A cool session for Decca that has Carmen McRae's vocals flowing out wonderfully amidst some very haunting backings! The sound here is a bit unusual – given that the groups are headed by accordion Mat Mathews and pianist Dick Katz – both of whom have a good ear for unusual phrasing, and who help keep the record from being just another torchy vocal set from the 50s. Carmen's warmly fluid voice cascades nicely over the top of the tunes – and instrumentation often features a bit of guitar from Mundell Lowe luring in the background – furthering the warmth of the record, and almost giving it a nicely laidback, late nite quality. Titles include "Supper Time", "Yardbird Suite", "Something To Live For", "You Took Advantage Of Me", "I'll Remember April", and "This Will Make You Laugh". CD

A very different side of Ken Nordine than you might know from his more gimmicky records – and an album that showcases his voice in a whole new way! Apart from being the inventor of Word Jazz, Ken also did a heck of a lot of voiceover work in the 50s, 60s, and 70s – and this set has Ken reciting lyrics to evergreens and standards, in a mellow and romantic way that comes across quite nicely. Backing is by Fred Katz on cello, Johnny Frigo on bass, Dick Marx on piano, and Red Holt on drums – and titles include "Midnight Sun", "When I'm With You", "My Funny Valentine", "I'm Glad There Is You", and "All Of You". LP, Vinyl record album

Two obscure sessions from either player – recorded at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey! The Scott material features the great Dick Katz on piano. Nice cover too! LP, Vinyl record album

A 12" album that combines sides that JJ Johnson previously issued on Prestige – some as 78rpm singles, some as 10" LP material – all of it very top-level bop modern work from Johnson's first stretch on the scene! There's a sharpness here that really sets JJ apart from other trombonists – that mix of fresh ideas that makes all of his recordings from the time worth checking out – both the late 40s cuts that make up a third of the record, and the additional 8 tracks from 1954 that make up the rest. Other players include Kenny Dorham on trumpet, John Lewis on piano, and Sonny Rollins on tenor for the 1949 sessions – and Kai Winding on trombone and Dick Katz on piano for the 1954 sessions. Titles include "Elysses", "Hilo", "Fox Hunt", "Opus V", "Don't Argue", "Riviera", "Dinner For One", "Wing Bag", and "Hip Bones". LP, Vinyl record album

Seminal 50s work from the team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding – two of the greatest trombonists to ever play in one group together, and masters of a uniquely-crafted approach to their instrument! The first six tracks on the CD are from the 1954 RCA album Afternoon At Birdland – one of the best sessions cut by Kai and JJ during the 50's, and a good live session with a lot looser feel than some of their studio sessions – which tend to be a bit restrained. The rhythm section features Dick Katz, Al Harewood, and Peck Morrison – but the main solos are held by Kai and JJ, stretching out nicely in the live space. Titles include "Funnybone", "Cornerstone", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Vista", "Birdland Festival", and "Bone Of Contention". The remaining 12 tracks on the CD are from the albums Jay & Kai + 6 and Jay & Kai Trombone Octet – both larger-than-usual outings for the pair, but still albums done with the twin-trombone sound firmly in the lead! Tracks are shorter than on the live date, and titles include "Night In Tunisia", "Jeanne", "Four Plus Four", "The Continental", "No Moon At All", "All At Once You Love Her", and "Rise N Shine". CD

JJ Johnson and Kai Winding at the height of their dual powers – working together here beautifully at a level that both embraces the modern sound of the trombone in larger 50s ensembles, but also offers up the more fluid personality of the instrument in the smaller combo scene! The pair have a great way of coming together at the start, then splitting off to find their own space on the tunes – a wonderful antidote to some of the too-tight trombone lines of the 50s, and a great reminder that there's always a voice behind the horn. The group on the record features Dick Katz on piano and celeste, plus either Bill Crow or Milt Hinton on bass, and Shadow Wilson or Kenny Clarke on drums. Candido plays a bit of percussion on the track "Caribe" – and the pair play tromboniums on the tune "Tromboniums In Motion". Other tracks include "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe", "The Song Is You", and "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning". LP, Vinyl record album

Early Columbia work from the team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding – recorded in their classic twin-trombone groove! Winding arranged the tracks on the set – and the group features Dick Katz on piano, Milton Hinton on bass, and "Shadow" Wilson on drums – plus some bonus congas by Candido on the excellent "Caribe". The other songs are "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe", "The Song Is You", "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning". LP, Vinyl record album

An interesting concept record, with Konitz approaching a variety of material, much of it written by his collaborators, in wide open duet settings. Players include Jim Hall, Joe Henderson, Elvin Jones and Richie Kamuca, and on each piece, both Konitz and his companion have loads of room to extrapolate on the base composition. Perhaps the highlight of the record is to be able to listen to Konitz wrap his warm tone around each piece, and then dance lightly around the melody. 8 numbers, including "Erb" with Jim Hall, "Checkerboard" with Dick Katz, and "You Don't Know What Love Is" with Joe Henderson. CD