An amazing session recorded by Bill Black – a singer known best for his work with Gene Krupa in the 40s, but whose life took a sad turn in the 50s, and was barely heard from again! This album's a really unique session recorded by Bill in the early 50s – one that features very spare accompaniment that's mostly guitar and bass – and these wonderfully fragile vocals by Black that easily place him in the Chet Baker camp. The tunes are all extremely well-chosen – numbers that have the right lack of bravado to fit Bill's sad-tinged vocals – and the arrangements are surprisingly fresh too, way more than just simple renditions of the tunes. There's a brilliance here that we'd almost match with Sinatra's Wee Small Hours album – but which also has the gentle easygoing feel of some of the work of Matt Dennis. Titles include "Listen Little Boy", "Nobody's Heart", "Spring Is Here", "Down In The Depths On The 90th Floor", and "Where Are You". CD

2 lesser-known sides of Blossom Dearie – both recorded in Paris in the 50s! The first 8 tracks on the set are from a rare 10" session recorded in 1955 – one that features Blossom only at the piano, not singing, but swinging in a solid trio format. Tracks on that session include "The Boy Next Door", "Down In The Depths Of The 90th Floor", "April In Paris", and "Blue Moon". The other 4 tracks on the set are from a 45rpm ep by Blossom's famous vocal group, The Blue Stars. The ensemble featured vocalese performances by young singers that included Christine Legrand, Jeanine De Waleyne, and Fats Sadi – and was the virtual blueprint for later jazz vocal groups, like Les Double Six or The Swingle Singers. Titles from that group include "Toute Ma Joie", "Embrasse Moi Bien", and "Toute Ma Joie". CD