Early 60s Capitol Records material from this great tenorist, who also plays a bit of saxello! Other players include Billy Butler and Cornell Dupree on guitars, Paul Griffin on piano and organ, and Chuck Rainey and Jimmy Lewis on bass! CD

Excellent work from the short time that saxophonist King Curtis recorded for Prestige records – mostly on their R&B-tinged Tru-Sound label! Players include Paul Griffin on piano, Billy Butler on guitar, and Jack McDuff on Hammond! LP, Vinyl record album

No filters here, as Hank Mobley's sound is clean, lean, and right on the money – hitting that newly-sophisticated groove of the Caddy For Daddy years in this sweet unissued set! The date was recorded in the 60s, but unissued by Blue Note for many years – another one of those head-scratching mysteries from the label, yet also a real treat to 80s jazz fans who finally got their hands on the sides – a whole new discovery of Hank Mobley's genius, further appreciated at a time when we weren't hearing more from him. The players are top-shelf all the way through – and include Freddie Hubbard or Donald Byrd on trumpet, Herbie Hancock or Barry Harris on piano, Paul Chambers or Butch Warren on bass, and Philly Joe Jones or Billy Higgins on drums. Titles include "Chain Reaction", "Soft Impressions", "Up A Step", "Old World, New Imports", "East Of The Village", "Yes Indeed", and "The Good Life" CD

One of the best-ever Hank Mobley albums on Blue Note – and a killer batch of soulful hardbop that was cut right around the same time as the classic No Room For Squares LP. In fact, the album contains work from 2 different sessions that filtered over to the Squares album – one that featured Mobley with Freddie Hubbard, Barry Harris, Paul Chambers, and Billy Higgins; and another that included Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, Butch Warren, and Philly Joe Jones. The work is incredibly sharp – with that wonderful mix of soul jazz, hardbop, and nascent spiritualism that Mobley brought to his best work of the 60s. Titles include "My Sin", "Straight Ahead", "The Turnaround", and "East Of The Village". LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite albums from Lee Morgan – a soaringly soulful session that was recorded in the mid 60s, and finally issued by Blue Note at the end of the decade! The vibe here really follows from the lyrically inventive, post-Sidewinder mid 60s Morgan years – with a spirit that's similar to Lee's work on the albums Gigolo or Tom Cat, in a style that mixes in a fair bit more modal and Latin influences to the rhythms. The lineup is totally great too – a sextet that features Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean, Cedar Walton, Paul Chambers, and Billy Higgins – the last of whom provides tremendous rhythms that are as fluidly inventive as Morgan's playing and the writing of Hank Mobley, who contributed most of the tunes to the set. Titles include "Hey Chico", "The Double Up", and "The Murphy Man" – and the record also includes a nice version of Duke Pearson's "Sweet Honey Bee". CD

The greatness of Gregory Porter continues to grow and grow – as the vocalist keeps moving past the straighter jazz of his roots, into a role as one of the greatest soul singers of the 21st Century! Porter's got a depth and maturity that few folks have had in recent years – especially in the realm of male vocals – very much that manner of important 70s singers like Bill Withers, Billy Paul, or Al Jarreau – who were schooled in jazz, but worked more in soulful styles that gave them a wider reach, and helped them to find a very personal voice in the process! We'd easily place Gregory in that legacy – one that he's definitely earned by this point – and he sounds arguably even better here than on his debut for Blue Note – working with arrangements from co-producer Kamau Kenyatta, who mixes in just the right current of jazz to keep things on track with the energy we first loved in Porter's first records – while still really letting his new energy open up and soar. Titles include "Holding On", "Insanity", "Don't Lose Your Steam", "Daydream", "Don't Be A Fool", "More Than A Woman", and "French African Queen". Also features different versions of two songs, with guest appearances – "Holding On" with Kem, and "Insanity" with Lalah Hathaway. CD

Music from the Intruders, Billy Paul, Bunny Sigler, Ebonys, Jacksons, Futures, Lou Rawls, Dee Dee Sharp, O'Jays, Three Degrees, and more. CD

One of the coolest collections to ever bear the name of Lux and Ivy in the title – a really great genre-busting collection of odd, offbeat, and unusual tracks from the vintage 45 underground – very much served up in the mix of modes the duo explored in The Cramps! There's a real love of the 7" single that informs the collection – that special sense of surprise and anticipation when dropping the needle on a vintage 45 – delivered nicely here as the package steps through a whopping 50 tracks over the course of 2CDs! Titles include "Kiss Me Goodnight" by Tony Castle, "I'm Gonna Murder My Baby" by Pat Hare, "The Chinese Rock N Roll" by The Flock Rocker, Annie Miss Fanny" by Mel Dorsey, "Story Of Susie" by Billy Woods with Kim Fowley, "Frustration" by The Zanies, "Too Big For Her Bikini" by Gerry Granahan, "Fallout Filly" by Chris Cerf & The Harvard Lampoon Tabernacle Choir, "No More" by The Uptones, "Tarzan" by Artie Wilson, "Zimba Lulu" by The Rays, "You Tarzan Me Jane" by Glenn Willings, "Choo Choo Train" by Ritchie Hart, "Little Lil" by Mel Dorsey & the Heartbeats, "Fallout" by Aston Martin & The Moon Discs, "Kalani Honey" by John Paul Jones, "The Switch" by Slim Marbles, "Miss Froggie" by Warren Smith, and lots lots more! CD

Upbeat grooves from the second wave of Philly International – some of those killer cuts the label was putting out in the late 70s, after virtually helping invent the sound of disco with their first great batch of singles! The tracks here are mostly nice and long – the album or 12" single versions, and not the shorter cuts edited for radio – which makes the package a treasure for both fans of later Philly soul, and of the kind of disco groovers the city's scene could always be trusted for! Titles include "If You Wanna Go Back" by Jean Carn, "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, "Summertime" by MFSB, "I Love Music" by The O'Jays, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead, "Was That All It Was" by Jean Carn, "Bring The Family Back" by Billy Paul, "Jam Jam Jam" by People's Choice, "Let's Groove" by Archie Bell & The Drells, and "Breaking & Entering" by Dee Dee Sharp Gamble. CD

Tracks include "Everybody Plays the Fool" by The Main Ingredient, "Use Me" by Bill Withers, "Hearsay" by The Soul Children, "Rip Off" by Laura Lee, "Starting All over Again" by Mel & Tim, "Freddie's Dead" by Curtis Mayfield, "If You Don't Know Me by Now" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash, "Work to Do" by The Isley Brothers, "992 Arguments" by The O'Jays, "Keeper of the Castle" by The Four Tops, and "Me and Mrs. Jones" by Billy Paul. CD

A studio album, but one that really has Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt recreating some of the bold energy of their live shows – coming across with a vibe that's much more Prestige Records than Verve, thanks to the presence of the Don Patterson trio on the set! Backing is by Don on Hammond, Paul Weeden on guitar, and Billy James on drums – a nicely loose combo that really lets the tenorists stretch out and show their stuff. The cuts are mostly standard material – "John Brown's Body", "Walkin", "Long Ago And Far Away" – but the twin-tenor sound is great, and Patterson's free organ lines riff away nicely! CD

A tight little soul jazz cooker from Eddie Lockjaw Davis – done with a sound that's leaner and cleaner than some of his Cookbook sessions – thanks to great Hammond from Don Patterson, working here in the trio of guitarist Paul Weeden! The combo's totally great – nicely focused, and hitting that more mature soul jazz swing that started to really come into play during the mid 60s – that stripping down of the organ stops, focused bite on tenor, and tight comping of guitar – all of which the combo carry off wonderfully – with help from George Duvivier on bass and Billy James on drums. There's a nice long cut with a laidback groove called "Beano", and a number of other shorter standards given the tenor/organ treatment – including "What's New", "Day By Day", and "Robbin's Nest". LP, Vinyl record album

The complete 50s studio recordings of one of the greatest pairings in popular jazz of the time – the twin-trombone lead work of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, both players who'd come from differing backgrounds, but who created a wonderful new sound together! The work on the set was all recorded during the years 1954 and 1955 – but oddly issued on a variety of different labels, including Prestige, Columbia, and Savoy. The pairing of the trombones on the work is wonderful – a strongly pronounced mini-horn section – yet one that's fluid enough to work at a nice boppish pace, especially when paired with players that include Charles Mingus, Billy Bauer, Paul Chambers, Dick Katz, and Milt Hinton. The 2CD package features a total of 27 tracks in all – with titles that include "Thou Swell", "Gong Rock", "Bag's Groove", "Hip Bones", "Wind Bag", "Reflections", "Lament", "Co-Op", "Turnabout", "Trombone For Two", "Lope City", and "Dinner For One". CD

A complete issue of a groundbreaking late 50s performance by Ornette Coleman – some of which has been released on the French album Fabulous Paul Bley Quintet, and other parts on albums under Ornette's name! The quality of the performance is amazing – some of the freshest jazz recorded in LA at the time, but still somewhat more inside than Coleman's work of the decade to come – a key transitional moment from Ornette, played by a group that features Don Cherry on trumpet, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – plus a young Paul Bley on piano, who makes for a very different rhythmic conception than some of the Coleman quartet albums of a year or two later! Given Bley's approach to the piano, even at this point, the sound is still quite different than most of what had come before – almost in the territory of some of Eric Dolphy's early albums for New Jazz. Titles include "Free", "The Blessing", "When Will The Blues Leave", "Ramblin", "Crossroads", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "Klactoveesedstene", and "I Remember Harlem". CD

Christian Escoude, Frederic Sylvestre, Jimmy Gourley, and Paul Challain Ferret on guitar, Marcel Azzola on accordion, Vincent Courtois on cello, Alby Cullaz on bass, and Billy Hart and Philippe Combelle on drums. CD

One of the best albums ever in Verve's classic set of recordings from the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival – a set that captures the Dizzy Gillespie group of the decade in top live formation! The ensemble here is plenty hip – with a young Lee Morgan joining Dizzy on trumpet, and a host of other great players who include Melba Liston and Al Grey on trombones, Benny Golson and Billy Mitchell on saxes, and rhythm from the trio of Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul West on bass, and Charlie Persip on drums! Although big, the band often had the sharper groove of a small combo – and even when hitting some older moments from Gillespie's earlier years, they still kept a modern edge in their approach – thanks to arrangements by AK Salim, Tadd Dameron, Benny Golson, Quincy Jones, and Dizzy himself. Titles include "School Days", "I Remember Clifford", "Manteca", "Dizzy's Blues", "Cool Breeze", and "Doodlin". CD also features a full bonus side from another album – Dizzy Gillespie with Mary Lou Williams At Newport – featuring Mary Lou Williams with the same group, on titles that include the extended "Zodiac Suite", plus "Carioca" and "Night In Tunisia". CD

A sock-hard set of Detroit soul jazz that's one of Barry Harris' best albums of the 60s! The group on the record is a sextet – with Kenny Dorham on trumpet, Charles McPherson on tenor, and Pepper Adams on baritone – forging a much harder frontline than you'll hear on some of Barry's more lyrical albums from the same time – a new sort of groove that really locks Harris in nicely to the Prestige soul jazz sound of the 60s. The group works well together on arrangements by Harris – swinging hard and lively, sometimes with a vamping energy that's almost modal – and which really lets McPherson hit some especially nice lines on tenor. Rhythm is from Paul Chambers and Billy Higgins – and the horns sit out for 2 of the album's 6 tracks. Titles include "Oh So Basal", "Off Monk", "Barengo", "Bull's Eye", and "Clockwise". CD

A hell of a soundtrack from the great Johnny Mandel – maybe his jazziest work of the 60s, and perfectly scored for this groovy cop film that stars Paul Newman as the 45-wielding title character! The vibe here is almost more 60s Quincy Jones than anything else – with sublime orchestrations from Dick Hazard, Bill Holman, and Billy Byers – which all have this great balance between swinging ensemble passages and standout solo instruments, including a sweet bit of Hammond. The record features two vocal tracks – "As Sure As You're Born" with lyrics by Marilyn & Alan Bergman, and vocals by Sam Fletcher – "Quietly There", by Morgan Ames with vocals by Ruth Price – and instrumental titles include "Magnus Cum Louder", "Harper", "Harper's Ferry", "Mexican Breakfast", and "Bel Air". Also features the vocal track "Livin Alone" – written by Andre Previn, with lyrics by Dory Previn. CD

A fantastic bit of modern jazz from the 50s – and one of the few albums issued as a leader by reedman Hal McKusick – a player who's right up there with Lee Konitz and Jimmy Giuffre at the time! The "triple" here means that Hal blows alto, tenor, and clarinet – in a cool quintet with Billy Byers on trombone, Eddie Costa on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Charlie Persip on drums – players who maybe give the record a slightly bit stronger dose of soul than some of Hal's other records of the time. CD

No filters here, as Hank Mobley's sound is clean, lean, and right on the money – hitting that newly-sophisticated groove of the Caddy For Daddy years in this sweet unissued set! The date was recorded in the 60s, but unissued by Blue Note for many years – another one of those head-scratching mysteries from the label, yet also a real treat to 80s jazz fans who finally got their hands on the sides – a whole new discovery of Hank Mobley's genius, further appreciated at a time when we weren't hearing more from him. The players are top-shelf all the way through – and include Freddie Hubbard or Donald Byrd on trumpet, Herbie Hancock or Barry Harris on piano, Paul Chambers or Butch Warren on bass, and Philly Joe Jones or Billy Higgins on drums. CD version really expands from the original LP – with 9 titles that include "Chain Reaction", "Third Time Around", "Hank's Waltz", "Yes Indeed", "Straight No Filter", "Syrup & Biscuits", and "The Feelin's Good". CD

One of the best-ever Hank Mobley albums on Blue Note – and a killer batch of soulful hardbop that was cut right around the same time as the classic No Room For Squares LP. In fact, the album contains work from 2 different sessions that filtered over to the Squares album – one that featured Mobley with Freddie Hubbard, Barry Harris, Paul Chambers, and Billy Higgins; and another that included Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, Butch Warren, and Philly Joe Jones. The work is incredibly sharp – with that wonderful mix of soul jazz, hardbop, and nascent spiritualism that Mobley brought to his best work of the 60s. Titles include "My Sin", "Straight Ahead", "The Turnaround", and "Pat N Chat". CD

One of the best-ever Hank Mobley albums on Blue Note – and a killer batch of soulful hardbop that was cut right around the same time as the classic No Room For Squares LP. In fact, the album contains work from 2 different sessions that filtered over to the Squares album – one that featured Mobley with Freddie Hubbard, Barry Harris, Paul Chambers, and Billy Higgins; and another that included Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, Butch Warren, and Philly Joe Jones. The work is incredibly sharp – with that wonderful mix of soul jazz, hardbop, and nascent spiritualism that Mobley brought to his best work of the 60s. Titles include "My Sin", "Straight Ahead", "The Turnaround", and "East Of The Village". CD

An amazing little record that's easily one of the most righteous albums ever from Philadelphia International – a set designed to "give back" to the communities who supported the label strongly in the 70s, as a unique fund-raising effort, done before such records were commonplace! The Philly International roster of stars teamed up to put out this stunning set of tracks aimed at cleaning up the "ghettoes", both physical and mental, that continue to haunt the African-American communities in the US – and the set features key new numbers, plus a few more older tracks pulled from other Philly records that really work well to support the righteous message of the set. The centerpiece is the long title cut – "Let's Clean Up The Ghetto" – which has Lou Rawls doing a monologue about the garbage strike in New York, then launches into performances by Teddy Pendergrass, The O'Jays, Billy Paul, and Archie Bell. Other highlights include "The Big Gangster" by The O'Jays, "Old People" by Archie Bell, "Everybody's Talkin" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, and "Now Is The Time To Do It" by Teddy Pendergrass. LP, Vinyl record album

The tenor of Stephen Riley does some really wonderful things here – somehow coming across with the lightness of an alto and the depth of a baritone at once – as Riley dances alongside some mighty nice organ work from Brian Charette! The mix of organ and tenor is so different here than any sort of classic-styled set – a really nice evolution from the old school mode, and one that takes it far from its soul jazz roots, yet without ever losing its swing – maybe in part because the excellent Billy Drummond handles the drumkit with a loose, open style that really matches the energy of Riley and Charette. Titles include "Gentle Rain", "Fall", "Paul's Pal", "Jitterbug Waltz", "Recorda Me", "Rain Check", and "Steeplechase". CD

One of the wildest albums ever recorded by sitar genius Ravi Shankar – a set done for the Dark Horse label of George Harrison – who also plays guitar and autoharp on the record too! Yet Harrison is just one of many friends hinted at in the title – as Shankar brings in a host of other Indian musicians and singers – including vocalist Lakshmi Shankar, tabla player Alla Rakha, and violinist L Subramanian – next to work from more familiar LA musicians who include Billy Preston on organ, Emil Richards on percussion, Paul Beaver on moog, and Tom Scott on saxes and flute! The result is a majestic LA flowering of ideas that Shankar first showed the world many years before – all filtered through the imagination of George Harrison, who supported Ravi often over the years, and brought his creative genius to a much larger audience. Titles include the long "Dream Nightmare & Dawn" suite – plus "I Am Missing You"," Jaya Jagadish Hare", and "Kahan Gayelava Shyam Salone". LP, Vinyl record album

A great laidback set of work from Sonny Stitt – one of his first dates with organ, in this case the sweet Hammond of Don Patterson! Patterson's group also features Billy James on drums and Paul Weeden on guitar – nice open players who hit the right sort of soulful vibe – while Sonny blows on both alto and tenor sax. The whole thing's got a great late nite vibe – and titles include "Low Flame", "Silly Billy", "Baby, Do You Ever Think Of Me", and "Donald Duck". LP, Vinyl record album

A Philly soul legend finally gets his time in the spotlight – as drummer Earl Young played on countless classic sessions back in the day, but rarely even got his name in the liner notes! That lack of recognition is corrected here – in a great package that puts Young's face on the cover, details his genius on the drums in the notes, and then presents a motherlode of killer soul tunes from the late 60s through the 70s! Young's maybe best known for his work at Sigma Sound Studios, and on famous sessions for the Philadelphia International label – but here, he's heard on an even wider range of cuts – including late 60s Northern Soul numbers, and great album work by artists you might not normally associate with Philly. Titles include "Storm Warning" by The Volcanos, "Silly Silly Fool" by Dusty Springfield, "Hit & Run" by Loleatta Holloway, "I Just Can't Say Goodbye" by Philly Devotions, "Please Give Me One More Chance" by Clyde McPhatter, "Do The Hand Jive" by Archie Bell & The Drells, "Penguin At The Big Apple/Zing" by The Trammps, "I Can't Fight Your Love" by The Modulations, "Touch & Go (12" mix)" by Ecstasy Passion & Pain, "I Like To Live The Love" by BB King, "I'm Doin Fine Now" by New York City, "Ain't Got The Love Of One Girl" by The Ambassadors, "Just Can't Get You Out Of My Mind" by The Spinners, "Do It Again" by Charles Mann, and "Be Truthful To Me" by Billy Paul. CD

An overstuffed package of funk – filled with classics from the 70s, all brought together in celebration of the legendary Pulp Fusion series! Hard to believe it's been 15 years since the first Pulp Fusion volume, but during that time the collections have brought us plenty of joy, and plenty of grooves – and have built a well-deserved reputation for coming up with some of the grooviest cuts around! This double-length collection is all-solid all the way through – a great mix of cuts that go past obvious 70s hits, and include the kind of funky nuggets that have really gotten some fame in later years – thanks to collectors and heavy sample usage. Titles include "Get Down With The Get Down" by Melvin Sparks, "2 For 1" by Pleasure, "Always There" by Willie Bobo", "Captain Connors" by Norman Connors, "We All Got A Mission" by Billy Paul, "Lope Song" by Eddie Russ, "Yellow Sunshine" by Yellow Sunshine, "People Make The World Go Round" by Milt Jackson, "A Time & A Place" by The Heath Brothers, "Tragic Magic" by Nathan Davis, "Jungle Strut" by Gene Ammons, "It's A Trip" by The Last Poets, "La Botella" by Joe Bataan, "Life On Mars" by Dexter Wansel, and "The World We Live In" by The Politicians. CD

Includes music from Billy Paul, the Commodores, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bloodstone, Minnie Riperton, the Tavares, Enchantment, Al Green, Natalie Cole & the Brighter Side Of Darkness. CD

Two killers from Eddie Lockjaw Davis – both records that are different from his Cookbook sessions with Shirley Scott, and his twin-tenor battles with Johnny Griffin! First up is I Only Have Eyes For You – easily one of our favorite Eddie Lockjaw Davis albums! The record's a lot livelier than most – and it's recorded with the little-known Paul Weeden trio, who featured a young Don Patterson on organ. Weeden's a pretty good guitarist himself, and the whole session has a nice groovy groovy feel. Titles include "I Only Have Eyes For You", "Street Lights", and "The Way You Look Tonight" – and all tracks are taken at a good clip, with a strong club sound to them. Next is Trackin – a tight little soul jazz cooker from Eddie Lockjaw Davis – done with a sound that's leaner and cleaner than some of his Cookbook sessions – thanks to great Hammond from Don Patterson, working here in the trio of guitarist Paul Weeden! The combo's totally great – nicely focused, and hitting that more mature soul jazz swing that started to really come into play during the mid 60s – that stripping down of the organ stops, focused bite on tenor, and tight comping of guitar – all of which the combo carry off wonderfully – with help from George Duvivier on bass and Billy James on drums. There's a nice long cut with a laidback groove called "Beano", and a number of other shorter standards given the tenor/organ treatment – including "What's New", "Day By Day", and "Robbin's Nest". CD

Features Clark Terry on trumpet, Urbie Green and JJ Johnson on trombone, Paul Desmond on alto, Gerry Mulligan on baritone, Hank Jones on piano, Jim Hall on guitar, and Milt Hinton on bass, and Louie Bellson on drums – plus guest spots by Dave Brubeck, Earl Hines, and Billy Taylor. CD

A nicely understated session that was recorded in honor of Billy Strayhorn – who'd passed away a few months before the recording. The set features all classic Strayhorn compositions – played in new versions by Duke and a group that includes Clark Terry, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Aaron Bell, and Jimmy Hamilton. The recording quality is great, and the sound of the album really makes old classics sparkle nicely once again! Titles include "UMMG", "Blood Count", "Boo Dah", "Rain Check", "Day Dream", "All Day Long", and "Lotus Blossom", done in a haunting solo piano version by Duke! CD

A nicely understated session that was recorded in honor of Billy Strayhorn – who'd passed away a few months before the recording. The set features all classic Strayhorn compositions – played in new versions by Duke and a group that includes Clark Terry, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Aaron Bell, and Jimmy Hamilton. The recording quality is great, and the sound of the album really makes old classics sparkle nicely once again! Titles include "UMMG", "Blood Count", "Boo Dah", "Rain Check", "Day Dream", "All Day Long", and "Lotus Blossom", done in a haunting solo piano version by Duke!. Includes the bonus tracks "Raincheck (take 4)", Smada (takes 3 & 4)", "Midriff", "My Little Brown Book" & "Lotus Blossom (trio version)'. CD

The early genius of Herbie Hancock – perfectly summed up here in five classic albums for Blue Note – each presented in a tiny LP-styled sleeve! Takin Off has Herbie Hancock stepping into the limelight with an excellent batch of soul jazz tunes, including the first recording of his classic "Watermelon Man", the one track that probably put all his kids through school! Although that one went on to become a standard within a few short years in 60s jazz, it still sounds great here in the original – a very fresh take on the sound of soul jazz in the 60s – offered up here in a 7 minute version that has more sharp soloing than most other takes on the tune! The group here is great too – with Dexter Gordon on tenor, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Butch Warren on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – and the tracks are all also originals by a young Herbie – including "Watermelon Man", "The Maze", "Driftin", "Three Bags Full", "Alone & I", and "Empty Pockets". My Point Of View is a great mix of soul jazz and modernism! The record include a nice groovy "hit", Herbie's "Blind Man, Blind Man" – an obvious follow-up to "Watermelon Man", but still a standout track with a lot of imagination, and a fierce soul jazz hook that just won't quit! The rest of the record, while still groovy, also shows much more signs of Herbie's far-reaching conception – especially shared with players like Tony Williams, Grachan Moncur, Chuck Israels, and Grant Green – all of whom work with Herbie, Donald Byrd, and Hank Mobley – in a larger than usual group that makes for a really great sound! Titles include "A Tribute To Someone", "King Cobra", and "The Pleasure Is Mine". Inventions & Dimensions is really unique little record from Herbie Hancock – one that's almost completely improvised over Latin percussion! The setup is quite spare – and quite different than Herbie's other Blue Note work – and the group features improvised backgrounds by bassist Paul Chambers and 2 Latin percussionists, Willie Bobo and Osvaldo "Chihuahau" Martinez. Herbie only wrote simple sketches for the songs on the album, and most of the work on the tracks was done live, spontaneously, in the studio – creating a very free groove that never goes too far out, but which is far more adventurous than usual. All tracks are long, and titles include "Succotash", "Triangle", and "Mimosa". Speak Like A Child is an oft-overlooked session that has Herbie mixing a nice dose of lyricism into his usual soul jazz approach from the 60s! The sound's a bit farther-reaching than on some of Herbie's smaller group sessions – and the record features a sextet that includes Ron Carter, Mickey Roker, Jerry Dodgion, Thad Jones, and Peter Phillips – all soaring with the warmth and introspection that was showing up in some of the best Blue Notes from the time. The harder-hitting soul jazz riffs and hooks are nicely replaced by more thoughtful lines that get a bit deeper, soufully – and nearly all tracks on the set are originals by Hancock! The album's filled with great moments – and tracks include "The Sorcerer", "Riot", and "Goodbye To Childhood". Last up is The Prisoner – a nice late Blue Note change from Herbie Hancock – a very different album than his previous sets for the label – in that it features a slightly larger group, and a sound that really points the way towards his directions in the 70s! There's a slightly ambitious feel to some of these cuts – not in a way that's over-arranged, but just a new sort of thinking for Herbie's kind of groove – a mode that's partially informed by the seriousness of 60s jazz soundtracks, but which also has the beginnings of some more righteous modes of expression too. Players are all great – and include Joe Henderson on tenor and flute, Johnny Coles on flugelhorn, Garnett Brown on trombone, Hubert Laws on flute, Jerome Richardson on bass clarinet, Buster Williams on bass, and Tootie Heath on drums. Herbie plays both acoustic and electric piano – using the latter here in one of his first recordings on the instrument – and titles include "Firewater", "I Have A Dream", "The Prisoner", and "He Who Lives In Fear". CD

The "triple play" in the title refers to the fact that Johnny's working here with 3 different groups – all of them large ones, and stuffed with Ellington-esque players that include Ray Nance, Paul Gonsalves, Milt Hinton, Tiny Grimes, Hank Jones, Cat Anderson, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney, and Billy Butler. Tracks are short, but there's a few nice ones that have the raw bite of Hodges' best work for Verve – with titles that include "Fur Piece", "Take Em Off Take Em Off (parts 1 & 2)", "Sir John", "On The Way Up", and "Wild Onions". LP, Vinyl record album

Did power pop ever get any more perfect than this? It's hard to think so – and more than 25 years later, this album's got a raw power that's still undeniable! The album features The Jam at their early best – still with the rougher punky edges firmly in place, but also able to bring in some of the more soulful touches that would really dominate Paul Weller's career in later years. The group kicks it hard with tunes that include "Billy Hunt", "A Bomb In Wardour Street", "Down In The Tube Station At Midnight", "Mr Clean", and a great cover of "David Watts" – then surprises us even more with the beautifully gentle tune "English Rose". CD

With Paul Smith on piano, Gerry Mulligan and Dave Pell on tenor, Joe Mondragon on bass, Ted Ottison on trumpet, and Billy Wilson on drums; plus Howard Roberts on guitar, Jimmy Rowles on piano, and Tommy Rundell on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Joe Locke on vibes, Henry Hey on piano and organ, Mike Pope on bass, and Billy Kilson on drums – plus Paul Bollenback on guitar, Tim Garland on saxophone, and Mark Ledford on vocals. CD

No filters here, as Hank Mobley's sound is clean, lean, and right on the money – hitting that newly-sophisticated groove of the Caddy For Daddy years in this sweet unissued set! The date was recorded in the 60s, but unissued by Blue Note for many years – another one of those head-scratching mysteries from the label, yet also a real treat to 80s jazz fans who finally got their hands on the sides – a whole new discovery of Hank Mobley's genius, further appreciated at a time when we weren't hearing more from him. The players are top-shelf all the way through – and include Freddie Hubbard or Donald Byrd on trumpet, Herbie Hancock or Barry Harris on piano, Paul Chambers or Butch Warren on bass, and Philly Joe Jones or Billy Higgins on drums. Titles include "Chain Reaction", "Third Time Around", "Hank's Waltz", and "The Feelin's Good". Only briefly on LP – and only in this pressing! LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite albums from Lee Morgan – a soaringly soulful session that was recorded in the mid 60s, and finally issued by Blue Note at the end of the decade! The vibe here really follows from the lyrically inventive, post-Sidewinder mid 60s Morgan years – with a spirit that's similar to Lee's work on the albums Gigolo or Tom Cat, in a style that mixes in a fair bit more modal and Latin influences to the rhythms. The lineup is totally great too – a sextet that features Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean, Cedar Walton, Paul Chambers, and Billy Higgins – the last of whom provides tremendous rhythms that are as fluidly inventive as Morgan's playing and the writing of Hank Mobley, who contributed most of the tunes to the set. Titles include "Hey Chico", "The Double Up", and "The Murphy Man" – and the record also includes a nice version of Duke Pearson's "Sweet Honey Bee". LP, Vinyl record album

An overlooked classic from organist Don Patterson – recorded around a time when most of his bigger fame would come on Prestige Records, and a set that's got a slightly different groove! The trio features Paul Weeden on guitar and Billy James on drums – and tracks include "Little Duck", "It's Magic", "Trick Bag", and "Work Song" – plus the title cut "Goin Down Home", which was a big stepper's cut in Chicago! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the wildest albums ever recorded by sitar genius Ravi Shankar – a set done for the Dark Horse label of George Harrison – who also plays guitar and autoharp on the record too! Yet Harrison is just one of many friends hinted at in the title – as Shankar brings in a host of other Indian musicians and singers – including vocalist Lakshmi Shankar, tabla player Alla Rakha, and violinist L Subramanian – next to work from more familiar LA musicians who include Billy Preston on organ, Emil Richards on percussion, Paul Beaver on moog, and Tom Scott on saxes and flute! The result is a majestic LA flowering of ideas that Shankar first showed the world many years before – all filtered through the imagination of George Harrison, who supported Ravi often over the years, and brought his creative genius to a much larger audience. Titles include the long "Dream Nightmare & Dawn" suite – plus "I Am Missing You"," Jaya Jagadish Hare", and "Kahan Gayelava Shyam Salone". CD

Includes songs by Marvin Gaye, Anita Baker, Gregory Abbott, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, Heatwave, Surface, the Chi-Lits, Stylistics, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Regina Belle, and more – 18 tracks total. CD

Features work by Marvin Gaye, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Bill Withers, Earth Wind & Fire, Billy Paul, The Isley Brothers, Manhattans, and others. CD

A dozen tracks from The O'Jays, Billy Paul, Three Degrees, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Honey Cone, William DeVaughn, Luther Ingram and more. CD

The second killer set in this series – a wonderful blend of AOR hits and soulful singers – wrapped up in a stunning style that's a great subgenre in itself! Many of the tunes here are familiar, but served up in versions you might not know at all – done by soul artists who were clearly inspired by the warmer styles of mid 70s AOR, but who also bring the modes back to soul music, and really open up the tunes with fantastic vocals and mighty nice grooves! The set is particularly heavy on that late 70s/early 80s moment when things were really coming together in the modern soul scene – and the set features titles that include "Dedicate This Heart" by Dionne Warwick, "Dreams" by Richie Havens, "Monkey See Monkey Do" by Patti Labelle, "Euphrates" by Main Ingredient, "Sara Smile" by Impact, "Listen To The Music" by Isley Brothers, "Gringo" by Arnold McCuller, "What You Won't Do For Love" by Roy Ayers, "Tin Man" by John Edwards, "It's Too Late" by Billy Paul, and "I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me" by Esther Phillips. CD

Conducted by William Russo, Paul Mertens and Tyrone Tatum on alto saxophone, Billy Rogers on baritone saxophone, Eddie Johnson and Pat Mallinger on tenor saxophone, Chuck Parrish, Mark Olen, Orbert Davis, Scott Hall, and Terry Connell on trumpet, Audrey Morrison, Edwin Williams, Loren Binford, and Tracy Kirk on trombone, Fritz Hocking on bass trombone, Larry Combs on clarinet, Charley Harrison on guitar, Brandon McCune on piano, James Cammack on bass, Bobby Everson on timpani, and Dana Hall and Frank Donaldson on drums, with Bobbi Wilsyn, Carol Loverde, and Cynthia Felker on vocals. CD

Great stuff – and one of the groovier Teddy Edwards sessions from the 60s! The group's a sextet – with Walter Davis piano, Paul Chambers bass, Billy Higgins drums, Phil Orlando guitar, and Montego Joe on congas and bongos. The band grooves in a soul jazz vamping mode – darkly tinged, with a bit of that Blue Note style of expression – and over the top. Edwards plays some wonderful solos, raspy in tone, with a nice edge to his tenor, slurred out in some gutbuckety playing that's very much in the pocket! Titles include "Brazilian Skies", "Lovin It, Lovin It", "Nothin But The Truth", and "On The Street Where You Live". CD

One of Duke Ellington's standout sides for Columbia – a strong recording that revisits many of the best elements of his earlier work, and offers up some more sophisticated scoring for the 50s – thanks to extended track length in the LP generation! The tunes here are older ones, but they're taken to some nicely hip territory – thanks to Duke's strong ear for modern changes, and a line up of players that includes Billy Strayhorn on piano, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, Clark Terry and Ray Nance on trumpets, Juan Tizol on trombone, and Louis Bellson on drums. Bellson does a great job on the classic "Skin Deep" – a real showcase for his talents in this recording – and other titles include "The Mooche", "Take The A Train", and "Perdido" – plus "The Controversial Suite". CD

The greatness of Gregory Porter continues to grow and grow – as the vocalist keeps moving past the straighter jazz of his roots, into a role as one of the greatest soul singers of the 21st Century! Porter's got a depth and maturity that few folks have had in recent years – especially in the realm of male vocals – very much that manner of important 70s singers like Bill Withers, Billy Paul, or Al Jarreau – who were schooled in jazz, but worked more in soulful styles that gave them a wider reach, and helped them to find a very personal voice in the process! We'd easily place Gregory in that legacy – one that he's definitely earned by this point – and he sounds arguably even better here than on his debut for Blue Note – working with arrangements from co-producer Kamau Kenyatta, who mixes in just the right current of jazz to keep things on track with the energy we first loved in Porter's first records – while still really letting his new energy open up and soar. Titles include "Holding On", "Insanity", "Don't Lose Your Steam", "Daydream", "Don't Be A Fool", "More Than A Woman", and "French African Queen". Also features different versions of two songs, with guest appearances – "Holding On" with Kem, and "Insanity" with Lalah Hathaway. CD

An incredibly cool collection – one that offers up all sorts of weird and wonderful soul music covers of mainstream mellow 70s hits – new versions of the famous tunes that pull them strongly over to the world of R&B, often with results that are better than the original versions! The set is both a great demonstration of how much soul there was lurking in the original AOR productions of the mid 70s, and how strongly those currents could be unlocked even more in the right hands – as you'll hear in these sublime takes on tunes by Hall & Oates, Toto, Seals & Crofts, The Doobie Brothers, and other 70s pop giants. Titles include "Dirty Work" by Pointer Sisters, "Minute By Minute" by Peabo Bryson, "Georgie Porgy" by Side Effect, "He's Gone" by Dee Dee Bridgewater, "Summer Breeze" by Main Ingredient, "Lazy Nina" by Greg Phillinganes, "In The Way" by Brothers Johnson, "This Is It" by Millie Jackson, "Takin It To The Streets" by Quincy Jones, "I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me" by Tavares, "God Only Knows" by Betty Lavette, "Let Em In" by Billy Paul, and "A Love Of Your Own" by The Ebonys. CD