The complete Columbia Records studio sessions from pianist Denny Zeitlin – and a package that features a fair bit of unreleased material too – not just alternate takes, but loads of fresh new tunes recorded at the time – appearing here for the first time ever! Zeitlin's a hell of a pianist, especially during these years – a really fresh 60s talent who works with a sound that's both warmly lyrical and somewhat modern – stylistically rooted in Bill Evans' inspiration, but clearly his own man by the time of these recordings! Denny's never fully gotten his due, and reissues over the years have been spare – so this package is not only a much-needed look as his mighty talents, but also a key discovery of 12 previously unreleased numbers. Players include Charlie Haden, Cecil McBee, and Joe Halpin on bass – and Freddie Waits, Oliver Johnson, and Jerry Granelli on drums. Titles include "Blue Phoenix", "Spring Is Here", "Western Thing", "Slipstream", "Later", "Labyrinth", "The Journey Home", "Carole's Garden", "Skippying", "Carnival", "Dormammu", "Living Alone", "Night & Day", "Maiden Voyage", "Nica's Tempo", "Cathexis", and "Repeat". CD

Very hip piano trio work – the first 2 Columbia albums by Denny Zeitlin, a young fresh talent in the 60s, with an approach that was lyrical, slightly modern, and a bit soulful. This is especially the case on the Cathexis album, which features a great rhythm section of Cecil McBee on bass and Freddy Waits on drums. Carnival is a bit more free flowing – with Charlie Haden doing some great bass, making a rare small group appearance here. Most tunes are originals by Zeitlin – and titles include "Stonehenge", "Cathexis", "Repeat", "I Thou", "After The War", "Carnival", and "Carole's Garden". CD

Really magical work from a young Denny Zeitlin – one of a few key players in the second wave of jazz piano talent in the 60s – post-Bill Evans, and equally important as artists like Steve Kuhn or Keith Jarrett! Zeitlin's got the inventive sensibilities of both of those players at their start – a new way of phrasing notes, finding fresh tones, and working with a looser approach to rhythm – handled here by the excellent duo of Cecil McBee on bass and Freddy Waits on drums! Zeitlin's also a hell of a writer, too – most tunes here are originals – and titles include "Stonehenge", "Cathexis", "I Thou", "Blue Phoenix", and "Nica's Tempo". It's no surprise that Zeitlin's continued to make compelling music all these many decades later – but he was already wonderful at the start! 2 bonus tracks – "Nica's Dream" and "Requiem For Lili". CD