One of the hippest of Gerald Wilson's recordings for Pacific Jazz in the 60s – an excellent live session with a very groovy edge! Wilson's studio work for the label at the time was great enough, but somehow, hearing his group working live, we get a new appreciation of his genius – as the tunes unfold with a soulful depth that goes farther than the studio versions, really grooving with great solo work by Harold Land and Hadley Caliman on saxes, Charles Tolliver on trumpet, Jack Wilson on organ, and Phil Moore on piano! Titles include a great version of Tolliver's "Paper Man" – really showing the growing soulful sound of the group – plus the tracks "Viva Tirado", "Blues For A Scorpio", "Lil Darlin", and "The It's Where It's At". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic album of vocal tracks from Chet Baker – one that elevates the sound of his earlier small group work with some added backings on some tracks – all at a level that continues the new level of sophistication that Baker brought to jazz on his first few recordings! The mid 50s set is overflowing with key performances from Chet, both on vocals and trumpet – and the core group features wonderful work on piano from Russ Freeman, and this great use of flute by Bud Shank – which seems to underscore some of the moodier currents in Baker's music. Some tracks feature larger arrangements that really elevate the proceedings – handled by Johnny Mandel, Marty Paich, and Frank Campo – and the album's classic Chet all the way through – cool but fragile – summed up in the set's perfect take on the stone classic "Lets Get Lost" – plus titles that include "Just Friends", "Grey December", "I Remember You", "Long Ago & Far Away", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "I Wish I Knew", and "Daybreak". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hardest to find sessions by this obscure LA organ player, and a set of grooves that well earns the name "burnin". The group's a quartet with Jim Hall on guitar, Jimmy Bond on bass, and Jimmy Miller on drums. Tracks include "Churchin", "Blues At The Summit", "Still Searchin", and "Burnin". LP, Vinyl record album

Interesting early work from Chico – one that has him working in a trio format, quite different than the chamber modern work of his more famous quintet! The style is not dissimilar, though – as the trio lineup is drums, bass, and guitar – with both of the stringed instruments handling most of the melody, in a free floating style that's got the same "modern yet swinging" approach of some of Jimmy Giuffre's best late 50s recordings. Chico's drums are joined by George Duvivier's bass and Howard Roberts' guitar, and the tracks include "Uganda", "Nuttye", "Buddy Boo", "Street Of Drums", and "Lollypop". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic meeting of east and west coast artists of the third stream jazz sphere of the late 50s – one that features the team of John Lewis and Percy Heath of the Modern Jazz Quartet working alongside the west coast tenor of Bill Perkins, plus the guitar of Jim Hall and drums of Chico Hamilton! The whole album's got quite a unique feel – one that's as airy as that of the MJQ work of the time, but not nearly as academic or sleepy – thanks to a nice biting tone from Perkins' tenor, which really seems to stretch out in the space provided by Lewis. There's almost a similarly sublime quality here as on Lewis' album with Sacha Distel – Afternoon In Paris – which featured a similar use of space for great tenor sound (in that case, the tenor of Barney Wilen.) Titles include "2 Degrees East 3 Degrees West", "Easy Living", "Skylark", and "I Can't Get Started". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic 60s soul jazz piano material from Les – recorded live at an "after hours" concert at the Esquire Theater in LA, with a relaxed open-ended groove that's a bit different than that on some of his studio albums from the time. The group is his classic trio with Paul Humphrey on drums – and the record includes some nice mellow soul tunes, like "Spanish Onions", "El Soulo", "Git Them Grits", and "Lavande". LP, Vinyl record album

Nice, mellow, and very groovy! Joe Pass plays here with the piano and organ of Clare Fischer, who's always one of our favorites – a player who manages to turn any session into something more than it appears at face value – thanks to a strong sense of craft and cleverness! Clare's touch here is a bit gentler than on some of his later sides – but it's a very welcome one nonetheless – and provides a perfect setting for Joe's lean lines on guitar – strung out with a near-perfect tone, and backed by either Albert Stinson or Ralph Pena on bass, and Colin Bailey or Larry Bunker on drums. Titles include "Catch Me", "Walkin Up", "No Cover No Minimum", "Summertime", and "Just Friends". LP, Vinyl record album

Original 10" LP featuring the second set of historic duets between Brazilian guitarist Almeida and the great LA alto player Bud Shank. This is the stuff that supposedly ended up back in Brazil and inspired the wave of musicians involved in the bossa nova momement. It's been repackaged a number of times, but it's great to have in this cool original package, with a weird polarized cover featuring a strange green design of intertwining leaves. LP, Vinyl record album

A great Japanese issue of this early material from trumpet genius Chet Baker – mostly featuring his quartet with Russ Freeman on piano, Carson Smith on bass, and Larry Bunker on drums! The set features titles that include "Batter Up", "Pavane For A Dead Princess", "Maid In Mexico", "Russ Job", and "No Ties" – and a few alternate takes. LP, Vinyl record album

An obscure early one from Groove Holmes! Despite the title, this one's actually a nice batch of pretty groovy tracks – played by Groove with two different trios, both of which give him plenty of room to stretch out, and prove that he always worked best in smaller ensembles! Lots of nice originals on the session – including "Groove Bird", "Do It My Way", "Minor Surgery", and "Sweatin". LP, Vinyl record album

Two of LA's leading soul jazz luminaries – playing head to head in an interesting session that mixes lines on piano and organ! McCann gives the set a good rollicking rhythm, and Holmes' increasing skill on the Hammond makes the set blow out over the top – and the pair get backing by Joe Pass on guitar, Ron Jefferson on drums, and the enigmatic Joe Splink on tenor, who we're sure is a more famous player, working here uncredited due to contract restrictions. The tracks are all originals by Les –a nd titles include "Black Groove", "Me & Groove", "Comin Through The Apple", "Carma", and "Somethin Special", which grooves for over 9 minutes! LP, Vinyl record album

Very very very groovy stuff by this masterful jazz vibist, recorded with a sort of late 60s swingin' feel – but still very much in the pocket and warm as a summer breeze! Lytle has a pretty remarkable way of playing the vibes with speed and energy, yet the overall feel still has kind of a relaxed West Coast vibe – a beautiful blend that rivals, if not beats, the sound of Cal Tjader on late 60s Verve! Jimmy Foster grooves along on organ, and the interplay with Lytle is key to the classic sound – but the whole group is great here – Major Holley on bass, Peppy Hinant on drums and Don Alias on conga, which brings in plenty of Latin kick. 6 of the 10 numbers are Lytle originals, including "Done It Again", "Sleepy Dozier", "Zote", "Jungle Child" and "Happy Preacher" – plus "If Ever I Should Leave You", "People" and "The Nearness Of You". LP, Vinyl record album

One of only two albums cut by the Four Souls group of drummer Lenny McBrowne – a really cooking combo that should have gotten greater exposure back in the day! The west coast group were clearly one of the hippest acts working on their scene at the time – as they've got a unique blend of soul jazz and modernism – one that cooks with Jazz Crusaders-like energy at points, but also has some sharper edges too – a bit in the vein of the wonderful JFK Quintet from the DC scene. Players in the group include Terry Trotter on piano, Don Sleet on trumpet, Daniel Jackson on sax, and Herbie Lewis on bass. Jackson's a real standout in the group – a player with a great edge and real sense of feeling, and one we'd love to hear more of. Titles include "Soul Sisters", "Invitation", "Dearly Beloved", "Lazinka's Tune", "Cerise", and "McBrowne's Galaxy". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer live set by Les McCann – a rare 60s outing that moves past his more familiar trio format, and adds some horn players to the mix! The change is wonderful – as the set features work from Blue Mitchell on trumpet, and both Stanley Turrentine and Frank Haines on tenor – players who work with Les on longer tracks that really pick up an even stronger 60s soul jazz vibe than before – while McCann handles piano with his core group that includes Herbie Lewis on bass and Ron Jefferson on drums. The set feels much more like a Blue Note title than some of Les McCann's other Pacific Jazz material of the early 60s – and titles include "Cha Cha Twist", "Chip Monck", and "Maxie's Changes". LP, Vinyl record album

Early work from Les – recording at the Jazz Workshop in SF, with his famous trio that included Herbie Lewis on bass and Ron Jefferson on drums. The album's pretty standard fare – short soul jazz piano numbers, with more than a bit of church in the grooves. Titles include "Come On & Get That Church", "We'll See Yaw'll After While, Ya Heah", "I Am In Love", "Big Jim", and "Oh Them Golden Gates". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic album in the mode of soul jazz piano grooviness that put Les on the map, even back in the early days! The album was recorded live at The Bit, on the Sunset Strip, in LA – and it features Les' classic group with Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Ron Jefferson on drums. Tracks are short and groovy – and titles include "The Shout", "Set Call", "Jubilation", and "Night In Tunisia". LP, Vinyl record album

2 of the greatest artists on Pacific Jazz meet head to head in the studio – as the Les McCann trio gets backed up by the Gerald Wilson Orchestra! Given the hipness of Wilson's sound, and the fact that his group features solo work by Teddy Edwards and Dennis Budimir, the overall approach to the record is really wonderful – pushing McCann way past his usual bag, and fleshing out the core grooves of the trio very very nicely! Tracks include "Maleah", "Love Of Living To Do", "Kathleen's Theme", "Gus Gus", "Restin In Jail", and "Bailor The Wailor". LP, Vinyl record album

A great showcase for the amazing reed talents of Bud Shank – great in a small combo during the early years of his career, and equally at home in larger groups like this during the 60s! As you'd guess from the title, Bud heads up a fuller section of saxophonists – players who include Bill Perkins, Bob Cooper, and Jack Nimitz – working with Bud in a style that's a more modern extension of modes first explored by the Four Brothers/Herman group in the late 40s – but with much groovier 60s styles here! Bob Florence handles the arrangements, and he brings a great sense of color and tone – and a nice ear for a groove – on titles that include "Take Five", "The Sidewinder", "Summer Samba", "On A Clear Day", "Summertime", "Reza", and "Senor Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

The great Bud Shank was a real master of many reed forms in the 50s – maybe even in a way that set the scene for Yusef Lateef and Roland Kirk's experiments to come! Here, he blows flute alongside the oboe of Bob Cooper – who's best known as a tenorist – and the pair craft some very cool west coast sounds, all arranged by Cooper! Other players include Howard Roberts on bass and Don Prell on bass – and there's some added work from a small string group, almost tying the thing to some of the Fred Katz experiments of the time. Titles include "Gypsy In My Soul", "In The Blue Of The Evening", "Tequila Time", "I Can't Get Started", "Blues For Delilah", "Sunset & Wine", and "What'll I Do". LP, Vinyl record album

A seminal moment on the west coast scene of the 60s – a record that has the great Gerald Wilson pulling together some of the best elements that were going on at the time, and also pointing the way towards changes to come in the future! The set's not the first effort by Wilson on record, but it's maybe one of his most classic – and begins with superb selection of members for the ensemble – a lineup that includes Carmell Jones on trumpet, Lou Blackburn on trombone, Teddy Edwards and Harold Land on tenors, Joe Pass on guitar, and the great Jack Wilson on piano! But key to the set are the rhythms – with the wonderful bassist Jimmy Bond setting up a groove that seems to pull out the best from drummer Mel Lewis – as the pair help ground the larger group with a rock-solid groove that keeps things soulful throughout! Nearly every track's an original, and the album includes Wilson's killer track "Viva Tirado" – a tight jazzy stepper that was covered by many artists over the years, most famously El Chicano – with a Latin-tinged groove that really opens up a new sound in Los Angeles jazz! There's lots of other great cuts too – including "Moment of Truth", "Latino", "Josefina", and "Patterns". LP, Vinyl record album

A landmark set of recordings cut for the Pacific Jazz label in the early 50s, and supposedly a major influence on the early bossa artists in Brazil! The tracks were cut by a quartet led by LA altoist Bud Shank, and featuring Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida, who was living in LA at the time. The mix of alto and guitar, in a jazzy vien, but with Latiny rhythms, is very similar to the early bossa jazz recordings – and even more so to the later American ones by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd. Supposedly, original 10" LPs of the material made their way to Brazil, and later influenced Jobim and Gilberto. Titles on this one include "Nono", "Noctambulism", "Blue Baiao", "Hazardous", and "Tocata". LP, Vinyl record album

A stellar set from one of the most underrated reed players of all time – a brilliant bit of searching soul jazz, cut at a time when Curtis Amy was leaving behind his Texas roots for the new sounds of the Coltrane generation! The album's quite different than the organ and tenor dates that Amy had previously cut with Paul Bryant – and instead, is put together with a nascent spiritualism that's really wonderful – a sound that definitely lives up to the bold title and cover image, with lots of modal moments in the rhythms! The group features some equally under-acknowledged geniuses – including trumpeter Dupree Bolton, pianist Jack Wilson, and guitarist Ray Crawford – all coming together perfectly with Amy's work on tenor and soprano sax. The best tunes here are originals by the group members – including "Lonely Woman" (not by Ornette), "Katanga", "Native Land", and "Amyable". LP, Vinyl record album

A great no-nonsense session from Chet Baker – blowing here with Russ Freeman on piano, blocking out backgrounds that work perfectly with the fragile tone of Chet's horn. The rest of the group features Carson Smith on bass and Larry Bunker on drums – and titles include "Bea's Flat", "Moon Love", "Happy Little Sunbeam", "No Ties", and "Band Aid". LP, Vinyl record album

A real lost treasure from Chet Baker – an obscure sextet session, originally issued only as a 10" LP! The record features Chet's trumpet in a frontline with Bob Brookmeyer on valve trombone and Bud Shank on baritone sax – working through a set of cool modern arrangements by Jack Montrose, Johnny Mandel, and Bill Holman – in a mellow west coast take on the chamber jazz sound of the 50s. The pairing of horns is great, and makes for some evocative changes and tonal colors – on a set list that includes the tracks "Little Man You've Had A Busy Day", "Dot's Groovy", "The Half Dozens", and "Stella By Starlight". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Chet's rarer albums from the Pacific Jazz years – a late 50s set that compiles earlier recordings, making for a whopping 14 tracks in all from Chet's glory days! The core of the album features Chet fronting the original quartet with Russ Freeman on piano, plus some occasional guest guitar work – but a number of tracks also feature appearances by Bill Perkins and Jimmy Guiffre. Tracks are short and very to the point – in that early Baker mode – and titles include "Look For The Silver Lining", "Band Aid", "Pavane", "Winter Wonderland", "Batter Up", "Long Ago & Far Away", "Carson City Stage", "But Not For Me", and "My Funny Valentine". LP, Vinyl record album

A great no-nonsense session from Chet – blowing here with Russ Freeman on piano, blocking out backgrounds that work perfectly with the fragile tone of Chet's horn. The rest of the group is completed by Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Shelly Manne on drums – and the tracks are simple and elegant, but with well placed solo work. Titles include "Fan Tan", "Love Nest", "Summer Sketch", and "Say When". LP, Vinyl record album

A rare 1953 performance by Harry Sweets Edison – presented here in the original by Pacific Jazz on a 10" LP – a real departure from some of Edison's other work of the time! The material was all recorded live at The Haig nightclub – and the 4 tunes feature Edison blowing open and easy with backing from a trio led by pianist Arnold Ross. Titles include "September In The Rain", "Pennies From Heaven", "These Foolish Things", and "Indiana". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most easily swinging of Teddy's albums from the time – thanks to backing from the Les McCann trio! The format is simple – one of those "jazz soloist meets the famous piano trio" sessions that were big in the late 50s and early 60s. Teddy gets plenty of room to solo in his solid, deep tone – and Les holds back a bit more than usual, working the trio in a strong accompanist mode. Titles include "Frankly Speaking", "Beve's Cojumulations", "Undecided", "Fools Rush In", and "Lover Come Back To Me". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Booker Ervin's last sessions – quite different than some of his earlier work, and a great indication of the way that he was stretching his style in the years before his untimely death. The group's a committed band of modernists, and includes a young Charles Tolliver on trumpet, plus John Hicks on piano and Lennie McBrownie on drums. The tracks are short, but they're a compelling mix of Booker's searching tenor lines with warm lyrical accompaniment. Titles include "Boo's Blues", "Franess", "Stolen Moments", "Berkshire Blues", and a great reading of "Dancing In The Dark". LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite records ever by Roy Haynes – a lyrical masterpiece that stands with his best work of the 60s! The set features some wonderful playing by Frank Strozier – who's handling both alto and flute on the set, grooving around like he did on his own great Riverside albums of the period, or on Haynes' excellent Cymbalism set, to which this one is a nice partner. The songs on here are a bit less hip than on that album – as many of them are 60s standards, like "People", "Mr Lucky", "Wives & Lovers", "Invitation", and "What Kind Of Fool Am I" – but they're done with a lot imagination, and a soulful modal groove that really opens them up! LP, Vinyl record album

An early cooker from Richard Groove Holmes – and one of the most important Hammond jazz sets to come out of the west coast at the time! At a point when most folks think the east has a lock on the instrument, Groove bursts forth here with a great hard-edged sound – proof that the LA scene didn't just go for cool jazz and the occasional hardbop date – and the start of a great run of records that would have Holmes sounding great all through the 60s! The lineup is nicely unusual, too – with guitar from Chicagoan George Freeman, then on the west coast – and a key part of Holmes' group for years – and trombone from the excellent Lawrence Tricky Lofton, a player who rarely recorded, but made some great sides with Carmell Jones. The group also features Les McCann on piano, a nice combo with the organ – plus Ben Webster on tenor and Ron Jefferson on drums. Titles include "Good Groove", "That Healin' Feelin'", "Them That's Got", and "Deep Purple". LP, Vinyl record album

Remarkable Carmell Jones, indeed – and one of the few albums ever cut as a leader by this up-and-coming force on the LA scene at the start of the 60s! Jones was a player who really showcased something new on the west at the time – a move away from cool jazz, and the start of a deeper, headier generation of musicians – the bold power that would come from cats like Lou Blackburn, Horace Tapscott, and Jimmy Woods. This date's an early entry into that legacy – and has a tight approach to hardbop with plenty of modern elements – a bit like the shift that Curtis Amy was making at the time. In addition to Jones on trumpet, the album also features Harold Land on tenor, Frank Strazzeri on piano, Gary Peacock on bass, and Leon Pettis on drums – all working with a careful blend of soul jazz and modern influences, on a wonderful batch of well-written tunes. Titles include "I'm Gonna Go Fishing", "Night Tide", "Sad March", and "Stellisa". LP, Vinyl record album

Nothing fancy, but a tight set of soul jazz trio tracks from Les – recorded with Ron Jefferson on drums, and either Leroy Vinnegar or Herbie Lewis on bass. The tracks were all recorded live, and stretch out longer than most of Les' studio work from the time. Titles include "Frankie & Johnnie", "Love Letters", "Three Slaves", and "On Green Dolphin Street". LP, Vinyl record album

Nice early trio side by McCann and co., with Leroy Vinegar on bass and Ron Jefferson on drums. Sweet, sanctified soul jazz with a nice rolling groove throughout. Includes "Vacushna", "Fish This Week, But Next Week Chitlings", and, of course, "The Truth". LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty great set from Les McCann – and quite a bit different than some of his other work of the time! This one's sub-billed as "the ballad style of Les McCann" – but it features Les playing these laidback, mellow numbers that are way different than most jazz ballads of the time – almost darkly modern moments that draw a lot from rich tones and gentle chromes – of the sort we've hardly ever heard McCann play this way, and which almost hint at some of the gentler touch he'd use on the keys during the Fender Rhodes generation – even though this one's recorded a decade before. Backing is equally thoughtful and sensitive – with Herbie Lewis on bass and Ron Jefferson on drums – and titles include two originals – "Pretty Lady" and "Dorene Don't Cry I" – plus "Django", "Stella By Starlight", "On Green Dolphin Street", "Ill Take Romance", and "Little Girl Blue". LP, Vinyl record album

What better way to describe Wes' playing than an easy groove! Also released under the Montgomery Brothers name, this side has a nice breezy quality to it, with backing by his brothers Buddy & Monk on piano & bass, plus Harold Land on tenor. The sides were recorded a few years earlier, in the 50s, with a nice crisp quality to the playing, though there are a few pieces recorded at other sessions, one number with Freddie Hubbard, "Bock to Bock" and another in a more Mastersounds mode, "Baubles, Bangles & Beads". Also includes "Far Wes", "Leila" & "Hymn for Carl". LP, Vinyl record album

A 60s collection of older material cut by Mulligan and Baker in the early 50s – pulled from a set of recordings done by Pacific Jazz, when both players were at their simple best! The format is often very simple – mostly quartet or quintet format – some with Baker and Mulligan in the same group, others with just Baker on his own. Titles include "Half Dozens", "Tabu", "Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart", "Soft Shoe", "Love Me Or Leave Me", "Walkin Shoes", "Carson City Stage", and "Freeway". LP, Vinyl record album

A landmark record in the west coast jazz scene – not only for the music, but for its understanding of addiction on the scene! The album brings together a set of jazz players currently spending their time at Synanon – the Santa Monica-based program of drug rehabilitation that was working some incredible magic with longtime addicts in the early 60s. Synanon had been a temporary home to more than a few great players over the years, and this set brings together some of its lesser-known residents – one of whom was guitarist Joe Pass, who would rise from the session as a real success, and go onto record heavily after this record. The rest of the group includes Dave Allan on trumpet, Ronald Clark on bass, Arnold Ross on piano, Candy Latson on bongos, Bill Crawford on drums, and Greg Dykes on baritone sax. Tracks are pretty long, and more solo based than the usual Pacific Jazz sides – and titles include "CED", "Aaron's Song", "Projections", "Stay Loose", "Hang Tough", and "Last Call For Coffee". LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic work from the legendary Buddy Rich – one of his Pacific Jazz albums from that stretch when Buddy was opening up his bag, and getting very groovy in his music! The album's a live one – and as with the rest from the decade, really has the Buddy Rich sound moving forward, thanks to some great younger players – in this case the up and coming Bobby Shew on trumpet and Ernie Watts on alto – plus the lesser-known Chuck Findley on trumpet and Jay Corre on tenor. Arrangements are by some older west coast talents – including Bill Holman and Shorty Rogers – but the feel is very 60s, and very groovy throughout. Cathy Rich sings on the album's funky version of "The Beat Goes On" – and other titles include "Wack Wack", "Norwegian Wood", "Monitor Theme", "Big Swing Face", and "Mexicali Nose". LP, Vinyl record album

Groovy stuff! We'd normally never say a bad word about Buddy (or else he'd sock us one!), but this album is particularly nice – as it features Rich's swinging late 60s group doing some pop/jazz covers of groovy 60s tunes, plus some very tasty originals! All tracks are pretty short, and the band plays with a tight fire that reminds us of some of the best moments on the Blue Juice compilations. Includes covers of "Hello, I Love You", "Soul Kitchen", "Comin Home Baby", and "Love And Peace" – plus tasty originals like "Wonderbag", and "Soul Lady". LP, Vinyl record album

Buddy certainly knew how to keep the customer satisfied – as you'll hear on this hip set of big band grooves, recorded by Buddy for Liberty Records in 1970. The set's got Buddy working with a tight group of younger players, in a mode that's not exactly funky, but which owes a lot to the funking up of the big band scene that was going on during the late 60s. There's electric bass underneath most of the cuts, and bubbly organ emerges from the horns on a good number of titles. Tracks include "Groovin Hard", "The Juicer Is Wild", "Long Day's Journey", "Celebration", "He Quit Me", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Very hard-burning work from Buddy's hip band of the mid 60s – a large ensemble, but one that features searing horn parts that cut through the bigger arrangements with ease! Buddy really had an ear for tuning power with personality at this point in his career – and although the group comes on with the raging energy that's every bit the Rich calling card in the 60s, they also more than make their individual voices known. Ernie Watts, Jay Corre, and Charles Owens all provide excellent contributions to the set – and titles include "Standing Up In A Hammock", "Luv", "Something For Willie", "Group Shot", "The Rotten Kid", and "New Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

A really great album from reedman Bud Shank – a set that's a bit different than some of his others, with a bit more bite – thanks to trombone work from Bob Eneveldsen, Maynard Ferguson, and Stu Williamson – all playing the valve version of the instrument! Bob Cooper did the arrangements, and the sound's got that nice measured feel of his – with nice space for Shank to cut around on the solos on alto throughout! LP, Vinyl record album

TV themes, taken to a whole new place – thanks to the mighty talents of Bud Shank and Bob Cooper! The format here's a bit different than other TV jazz albums of the time – as the tunes aren't goofy, or groovy – but instead showcase the more serious, soundtrack-like aspects of TV theming. A few of the numbers are familiar as older standards, but were being used in television at the time – and Shank and Cooper perform the titles with an approach that's often moody, sometimes sentimental, and filled with tones you wouldn't expect. Most numbers are ballads, done with added strings and rhythm – and Shank plays flute and alto, Cooper oboe and tenor sax – making for more reeds than usual, which further helps flesh out the complicated patterns of sound. Titles include "Thanks For The Memory", "Tenderly", "Put Your Dreams Away", "When You Wish Upon A Star", "Dinah", "Love Nest", "Steve Allen Theme", and "A Romantic Guy". LP, Vinyl record album

Forget the stupid joke of the title – as the record's a fantastic bit of west coast jazz from the 50s – right up there with some of the best Pacific Jazz sides of the decade! The approach is great – slightly larger arrangements – handled by Johnny Mandel, Cy Touff, and Richie Kamuca – nicely off-kilter, in the vein of some of Shorty Rogers work from the early 50s. As with those recordings, there's some standout solo moments – in a great lineup that features Kamuca on tenor, Cy Touff on bass trumpet, Harry Edison on standard trumpet, Pete Jolly on piano, and Leroy Vinnegar on bass. Titles include "Prez-ence", "Primative Cats", "TNT", and "It's Sand Man". LP, Vinyl record album

The title's a weird one, because the album was recorded in the studio and not on stage – but we're hardly going to complain, because the record's so great! Wilson is really cooking for this one – leading an all-great group that includes Curtis Amy, Roy Ayers, Jack Wilson, Joe Pass, Bobby Bryant, Anthony Ortega, and other 60s LA soul jazz luminaries – all coming together in a style that's certainly big band, but which allows plenty of space for breakout solos – and which really grooves a lot more like a small combo session than you might expect! Titles include "Los Moros De Espana", "In The Limelight", "Musette", "Lighthouse Blues", and "El Viti". LP, Vinyl record album

The American issue of the third Zimbo Trio album from Brazil – presented here with the misleading "restrained" in the title – as the record is filled with bossa grooves! The album's third in a line of legendary bossa albums recorded by the Zimbo Trio in the 60s – and a set that's slightly more lyrical and contemplative than the first two! The record's still filled with plenty of full-on bossa groovers, but it's also got a nicely more spacious sense of sound overall – a quality that almost echoes some of the pianistic conceptions of Luiz Eca, as well as the drum and bass work of his partners in the Tamba Trio – but without the vocals, of course! There's a great sense of sensitivity here, without ever sounding too sleepy – and titles include "Samba Do Veloso", "Agua De Beber", "Pra Viver Feliz", "Favela", "Bocoxe", and "Kao, Xango". LP, Vinyl record album

That's "Heath", not "health" – as you might think the title's misspelled – as in Jimmy Heath, who arranged most of the numbers on the set! Heath's contribution is a good one too – as it helps Baker create one of his most tightly-wrapped albums of the time, a well-blown session recorded here with a group that includes Art Pepper on alto, Phil Urso on tenor, Carl Perkins on piano, and Lawrence Marable on drums. The presence of Urso is especially appreciated – as his sharper, deeper tone really brings a wider sound to the album than some of Chet's other dates of the time – especially when combined with the excellent sound of Pepper! Titles include "CTA", "For Minors Only", "For Miles & Miles", and "Resonant Emotions". LP, Vinyl record album

US issue of some of Gerry's classic Vogue recordings, done in Paris in 1954 with a quartet that featured Bob Brookmeyer on valve trombone, Red Mitchell on bass, and Frank Isola on drums. This is Gerry at the height of his powers, and playing classic piano-less material with supberb accompaniment by Brookmeyer. Tracks include a number of originals, including "Utter Chaos", "Five Brothers", and "Walkin' Shoes", plus others like "Bernies Tune", "Come Out Wherever You Are", and "Laura". LP, Vinyl record album

Great work from Chet Baker's famous, and famously short-lived pianist! Chet Baker joins the group on one track – and the core trio features Carson Smith on bass and Peter Littman on drums. Original tunes include "Albuquerque Social Swim", "Yellow Tango", "Crutch For The Crab", and "The Girl From Greenland". LP, Vinyl record album

A 70s collection of recordings off the Jazz At Oberlin and Jazz At College Of Pacific albums, featuring Paul Desmond. LP, Vinyl record album

A real lost slice of work from the career of Chico Hamilton – recorded for the short-lived Dig label, owned by R&B artist Johnny Otis in the mid 50s! The group here is slightly different than Hamilton's quintet that recorded for Pacific Jazz – in that it's got a sound that's a bit less arranged, and which often opens up into some more freewheeling jazz styles at times. Buddy Collette and Jim Hall are on the session from Chico's regular group – and Buddy's really the co-leader of the set, and contributed some fantastic original tunes that are perfect for his colorful work on reeds. And the group's also got Curtis Counce on bass and Gerald Wiggins on piano – bringing a decidedly heavier groove to the record than on most 50s Hamilton work – one that's topped off by the trumpet of John Anderson, often muted but still powerful enough to make its presence known on the set. Titles include the Collette originals "It's You", "Green Dream", "Jungle Pogo Stick", "Tanganyika", and "A Walk On The Veldt" – plus other session originals "And So Is Love", "Wagnervous", and "The Blindfold Test". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the more obscure albums that Groove Holmes cut for Pacific Jazz – and one of his grooviest, too! The set's got a slightly larger group than usual – and the record features work from Wilton Felder, Anthony Ortega, and Tom Scott on saxes – plus George Freeman on guitar, and Paul Humphrey on drums! The tracks are short and have a sweet soul instrumental vibe – and cuts include a nice version of "Madison Time", plus "Groovin Time", "Oklahoma Toad", "Upward Bound", and "The Odd Couple". LP, Vinyl record album

A set that's noteworthy not just for the presence of alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, and for the leadership of baritonist Gerry Mulligan – but a record that also features the great Chet Baker on trumpet, working here as part of a trio of musicians who were really helping transform the sound of jazz in the early 50s! And maybe most noteworthy in the set is the lack of any piano at all – a strategy of Mulligan's at the time, but used in a way that also echoes some of Lee's sublime quartet sessions of the mid 50s too – and a nice setting for Chet, as he has plenty of space to open up and craft those magical notes of his youth! The rest of the group features Larry Bunker on drums, and either Carson Smith or Joe Mondragon on bass – and material was recorded partly live, and partly in the studio – with titles that include "Broadway", "Sextet", "Almost Like Being In Love", "Too Marvelous For Words", "Lover Man", "I'll Remember April", and "All The Things You Are". LP, Vinyl record album

A 70s set that collects tracks from Les early years at World Pacific – playing in a very popular 60s soul jazz blend of jazz and gospel influences. Most titles feature Ron Jefferson on drums, but rare groove master Paul Humphrey appears on two songs, and Charles Kynard makes a cameo appearance as well – and an additional track features backing by the Gerald Wilson Orchestra. Titles include groovers like "Fish This Week", "We'll See Yaw'll After While", "Vakushna", "Send It Down To Me", "The Shampoo", "Someone Stole my Chitlins", "The Shout" and "Gone On & Get That Church". Dixie fried and sanctified! LP, Vinyl record album