An important larger work from Duke Ellington – a suite of tracks that encompasses a range of styles and emotions in African-American expression! The work features some key guest work from Mahalia Jackson – singing here in a way that's different than other vocalists who worked with Duke in the 50s – much more steeped in a rootsy tradition. Group members include John Sanders, Harry Carney, Ray Nance, Quentin Jackson, and Cat Anderson – and the piece is divided into 6 sections, and includes the famous "Come Sunday" theme throughout most of the second half. LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible document of a really crucial label during the postwar years – the important west coast indie, Black & White Records – home to an amazing array of top-shelf jazz, blues, and R&B recordings from the time! The scope of work here is fantastic – 243 tracks in all, much of it material that was only ever issued on 78rpm discs, including some in the 12" format – the longer version of the early single that Black & White often used to present longer versions of jazz recordings, with more room for solos. The focus here is on the jazz side of the label, and much of the material was recorded in LA, but some were done in New York and other cities too – including early production work by jazz giants like Leonard Feather and Norman Granz – which will give you an idea of the top-shelf quality of the sessions. The jazz recordings are a mix of vocal, bop, trad, and swing styles – and the late 40s sides often hit that spot where jazz and blues came together in jumping modes that represented early R&B – which almost makes the whole package an evolution in styles during these crucial 40s years. There's way too much to mention here, as you might guess from an 11CD set – and the package features work by Ivie Anderson, Etta Jones, Charlie Ventura, Wilbert Baranco, Erroll Garner, Joe Marsala, Jack McVea, Nat Jaffee, Red Callender, Phil Moore, Earl Spencer, Tommy Todd, Gerald Wilson, Howard McGhee, Lucky Thompson, Ernestine Anderson, Barney Bigard, the Hip Chicks, Jo Evans, Mushmouth Robinson, and many others – all presented with a very detailed booklet of notes. CD

Insanely wonderful! The German MPS label has always been one of our favorites – and we've stocked any compilations or individual artist titles we could get over the years – but this new comp blows away just about anything we've had before! The folks at Crippled Dick lovingly combed through the label's vast catalog of jazz, Latin, fusion, and Brazilian grooves – and they came up with a set that's got fantastic goodies from the label that have never been unearthed on other compilations before! Believe us, even if you have the Talking Jazz compilations, this one's got a huge amount of stuff you'll never have – and it's all great, and packaged beautifully with great notes, photos, and album cover reproductions. Titles include "Space Bugaloo" by Mike Nock, "That Ol Bus Smell" by Peter Herbholzheimer, "Woe's All Over Me" by Charly Antolini, "Funf Zu Vier" by Erwin Lehn, "Maiden Voyage" by Third Wave, "JBW" by Bora Rakovic, "Dur Dur Dur" by Barney Wilen, and lots more! And don't forget the beautiful companion book Jazzin The Black Forest – it's a treasure, and is listed elsewhere on our pages! CD

Amazing work from Henry Threadgill – a complete collection of his albums for the Black Saint & Soul Note labels, featuring four great records by the Air trio, and three more by other unique Threadgill groups! The Air records are all wonderful – the first two featuring the initial trio of Fred Hopkins on bass, Steve McCall on percussion, and Threadgill on reeds – the second two featuring the equally-compelling New Air group with Fred Hopkins on bass and Pheeroan Aklaff on percussion, filling in after McCall's early death. Air titles include Live Air (1980), Air Mail (1981), New Air Live At Montreal International Jazz Fest (1984), and Air Show No 1 (1986). Then, the other titles are pretty amazing too – starting with Spirit Of Nuff Nuff (1991), a record with a cool mixture of guitar, reeds, trombone, and tuba. Next is Song Out Of My Trees (1993), with varied lineups that include Ted Daniel on trumpet, Myra Melford on piano, Amina Claudine Myers on harpsichord, and Dierdre Murray on cello. Last is the beautiful Flutistry (1997) – an all-flute album by a quartet that includes Threadgill, James Newton, Pedro Eustache, and Melecio Magdaluyo. CD

Music from Gene Ammons, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Benny Carter, Buck Clayton, Earl Hines, Meade Lux Lewis, Jimmy Noone, Art Tatum, Chick Webb & more. Packaged with a nifty 80 page booklet. CD

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Some of the hippest jazz tracks ever recorded by Atlantic Records – a great blend of numbers that mixes together modal groovers, funky jams, and hard-hitting soul jazz tracks! The music here nicely steps around a number of different styles, and a number of different artists – and represents the cooler side of the Atlantic jazz catalog – instead of some of their better-known, crossover hits – mixed with a few funk and soul numbers too! The set was compiled by London DJ Russ Dewbury – and he did an excellent job of dipping into all the right parts of the Atlantic catalog, and timed out the set so that the cuts fit together extremely well. Titles include "I Walk On Gilded Splinters" by Dr John, "Jagger The Dagger" by Eugene McDaniels, "It's Your Thing" by Shirley Scott, "See Line Woman" by Yusef Lateef, "Mean Greens" by Eddie Harris, "The Windjammer" by Mongo Santamaria, "Black Root" by Roland Kirk, "The Fakir" by Duke Pearson, "Witchi Tai To" by Jim Pepper, "Sufur" by Rufus Harley, and "Foxy Brown" by David Newman. CD

Theo Parrish takes on the music of Black Jazz Records – yet somehow manages to make the whole thing come across with a cosmic groove that's all his own! By that, we don't mean that Theo's messing with the cuts – just that his mix here really highlights the more expansively electric and rhythmically angular elements of the label's classic catalog – sounds that are clearly an inspiration for a huge number of 21st Century musicians and producer – not just Parrish himself! There's a richly spiritual vibe to the whole set – and the collection is easily one of the best presentations of the Black Jazz label we've ever heard – stunning from start to finish. Cuts include "My Favorite Things" by Gene Russell, "Those Who Chant" by Walter Bishop, "Jupiter" and "Convulsions" by The Awakening, "Trance Dance" by Doug Carn, "Time & Space" by Rudolph Johnson, "Criss Cross" and "BE" by Calvin Keys, and "Blue Bossa" by Walter Bishop Jr. CD

An incredibly interesting record – and more of a spoken album than a jazz one, but with great jazz work by Oliver Nelson too! The album's a loving tribute to Carl B. Stokes, the first black mayor of a major American city (Cleveland) – and it's one of the strongest in a series of African-American culture albums by the Flying Dutchman label at the time. Side one of the record features a press conference with Stokes, in which he outlines his ideas for revitalizing the Cleveland area. But even better is side two – which features a beautiful original composition by Nelson, entitled "A Black Suite For String Quartet & Jazz Orchestra", and which features recitations by Stokes of material by Langston Hughes and Gil Scott-Heron. The whole thing's great – extremely powerful and progressive, with tracks that include "Paint It Black", "I Too Sing America", "Mother To Son", "Sit Down", and "I Dream A World". LP, Vinyl record album

Derrick Gardner on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kirk MacDonald on tenor saxophone, Virginia MacDonald on clarinet, Brian Dickinson on piano, Lorne Lofsky on guitar, Neil Swainson on bass, and Bernd Reiter on drums. CD

A beautiful record of light, lyrical piano jazz – and one of the best-selling jazz albums ever on Fantasy Records! Vince Guaraldi started the set as a tribute to the film Black Orpheus – and some of the album features his nice renditions of Jobim/Bonfa tunes like "Manha De Carnaval" and "Samba De Orpheus". However, Guaraldi also managed to pen his own amazing track – "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" – a lyrical romping piano instrumental that went onto become a huge charting instrumental hit during the 60s. The track's been heard a million times over the years, but it's still pretty darn great – and it's surrounded in a nice set with other tunes that have the same feel – including "O Nosso Amour", "Alma-Ville", "Since I Fell For You", and "Moon River". Great expanded edition – with 16 more tracks added to the original album – alternate versions of album titles from the sessions, plus a few takes on "Jitterbug Waltz" as well! LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful record of light, lyrical piano jazz – and one of the best-selling jazz albums ever on Fantasy Records! Vince Guaraldi started the set as a tribute to the film Black Orpheus – and some of the album features his nice renditions of Jobim/Bonfa tunes like "Manha De Carnaval" and "Samba De Orpheus". However, Guaraldi also managed to pen his own amazing track – "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" – a lyrical romping piano instrumental that went onto become a huge charting instrumental hit during the 60s. The track's been heard a million times over the years, but it's still pretty darn great – and it's surrounded in a nice set with other tunes that have the same feel – including "O Nosso Amour", "Alma-Ville", "Since I Fell For You", and "Moon River". Great expanded edition – with 16 more tracks added to the original album – alternate versions of album titles from the sessions, plus a few takes on "Jitterbug Waltz" as well! CD

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A beautiful record of light, lyrical piano jazz – and one of the best-selling jazz albums ever on Fantasy Records! Vince Guaraldi started the set as a tribute to the film Black Orpheus – and some of the album features his nice renditions of Jobim/Bonfa tunes like "Manha De Carnaval" and "Samba De Orpheus". However, Guaraldi also managed to pen his own amazing track – "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" – a lyrical romping piano instrumental that went onto become a huge charting instrumental hit during the 60s. The track's been heard a million times over the years, but it's still pretty darn great – and it's surrounded in a nice set with other tunes that have the same feel – including "O Nosso Amour", "Alma-Ville", "Since I Fell For You", and "Moon River". CD

A beautiful record of light, lyrical piano jazz – and one of the best-selling jazz albums ever on Fantasy Records! Vince Guaraldi started the set as a tribute to the film Black Orpheus – and some of the album features his nice renditions of Jobim/Bonfa tunes like "Manha De Carnaval" and "Samba De Orpheus". However, Guaraldi also managed to pen his own amazing track – "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" – a lyrical romping piano instrumental that went onto become a huge charting instrumental hit during the 60s. The track's been heard a million times over the years, but it's still pretty darn great – and it's surrounded in a nice set with other tunes that have the same feel – including "O Nosso Amour", "Alma-Ville", "Since I Fell For You", and "Moon River". Also features 5 bonus tracks, 4 previously unreleased! CD

A never-issued live set from Detroit's Contemporary Jazz Quintet – a group who were a key part of the Strata Records scene, and who are expanded here to a much larger lineup for this very freewheeling performance from 1973! The group's spiritual modernism is very strongly in place, but there's also some funky elements rumbling around in the rhythms – a vibe that's maybe somewhere in the territory of the double live electric albums from Miles Davis in the early 70s, but looser and with righteous energy that more strongly shows the lineup's ties to the Detroit scene. Players include Kenny Cox and Charles Eubanks on piano and keyboards, Ron English on guitar, Charles Moore on flugelhorn, Ron Brooks on bass, Marcus Townsend on saxes, Phil Mendelsohn on electronics, Danny Spencer and Bud Spangler on drums, and Adam Rudolph on congas – a large lineup that resonates with plenty of power together. The album features four long tracks, each without a title – and each a mighty nice jam! CD

A beautiful record of light, lyrical piano jazz – and one of the best-selling jazz albums ever on Fantasy Records! Vince Guaraldi started the set as a tribute to the film Black Orpheus – and some of the album features his nice renditions of Jobim/Bonfa tunes like "Manha De Carnaval" and "Samba De Orpheus". However, Guaraldi also managed to pen his own amazing track – "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" – a lyrical romping piano instrumental that went onto become a huge charting instrumental hit during the 60s. The track's been heard a million times over the years, but it's still pretty darn great – and it's surrounded in a nice set with other tunes that have the same feel – including "O Nosso Amour", "Alma-Ville", "Since I Fell For You", and "Moon River". LP, Vinyl record album

Conducted by Gunther Schuller, with players that include Lew Soloff, David Berger, Tom Harrell, and Bo Winiker on trumpets, Jimmy Knepper on trombone, Norris Turney on alto, Bob Wilber on alto and soprano, Lawrence Feldman on tenor and clarinet, Sal Nistico on tenor, Rick Wald on baritone and bass clarinet, Mike Abene on piano, Major Holley on bass, Bucky Pizzarelli on banjo and guitar, Jeff Brillinger on drums, and Veberly Rohlehr on vocals. LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the funkiest, grooviest tunes ever from the MPS label – all brought together in one double-length set at an incredible price! These are the tracks that first got MPS re-noticed by a younger generation of groovers a decade or more ago – tunes that offer up an amazing blend of soul jazz, Brazilian, modal, and vocal styles – all done with genre-crossing genius, and some of the best production an artist could ever hope for in the studio! The collection's sort of an amalgamation of the essential (and now-deleted) compilations by Gilles Peterson that appeared on the Talkin Loud label – a filtering down of all the best bits into a 19-track CD that runs for over 75 minutes in length. Titles include "Sunshine Of Your Love" by Ella Fitzgerald, "Color" by Erwin Lehn, "Just Give Me Time" by Mark Murphy, "Little Bird" by Elsie Bianchi, "Waldmadchen" by Gustav Brom, "Espresso Loco" by Francy Boland, "That Ol Bus Smell" by Peter Herbholzheimer, "Get Out Of My Life Woman" by Dee Dee Barry & The Movements, "Big Schlepp" by Dave Pike, "Carmell's Black Forest Waltz" by Nathan Davis, "Upa Neguinho" by Edu Lobo, "Hold Me I've Got To Leave You" by Johnny Teupen, "Volcano's Daughter" by Nelson Riddle, "Monticello" by Monty Alexander, "Scratches" by Charly Antolini, and "Speech Craft" by Horst Jankowski. CD

A wonderful follow up to one of our favorite compilations in recent years! London Is The Place For Me compiles the stylistically varied music coming from the emergent West Indian and African communities of 50s and 60s London – far more than just the topical, and often quite whimsical calypso tunes of the era! Calypso is well represented, but the set includes strains of jazz, percussive instrumentals that veer towards native Trinidad and Nigeria, and loads of Caribbean grooves! It's all exceptionally bright – with some lovingly, and knowingly, naive vocals that are as sweet as they are wise. A truly wonderful compilation. Essential! 20 tracks in all: "Calypso Be" by Young Tiger, "Yolanda" by Ambrose Campbell, "Calypso Blues" by Mona Baptiste, "My Wife's Nightie" by Lord Kitchener, "Ominara" by West African Rhythm Brothers, "Gerrard Street" by King Timothy, "ET Mensah's Rolling Ball" by West African Swing Stars, "West Indian Drums" by Russ Henderson, "Gbonimawo" by Rans Boi's Ghana Highlife Band and more! LP, Vinyl record album

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One of the greatest contributions made by the 32 Jazz label so far has been the rich amount of classic Roland Kirk material they've released on the market. The best of Kirk's work has been out of print for years, and like the folks at 32 Jazz, we think that's a darn shame – which is why we're extra-excited about a set like this! This nicely (and strangely) packaged 3 CD set features 2 CDs worth of previously unreleased live material – recorded in the years 1964 to 1975, by jazz recordist/archivist George Bonafacio. The material is amazing, and definitely gives proof to the claim that Kirk's live sets were even more amazing than his studio recordings. There's a wealth of great stuff here that really opens up an understanding of Kirk's 60s and early 70s years – and titles include "Rahsaantalk", "Misterioso", "Jammin With A Wolf", "Sister Sadie", "Blues For Alice", and a very groovy "Multi-Horn Medley". And if that's not enough, the 3rd CD of the set features the totally rare Natural Black Inventions album, which Kirk recorded for Atlantic. The record's got an amazing sound: Roland plays solo (mostly), and without the aid of overdubbing, to create these amazing soundscapes of multiple horns and circular breathing. It's filled with these fantastic throbbing pulsating reed lines, with one horn blowing rhythm, and one playing an adventurous solo – and both being blown live a the same time! Tracks include "Black Root", "Raped Voices", "Day Dream", and "Something For Trane That Trane Could Have Said". 3 great CDs of material by one of our favorite-ever reed players – and nicely priced, if we do say so ourselves! CD

A rare bit of hardcore poetry by the Watts Prophets – the legendary LA group who were kind of a west coast answer to the Last Poets! The group have a sound that's as striking as the best early work by The Last Poets – a hard-hitting blend of poetry, rhythms, and righteous energy – all recorded in a style that's stripped down, proud, angry, and in stark contrast to the rest of the work coming out in the soul music industry at the time. The album's not only important as a precursor to the west coast hip hop style, but it's a heck of a powerful statement that's as chilling now as it was back in 1971! Titles include "Amerikkka", "Dem N_gger Ain't Playing", "A Pimp", "Hello N_ggers", and "The Prostitute". CD

A really fantastic little collection – a look at the way that sounds from the Caribbean changed over nicely when brought to the UK scene – where immigrants from former British territory really helped to transform the sound of London in the 70s! The music here is served up in a range of different styles – certainly reggae, but with plenty of funk and soul too, mixed with other elements from the islands – all brought into new play together when taken up in the UK! Right from the start, the English artists were starting to put their own spin on things – so the cuts within offer up all these great new directions – maybe even more surprises than you're used to finding on some of the other collections from the Soul Jazz label! The presentation of material is superb, and there's some very detailed notes as well – with cuts that include "No Time For Hello" by Harry Beckett, "Ooh Boy" by Sandra Reid, "Don't Call Us Immigrants" by Tabby Cat Kelly, "RK1" by The Terrorist, "Black Pride" by Brown Sugar, "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" by Black Harmony, "Positive Vibrations" by Pebbles, "Love Money" by Funk Masters, "Ragga Trip" by Ragga Twins, "Be Thankful For What You've Got" by Winston Curtis, "Fug" by Cymande, "Sticks Man" by Black Slate, "Rising To The Top" by Dee Sharp, "Misty Winter" by Digital Mystikz, "Compelled" by Cosmic Irden, and "Still In Love" by Janet Kay & Alton Ellis, and "Java Bass" by Shut Up & Dance. CD

A chilling statement from the west coast scene of the 70s – the first album from The Watts Prophets, the ultra-powerful group who emerged from the LA turmoil of the 60s. Like the Last Poets, the group blends together righteous spoken word passages and some spare rhythms and a touch of jazz – all stepping forth in the kind of message-driven recording that was too powerful for radio at the time, but which had an undeniable influence as it circulated amongst underground circles. The whole thing's summed up perfectly by the cover, which shows a fist held high in rebellion! Titles include "I'll Stop Calling You N*ggers", "Kill", "Black Pussy", and "The Meek Ain't Gonna". CD

A fantastic live set from 1968 – recorded after Blakey's classic Blue Note years, with a unique lineup that includes a young Billy Harper on tenor, Ronnie Matthews on piano, and Julian Priester on trombone! Harper alone is worth the price of the LP – as his firey solos are great, really stretching out here with a bold vision that would explore more prominently a few years later – and which is heard here at an extremely early date. Tracks are all long and very live – the Jazz Messengers vibe, but with some of the freedoms of the Coltrane era, especially on Harper's solos. The set features a number of nice long tracks – like Slide Hampton's "New World" and "Slide No 2", and a great reading of "Angel Eyes", done by Harper in real Coltrane Ballad mode! Also includes "Theme". CD

Brilliant basswork from Henry Franklin – one of the hippest cats handling his instrument on the west coast in the 70s – working here with a wicked ensemble of soulful, righteous players! Franlin's bass sets the tone of the record right from the very first note – but the album's a very collaborative effort, too – and features Oscar Brashear on trumpet, Charles Owens on tenor, Bill Henderson on soprano sax, Ndugu Chancler on drums, and Kirk Lightsey on both piano and flute! The legendary David Durrah plays piano on two tracks – his own "Waltz for "Boobuss" and "Venus Fly Trap" – and the Sisters Happiness sing vocals on the latter cut, too. Other titles include "Blue Lights", "Soft Spirit", and a version of Chick Corea's "What Was". LP, Vinyl record album

A much-needed look at the early jazz years of Paul Horn – featuring tracks recorded for 3 different Columbia albums of the early 60s – all of them great! At the time, Horn had a free-thinking sound that was one of the most lyrical in US jazz – working on alto and flute with a groove that really presaged the modal sound to come on the European scene – making equal use of bossa, exotic, and soul jazz rhythms – and working out a sound that was completely sublime! The set features Horn working with some great groups that include Emil Richards on vibes throughout – plus either Paul Moer or Victor Feldman on piano, and a variety of drummers and bass players that groove with a sweet west coast vibe! Tracks are from the albums Sound Of Paul Horn, Profile Of A Jazz Musician, and Impressions Of Cleopatra – and the CD features 16 titles that include "Benny's Buns", "Love & Hate", "Cleopatra's Palace Music", "Lazy Afternoon", "Anthony & Cleopatra Theme", "Yazz Per Favore", "Short Politician", and "Count Your Change". CD

Nick Smart on trumpet and flugelhorn, Martin Hathaway on alto saxophone, clarinet, and bass clarinet, Stan Sulzmann on tenor and soprano saxophone and flute, Ray Warleigh on alto saxophone, John Parricelli on guitar, Simon Colam on piano, Dave Whitford on double bass, Paul Clarvis on drums, and Dave Hassell on percussion, with vocals from Christine Tobin and Nick Mailing. CD

An excellent album by one of the greatest Brazilian funk bands ever – a wonderful blend of funk, jazz, and soul – and a set that rivals any of the best work coming from the US at the time! These guys are right on the money right from the start – moving through sharp changes with effortless ease, yet never in a way that's too slick or commercial – kind of like that perfect balance that Kool & The Gang hit for just a few records in the mid 70s – but with more of a Brazilian feel overall. Jazzy licks abound – and the keyboards, guitar, and horns are just great – but the set's also got some more regional percussion, too – which really rounds out the record wonderfully. The grooves all have a really universal appeal – essential for any fan of funky sounds – and titles include "Mr Funky Samba", "Junia", "Casa Forte", "Na Baixa Do Sapateiro", "Lelbon Via Vaz Lobo", "Baia", "Maria Fumaca", and "Metalurgia". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent album by one of the greatest Brazilian funk bands ever – a wonderful blend of funk, jazz, and soul – and a set that rivals any of the best work coming from the US at the time! These guys are right on the money right from the start – moving through sharp changes with effortless ease, yet never in a way that's too slick or commercial – kind of like that perfect balance that Kool & The Gang hit for just a few records in the mid 70s – but with more of a Brazilian feel overall. Jazzy licks abound – and the keyboards, guitar, and horns are just great – but the set's also got some more regional percussion, too – which really rounds out the record wonderfully. The grooves all have a really universal appeal – essential for any fan of funky sounds – and titles include "Mr Funky Samba", "Junia", "Casa Forte", "Na Baixa Do Sapateiro", "Lelbon Via Vaz Lobo", "Baia", "Maria Fumaca", and "Metalurgia". LP, Vinyl record album

Saxophonist Gary Bartz joins the duo of Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad – bringing a warm sense of soul to their soulful backings – which range from funky to spacey, and do a nice job of capturing the mid 70s feel of Gary on record! The sound isn't the Larry Mizell or Ntu Group version of Bartz – but a warm, spiritual take on alto sax – with strong solo that really soar out over the proceedings, even when the Young/Muhammad rhythms might not be as dynamic – but that's maybe no surprise, given that Gary Bartz always made the best of any situation – and really shines here amidst the Fender Rhodes, Hammond, guitars, and vibes that make up the rest of the music. Titles include "Soulsea", "The Message", "Day By Day", "Blue Jungles", "Spiritual Ideation", and "Black & Brown". CD

Saxophonist Gary Bartz joins the duo of Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad – bringing a warm sense of soul to their soulful backings – which range from funky to spacey, and do a nice job of capturing the mid 70s feel of Gary on record! The sound isn't the Larry Mizell or Ntu Group version of Bartz – but a warm, spiritual take on alto sax – with strong solo that really soar out over the proceedings, even when the Young/Muhammad rhythms might not be as dynamic – but that's maybe no surprise, given that Gary Bartz always made the best of any situation – and really shines here amidst the Fender Rhodes, Hammond, guitars, and vibes that make up the rest of the music. Titles include "Soulsea", "The Message", "Day By Day", "Blue Jungles", "Spiritual Ideation", and "Black & Brown". LP, Vinyl record album

Blue Note LP that compiles a bunch of Sidney Bechet's classic 78rpm sides for the label – most of which were recorded during the mid 40s, in a variety of different settings. Titles include "Blue Horizon", "Weary Blues", "Salty Dog", "Dear Old Southland", and "Days Beyond Recall". LP, Vinyl record album

A really heady record from British drummer Brian Bennett – an artist known for both jazz and funky sound library work – here stretching out in a mode that really fits the image on the cover! The tunes are longer than some of Bennett's earlier sound library material – almost a mix of progressive energy with jazzier funk – a lot cooler than the disco reference in the title might imply! The set's got tremendous keyboards from Francis Monkman – who handles all the spacier elements, while the drums of Bennett works the rhythms with bass from Alan Jones – on long tracks with plenty of complexity, but also plenty of groove! Titles include "Voyage", "Solstice", "Chain Reaction", "Pendulum Force", "Air Quake", and "Ocean Glide". LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing spiritual jazz treasure – the only album ever issued by this obscure avant trio from the Cleveland scene – a group that includes a young Abdul Wadud on bass and cello! The style is nicely loose and open, but also very different than the sound of the AACM at the time – almost more with the slowly building style that would dominate in the loft jazz years, even though these guys were years ahead of that moment. In addition to Wadud – then known as Ron DeVaughn – the group also features Joseph Phillips/Yusuf Mumin on alto, and Hasan Adbur Shahid on percussion. Both players are amazing – Shahid can go from full intensity to spacious sonic territory at a level that matches Sunny Murray – and Mumin's alto can cry plaintively some moments, and come on with the ferocity of a tenor the next. Wadud is wonderful, too – balancing plucked and bowed moments with the quality that we love on later recordings – already very well-formed here, at a time when he was attending Oberlin College. The album's one that really lives up to the promise of its cover and group name – and titles include "Birth Life & Death", "In Light Of Blackness", "Final Expression", "Opening Prayer", and "Al Nisa". LP, Vinyl record album

A hard-swinging cooker from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – recorded during the landmark year of 1957 – when Blakey's group was open to recording for a number of different labels, in a number of different settings! The set was originally done for the west coast stalwart Pacific Jazz, but it's got a sound that's much more in the hardbop mode of the New York scene – all the fire and intensity that Blakey first cooked up for Blue Note, cast out with a slight sense of openness here in the less iconic setting. Players include Jackie McLean on alto, Bill Hardman on trumpet, and Sam Dockery on piano – and the album's right up there with Vik/RCA, Savoy, and Chess material they cut at the time. Tracks include "Touche", "Sam's Tune", "Once Upon A Groove", and "Wake Up". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer little soundtrack – and one that's quite different than the usual blacksploitation set, but still pretty funky overall! The film Black Girl was a surprisingly sensitive movie directed by Ossie Davis in the early 70s – not as much about action as it was about the everyday life, and the hopes and dreams of the lead characters – all of which made for some really well-rounded music, of the sort you'd find on some of the other great Fantasy Records soundtracks of the time, especially the classic Cornbread Earl & Me score. Ed Bogas and Ray Shanklin put together the whole thing, and the album's a mix of hip instrumental tracks with some other vocal ones – a really nice range that draws from singers like Betty Everett, Rodger Collins, and JJ Malone – and jazz players like Sonny Stitt and John Hunt (plus organ from Merl Saunders on one cut.) Titles include "BJ's Step", "Black Girl", "Sister", "Earl (Still A Pearl)", "Mothers Day Song", "Power", "Get Me To The Bridge", "Chock-lite Puddin", and "Black Girl Cue". CD

An amazing tribute to some of the greatest jazz funk of the 70s – the groundbreaking work of trumpeter Donald Byrd, both as a solo act on his own, and as the inspiration for the mighty Blackbyrds group – both of whom are featured on this set! Byrd first broke into new territory in the early 70s with a string of amazing records on Blue Note – all done with help from genius producer Larry Mizell, who helped Byrd's trumpet find a way to groove in an electric space, but at a level that was very different (and a lot more soulful) than any sort of Miles Davis electric modes! This work quickly inspired a young group at Howard University, who chose the name Blackbyrds as a nod to Donald – who quickly became their mentor and producer, and helped them forge a great blend of jazz and funk before they took off on their own. This set features 39 tracks from both artists, illustrating a fantastic partnership and shared musical inspiration – with work from Byrd's Blue Note and Wea albums, and all the great Blackbyrds records for Fantasy in the 70s. Titles include Donald Byrd tracks "Dominoes", "Black Byrd", "Lansana's Priestess", "Wind Parade", "Flying High", "Thank You For Funking Up My Life", "Onward Til Morning", "Dance Band", "Science Funktion", "Dominoes", "Flight Time", "Witch Hunt", "Stepping Into Tomorrow", "Sexy Dancer (12" mix)", "Star Trippin (12" mix)", "Pretty Baby", "Giving It Up", and "Dancing In The Street". Blackbyrds cuts include "Blackbyrd's Theme", "Do It Fluid", "Flying High", "Cornbread", "Time Is Movin", "Happy Music", "Rock Creek Park", "Walkin In Rhythm", "Lookin Ahead", "Street Games", "Gut Level", "Party Land", and "Supernatural Feeling". CD

A pretty striking album from vocalist Melanie Charles – a set that's even more musically dynamic than you might guess from its title! Charles is a singer who can take things straight, but also change them up with some really inventive arrangements – which you'll hear on a few of the album's "reimagined" cuts – which begin with a classic jazz vocal cut at the core, then layered over with new music from Charles, who then takes over the lead from the older singer – stealing the spotlight from Marlena Shaw, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington – a pretty brassy move! The arrangements are a strong mix of jazz and contemporary soul – and titles include "All Africa", "Woman Of The Ghetto", "The Music Is The Magic", "Jazz Ain't Nothing But Soul", "God Bless The Child", "What A Difference", and "Beginning To See The Light". LP, Vinyl record album

Trombonist Marty Cook may not be the biggest name in jazz – but here, he works at the head of a quintet of top-shelf heavyweights, all of whom really serve up something special under his leadership! The great Jim Pepper is in the group on tenor and soprano sax, and Mal Waldron is on piano – often working here with very different qualities than under his own dates as a leader from the same time – a nice change, and proof of Mal's continued vitality over the years. John Betsch is in drums, and definitely makes his presence known – and Ed Schuller handles bass, on titles that include "Spirit War", "It's About Time", "Love Life", "Grab Bag", "Trapeze", and "Face The Nation". CD

An amazing piece of work from Angel Bat Dawid – music that's light years ahead from her recordings of just a few years back – and that's really saying a lot, given the strength of that material! The album features music from a large stage performance put together by Angel – partly inspired by the legendary film The Cry Of Jazz – done by director Edward Bland at the end of the 50s, with music by Sun Ra, and groundbreaking testament on the nature of jazz and black expression in America. The film has been a touchstone for us for decades – yet somehow, Angel finds a way to to channel all its power and explode its meaning and message into something even more powerful – directing a larger group of musicians and singers with a stunningly majestic quality – one that is sure to elevate Dawid into the upper reaches of jazz for years to come. An instant masterpiece, and a record that will become a touchstone for both jazz and contemporary music in general – with titles that include "Introit", "Dias Ire", "Rex Tremendae", "Recordare", "Confutatis", "Lacrimosa", "Kyrie Eleison", "Agnus Dei", and "Lux Aeterna". CD