A rare one from Teddy – and one of his hippest records! Unlike some of Edwards other 60s sides, which are competent but uncompelling bop-inflected ones, this set grooves in a soulful way that's clearly influenced by the Blue Note sound of the mid 60s, and which has Edwards really stretching out his solos to meet the energy of the players on the set. Jimmy Owens is on trumpet, Cedar Walton plays piano, and the rest of the group includes Garnett Brown, Ben Tucker, and Lenny McBrowne. Tracks are all pretty darn groovy – and trust us, Edwards will blow your socks off! Titles include "Afraid Of Love", "Mamacita Lisa", "Back Alley Blues", "The Cellar Dweller", "Moving In", and "It's All Right". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet electric keys from Kenny Barron – one of those few excellent 70s albums that have the pianist hitting some Fender Rhodes! The record has Kenny playing electric on most of the set – in a mode that's as open, and spiritual as his best work for the Muse label – maybe even better, as the tracks have a freer style, and really open up with a beautiful sense of energy! The other players here really make the record special, too – and include Sonny Fortune on alto sax, Jimmy Owens on trumpet, Buster Williams on bass, Ben Riley on drums, and Billy Hart on percussion – a lineup that really gives the whole thing a level that's right up there with classics on the Black Jazz or Strata East label. As always with the electric piano, Kenny hits some wonderful notes, colors, and tones that make us wish he used the instrument all the time – on titles that include "Sunshower", "Innocence", "Bacchanal", and "Nothing To Fear". LP, Vinyl record album

We always like the work of Ulysses Owens Jr on drums, but we might love it even more here – as Owens works as a leader at the head of a group of young, bright musicians who really live up to the new beat promise of the title! The songs are full of life and imagination – bursting forth with bright colors and a warm range of expression, as the group stretches out on longer performances that shift effortlessly between combo voicing and individual solos. Players include Sarah Hanahan on alto, Benny Benack and Anthony Hervey on trumpets, Luther Allison on piano, and Philip Norris on bass – and the great Milton Suggs sings on one cut, "Heart Full Of Rhythm". Owens is dynamic throughout – and titles include "London Towne", "Better Days", "Bird Lives", "Helen's Song", and "Soulful". CD

Includes the beautiful long "Afro Cuban Jazz Suite"! Composed, arranged, and conducted by Arturo (Chico) O'Farrill the Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band. Arturo O'Farrill, piano and musical director with John Benitez, Steve Berrios, Peter Brainin, Sam Burtis, Jimmy Cozier, Andy Gonzalez, Joe Gonzalez, Graciela, Roland Guerrero, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Matt Hilgenberg, Jack Jeffers, Victor Jones, Marshall McDonald, Mike Migliore, Michael Mossman, Mario Rivera, Jon Owens, Jim Seeley, Max Schsweiger, Gary Valente, and Papo Vasquez. CD

Drummer Ulysses Owens leads a great ensemble here – a largeish group that he makes swing and soar throughout, driving the whole thing with the kind of fire that Kenny Clarke might have done in a similar setting! As with Clarke in his famous big band, Owens knows that the best sound will come from the group if he opens the door to all the many talents in the lineup – not just big names like Michael Dease on trombone, Stefon Harris on vibes, and Alexa Tarantino on alto – but also players like trumpeter Benny Benack, tenorist Diego Rivera, and bassist Yasushi Nakamura – who not only solo, but also bring their own arrangements to the group. There's a wonderful sense of individual spirit and color within the group – a very fresh take on this sort of territory – and titles include "Language Of Flowers", "Harlem Harlem Harlem", "Soul Conversations", "London Towne", "Red Chair", and "Beardom X" – plus a version of "Giant Steps". CD

Wild stuff! This album's beyond description – sort of a mix of the baroque instrumental arrangements of David Axelrod, and the tape/musique concrete grooves of Jon Appleton, with some of the hippiness of the work of Galt MacDermot – but still very different than all of them! The record has a strong concept and theme – with a lot of social and political strands running through the lyrics – but the real charm is the instrumentation, which is really messed-up, experimental, and runs from rock to funk to soul without pause. Players on the set include Alan Silva, Burton Greene, Roswell Rudd, Andrew Cyrille, and Jimmy Owens – but the album also features great gospel vocals by Alex Bradford, which should give you an idea of the mind-bending approach it takes! Titles include "Other Four Letter Words", "Baked Beans", "This Is The Word", "Trouble", "Poop For Sopranos & Orchestra", and "Today". LP, Vinyl record album

Raw rockabilly from Arkansas – with work by Bobby Brown & The Curious, plus Johnny Moore, K Owens, Chuck Comer, Earl Smith, and Bill Duniven! LP, Vinyl record album