With Nasheet Waits on drums. CD

A rare rare landmark from Charles Mingus – music written for the 1965 Monterey festival, but (as the title indicates) not played at the festival! The recording was done later, at UCLA, with a group that includes Charles McPherson, Julius Watkins, Jimmy Owens, Hobart Dotson, and Howard Johnson – and it features a large group of horns, playing in some of Mingus' most sophisticated arrangements of the 60s! There's still a tremendous amount of fire in the work, as you'd guess from titles that include "Don't Let It Happen Here", "Don't Be Afraid The Clown's Afraid Too", "Once Upon A Time There Was A Holding Corporation Called Old America", and "They Trespass On The Land Of The Sacred Sioux". The album was originally only issued on Mingus' own label, available only by mail – and is presented here as a well-done 2CD set complete with some spoken introductions. CD

Ben Monder on guitar, Kermit Driscoll and Skuli Sverrisson on bass, Ted Poor on drums, with vocals CD

A split album – the first side features a jazz quartet with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt – the second features a longer suite, "Le Mirroir", performed by the Ulysses String Quartet. CD

Chris Potter on tenor saxophone, Kevin Hays on piano and Fender Rhodes, Scott Colley on bass, and Bill Stewart on drums. CD

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Titles include "Blues For Astor", "Naranjo En Flor", "Lorena", "Maria Ciudad", "Blue In Green", and "Cuando Yo No Este". CD

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The music of Egbergo Gismonti means many things to many people – as the Brazilian music legend worked in so many styles and settings, he really offered a lot to the world with his many albums! And here, arranger Gaia Wilmer approaches Gismonti's music with a real love of his work in a larger setting – those sublime, soaring arrangments that Egberto did so well, and which really helped elevate Brazilian music to new heights on important albums in the 70s! The setting here is nicely different than those, though – with arrangements by Wilmer, and a great instrumental lineup that even includes guest piano from Egbergo himself, plus work from Jacques Morelenbaum on cello and Gabriel Gross on harmonica. Titles include "Em Familia", "Folia", "Loro", "Karate", "Maracatu", "Baiao Malandro", "Infancia", and "7 Aneis". CD

Chris Cheek on tenor, Steve Cardenas on guitar, David Soler on pedal steel, Jaume Llombard on bass, and Jorge Rossy on drums, vibes, and marimba. CD

A great little album from Paquito D'Rivera – not nearly as gimmicky as you might expect from the title, and a soulful set that's right in line with some of his first few gems as a leader in the US many years back! There's definitely some tango quality to some of the tunes – but it's mostly just a bit of bandoneon used lightly in the instrumentation – leaving most of the work here to sparkle in that Havana-influenced blend of jazz and Latin roots that's always made D'Rivera's music so great. Paquito plays alto and clarinet, alongside trumpet and valve trombone from Diego Urcola, piano from Ed Simon and Alon Yavanai, bass from Oscar Stagnaro, and drums from Mark Walker. Hector Del Curto plays bandoneon on the record – and tracks include "Milonga 10", "What About That", "Pere", "Revirado", "Funk Tango", "Mariela's Dream", "Como Un Bolero", and "Giant Steps". CD

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Titles include "Brimstone Boogaloo", "In Hindsight", "Violet Soul", "Cherokee", and "Day Breaks". CD

With Yoron Israel on drums. CD

Stan Getz and Kenny Barron – a perfect pairing on the famous People Time record, heard here in an expanded 7CD version of that classic set! The album was recorded quite late in Stan's career, but it also represented a new flowering too – a wonderfully mature approach to tenor sax that mixed up all the dark corners and warm moments of previous years, given beautifully subtle accompaniment in the piano of Barron. Kenny's got a way of doing a lot with a little – just like Stan – and their pairing here quickly became the stuff of legend, once the album was released. There's no other players – no bass or drums – but Kenny puts the groove together perfectly for Stan, whose blowing only seems to get more and more sublime in the space of the set. 7CDs worth of material recorded over the space of 3 nights – 51 tracks in all, and a delight throughout! CD

JT Lewis on drums, Melvin Gibbs on bass, and Brandon Ross on guitar – plus Wadada Leo Smith on trumpet! CD

The Harriet Tubman Double Trio consists of Ron Miles on trumpet,Brandon Ross on guitar, Melvin Gibbs on bas, JT Lewis on drums, and DJ Logic and DJ Single on turntables. CD

A mighty cool take on the music of Thelonious Monk – one that's overflowing with all these great tones and colors that we've never heard in Monk's songs before – all of which come from the creative talents of arranger/conductor Miho Hazama! Miho's working here with the Metropole Orkest Big Band – an ensemble whose sense of sound has graced a number of excellent contemporary releases, and who really seem to be at ease with the music of Monk on this set – with Hans Vroomans handling the piano, but much of the energy also flowing from the magnificent array of trumpets, trombones, and reeds in the group. Titles include "Ruby My Dear", "Thelonious", "Hackensack", "Round Midnight", "Crepuscule With Nellie", "Friday The 13th", and "Epistrophy" – all done in nice long takes. CD

Tremendous work from Azar Lawrence – part of a great return to form the reedman has had in recent years – and, if anything, a run of music that's maybe even greater than his legendary sides from the 70s! Lawrence is razor-sharp throughout – spinning out bold, soulful lines on tenor and soprano sax – with a quintet that includes Nicholas Payton on trumpet, Benito Gonzalez on piano, Essiet Okon Essiet on bass, and Jeff Tain Watts on drums! Payton's got a fire that may well surpass his own recent albums – and Lawrence provides a set of original compositions that soar to the stars from the very first note – really wonderful tunes that include "Venus Rising", "Gandhi", "Lost Tribes Of Lemuria", "The Seeker", "One More Time", and "Rain Ballad". CD

Jason Lindner on piano, Jimmy Greene on soprano and tenor saxophone, Omer Avital on double bass, and Marlon Browden on drums. CD

Two different concert recordings from the great Charles Mingus – recorded with the space of more than a decade between them, and showing the continual evolution of his genius! The first 2CDs bring together a sublime recording by German Radio in Bremen from 1964 – work that's from that important European tour that included the soon-to-be late Eric Dolphy on alto, flute, and bass clarinet – as part of a fiery sextet that also includes Johnny Coles on trumpet, Clifford Jordan on tenor, and Jaki Byard on piano. All players are fantastic – getting that push with Mingus that could often make soloists even more dynamic with the leader at the helm than on their own recordings – as you'll hear on the extended concert readings of "Hope So Eric", "Fables Of Faubus", "Parkeriania", and "Meditations On Integration" – plus a shorter solo by Byard. Mingus is at the helm of a different, but equally great group on the 1975 concert – with Jack Walrath on trumpet, George Adams on tenor, Don Pullen on piano, and Dannie Richmond on drums (as on just about every Mingus recording!) The politics of the 64 performance are still in place, with a slight shift – and they're mixed with some of the late Mingus' love of Duke Ellington, who gets a tribute here in a few spots, but with some great touches by Charles. Most tracks are nice and long – and titles include "Remember Rockefeller At Attica", "Devil Blues", "Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love", "Black Bat & Poles", "For Harry Carney", "Sue's Changes", and "Free Cell Block F Tis Nazi USA". CD

A surprisingly wonderful recent live set by the Mingus Big Band – recorded with a very different spirit than back when the group was lead by the legendary Charles, but still pretty great overall! Players here are musicians well-tuned to the surging emotion and measured intensity of Mingus at his best – and while there's perhaps a bit less power here than before, the group more than make up for that lack with a strongly focused energy and keen sense of purpose. Players include Frank Lacy on trombone, Eddie Henderson and Jack Walrath on trumpet, Craig Handy on alto and flute, Ronnie Cuber on baritone, and Dave Kikoski on piano – and titles are all new versions of Mingus compositions "Wham Bam", "Opus Four", "Celia", "Bird Calls", "Meditations", "Prayer For Passive Resistance", "Free Cell Block F", and "Ecclusiastics". CD

With Greg Ward on alto saxophone. CD

One of Billy Pierce's excellent early sides as a leader! Features Pierce on tenor and soprano sax, James Simmons and James Williams on piano, John Lockwood on bass, and Keith Copeland on drums. CD

A really cool setting for the sharp-edged tenor sax of Mark Turner – a set of surprisingly beautiful duets with guitarist Mikkel Ploug, who seems to bring out more of lyrical side in Turner's music than usual! The tunes have this beautifully flowing vibe – with cascading notes from Ploug on both acoustic and electric guitar, followed by snakey solos from Turner that are extremely evocative – and which make for an especially unusual mix on the tracks with acoustic guitar, of which there are many! Titles include "Sea Minor", "Safari", "Warmth", "Sailing", "Highland", "The Red Album", "Faroe", and "Neukolln". CD

Claudio Roditi on trumpet, Idriss Boudrioua on alto and soprano sax, Dario Galante on piano, Sergio Barroso on bass, and Pacoal Mereilles on drums. CD

Aldo Romano on drums and Joe Lovano on tenor saxophone. CD

A really compelling set from trombonist Roswell Rudd – one of our favorite players of the 60s avant garde, and an artist who's started to grow tremendously since coming out of his recent retirement! The set is a brilliant criss-crossing of styles – as Rudd's working here with Mali-based musicians led by kora player Toumani Diabate, in a set of post-colonial world jazz that recalls some of the best Paris-based experiments in the genre during the 70s. Rudd's tone is darkly evocative – juxtaposed nicely against the percussion and stringed instruments of the ensemble – and the album makes for a really striking new chapter in his long career! Titles include "Hank", "Johanna", "Malijam", "Sena Et Mariam", "Bamako", "Rosmani", and "Jakie-ing". CD

With Henry Fraser on bass and Connor Baker on drums. CD

Lovely work from Brazilian singer Luciana Souza – a set that features both English and Portuguese language tunes, recorded in a laidback, almost torchy kind of jazz vocal style. Pianists on the set include Bruce Barth and Fred Hersch – and the overall setting is small group backing, with Luiciana's vocals right up front in the mix! Titles include "Never Let Me Go", "Corcovado", "I Shall Wait", "No Wonder", and "All Of Me". CD

David Weiss has a great conception for this hip little set – a contemporary exploration of the best spiritual energy running through the Blue Note scene in the late 60s – based around compositions by Charles Tolliver, Wayne Shorter, and Charles Moore – the last of whom was featured with the Kenny Cox group from Detroit at the end of the 60s! In keeping with the chosen work, there's a great balance here between swing, soul, and modernism – tunes that unfold strongly with the best sort of progressive jazz energy, yet never get too indulgent – and really let the main soloists take flight over a complicated groove provided by the other members of the group. Weiss is wonderful on trumpet – reminding us of Charles Tolliver back in the day – and other players include JD Allen on tenor, Nir Felder on guitar, Matt Clohesy on bass, and Jamire Williams on drums – on tunes that include "Revillot", "Gravity Point", "Paraphernalia", "Hidden Meanings", and "Snuck In". CD

Diego Barber on guitar, Mark Turner and Seamus Blake on saxophone, Johannes Weidenmueller and Larry Grenadier on double bass, and Ari Hoenig on drums. CD

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A live trio recording with Barron on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Ben Riley on drums. Tracks include "Solar", "Blue Moon", "Alter Ego", and "Everybody Loves My Baby, But My Baby Don't Love Nobody But Me". CD

Features Kenny Barron on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Ben Riley on drums. Tracks include "Twilight Song", "The Only One", "Shuffle Boil", and "You Don't Know What Love Is". CD

With Jeff Hirschfield on drums. CD

Marc Copland on piano, Gary Peacock on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. CD

Adam Cruz on drums – with Miguel Zeon on alto sax, Steve Wilson on soprano sax, Chris Potter on tenor sax, Steve Cardenas on guitar, Edward Simon on piano and Fender Rhodes, and Ben Street on bass. CD

Accompanied by Harold Danko on piano and Kevin Eubanks on electric guitar! CD

Scott DuBois on solo guitar. CD

Jerry Gonzalez on trumpet, flugelhorn and congas, Javier Masso "Caramelo" on piano, Kiki Ferrer on drums, Alberto "Chele" Cobo on claves, and Alain Perez on bass. CD

The music of Antonio Carlos Jobim – performed by Eddie Higgins on piano, Jay Leonhart on bass, and Terry Clarke on drums! CD

Conducted by JC Sanford. CD

Mike Holober on piano and Fender Rhodes – with Tim Ries on saxophone, Pete McGuinness on trombone, Steve Cardenas on guitar, and others. CD

Vijay Iyer on piano – with Rudresh Mahanthappa on alto, Stephan Crump on bass, and Marcus Gilmore on drums. CD

Adam Kolker on tenor and soprano saxophones, Bruce Barth on piano, Ugonna Okegwo on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. CD

A stunning reinvention of the music of Charles Mingus – still very much with all the fire and spirit of the great one's original intent – but taken to new territory here in the hands of Frank Lacy! Lacy is every bit the same sort of visionary leader as Mingus – and although he plays a hell of a trombone, he acts here mostly as a singer and director of a sublime large ensemble that features Jack Walrath and Lew Soloff on trumpets, Wayne Escoffery and Craig Handy on tenors, Conrad Herwig and Earl McIntyre on trombones, Ronnie Cuber on baritone, and David Kikoski and Helen Sung on piano. Frank's voice is warmly raspy, and deeply personal – just right for the straining tension that often comes from the best Mingus music – that yearning for expression that continues to make his sound so powerful. Lyrics here are penned by Mingus himself – plus Langston Hughes, Joni Mitchell, and Elvis Costello – and titles include "Weird Nightmare", "Consider Me", "Eclipse", "Chair In The Sky", "Noonlight", "Dry Cleaner From Des Moines", and "Sweet Sucker Dance". CD

Just Kirk Lightsey on piano and Rufus Reid on bass! Titles include "Speak No Evil", "From Dream To Dream", "Oleo", "I Told You So", "Giant Steps", and "In Your Own Sweet Way". CD

The complete recordings – both master and alternate takes – of the famous Charles Mingus session recorded in Paris in October of 1970! The work here was originally issued on two different albums by the America label, but it was all recorded on a single day – and features some of the best later Mingus work in the studio! The tracks here are all relatively long, and captured with an intensity that's similar to some of Charles' amazing live work from the same period – really cut loose and unfettered, with long solos that build up from a tremendous sense of imagination and creativity. The group's relatively small – a sextet with Mingus on bass, Jaki Byard on piano, Bobby Jones on tenor, Charles McPherson on alto, Eddie Preston on trumpet, and Dannie Richmond on drums – all coming together in classic Mingus small group formation, with the kind of drive you'd expect more from the late 50s or early 60s. Titles include "Reincarnation Of A Lovebird", "Love Is A Dangerous Necessity", "Blue Bird", "Pithecanthropus Erectus", "Peggy's Blue Skylight", and a wonderful remake of "I Left My Heart In San Francisco". CD 1 features all the master takes – and CD 2 features alternates and false starts, all of which are previously unissued! CD

Includes the songs "Song With Orange", "MDM", "Chill Of Death", "Paris In Blue", "Tensions", "Orange Is The Color Of Her Dress", "Cell Block F 'Tis Nazi USA", "Todo Modo", "Wednesday Prayer Meeting", and "Pedal Point Blues". CD

Davy Mooney on gutiar, John Ellis on tenor sax and bass clarinet, Felipe Silveira on piano Thiago Alves on bass, and Paulinho Vicente on drums. CD

Steve Nelson on vibraphone, Kirk Lightsey on piano, and Ray Drummond on bass. CD

With Hank Jones on piano and and Roy Haynes on drums. CD

With Mulgrew Miller on piano, Bill Mobley on trumpet and flugelhorn, Ira Coleman on bass, and Alan Dawson on drums. CD

Billy Pierce on tenor and soprano sax – with Kirk Lightsey on piano, Santi Wilson Debriano on bass, and Yoron Israel on drums. CD

With Kenny Barron on piano. CD

A lovely set of mellow tracks – featuring the vocals of Luciana Souza and subtle instrumental backing by Romero Lubambo, Marco Pereira, and Walter Santos. The format is simple and clear – and the set has all the gentle warmth of the best titles on the Biscoito Fino label – with titles that include "As Praias Desertas", "Doce De Coco", "Pra Dizer Adeus", "Suas Maos", and "Baiao Medley". CD

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With Marty Kenney on bass. CD

With Ratzo Harris on bass and Tom Rainey on drums. CD

Haunting stuff, and one of Randy Weston's most globally-tinged recordings of the past years – a mix of jazz and many styles, recorded with assistance from the Gnawa Musicians of Marrakech and Tanger. Weston's core African Rhythms Quintet (with piano, flute, bass, trombone, and African Percussion), is joined by additional percussion and vocals in a suite of tracks that further continues Weston's exploration of pan-African styles and their relation to jazz. The record's a lot darker than some of Weston's other forays into this mode – showing a tremendous amount of growth in these recent unbridled years of his career. Titles include "Who Know Them", "Lalla Mira", "Receiving the Spirit", and "Chalabati". CD

With John Fedchock, Nate Mayland, and Alan Ferber on trombone! CD

With John Fedchock, Nate Mayland, and Alan Ferber on trombone! CD

Really great sounds from the legendary Denny Zeitlin – an entry in his series of electro-acoustic improvisations with drummer George Marsh – and a record that has Zeitlin on a range of keyboards and electronics, in addition to his more familiar acoustic piano! It's that instrument which first brought Denny attention in the 60s, but over the years, he's also developed a surprisingly strong ear for electric sources – often using them in very different ways, sounding especially great in the freer setting of duo improvisations like these! George handles a bit of percussion, but mostly makes his main magic on the drum kit – and titles include "The Ascent", "Fillmore Dreams", "Hadron Collider", "Disagree To Agree", "Quicksilver", "Hatching", and "Black Hole". CD

Meredith D'Ambrosio on vocals, Randy Halberstadt on piano, Daryl Johns on bass, Steve Johns on drums, and special guest Don Sickler on trumpet. CD

An understated gem recorded early in the comeback years of Eddie Higgins on Venus Records – exactly the kind of date that showed the world that the pianist still had plenty to offer in his later years! The album's got a simple, unassuming approach that digs deeply into the vibe Eddie first picked up in his 50s years on the Chicago scene – piano trio grooving that's never too forced, lyrical one minute, swinging the next – with support from Don Wilner on bass and James Martin on drums. Titles include "Pavane", "Vocalise", "Liebslied", "Siciliano", "Just In Time", "Danny Boy", and "Retrato Em Branco E Preto". CD

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Bill McHenry on tenor saxophone, Ben Monder on guitar, Reid Anderson on bass, and Paul Motian on drums. CD

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A great little record from Rufus Reid – a light and lively soul jazz piano session (Kirk Lightsey on piano, Eddie Gladden on drums), featuring some wonderful original compositions. The best of these is "Perpetual Stroll", a slow building number with a sad lyrical melody that's incredibly compelling. Other titles include "Habiba", "One Finger Snap", and "Waltz For Doris". CD

The music of George Gershwin, but taken in a very different way than you might expect – yet that's maybe no surprise, given the long legacy of creative piano work we've loved from the great Denny Zeitlin! The tunes are all familiar Gershwin standards, but Denny often uses them as rough inspirations, then transforms them into these beautiful sound paintings of his own – still faithful to the spirit and ideas of the originals, yet nicely abstracted, and filled up with the kind of incredible tones and colors that Zeitlin can give us when he's set free in a solo setting like this. In fact, the format may well be one of the most striking examples of Denny's longstanding talents that we've heard in years – and titles include "I Was Doing All Right", "The Man I Love", "Summertime", "Bess You Is My Woman Now", "I've Got A Crush On You", and "How Long Has This Been Going On". CD