A beautifully intimate setting for the vocal magic of Sheila Jordan – a singer we always seem to like even more in a live performance than we do in the studio! There's a special sort of charm to the way that Jordan delivers a tune – straighter in recent years than her modern experiments of the 70s, but still with an edge that often belies her sweeter look on the bandstand – and an understanding of both the underground songbook and the kind of more obscure, hipper jazz numbers that have always made her records so great. The recording preserves all the wit and warmth that Sheila can have on stage – and she's working here with Harvie S on bass and Alan Broadbent on piano – on titles that include "Bird Alone", "Blue In Green", "Baltimore Oriole", "Falling In Love With Love", "The Bird/Confirmation", and "Lucky To Be Me". CD

A nicely laidback and open set from pianist Kirk Lightsey – exactly the kind of material we love when an artist like Kirk gets to record for the Smalls Live series! There's a unique vibe to the record – different than a piano trio session, as guitarist Mark Whitfield is in the group with Santi Debriano on bass and Victor Lewis on drums – and adds in some amazing tones and colors with his instrument, illuminating qualities in Lightsey's piano in a really great way. Debriano and Lewis are as wonderful as ever, and captured with the special magic they can bring to a live date – on titles that include "Lament", "Heaven Dance", "Blues On The Corner", "Pee Wee", and "In Your Own Sweet Way". CD

The second album recorded by altoist Jesse Davis at Smalls in New York, and a set that's every bit as great as the first – like that one, a record in a setting that really seems to set Davis on fire at a level that's different than some of his studio recordings! Tracks are long, and Davis is wonderful on his solos – very expressive, almost blowing the instrument like some tenorist from years back – and getting superb accompaniment from Spike Wilner on piano, Peter Washington bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums – all great players too. Titles include "Ceora", "Cup Bearers", "Gingerbread Boy", "Juicy Lucy", "Love For Sale", and "Rhythm N Ning". CD

A nicely laidback and open set from pianist Kirk Lightsey – exactly the kind of material we love when an artist like Kirk gets to record for the Smalls Live series! There's a unique vibe to the record – different than a piano trio session, as guitarist Mark Whitfield is in the group with Santi Debriano on bass and Victor Lewis on drums – and adds in some amazing tones and colors with his instrument, illuminating qualities in Lightsey's piano in a really great way. Debriano and Lewis are as wonderful as ever, and captured with the special magic they can bring to a live date – on titles that include "Lament", "Heaven Dance", "Blues On The Corner", "Pee Wee", and "In Your Own Sweet Way". CD

A definite jackpot for any fan of organ jazz – as contemporary Hammond hero Brian Charette delivers a host of new songs that pay tribute to the keyboard giants of the 60s soul jazz generation! The sound is as lean and clean as some older set by Jack McDuff or Don Patterson – and Charette's got the tenor work of Cory Weeds on hand to provide a nice match to his fluid work on the keys and bass pedal – while Ed Cherry creates all sort of cool and groovy colors on guitar, and Bill Stewart handles the drums! Titles include "Vague Reply", "Tight Connection", "Triple Threat", "Polka Dot Pinup", "Jackpot", "High Ball", and "Upstairs". CD

A definite jackpot for any fan of organ jazz – as contemporary Hammond hero Brian Charette delivers a host of new songs that pay tribute to the keyboard giants of the 60s soul jazz generation! The sound is as lean and clean as some older set by Jack McDuff or Don Patterson – and Charette's got the tenor work of Cory Weeds on hand to provide a nice match to his fluid work on the keys and bass pedal – while Ed Cherry creates all sort of cool and groovy colors on guitar, and Bill Stewart handles the drums! Titles include "Vague Reply", "Tight Connection", "Triple Threat", "Polka Dot Pinup", "Jackpot", "High Ball", and "Upstairs". CD

With Bernie Senesky on piano, Neil Swainson on bass, Terry Clarke on drums, and Ryan Oliver on tenor saxophone. CD

A roaring quartet session from drummer Billy Drummond – one that starts with a great take on one of our favorite Jackie McLean tunes of all time, then continues to soar through a fantastic batch of material! Drummond is perfectly matched with drummer Dezron Douglas, and the two seem to pulsate as one – with Douglas' warmth bringing even more to Billy's drums than usual – cut through by the sharper saxophone lines of Dayna Stephens, as he mixes fire and soul – and punctuated in all the right ways by pianist Micah Thomas. This isn't a standard quartet session at all, and we mean that in the best way possible – as the group makes their way through tunes that include "Little Melonae", "Reconfirmed", "Clara's Room", "Valse Sinestre", "Never Ends", "Frankenstein", and "Changes For Trane & Monk". CD

Baritone saxophonist Jason Marshall really sounds wonderful here – grabbing not just the rich sounds that his instrument has traditionally had in jazz, but maybe echoing other instrumental modes at times too, given his ability to mix a raw edge with a warmer tone! The set's a great showcase for the talents of this under-recognized player – an album that bristles with fresh tones and individuality right from the start – with superb backing from a combo that features Marc Cary on piano, Gerald Cannon on bass, and Willie Jones on drums. The whole thing was beautifully recorded at the Van Gelder studios – and titles include "Ms Garvey Ms Garvey", "Black Orpheus", "Airegin", "Peggy's Blue Skylight", "Fallen Feathers", and "Recordame". CD

Brian Lynch on trumpet, Brad Turner on Fender Rhodes, Andre Lachance on bass, and Bernie Arai on drums. CD

That's the legendary Marshall Allen on the cover with bassist Tyler Mitchell – the latter of whom leads a very cool combo through a set of material that includes classic tunes by Sun Ra, plus tracks from other sources as well! The octet has the mixture of cohesion and individuality that Ra brought to the Arkestra back in the day – yet the presentation here is hardly slavish to their roots, even with Allen in the group – as there's plenty of personal spirit in Mitchell's arrangements, carried forth by a lineup that includes Chris Hemmingway on tenor, Nicoletta Manzini on alto, Giveton Gelin on trumpet, and Farid Barron on piano – all working here with Mitchell and Allen on a live performance recorded at Smalls. Titles include "Dancing Shadows", "New Dawn", "Love In Outer Space", "Velvet", "Cosmic Hop", "Free Ballad", "Eddie Harris", "Discipline", and "Bouncing At Smalls". CD

Bassist Neil Swainson almost never gives us a record as a leader, but when he does, it's usually something special – which is definitely the case on this well-crafted set! Swainson's kind of a secret talent – a great player in his own right, an excellent composer, and one of those leaders who really seems to pull something extra out of the players in his group – as you'll hear here in the quintet session with Rene Rosnes on piano, Lewis Nash on drums, Brad Turner on trumpet, and Kelly Jefferson on tenor! Both Turner and Jefferson aren't as well-known as the rhythm players, but they do a fantastic job of illuminating Swainson's set of all-original material – tracks that really set things up for the horn solos as they take off. Titles include "Late Afternoon", "Fell Among Thieves", "Standing Back", "Cascades", "Fools Gold", "Kyushu", and "Silver Mine". CD

Spike Wilner on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. CD

Guitarist Ed Cherry gave us some great albums on the Posi-tone label in recent years – and he's equally great here in a different setting – a cool cooker of a record with Monte Croft on vibes and Kyle Koehler on Hammond! The mix of guitar, vibes, and organ is mighty nice – used in ways that are looser and more open than they would have been back on a 60s session for Prestige, yet still equally soulful under the leadership of Cherry – and driven on nicely by the sharp crackle of the drums of Byron Landham! Titles include "Holy Land", "Are We There Yet", "Ding Dong", "Jean Pauline", "Japanese Folk Song", "Green Jeans", and "Lawns". CD

Steve Kaldestad on tenor saxophone, Renee Rosnes on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums. CD

John Lee on bass – with Miles Black on piano, Carl Allen on drums, and special guest Cory Weeds on tenor sax. CD

Baritone saxophonist Jason Marshall really sounds wonderful here – grabbing not just the rich sounds that his instrument has traditionally had in jazz, but maybe echoing other instrumental modes at times too, given his ability to mix a raw edge with a warmer tone! The set's a great showcase for the talents of this under-recognized player – an album that bristles with fresh tones and individuality right from the start – with superb backing from a combo that features Marc Cary on piano, Gerald Cannon on bass, and Willie Jones on drums. The whole thing was beautifully recorded at the Van Gelder studios – and titles include "Ms Garvey Ms Garvey", "Black Orpheus", "Airegin", "Peggy's Blue Skylight", "Fallen Feathers", and "Recordame". CD

Aaron Seeber on drums, Tim Green on alto saxophone, Sullivan Fortner on piano, Warren Wolf on vibraphone, and Ugonna Okegwo on bass. CD

Bassist Neil Swainson almost never gives us a record as a leader, but when he does, it's usually something special – which is definitely the case on this well-crafted set! Swainson's kind of a secret talent – a great player in his own right, an excellent composer, and one of those leaders who really seems to pull something extra out of the players in his group – as you'll hear here in the quintet session with Rene Rosnes on piano, Lewis Nash on drums, Brad Turner on trumpet, and Kelly Jefferson on tenor! Both Turner and Jefferson aren't as well-known as the rhythm players, but they do a fantastic job of illuminating Swainson's set of all-original material – tracks that really set things up for the horn solos as they take off. Titles include "Late Afternoon", "Fell Among Thieves", "Standing Back", "Cascades", "Fools Gold", "Kyushu", and "Silver Mine". CD

With Michael Weiss on piano, Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Paul Gill on bass, and Pete van Nostrand on drums. CD

Maynard Ferguson at one of the best points in his early career! The group on the set is Maynard's "Dream Band " – a small orchestra that featured Herb Geller, Richie Kamuca, Mel Lewis, Paul Moer, and Nino Tempo – and which was a perfect vehicle for Ferguson's hard-swinging approach to jazz. There's some slight Kenton touches here – in the shift between larger ensemble tones and breakaway solos – and given the strength of some of the horn players in the group, the latter part are especially nice! Tracks include "Geller's Cellar", "Blue Birdland", "Maynard The Fox", "Rosebud", "My Funny Valentine", and "Great Guns". CD

You'll know the group from a handful of garagey singles from back in the day – but they sound even grittier and groovier here in a live setting – at a level that really captures the power the group brought to the Chicago scene during their Dunwich years, when they were easily one of the greatest things going in the city – and a strong inspiration to other groups on the coasts. There's a nicely rough vibe to the whole concert – not in the recording quality, which is great – but in the fierce intensity of the guitar work, drums, and vocals – which seem to borrow a bit from the blues energy of the period, but forge things forward in a much rawer pre-punk energy. CD

A beautiful collaboration between vocalist Pinky Winters and pianist Lou Levy – the second half of the live date that was partially issued on the album Shadow Of Your Smile – recorded back in 1983, but making its world premiere here! There's a mellow, intimate feel to the record that really fits Pinky's vocals – a style that's relaxed, but never sloppy or sleepy – and which ignites a surprising amount of fire from the interplay between Pinky's vocals and Lou's careful work on the keys. Bill Takas plays bass on the date, and titles include the vocal numbers "Speak Low", "I Am In Love", "Never Let Me Go", "The Trolly Song", "I'm Old Fashioned", and "No More Blues" – and Lou plays beautifully on 2 instrumental tracks, "The Piccolino", and a great reading of "The Dolphin". CD

An expanded, remastered version of the album Prophecy – early work by Albert Ayler, recorded live in 1964 at the Cellar Cafe in New York, but not issued by ESP until years later, after his untimely early death. The performance is a trio outing – with Ayler's tenor alongside the bass of Gary Peacock and drums of Sunny Murray – all freely skirting around each other's space on the date, in a way that allows Ayler to take the bold lead with his sharp-toned solos, but which also allows for free interplay between the bass and percussion. Ayler's tone and wide swaths of sound are simply amazing – and titles include two variations on "Ghosts", plus "Spirits", "Prophecy", and "Wizard". Newly remastered version of the full concert – with 10 tracks in all! CD

A double-length set that brings together 2 key early live sets by Albert Ayler – both recorded on the New York scene of the mid 60s! Bells was an unusual one-sided record that featured only 20 minutes of music, performed with an intensity that hardly leaves room for complaints about the shortness of the album! The single track "Bells" was performed at Town Hall by Ayler with a group that includes Donald Ayler on trumpet, Charles Tyler on alto sax, Lewis Worrell on bass, and Sunny Murray on percussion – all coming together in a raw, real sense of freedom – beautifully explored here without ever getting too overindulgent. The tune may well be one of the greatest illustrations of the ESP format at its best – as Ayler and company never stray too far, but carve out some incredibly imaginative space through their starkly-blown horn solos! Prophecy is longer – a full album that was recorded live in 1964 at the Cellar Cafe in New York, but not issued by ESP until years later, after Ayler's untimely early death. The performance is a trio outing – with Ayler's tenor alongside the bass of Gary Peacock and drums of Sunny Murray – all freely skirting around each other's space on the date, in a way that allows Ayler to take the bold lead with his sharp-toned solos, but which also allows for free interplay between the bass and percussion. Ayler's tone and wide swaths of sound are simply amazing – and titles include two variations on "Ghosts", plus "Spirits", "Prophecy", and "Wizard". CD

Early work by Albert Ayler, recorded live in 1964 at the Cellar Cafe in New York, but not issued by ESP until years later, after his untimely early death. The performance is a trio outing – with Ayler's tenor alongside the bass of Gary Peacock and drums of Sunny Murray – all freely skirting around each other's space on the date, in a way that allows Ayler to take the bold lead with his sharp-toned solos, but which also allows for free interplay between the bass and percussion. Ayler's tone and wide swaths of sound are simply amazing – and titles include two variations on "Ghosts", plus "Spirits", "Prophecy", and "Wizard". LP, Vinyl record album

Ryan Oliver on tenor saxophone, Bernie Senensky on piano, Andrea Siradze, Collen Venables, Elyse Jacobson, Llowyn Ball, Ken Lin, Molly Mckinnon, Jiten Beairtsto, and Madeline Hocking on violins, Genevieve Mackay and John Kastelic on viola, Finn Manniche and Doug Gorkoff on cello, Neil Swainson on bass, and Terry Clarke on drums. CD

Hardly the kind of music you'd want to keep in the basement – as the set's overflowing with classic soul from the 60s – especially the kind of underground nuggets we love so much! If we had to pick a style, we might say that the collection's heavy on Northern Soul rompers from the American indie scene way beyond Detroit – but there's also lots of other tasty flavors on here too, including some special west coast numbers and early funk tracks that really give the whole thing a great sense of variety – while still keeping to the upbeat, lively rhythms that make the set so great! Every track's a winner – and although most of these tracks never charted at the time, most have gone onto win big fame through constant circulation between DJs and collectors over the past few decades. Titles include "Sock It To Em Soul Brother" by Bill Moss, "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles, "Sign On The Dotted Line" by Gene Latter, "Peaches N Cream" by The Ikettes, "Tramp" by Lowell Fulsom, "I'll Never Forget You" by Marke & Chris Jackson, "Take It Baby" by The Showmen, "Ooh Wee Baby I Love You" by Fred Jackson, "Giving Up" by The Ad Libs, "With This Ring" by The Platters, "One Eye Open" by Maskman & The Agents, "Baby Please Come Back Home" by JJ Barnes, "Gotta Give Her Love" by The Volumes, and "Believe In Me Baby (part 1)" by Jesse James & The Dynamic Four. CD

Hardly the kind of music you'd want to keep in the basement – as the set's overflowing with classic soul from the 60s – especially the kind of underground nuggets we love so much! If we had to pick a style, we might say that the collection's heavy on Northern Soul rompers from the American indie scene way beyond Detroit – but there's also lots of other tasty flavors on here too, including some special west coast numbers and early funk tracks that really give the whole thing a great sense of variety – while still keeping to the upbeat, lively rhythms that make the set so great! Every track's a winner – and although most of these tracks never charted at the time, most have gone onto win big fame through constant circulation between DJs and collectors over the past few decades. Titles include "Sock It To Em Soul Brother" by Bill Moss, "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles, "Sign On The Dotted Line" by Gene Latter, "Peaches N Cream" by The Ikettes, "Tramp" by Lowell Fulsom, "I'll Never Forget You" by Marke & Chris Jackson, "Take It Baby" by The Showmen, "Ooh Wee Baby I Love You" by Fred Jackson, "Giving Up" by The Ad Libs, "With This Ring" by The Platters, "One Eye Open" by Maskman & The Agents, "Baby Please Come Back Home" by JJ Barnes, "Gotta Give Her Love" by The Volumes, and "Believe In Me Baby (part 1)" by Jesse James & The Dynamic Four. CD

With selections by The Fugitives, British Colonels, The BCs, The Gypsies, The G's, The Chapparals, The Debonaires, The Loose Ends, The Barons, The Dinks, The Cellar Dwellers, The Mods, and The Liverpools. LP, Vinyl record album