", "Minor Detail", and "Nina's Blues". CD

Duets between two players with plenty of chops – Joe Pass on guitar and Pedersen on bass – on titles that include "Have You Met Miss Jones", "95 Blues", "Tricotism", "Old Folks", and "Quiet Nights". CD

Oscar Peterson's living the vida bueno here – returning to the London House in Chicago, over a decade after his famous recording date in the early 60s – and working with a very different style overall! The tracks are long, and quite open – a great way to hear Peterson working out some inventive ideas on the keys, with, arguably, a lot less "trademark" moments than usual for the 70s – and the trio also features Joe Pass on guitar and Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass. The set features a great version of "Wave", plus "Wheatland", "The Good Life", "On A Clear Day", and "For Count". LP, Vinyl record album

Two sets, recorded live in Lebanon and Amsterdam. Tracks include "Yesterdays", "Makin' Whoopee", "Body And Soul", "Blues Etude", "Corcovado", "Mirage", and "Autumn Leaves". CD

John Pisano joined by Gene Bertoncini, Dori Caymmi, Joe Diorio, Ted Greene, Lee Ritenour, and Phil Upchurch. CD

Not sure exactly why Zoot's got some Gemini wishes in the title – but the album's a great date, one of his later pairings with pianist Jimmy Rowles – a beautiful partner for the laidback tone that Sims adopted at this stage in his career! The album's got an understated eloquence that comes through right away – as Rowles sets the tunes up beautifully for Zoot's well-blown tenor – keeping things fresh, but with a timeless quality too – and getting a bit of gentle rhythmic support from Frank Tate on bass and Akira Tana on drums. Sims plays soprano sax on "The Fish Horn" – and other titles include "I Wish I Were Twins", "Changes", "The Touch Of Your Lips", "Come Closer To Me", and "You Go Your Way". CD

Features Jimmy Rowles on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Akira Tana on drums. CD

Way more than just a Gershwin Songbook sort of record – thanks to some tremendous blowing here by Zoot Sims, who's mellowed nicely with age, and comes up with a wonderful sound for the record! It may just be us, but there seems to be a lot more soul in Zoot's horn than ever before – more humanity, and a sort of pausing, almost faltering approach to the tunes that takes them way past their overdone versions. The rest of the group includes Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, George Mraz, and Grady Tate – but the Sims' sound is the main star of the set – and it's really wonderful! Titles include "The Man I Love", "Embraceable You", "Summertime", "Isn't It A Pity", "I've Got A Crush On You", and "Lady Be Good". CD

Way more than just a Gershwin Songbook sort of record – thanks to some tremendous blowing here by Zoot Sims, who's mellowed nicely with age, and comes up with a wonderful sound for the record! It may just be us, but there seems to be a lot more soul in Zoot's horn than ever before – more humanity, and a sort of pausing, almost faltering approach to the tunes that takes them way past their overdone versions. The rest of the group includes Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, George Mraz, and Grady Tate – but the Sims' sound is the main star of the set – and it's really wonderful! Titles include "The Man I Love", "Embraceable You", "Summertime", "Isn't It A Pity", "I've Got A Crush On You", and "Lady Be Good". CD features three bonus tracks – "They Can't Take That Away From Me", and previously-unissued alternate takes of "Oh Lady Be Good" and "I've Got A Crush On You". CD

Zoot Sims and Eddie Lockjaw Davis on tenor saxophone, Oscar Peterson on piano, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Louis Bellson on drums. CD

Legendary recordings from the mighty Art Tatum – captured here in some late night studio sessions from early 50s LA – produced with just the right sort of laidback vibe by a young Norman Granz! Tatum could really shine the most in a setting like this – open, yet still very focused too – able to do a hell of a lot in a very short amount of space – with this inherent sense of rhythm that few of his contemporaries (or predecessors or followers) could ever ever hope to match! Titles include "Moonglow", "Love For Sale", "Body & Soul", "It's Only A Paper Moon", "My Last Affair", and "Have You Met Miss Jones". CD

70s pressing of rare 50s material! Features the tracks "This Can't Be Love", "Stars Fell On Alabama", "Prisoner Of Love", "Love For Sale", "Body & Soul" and "Please Be Kind". LP, Vinyl record album

Titles include "Stardust", "The Man I Love", "Ill Wind", "You're Mine Again", "Without A Song", and "They Can't Take That Away From Me". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

70s pressing of rare 50s material! LP, Vinyl record album

A great mix of jazz and blues from Joe Turner – a set that seems to draw from his Kansas City roots, yet also inflect the sound with some of the blues changes of the 70s! Joe's got two key soloists here – Sonny Stitt on tenor and alto, and Pee Wee Crayton on guitar – and the vamping piano lines of JD Nicholson ensure some very timely rhythms for the record, maybe tipping things a bit more towards the blues side of the spectrum overall. Titles include a very long take on "Lucille", the nine-minute "Martin Luther King Southside", which is a laidback blues with plenty of solo room – and the cuts "Everyday I Have The Blues", "Shake Rattle & Roll", and "Piney Brown". LP, Vinyl record album

Recorded with a hip group that includes Lloyd Glenn on piano, Pee Wee Crayton on guitar, Joe Banks on trumpet, and Hollis Gilmore and Bill Clark on tenor. LP, Vinyl record album

With Roy Eldridge on trumpet, Al Grey on trombone, Lee Allen on saxophone, Ray Brown on bass, Jimmy Robbins on piano and organ, Thomas Gadson on guitar, and Earl Palmer on drums. LP, Vinyl record album