One of the greatest moments ever from pianist Sadik Hakim – a player most people know for his contribution to the American bop scene of the late 40s – but an artist who grew even more strongly during his later years in Montreal! This album's a real highlight from that overlooked time in Hakim's career – a set that not only has the musician playing both Fender Rhodes and acoustic piano, but which also highlights his tremendous skill as a writer, too – with a richness that easily rivals the best on the European scene of the time – such as some of our favorite London jazz musicians, or the great work on MPS. Side one features the extended "London Suite" – a work that's poetic, but also pretty darn groovy too – and side two features on shorter compositions that include "Liliane", "Grey Cup Caper", and "Moon In Aquarius" – all carried off beautifully by a group that includes Al Khabyyr Sayyd Abdul on alto and flute, Billy Robinson on tenor, and Peter Leitch on guitar. LP, Vinyl record album

A killer early groover from trumpeter Tom Harrell – proof that he was a killer right from the get-go! The album's got some sweet funky cuts with a warm soulful sound – kind of halfway between Freddie Hubbard on CTI, and some of the more organic sounds on Muse in the 70s – handled by a group that includes Tom on trumpet, Bob Berg on tenor, Barry Finnerty on guitar, Mike Wolff on electric piano, Lenny White on drums, and Muhammad Abdullah on lots of cool percussion! Titles include "While There's Time", "The Water's Edge", "On The Roof", "Aurora", and "Outdoor Cafe". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful pairing of this German pianist and American tenor star Zoot Sims – and an album that may well be the greatest that Jutta Hipp ever cut! Hipp was one of the rising stars of the German postwar jazz scene in the 50s – and although she issued other American albums in the decade for Blue Note and Decca, this side's probably the best-remembered of the bunch – thanks to the presence of Zoot, and support from a great rhythm section that includes Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – both of whom match the modern tones of Jutta's piano, but also give a solidly soulful Blue Note feel to the set. The group's completed by trumpeter Jerry Lloyd, who helps bring a nice sparkle to the frontline – and titles include "Just Blues", "Wee Dot", "Almost Like Being In Love", and "Down Home". LP, Vinyl record album