One of the most ambitious albums ever from Rob Mazurek – and a set that really continues the legacy of community building and world healing that's become such an important part of his music! Rob's a player who was great at the start – a hell of a trumpeter, and a great experimentalist with electronics – but in recent years, he's matured to become a real messenger for the farther, future reaches of jazz – with an energy that makes a collaborative project like this come off in a way that might never have occurred in the hands of any other musician! Mazurek is at the head – director, composer, arranger, and instrumentalist too – and the large lineup is filled with heavyweights from the Chicago scene that Rob helped shape over the past few decades – plus others as well – players who include Damon Locks on voice and electronics, Nicole Mitchell on flutes, Tomeka Reid on cello, Joel Ross on vibes, Jaimi Branch on trumpet, Jeff Parker on guitar, Ingebrigit Haker Flate on bass, and Chad Taylor, John Herndon, and Mikel Patrick Avery on a variety of drums and percussion. There's a richness here that tops other Exploding Star Orchestra performances – and more of a focus, too – so that the whole thing comes together as even more than the sum of its mighty parts, as one of the best International Anthem releases to date. Titles include "Galaxy 1000", "Parable Of Inclusion", "Autumn Pleiades", "Minerals Bionic Stereo", "Dimensional Stardust", "Abstract Dark Energy", and "The Careening Prism Within". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most ambitious albums ever from Rob Mazurek – and a set that really continues the legacy of community building and world healing that's become such an important part of his music! Rob's a player who was great at the start – a hell of a trumpeter, and a great experimentalist with electronics – but in recent years, he's matured to become a real messenger for the farther, future reaches of jazz – with an energy that makes a collaborative project like this come off in a way that might never have occurred in the hands of any other musician! Mazurek is at the head – director, composer, arranger, and instrumentalist too – and the large lineup is filled with heavyweights from the Chicago scene that Rob helped shape over the past few decades – plus others as well – players who include Damon Locks on voice and electronics, Nicole Mitchell on flutes, Tomeka Reid on cello, Joel Ross on vibes, Jaimi Branch on trumpet, Jeff Parker on guitar, Ingebrigit Haker Flate on bass, and Chad Taylor, John Herndon, and Mikel Patrick Avery on a variety of drums and percussion. There's a richness here that tops other Exploding Star Orchestra performances – and more of a focus, too – so that the whole thing comes together as even more than the sum of its mighty parts, as one of the best International Anthem releases to date. Titles include "Galaxy 1000", "Parable Of Inclusion", "Autumn Pleiades", "Minerals Bionic Stereo", "Dimensional Stardust", "Abstract Dark Energy", and "The Careening Prism Within". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Five tremendous albums from saxophone genius Art Pepper – presented here with a lot of bonus tracks too! First up is So In Love – beautiful late work from Art Pepper – one of his albums recorded for the well-done Artist House label, and a set that's maybe got a different vibe than some of his Galaxy recordings of the time! There's a rock-solid sense of soul to the record – one that comes from the work of two different rhythm trios – one that features George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm trio who keep things swinging, but never in a way that's too straight – pushing Art a bit around the edges, but letting him come right down the middle with some fantastic solos on alto – the other with Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Tunes are a bit shorter than on some other albums of the period, but in a great way that really lets you focus in on Pepper's amazing sound –and titles include "Diane", "Stardust", "Blues For Blanche", and "Straight No Chaser". Artworks is a nicely focused set from the great Art Pepper – a record that features a number of familiar bop and jazz themes, but set to a more open, relaxed, and very soulful style that wonderfully reflects all the greatness of Pepper in his final years! The group on the record is nicely understated, but still very hip – George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – and Art gets plenty of space to step out front and really blow these amazing solos, including one number that features just bass and drums, while Pepper blows a bit of clarinet – which we always love. All other titles feature alto sax – and titles include "Donna Lee", "Anthropology", "You Go To My Head", "Body & Soul", and "Desafinado". Next is a New York Album, but one that was oddly recorded in Burbank – and which has Art Pepper sounding very much at the top of his game! The format here is a bit like the other Artist House Pepper sessions, and those he did for the Japanese Atlas label – tight, focused, often tunes that are older jazz or bop standards – but swing with a great rhythm section, and topped with completely sublime alto solos from the leader! The quartet features Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums – but one number is a duo between Carter and Pepper, and another features just piano and alto. Titles include "Night In Tunisia", "Lover Man", "Duo Blues", "My Friend John", and "Straight No Chaser". Stardust is a great little record from Art Pepper – four long tracks that really have him stretching out on alto – but in a way that's maybe a bit different than some of his more burning albums on the Galaxy label at the time! The group here follows from some of the previous Artist House recordings – George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm combo that's mighty nice – and which benefits from some great straight basswork from Haden, and Higgins' always compelling sense of rhythm! Titles include "My Friend John", "Stardust", and "Tin Tin Deo" – plus a reading of "In A Mellotone" that has Art on clarinet. CD5 features a full disc of Sessions material, titled as such – alternates, and unusual versions from the recording dates – and all other of the four CDs feature bonus material as well – different takes and alternates! CD

A great little record from Art Pepper – four long tracks that really have him stretching out on alto – but in a way that's maybe a bit different than some of his more burning albums on the Galaxy label at the time! The group here follows from some of the previous Artist House recordings – George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm combo that's mighty nice – and which benefits from some great straight basswork from Haden, and Higgins' always compelling sense of rhythm! Titles include "My Friend John", "Stardust", and "Tin Tin Deo" – plus a reading of "In A Mellotone" that has Art on clarinet. LP, Vinyl record album

A great little record from Art Pepper – four long tracks that really have him stretching out on alto – but in a way that's maybe a bit different than some of his more burning albums on the Galaxy label at the time! The group here follows from some of the previous Artist House recordings – George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm combo that's mighty nice – and which benefits from some great straight basswork from Haden, and Higgins' always compelling sense of rhythm! Titles include "My Friend John", "Stardust", and "Tin Tin Deo" – plus a reading of "In A Mellotone" that has Art on clarinet. CD features six bonus tracks – the tune "Art's Sweet Blues", and alternates of "But Beautiful", "Yesterdays", "Stardust", "In A Mellow Tone", and "You Go To My Head". CD

The breaks are in the house – and definitely very much as promised in the title – as "Stardust" has a really wicked drum break that skips along nicely, with some conga bits next to the drums – while a splashy, bassy keyboard part does all sorts of cool things in the middle! "Space Break" has funky drums moving at a different pace, but with an equally sharp quality – and the tune has lots more cool moogy and spacey keyboards! 7-inch, Vinyl record

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Featuring Sonny Criss, Art Tatum, Herbie Mann, Dave Brubeck, Ray Bryant, Art Pepper, Ben Webster, and John Coltrane – 12 tracks in all. CD

David Bowie back in costume at the end of the 70s – but informed enough from his Berlin trilogy that he's coming at things quite differently here! The album's a great summation of the sounds on Low, Heroes, and Lodger – taken almost back to some Ziggy Stardust and Space Oddity territory, but in ways that are a bit leaner, and more focused. Even more impressive, though, is the near-complete absence of other 1980 elements in the set – hardly any influences from punk or new wave, no post-disco dancefloor elements – just deeply unique Bowie all the way through, and proof that he could always find his own space in music when he wanted! Titles include "Up The Hill Backwards", "Teenage Wildlife", "Scream Like A Baby", "Because You're Young", "Scary Monsters", "Ashes to Ashes", "Fashion", and "Kingdom Come". CD

Includes the songs "Space Oddity", "Changes", "Oh, You Pretty Things", "Life On Mars?", "Ziggy Stardust", "Starman", "John, I'm Only Dancing", "Suffragette City", "The Jean Genie", "Sorrow", "Drive In Saturday", "Diamond Dogs", "Rebel Rebel", "Young Americans", "Fame", "Golden Years", "TVC 15", "Be My Wife", "Sound & Vision", "Beauty & The Beast", "Heroes", "Boys Keep Swinging", "DJ", "Look Back In Anger", "Ashes To Ashes", "Fashion", "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)", "Under Pressure", "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)", "Let's Dance", "China Girl", "Modern Love", "Blue Jean", "Loving The Alien", "Dancing In The Street", "Absolute Beginners", "Day-In Day-Out", "Never Let Me Down", "Jump They Say", "Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy", CD

A tremendous live set cut during the height of David Bowie's years in Berlin – and the kind of performance that showed that his more experimental work from this time could be every bit as appealing as the classics! The first half of the set features some amazing numbers from the Heroes and Low years – presented here with some darker orchestrations that sound really wonderful, and which slightly recast the styles of the tunes on the albums. The second half mixes in some older classics with a few surprising bits – making for the kind of "star appeal" that must have been welcome to more mainstream Bowie fans during these more obscure years. 20 tracks in all – including "Beauty & The Beast", "Breaking Glass", "Speed Of Life", "What In The World", "Heroes", "Warszawa", "Be My Wife", "Soul Love", "Star", "Art Decade", "Alabama Song", "TVC 15", and "Ziggy Stardust". CD

A brilliant soul album! That's right, we said SOUL album! Bowie was at the height of his Ziggy Stardust fame when this one was recorded – a drastic left-turn in styles, forged during a point in his American tour when he could take a break, head to Philly, plug in at the Sigma Sound Studios, and come up with some fantastic little soul tunes, thanks to help from Luther Vandross! The album sparkles with the best sound of Luther's early work – and you'll hear more than a bit of Luther's work on his own, and his tunes with Gregg Diamond on the set. Features the sublime tracks "Win", "Fascination", "Right", "Somebody Up There Likes Me", and "Can You Hear Me" – as well as the hits "Young Americans" and "Fame". LP, Vinyl record album

A brilliant soul album! That's right, we said SOUL album! Bowie was at the height of his Ziggy Stardust fame when this one was recorded – a drastic left-turn in styles, forged during a point in his American tour when he could take a break, head to Philly, plug in at the Sigma Sound Studios, and come up with some fantastic little soul tunes, thanks to help from Luther Vandross! The album sparkles with the best sound of Luther's early work – and you'll hear more than a bit of Luther's work on his own, and his tunes with Gregg Diamond on the set. Features the sublime tracks "Win", "Fascination", "Right", "Somebody Up There Likes Me", and "Can You Hear Me" – as well as the hits "Young Americans" and "Fame". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little album from Ruby Braff – simply blown in a small combo setting, with a strong focus on Braff's sparkling tone on the trumpet! The groups vary throughout the course of the set, but all players are pretty darn great – and tunes include guitar from Steve Jordan, vibes by Don Elliott, and even some nice tenor work from Coleman Hawkins. Braff's own playing is a bit free of the overly-sentimental tones that sometimes mar his other records – and he's got a clarity and charm here that makes the record one of his best full length sets ever. Titles include "Stardust", "Indian Summer", "Here's Freddie", "Just One More Chance", "You're Lucky To Me", "Too Marvelous For Words", and "It's Been So Long". CD also features additional bonus tracks "As Long As I Live", "If I Had You", "I'm Shooting High", and "Moonglow". CD

Trumpeter Ruby Braff and pianist Dave McKenna – a tremendous combination that makes for some very swinging music! The CD features the full track list from the excellent (and obscure) ABC album recorded by the pair in 1956 – a great date that draws from Braff's more traditional approach to jazz trumpet, but which also inflects it with a good dose of McKenna's well-stated and sometimes more modern lines on piano. Rhythm is by Sam Herman on guitar, Al Lucas on bass, and Buzzy Drootin on drums – and although the style is trad, there's also a lean and hoke-free quality to the work that's a lot more appealing than we expected. Titles include "Why Was I Born", "Blue Prelude", "Dancing In The Dark", "Louisiana", "It's Wonderful", "Lover Come Back To Me", and "Almost Like Being In Love". CD also features 9 more bonus tracks too – 7 from the album Braff, 1 from the album Easy Now, and 1 with Benny Goodman. All tracks feature Braff and McKenna – and titles include "As Long As I Live", "Stardust", "I'm Shooting High", "Soft Lights & Sweet Music", "How Long Has This Been Going On", and "If I Had You". CD

A wonderful compilation the late 40s Modern recordings of piano player, singer and all around musical pioneer Hadda Brooks – with all the tracks from the original Queen Of The Boogie 78s package – and 18 additional tracks from the period! Hadda is a lovely singer, and the set has a number of sweet vocal numbers, but her most lasting impact is no doubt her easygoing, but masterful boogie piano playing. Fittingly, there's a huge number of instrumental treasures here, and it's really tough to imagine a lot of the great R&B and 50s rock and roll piano taking hold if trailblazers like Hadda Brooks didn't get the ball rolling! Includes "Juke Box Boogie", "Bully Wully Boogie", "Boogie At The Bandstand", "Night Life", "Sleepy Time Gal", "Humoresque Boogie", "Strollin' 'N' Rollin'", "Basin Street Blue", "Moonglow", "743 Blues", "Hungara (Gypsy)", "Greig's Concerto Boogie In A Minor", "Stardust" and more. 24 tracks in all – a solid dozen of which were recorded for Modern in the late 40s, but were never before released! CD

A classic album from San Francisco pianist Dave Brubeck – recorded at Oberlin College, the mid-Ohio haven of bohemiana, and a growing hotbed of jazz activity centered around students in the college's conservatory of music at the time of the recording! Dave and crew made the trip at the request of the kids – breaking from their mostly San Francisco-based recording career to cut what would end up becoming a very successful album in Dave's catalog, and begin a whole "at" or "goes to" series in his career – followed up at many other locations. The group's the early quartet with Paul Desmond on alto, Ron Crotty on bass, and Lloyd Davis on drums – and tunes include long and jamming versions of "The Way You Look Tonight", "How High The Moon", and "Stardust". LP, Vinyl record album

Two classic early albums from San Francisco pianist Dave Brubeck! Jazz at Oberlin was famously recorded at the mid-Ohio college and haven of bohemiana, and a growing hotbed of jazz activity centered around students in the college's conservatory of music at the time of the recording! Dave and crew made the trip at the request of the kids – breaking from their mostly San Francisco-based recording career to cut what would end up becoming a very successful album in Dave's catalog, and begin a whole "at" or "goes to" series in his career – followed up at many other locations. The group's the early quartet with Paul Desmond on alto, Ron Crotty on bass, and Lloyd Davis on drums – and tunes include long and jamming versions of "The Way You Look Tonight", "How High The Moon", and "Stardust". College Of The Pacific is another great live set from the Dave Brubeck Quartet – already humming along nicely with some great alto sax from Paul Desmond! The group's in fine form here – a bit more relaxed and open than on their Columbia recordings – with plenty of creative piano lines from Dave, showing just a slight dose of modernism, and lots more of that cool, icy alto sax work that made Desmond a standout right from the start. Rhythm is by Ron Crotty on bass and Joe Dodge on drums – and titles include "Laura", "Lullaby In Rhythm", "For All We Know", "All The Things You Are", and "I'll Never Smile Again". CD

Excellent mid 70s duet jazz from pianist Dave Brubeck & alto Paul Desmond! Duets 1975 is a nicely laidback work from the duo – playing here with no other accompaniment, in a spare set of material that's incredibly fragile and intimate – and all the better for that. The move is a real change from the pair's more famous sides of the late 50s and early 60s – and with no drums and bass to get in the way, they drift around warmly, working together and apart as old friends with a great deal of sympathy for each other. Titles include "Koto Song", "Blue Dove", "Stardust", "Alice In Wonderland", and "Summer Song". CD

Excellent mid 70s duet jazz from pianist Dave Brubeck & alto Paul Desmond! Duets 1975 is a nicely laidback work from the duo – playing here with no other accompaniment, in a spare set of material that's incredibly fragile and intimate – and all the better for that. The move is a real change from the pair's more famous sides of the late 50s and early 60s – and with no drums and bass to get in the way, they drift around warmly, working together and apart as old friends with a great deal of sympathy for each other. Titles include "Koto Song", "Blue Dove", "Stardust", "Alice In Wonderland", and "Summer Song". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent mid 70s duet jazz from pianist Dave Brubeck & alto Paul Desmond! Duets 1975 is a nicely laidback work from the duo – playing here with no other accompaniment, in a spare set of material that's incredibly fragile and intimate – and all the better for that. The move is a real change from the pair's more famous sides of the late 50s and early 60s – and with no drums and bass to get in the way, they drift around warmly, working together and apart as old friends with a great deal of sympathy for each other. Titles include "Koto Song", "Blue Dove", "Stardust", "Alice In Wonderland", and "Summer Song". CD

Includes the songs "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone", "Mad Monk", "Billie's Bounce", "I Surrender Dear", "Red Cross","Dynamo A", "Summertime", "Stardust", "Old Man River", "Night And Day", "The Man I Love", "Georgia On My Mind", "Easy To Love", "Over The Rainbow", "Where Or When", "En Ce Temps-La", "Somebody Loves Me", "Riviera Blues (Blues A la Don)", "Laura", and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". CD

The second volume of work that Donald Byrd recorded live at the Olympia in Paris in 1958 – even harder-hitting in tone than the first! The set features Byrd playing some tight hardbop lines – working in a cool group that also features Bobby Jaspar on tenor, Walter Davis Jr on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Art Taylor on drums – all players who come together with the sound and style of some of those great late 50s Prestige blowing sessions! The difference, though, is that Byrd is the clear leader here – working his trumpet solos with techniques that really show him growing as an artist on this Paris trip – forging a tight vision into the music that makes it way more than just a loose bop exercise on stage. You'll hear that especially on "52nd Street Theme", but the whole set's pretty darn great – and tracks include "At This Time", "Formidable", "Two Bass Hit", "Parisian Thoroughfare", and "Stardust". CD

The second volume of work that Donald Byrd recorded live at the Olympia in Paris in 1958 – even harder-hitting in tone than the first! The set features Byrd playing some tight hardbop lines – working in a cool group that also features Bobby Jaspar on tenor, Walter Davis Jr on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Art Taylor on drums – all players who come together with the sound and style of some of those great late 50s Prestige blowing sessions! The difference, though, is that Byrd is the clear leader here – working his trumpet solos with techniques that really show him growing as an artist on this Paris trip – forging a tight vision into the music that makes it way more than just a loose bop exercise on stage. You'll hear that especially on "52nd Street Theme", but the whole set's pretty darn great – and tracks include "At This Time", "Formidable", "Two Bass Hit", "Parisian Thoroughfare", and "Stardust". LP, Vinyl record album

More straight ahead than some of Charles' other work from the time – most of which is fairly modernist – but still a strong batch of tracks, and one that has a lot more edge than the work of Lionel Hampton, to whom it was recorded as a "salute". Teddy's on vibes throughout – working in different groups that include players like Hank Jones, Zoot Sims, Art Farmer, Bob Brookmeyer, Ed Thigpen, and Addison Farmer. Tracks are all Hamp standards – including "Airmail Special", "Midnight Sun", "Flyin Home", "Stardust", and "Blue Hamp". CD also features some bonus alternate takes! CD

The roots of bebop! During the early 40s, sets held in Harlem nightclubs, especially the famous Minton's, were seminal to the development of bebop – and you'll hear exactly what we mean on this album! The set features material recorded by Jerry Newman at Minton's and Monroe's up in Harlem – sessions that include players like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Christian, Thelonious Monk, Hot Lips Page, Kenny Clarke, and Don Byas. The players run through a batch of material that might be called small-combo swing – but the style of the solos shows a lot of bebop, as well as a strong penchant for new ideas. Titles include "Lips Flips", "Swing to Bop", "Guy's Got To Go", "Kerouac", and "Stardust". LP, Vinyl record album

The roots of bebop! During the early 40s, sets held in Harlem nightclubs, especially the famous Minton's, were seminal to the development of bebop – and you'll hear exactly what we mean on this long overdue CD reissue. The set features material recorded by Jerry Newman at Minton's and Monroe's up in Harlem – sessions that include players like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Christian, Thelonious Monk, Hot Lips Page, Kenny Clarke, and Don Byas. The players run through a batch of material that might be called small-combo swing – but the style of the solos shows a lot of bebop, as well as a strong penchant for new ideas. Titles include "Lips Flips", "Swing to Bop", "Guy's Got To Go", "Kerouac", and "Stardust". CD

A rare later date from tenor giant Arnett Cobb – and one of the few to match the groove of his Prestige Records sessions! There's an easygoing groove here that takes us back to the brilliantly understated soul of Cobb's Party Time Records – as the set's got a similar laidback rhythm vibe – with piano from Junior Mance, bass from George Duvivier, and drums from Panama Francis – all players who really keep things cool, while Cobb steps out with some well-blown solos in the lead. The album also features a bit of guest work on two tracks from Joe Newman on trumpet and Al Grey on trombone – and titles include "Cheatin On Me", "Blues For Lisette", "Keep On Pushin", "Stardust", and "Deep River". LP, Vinyl record album

With 36 tracks including "Straighten Up and Fly Right", "Sweet Lorraine", "It's Only a Paper Moon", "Nature Boy", "Lush Life", "Blue Gardenia", "Stardust", "The Sand and the Sea", and more. CD

With 38 tracks including "Straighten Up and Fly Right", "Sweet Lorraine", "It's Only a Paper Moon", "Nature Boy", "Lush Life", "Blue Gardenia", "Stardust", "The Sand and the Sea", and more. CD

Japanese anthology with tracks from both Coltrane's Prestige and Impulse albums. Titles include "Soultrane", "My One And Only Love", "Violets For Your Furs", "Come Rain Or Come Shine", "Stardust", "Impressions", and "Like Someone In Love". CD

A great set that brings together Eddie Lockjaw Davis' early Cookbook sessions – cut for Prestige in a key transitional moment, when Lock was trying to break past the R&B roots of earlier years, and emerge as a more sophisticated jazz soloist, capable of carrying an idea way past the short format of singles and jukebox sides. The sessions provide a perfect format for such an effort – as the tracks are long and open-ended, and match Eddie with a great quintet that includes Shirley Scott on organ and Jerome Richardon on flute. Includes the classic "The Rev", plus "Stardust", "The Chef", "In The Kitchen", "Three Deuces", "Skillet", and "The Broilers". CD

Volume 2 of Lockjaw's classic early Cookbook sessions – cut for Prestige in a key transitional moment, when Lock was trying to break past the R&B roots of earlier years, and emerge as a more sophisticated jazz soloist, capable of carrying an idea way past the short format of singles and jukebox sides. The sessions provide a perfect format for such an effort – as the tracks are long and open-ended, and match Eddie with a great quintet that includes Shirley Scott on organ and Jerome Richardon on flute. Includes the classic "The Rev", plus "Stardust", "Skillet", and "The Broilers". Includes the bonus track "Willow Weep For Me". CD

Volume 2 of Lockjaw's classic early Cookbook sessions – cut for Prestige in a key transitional moment, when Lock was trying to break past the R&B roots of earlier years, and emerge as a more sophisticated jazz soloist, capable of carrying an idea way past the short format of singles and jukebox sides. The sessions provide a perfect format for such an effort – as the tracks are long and open-ended, and match Eddie with a great quintet that includes Shirley Scott on organ and Jerome Richardon on flute. Includes the classic "The Rev", plus "Stardust", "Skillet", and "The Broilers". LP, Vinyl record album

The complete recordings of a legendary live cycle of shows in Stockholm from 1960 – material that was previously issued on two different 2LP sets during the album era, now brought together here with bonus tracks too! The first third of the set features incredible work from the team of Miles Davis and John Coltrane – working together in space that's very open, and far more exploratory than their studio work of the late 50s – maybe at a level that really shows the impact that Coltrane's growth was having on the solo approach of Davis! The key rhythm trio keeps things swinging – Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums – which almost seems to allow the horn players even more freedom. The second two thirds of the set are equally striking, but in a very different way – as they feature the great Sonny Stitt, blowing both alto and tenor with Miles' group – a choice that's maybe a bit surprising, but equally wonderful too – a Stitt brings the sound maybe back to a bop core, but also seems to really get a chance to show off some of those modern currents that he had to soft-pedal on his albums for Roost. Titles with Coltrane include "So What", "On Green Dolphin Street", "All Blues/Theme", "Walkin/Theme", and "Fran Dance" – and titles with Stitt include "Autumn Leaves/Theme", "Walkin", "All Of You", "June Night", "Stardust", "Lover Man", "If I Were A Bell", "No Blues/Theme", "Softly As In A Mornin Sunrise", and "So What". CD

Buddy DeFranco plays tunes associated with Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw – but in a completely different way than before – with a wider-open swing for the 50s! The work here is all small combo, not big band – and there's a free-flowing groove that's totally great – a sound that carries echoes of the earlier years, but which comes across with that modern inflection to swing that made Buddy's years at Verve so great. Few players could come up with a balance of modes as great as this – and on the 2 sessions in the set, DeFranco's clarinet is caught alongside trumpet from either Don Fagerquist or Ray Linn, tenor from Georgie Auld, vibes from Victor Feldman, piano from Paul Smith or Carl Perkins, guitar from Barney Kessell or Howard Roberts, bass from Leroy Vinnegar or Joe Mondragon, and drums from Stan Levey or Milt Holland. First volume features 14 titles that include "Benny's Bugle", "A Smooth One", "Air Mail Special", "My Blue Heaven", "Seven Come Eleven", "Cross Your Heart", "Frenesi", "Indian Love Call", "Summit Ridge Drive", and "Stardust". CD

An unusual session from the heart of Lou Donaldson's return to Blue Note in the late 60s – a mellower date that stands in strong contrast to his funkier albums of the time! As you might guess from the title, there's a lusher feel going on here – one that has Lou's alto sax augmented by larger backings from Duke Pearson – who manages to score things perfectly with a balance of soul and sophistication. The album's hardly a "Donaldson with strings" date – and instead is done in the more mature mode that Duke was using in some of his own sides from the time, and on work with players like Donald Byrd or Stanley Turrentine. Other players here include Wayne Shorter on tenor, Pepper Adams on baritone, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, and Garnett Brown on trombone – plus core rhythms from the trio of McCoy Tyner on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Harewood on drums. Titles include "Sweet Slumber", "The Good Life", "Sweet & Lovely", "Stardust", and "You've Changed" – and the album was recorded in the 60s, it was only first issued in Japan in 1980 – and even then only later in the US! CD

An unusual session from the heart of Lou Donaldson's return to Blue Note in the late 60s – a mellower date that stands in strong contrast to his funkier albums of the time! As you might guess from the title, there's a lusher feel going on here – one that has Lou's alto sax augmented by larger backings from Duke Pearson – who manages to score things perfectly with a balance of soul and sophistication. The album's hardly a "Donaldson with strings" date – and instead is done in the more mature mode that Duke was using in some of his own sides from the time, and on work with players like Donald Byrd or Stanley Turrentine. Other players here include Wayne Shorter on tenor, Pepper Adams on baritone, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, and Garnett Brown on trombone – plus core rhythms from the trio of McCoy Tyner on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Harewood on drums. Titles include "Sweet Slumber", "The Good Life", "Sweet & Lovely", "Stardust", and "You've Changed" – and the album was recorded in the 60s, it was only first issued in Japan in 1980 – and even then only later in the US! CD

Bob Dylan takes on the American songbook once again – revisiting the territory of classic 20th century songwriters that he touched on the Fallen Angels album, but in an overstuffed mode that definitely warrants the Triplicate title! The triple-length format really has Dylan going to town on the material – and maybe doing a lot more than just trying to ape an older singer like Frank Sinatra – as the arrangements are often surprisingly fresh, and almost hit the kind of country/standard mode that Willie Nelson hit with his Stardust recording. In fact, given the rasp and world-heavy tone of Dylan's voice, and the strong use of both acoustic and steel guitar on some of the tunes, the whole thing maybe feels more like a vision of midcentury, seen through a lens that gives the sound of Nashville a lot more importance in the canon. The set was recorded at the Capitol Studios, which seems a great place to capture this vibe – and titles include, not surprisingly, "Stardust", plus "This Nearly Was Mine", "Stormy Weather", "Once Upon A Time", "The Best Is Yet To Come", "As Time Goes By", "Imagination", "Day In Day Out", "There's A Flaw In My Flue", "These Foolish Things", and "You Go To My Head". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes the songs "After You've Gone", "The Gasser", "Jump Through the Window", "Minor Jive", "Stardust", "Oh, Lady Be Good", "I Surrender, Dear", "Body And Soul", "I Can't Get Started", "After You've Gone", "Fish Market", "Twilight Time", "St. Louis Blues", "Embraceable You", "All The Cats Join In", "Poor John", "Hi Ho Trailus Boot Whip", "Yard Dog", "Lover, Come Back to Me", "Rockin' Chair", "It's the Talk of the Town", and "Christopher Columbus". CD

Includes the songs "Sittin' In", "Sittin' In No. 2", "Stardust", "Body And Soul", "Forty Six West Fifty Two", "Forty Six West Fifty Two No. 2", "The Gasser", "Jump Through The Window", "Minor Jive", "Stardust", "Don't Be That Way", "I Want To Be Happy", "Fiesta In Brass (Alt. Take)", "Fiesta In Brass", "St. Louis Blues (Alt. Take)", "St. Louis Blues", "I Can't Get Started", "After You've Gone", "Body And Soul", "Fish Market", and "Twilight Time". CD

One of the coolest combos working in Chicago these days – a trad jazz group with a really wonderful sound – one of the few modern groups who can really illustrate the improvisational excitement of jazz back in the Windy City scene of the 20s and 30s! These guys have a freshness that you'd never find with other trad combos – maybe an energy that's generated by their youth, or the fact that in the 21st Century we're now so removed from the cliches of the trad revival, folks can start over again and really get things right. Whatever the case, their sound is great – an electrifying revival of modes we never thought we'd like this much from contemporary players. The lineup includes string bass, cornet, clarinet, alto sax, trombone, piano, drums, and banjo – and titles include "The Stampede", "18th & Racine", "I Can't Dance", "Stardust", "Oh Baby", "The Chant", and "Blueberry Rhyme". CD

A much-needed look at a near-lost side of Ella's work for Verve – the singles she recorded for the label in the 50s and 60s, work that's very different than her more famous LPs! Historically, Ella's probably best remembered for her Songbook albums at Verve – serious efforts that focused on the work of 20th Century songwriters like Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. But during the same years she was working on those projects, she also cut a tremendous amount of singles for the label – many of them in styles not heard on LPs. The set's got some really wonderful numbers that really open up our understanding of Ella – short jazzy tunes, catchy pop numbers, weepy ballads, bossa nova, novelty tracks, and even a few Holiday tunes – all packaged in a great 2CD set that includes 36 titles in all! Tunes include "Ol Man Mose", "Desafinado", "Stardust Bossa Nova", "All The Live Long Day", "I'm A Poached Egg", "Your Red Wagon", "But Not For Me", "Dreams Are Made For Children", "Stay There", "Hotta Chocolatta", "Too Young For The Blues", "It's Only A Man", and "Lonely Is". CD

A great set from Ella Fitzgerald – recorded at Carnegie Hall during a stretch when Fitzgerald was hitting new worldwide fame, and singing a lot of groovy contemporary tunes – but done here in a very old school style that hearkens back to Ella's earliest days in the jazz world! The orchestra here is that of Chick Webb, directed by Eddie Barefield – who brings a vintage swing to the music that's mighty nice, and free from some of the more modern modes of some of Fitzgerald's studio work of the time. The live setting allows for Ella to open up nicely on some tunes – especially some of the medley numbers, which may well be some of the most entertaining on the record. Ella sings with some backing from Ellis Larkins on piano on a few numbers – and a few other tracks are instrumental, with work by Tommy Flanagan on piano, Eddie Lockjaw Davis on tenor, and Al Grey on trombone. Titles include "Stardust", "Some Of These Days", "I've Gotta Be Me", "C Jam Blues", "Smooth Sailing", "Indian Summer", and "Lemon Drop". CD

Accompanied by Hank Jones on piano. Tracks include "People Time", "When Lights Are Low", "Come Sunday", "Lush Life", "Something To Live For", and "Stardust". CD

Includes the songs "Tin Tin Deo", "Ooh-shoo-be-doo-be", "Birk's Works", "Swing Low Sweet Cadillac", "The Champ", "School Days", "Caravan", "Umbrella Man", "Stardust", "Lady Be Good", "On The Sunny Side Of The Street", "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen", "Blue Skies", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "The Bluest Blues", "Pop's Confessin'", "Sometimes I'm Happy", and "Pretty Eyed Baby". CD

Includes "After You've Gone", "Stardust", "Benny's Bugle", "Shivers", "AC DC Current", "Slipped Disc", "Gilly", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes the songs "Seven Come Eleven", "Line For Lyons", "Cherokee", "So Long Eric", "I Know That You Know", "Stardust", "Cute", "Sweet Sue", "Slop", and "Gerry Meets Hamp". CD

A really unique album from pianist Roland Hanna – a set that allows him to show off all the amazing keyboard flow that he has on solo and trio dates – but in the larger space of a CTI Records session! Arrangements are by Don Sebesky – and while full, they're never overwhelming – so that the acoustic piano of Roland is always right out front, as dexterous as ever – with slight backing from a larger group of mixed electric and acoustic elements! The tunes are Gershwin and Hoagy Carmichael numbers, but that hardly matters at all – as the approach here is very unique and personal – and the album does feature trumpet from Chet Baker on one track, and soprano sax from Ronnie Cuber on another. Titles include "Skylark", "Stardust", "Oh Bess Where's My Bess", "The Nearness Of You", and "Embraceable You". LP, Vinyl record album

Beautifully intimate work from pianist Hatsune Hirakura – a well-recorded set that takes us back to the glory days of Japanese piano sets from the 70s, and one that's served up with a similar blend of lyrical energy and freedom! The date's a live one, and Hatsune works in a trio that features Yosuke Inoue on bass and Atsuke Ikeda on some especially nice tenor – an instrument used here to carve out some gently swinging solos, but with the same sort of warmth that Hirakura brings to her piano! All tracks are standards, but taken with a very fresh sense of energy – and titles include a fantastic take on "Invitation", plus "Days Of Wine & Roses", "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise", "Summertime", "Stardust", and "You Don't Know What Love Is". CD

Great early work by jazz vibes guru Bobby Hutcherson – recorded early in his tenure in NYC in the early 60s – backed up by trombonist Al Grey and tenor sax man Billy Mitchell! Of course Hutcherson would go on to spin out all those great records for Blue Note, and these early recordings are a great lost document! The personnel on most cuts feature Mitchell's sextet – which at the time included Herman Wright on bass, Earl Washington on piano, and Otis Finch on the cut. These sessions were cut on separate dates in NYC and Chicago in the early 60s, for Argo/Chess albums under Grey's name – and are a complete document of this legendary assemblage of players time together! 18 tracks in all: "Blues In The Night", "Stardust", "Night And Day", Laughing Tonight", "Stand By Me", "Boss Tina", Something's Got A Hold On Me", "R.B.Q.", "The Way You Look Tonight", "Deep Fried" and more! CD

One of the hippest, hardest albums that trombonist JJ Johnson ever cut for Columbia – a session we'd rank right up there with his amazing JJ Inc record, and like that one a really cooking hardbop record that maybe even rivals the best on Blue Note and Prestige at the time! As with that gem, the strength here is really the group – not just tremendous trombone from JJ, but great work from Nat Adderley on trumpet, Bobby Jaspar on tenor and flute, Cedar Walton on piano, Spanky DeBrest on bass, and Albert Heath on drums – all working with a soaring, soulful energy that's a lot more hardbop heavy than you might expect from JJ Johnson on some of his other projects for the label. Titles include "Me Too", "Decision", "Stardust", "Sidewinder", "Speak Low", and "Red Cross". LP, Vinyl record album

Groundbreaking work in the field of jazz trombone – a unique 4 trombone session that features the talents of JJ Johnson, Kai Winding, Benny Green, and Willie Dennis – all set to rhythm by the trio of John Lewis on piano, Charles Mingus on bass, and Art Taylor on drums! The players all get plenty of room to solo – stretching out nicely on the tracks, and resisting the popular multi-trombone style of ensemble work of the time. The CD features 8 tracks in all – material that was originally released on a two-volume series of 10" albums – titled 4 Trombones. Tracks include "Stardust", "Move", "I'll Remember April", "Trombonosophere", "Ow", "Chazzanova", and "Now's The Time". LP, Vinyl record album

With Branford Marsalis on tenor and soprano sax, Kenny Kirkland on piano, Kent Jordan on flute, and Ron Carter on bass. Titles include "Melancholia", "Lazy Afternoon", "Stardust", and "For All We Know. CD

Features Branford Marsalis on tenor and soprano sax, Kenny Kirkland on piano, Kent Jordan on flute, and Ron Carter on bass. Titles include "Melancholia", "Lazy Afternoon", "Stardust", and "For All We Know". LP, Vinyl record album