An early moment of brilliance from Vincent Herring – and just the sort of set to make him one of the strongest young talents to emerge in jazz during the 90s! There's a rock-solid feel to the set – an approach that's steeped in classic hardbop modes, but which has traces of modernism too – never too overstated, but some sharper undercurrents that mark Herring's playing nicely as a bit deeper than the usual altoist. The rest of the group should get a good deal of credit, too – as players like Wallace Roney on trumpet and Mulgrew Miller on piano really share this sensibility with Herring. Titles include "I Sing A Song", "Never Forget", "Soul Leo", "Mr Wizard", "Voyage", and "Evidence". CD also features the bonus track "Hindsight". CD

A totally fantastic live set from Japanese drummer Yoichi Kobayashi – a musician who's played on the scene for decades, and who has a way of bringing forward all the strengths of those years to his music! The set features appearances from American all-stars, but more on them later – as the core group is great enough to win us over on the first half of the set, with an updated take on a Blue Note-styled groove, but with inventive rhythms that really open things up too – as the drummer works with Yutarao Suzuki on trumpet, Tomonori Sakurai on tenor, Heitetsu Rin on piano, and Koji Yasuda on bass – plus koto from Makiko Goda, who echoes some older jazz Japan styles in a great way. The second half of the set also brings in Eric Alexander on tenor and Vincent Herring on alto – both players who are as strongly soulful as you might expect – on titles that include "Uncle Eddie", "Akita Rap", "Yama", "Eddie Harris", "Peace", "The Gypsy", "Encounter", and "Safari". CD

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... LP, Vinyl record album

Antonio Hart, Phil Woods, and Vincent Herring on alto saxophone, Anthony Wonsey on piano, Ruben Rogers on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. CD

With Ira Coleman on bass. CD

Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Vincent Herring on alto saxophone, Mike LeDonne on piano, John Webber on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. CD

A tribute to the music of Charlie Parker – but a set that sparkles more from the individual inspiration of the three alto giants in the lead – a great lineup that features Gary Bartz, Bobby Watson, and Vincent Herring! The tracks are long, with great lead passages that have all three horns soaring together, then individual solos from each player – and although the songs include a number of classics from the Charlie Parker songbook, the album also features original tunes by Herring and Watson, and another by Jackie McLean – maybe marking the whole thing as being very much in the spirit of its title – a look back at a century that's felt the influence of Bird, with all the alto sax changes that have taken place in the time since his passing. The rhythm trio is excellent too – David Kikoski on piano, Yasushi Nakamura on bass, and Carl Allen on drums – and titles include "Bird-Ish", "Klactoveedsedstene", "The Hymn", "Folklore", "Bird Lives", and "Yardbird Suite". CD

Solid, soulful work from Vincent Herring – blowing here wonderfully on alto and soprano sax, with a sense of feeling and creative energy that really makes him one of the key players of his generation! The proceedings are relatively straight, but they're also totally great – open, honest expression that's a nice update of 70s indie jazz modes – held together tightly by a rhythm section that includes Mulgrew Miller on piano, Ira Coleman on bass, and Billy Drummond on drums on most of the records – or Keven Hays, Dwayne Burno, and Carl Allen on a few remaining selections. Wallace Roney plays trumpet on the first set of tracks – Scott Wendholt on the others – and the whole album has a sharp-edged quintet format with an occasional bite, often rolling out in the kind of upbeat lines that usually make Herring sound best. Titles include "Sound Check", "August Afternoon", "Dawnbird", "Dr Jamie", "Toku Do", and "The Dark Side Of Dewey". CD

With Renee Rosnes on piano, Ira Coleman on bass and Billy Drummond on drums. Tracks include "Secret Love", "Have You Met Miss Jones?", "Autumn Leaves", "Solar" and "Chelsea Bridge". CD

Nat Adderley on cornet, Vincent Herring on alto saxophone, Rob Bargad on piano, James Genus on bass, and Billy Drummond on drums. CD

Nat Adderley on cornet, Vincent Herring on alto saxophone, Rob Bargad on piano, James Genus on bass, and Billy Drummond on drums. CD

Nicholas Payton on trumpet, Vincent Herring on soprano and alto saxophone, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Dwayne Burno on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. CD

A wonderful album by pianist John Hicks – which, despite a stupid title that makes it sound like a techno record, is a brilliant batch of easily soulful tunes that ranks with his best work of recent years! The album features Hicks in some fantastic company – most notably bassist Curtis Lundy, who's well-rounded grooves have always provided perfect accompaniment for Hicks' piano, plus Vincent Herring on alto and soprano sax, Cecil Brooks III on drums, and occasional flute by Elise Wood. Tracks have that blocky modal approach that's always made Hicks' work a perfect extension of the post-Coltrane generation – and titles include "Yemenja", "Elation", "Soul Eyes", and "Mind Wine". CD

Band features Geri Allen on piano and organ, Frank Wess on tenor and flute, Vincent Herring on alto, and Wallace Roney on trumpet! CD

Two great 90s sessions from Cedar Walton – back to back in a single set! Composer is a record that not only shows off the great skills of pianist Cedar Walton as a composer, but one that also shows how he can really work a special sort of magic when he lets some horns into his group, and shifts from his usual mode in a trio! Walton's always wonderful on the keys – and works here with Christian McBride on bass and Victor Lewis on drums – but it's the presence of the hornmen on the record who really shade things wonderfully – the presence of Vincent Herring on alto, Ralph Moore on tenor, and Roy Hargrove on trumpet – all really bringing out some great qualities in Walton's original tunes. Titles include "Martha's Prize", "Minor Controversy", "Hindsight", "Groove Passage", "Theme For Jobim", and "Groundwork". Roots is a masterpiece of color from pianist Cedar Walton – a set that has all the right elements and instruments really opening up his sound! The core trio is excellent – Cedar on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and the great Lewis Nash on drums – at his crackling 90s best – yet these players are expanded in all these great tonal ways – with rich tenor from Joshua Redman, sparkling trumpet from Terence Blanchard, and great guitar from Mark Whitfield – who really seems to echo Cedar's sense of color on his strings. Titles include "Mode For Joe", "Bolivia", "Fiesta Espanol", "Firm Roots", "I'll Let You Know", and "When Love Is New". CD

Mostly a trio set from Cedar Walton, but Vincent Herring steps in on alto for 2 tracks – fleshing the sound out nicely! At this point in his career, Cedar has a hard time making a bad record – and his innate sense of fluidity on the keys of the piano has been nicely inflected with a mode that's sometimes more contemplative, almost tentative – holding back and creating spaces where there previously were none, sounding especially great on the mellower numbers in the set. Bass is by David Williams and drums by Joe Farnsworth – and titles include "One Flight Down", "Seven Minds", "The Rubber Man", "Little Sunflower", and "Hammer Head". CD

With Vincent Herring on alto saxophone and flute, David Williams on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. CD

With Christian McBride & Reuben Rogers on bass, Mark Whitfield on guitar, Daniel Sadownick on percussion, Anthony Wonsey on piano, Cyrus Chestnut on piano & organ, Vincent Herring on saxophone, Nicholas Payton on trumpet & Kevin Mahogany on vocals. CD

Featuring Vincent Herring, Eddie Henderson, Mulgrew Miller and Ira Coleman. Tracks include "Tu-Way-Pock-E-Way", "Mirrors", "Caravanserai", "Ruth", "Mariposa", "Lady In My Life", "Circles", "Come Back to Me" and "Ruthless". CD

A warm and soulful set of tracks by John Hicks – a wonderful album that moves past his more familiar trio modes, and shows how great he can sound with some horn players in the mix! The lineup here is wonderful – with a core combo that features Curtis Lundy's bass and Cecil Brooks' drums – joined by a shifting assortment of reeds handled by Bobby Watson on alto, Vincent Herring on tenor, and Elise Wood on flute! There's a lot of Watson-like energy on the record, but the album's also clearly Hicks' genius too – as he's at the height of his powers, crafting post-McCoy Tyner type blocks of modal sound, shifting mood and color effortlessly – perfectly matched by the always strong bass playing of Lundy. Titles include "Faith", "Piece For My Peace", "So In Love", "Don't Let It Go", and "Diane". CD

Purdie follows up his first Soul To Jazz set – with a style and lineup that's even hipper than the first! This one was recorded in New York, and has a tighter, leaner feel overall. Purdie plays with jazz luminaries that include Hank Crawford, Stanley Turrentine, Vincent Herring, Junior Mance, and Cornell Dupree – in a style that's a bit more stripped down than the first session. Includes versions of "New Orleans Strutt", "Mr Magic", "Jubilation", "Shaft", "Amen", and "Nobody Knows". CD

Features Cecile McLorin Salvant, Vincent Herring, and Dayna Stephens. CD

Heavy Latin grooves from pianist Elio Villafranca – working here with a great large lineup that's filled to the brim with heavyweight players! The session's the kind that you'll find at the best Club Coca Cola presentations – one of those rare moments where big money allows a special sort of performance, but the kind that never dampens its edge for the mainstream – and instead chooses that moment to unleash something really special! Villafranca composed and arranged all the tunes – and even produced the setting – and he makes great use of players who include Sean Jones and Terrell Stafford on trumpet, Vincent Herring on alto, Greg Tardy on tenor, and both Willie Jones III and Lewis Nash on drums. The set's also got a fair bit of added percussion – which really intensifies the sound promised in the title – and tracks include "Caribbean Tinge", "Flower By The Dry River", "Mambo Vivo", "Two To Tango", and "Last Train To Paris". CD

A record that not only shows off the great skills of pianist Cedar Walton as a composer, but one that also shows how he can really work a special sort of magic when he lets some horns into his group, and shifts from his usual mode in a trio! Walton's always wonderful on the keys – and works here with Christian McBride on bass and Victor Lewis on drums – but it's the presence of the hornmen on the record who really shade things wonderfully – the presence of Vincent Herring on alto, Ralph Moore on tenor, and Roy Hargrove on trumpet – all really bringing out some great qualities in Walton's original tunes. Titles include "Martha's Prize", "Minor Controversy", "Hindsight", "Groove Passage", "Theme For Jobim", and "Groundwork". CD

Mellow soul is right – because this set swings like some great lost 70s session on Muse or Mainstream! Pete Yellin was playing way back in the day, and his work on alto and soprano is joined here by Eddie Henderson on trumpet, Chick Corea on piano, Carl Allen on drums, and Vincent Herring on additional saxes. The best cuts on the record have a post-Coltrane searching mode that's augmented with a tighter hardbop approach – and Pete Yellin produced the set with a no-nonsense approach that gets the best out of the group's sound. Titles include "Shaw Thing", "Mellow Soul", "Song For Lynn", "Dr J", and "Warm Valley". CD

Features Craig Handy, Donald Harrison, Vincent Herring, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Idris Muhammad, and others! Tracks include "Bluesnik", "Dr. Jackle", "Ballad For A Doll", and "Blue Fable". CD

One of the most soulful records we've heard in years from the late pianist Harold Mabern – and that's saying a hell of a lot, as Harold gave us plenty of soulful sets during his many years on the planet! The record is as fantastic as you might guess from the title – as Mabern takes on tunes made famous by John Coltrane, but delivers the goods in this soaring style that's very much his own – and maybe most specifically, at a level that recalls the vibe he first hit in the 60s when playing with Lee Morgan, and then took to even newer heights on some of his fantastic 70s material – particularly recordings with reedman Frank Strozier! Here, the reeds are handled by Eric Alexander on tenor and Vincent Herring on alto – a hell of a pair – and the group also features really strong work from Steve Davis on trombone, who's really at the top of his game throughout. The rest of the group feature the familiar team of John Webber on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums – both also really rising to the occasion – and although we'll not be hearing much from Mabern in years to come, this set is a hell of a farewell. Titles include "Impressions", "Blue Train", "Naima", "Straight Street", "My Favorite Things", and "Dahomey Dance". CD

With Vincent Herring on alto sax, Javon Jackson on tenor sax, Gary Smulyan on baritone sax, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Stephen Scott on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. CD

Freddie Hubbard on trumpet – with Vincent Herring on alto sax, Javon Jackson on tenor sax, Gary Smulyan on baritone sax, Robin Eubanks on trombone, Stephen Scott on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. CD