An excellent Duke Pearson album – and (dare we say it?) better than any of his Blue Note LPs! The record features a very tight lineup with Johnny Coles on trumpet, Garnett Brown on trombone, Les Spann on flute, James Spaulding on alto, and George Coleman on tenor – all players who are well suited to Pearson's warm funky style on the piano, but who also have a strong modernist sensibility that really comes through on the solos. The album is filled with nice tracks – like "New Girl", "Honeybuns", "Heavy Legs", and the fantastic lyrical groover "Is That So", plus "You Know I Care" and "Our Love". CD

One of the hippest sets that Duke Pearson ever recorded – and an all-out Blue Note soul jazz set that's even better than Pearson's classic Sweet Honey Bee! Duke's style is deeper and more farther-reaching here – with echoes of styles used at the time by Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan – carried off with some of the more tightly-arranged modes used by Pearson on his backdrops for other players at the time. The group here includes James Spaulding on alto, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Stanley Turrentine on tenor, Garnett Brown on trombone, and rhythm by Gene Taylor on bass and Grady Tate on drums. Tracks have a strong overall focus on the groove – rolling around in that rollicking mid 60s Blue Note style that Pearson helped establish as the label's trademark at the time – but titles are also touched with some of Duke's lighter lyricism, especially on his own solos. Titles include "Make It Good", "Chili Peppers", "Rotary", "Los Malos Hombres", and "Scrap Iron". CD

A classic Blue Note groover – the funkiest album by Duke Pearson, and a killer batch of piano-heavy soul jazz tunes! Duke really blew out the box for this one – not only coming up with a great batch of original tunes, and playing them with an incredibly soulful touch – but also working with a top-shelf batch of players that includes Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, and James Spaulding! The great Mickey Roker is on drums, playing away with a nice scatter-shot modal mode that grooves in all the right parts – and titles include "Big Bertha", "Sweet Honey Bee", "Sudel", "Ready Rudy?", and "Empathy". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most obscure sessions by Duke Pearson, and one of his first for Blue Note too! The album features Duke hitting a laidback and lyrical groove – working in a trio with Gene Taylor on bass and Lex Humphries on drums – overall pretty much in a soul jazz mode, but with more of Pearson's wonderful touches on the keys to open things up. The album's a nice counterpoint to Duke's later work for the label – much more intimate than his bigger band sides, but still put together with the depth that he'd later show more famously with his fuller arrangements. Titles include "3 AM", "On Green Dolphin Street", "I Love You", and "The Golden Striker". CD

Wahoo is right – as Duke Pearson sets up one of his hippest sessions of the 60s, a lyrical batch of soul jazz tracks, with that slight edge of darkness that he was putting into his best work as the decade progressed! Players include James Spaulding on alto and flute, Joe Henderson on tenor, and Donald Byrd on trumpet – and the overall feel is perhaps a bit like some of those Byrd sessions that were heavily influenced by Pearson, but also with a bit of the later expansive style of writing for horns that you'd find on albums like Pearson's Prarie Dog or Bobby Hutcherson's The Phantom. Titles include "ESP", "Fly Little Bird Fly", "Farewell Machelle", "Bedouin", and "Amanda". CD

A rare pre-Blue Note gem from pianist Duke Pearson – originally recorded in 1961 for the short-lived Jazzline label! The set appears here in a short-lived 1969 incarnation from Prestige – issued, no doubt, to cash in on Pearson's growing fame at Blue Note – and the record's a good fit for the label, as it's got a tight, right, and in-the-pocket soul jazz energy that's really great! Pearson's leading a group that includes Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone, and the lesser-known Willie Wilson on trombone – a great player, but one who was mostly a friend of Pearson, and only ever made this one appearance on record! Tracks have a lively well-crafted sound – mixing modern and soul jazz idioms nicely – and titles include "Lex", "Blues For Alvina", "Apothegm", and "Minor Mishap". CD

Early early work by Duke Pearson – and one of his few trio sessions ever! The album's a great way to hear Pearson's lyrical soulful style at work, as he's playing in an unfettered setting with Gene Taylor on bass and Lex Humphries on drums – really stretching out on piano, in a way that you don't often hear on some of his larger group albums – a much more intimate side of this great pianist, before he rose to become an important arranger and producer at Blue Note during the late 60s. The album features two of his own compositions "Gate City Bop" and "Two Mile Ride", plus versions of "Black Coffee", "Taboo", and "Witchcraft". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest sets that Duke Pearson ever recorded – and an all-out Blue Note soul jazz set that's even better than Pearson's classic Sweet Honey Bee! Duke's style is deeper and more farther-reaching here – with echoes of styles used at the time by Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan – carried off with some of the more tightly-arranged modes used by Pearson on his backdrops for other players at the time. The group here includes James Spaulding on alto, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Stanley Turrentine on tenor, Garnett Brown on trombone, and rhythm by Gene Taylor on bass and Grady Tate on drums. Tracks have a strong overall focus on the groove – rolling around in that rollicking mid 60s Blue Note style that Pearson helped establish as the label's trademark at the time – but titles are also touched with some of Duke's lighter lyricism, especially on his own solos. Titles include "Make It Good", "Chili Peppers", "Rotary", "Los Malos Hombres", and "Scrap Iron". CD features a bonus alternate of "Los Malos Hombres". CD

One of the biggest moments in the career of guitarist Harvey Mandel – an album based around his famous cover of "Cristo Redentor", a tune written by Duke Pearson for one of Donald Byrd's "with voices" albums, which was then turned into a spacey guitar classic by Mandel's trippy work. The tune's here in full force – backed up by an album of like minded tunes – 60s trippy guitar mixed with jazz influences, in a messed up Bay Area style that was every bit the product of its time as more famous rock albums coming out of the San Francisco scene. Titles include "Cristo Redentor", "Before Six", "The Lark", "Snake", "Long Wait", "Bradley's Barn", and "You Can't Tell Me". CD includes 8 bonus tracks from various sessions leading through the early seventies. CD

A lost Blue Note Records session by tenor genius Hank Mobley – originally recorded in 1966, but not officially issued until 1979 – and then only briefly until another short issue in the mid 90s! The record has Mobley really reaching out into a new bag – hitting a more soulfully arranged sound than on some of his other straighter Blue Notes – a full, rich groove that's totally wonderful! Duke Pearson arranged the group, and it's slightly larger than usual – with James Spaulding on alto, Lee Morgan on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, Billy Higgins on drums, and Kiane Zawadi and Howard Johnson providing a very unique tuba/euphonium bass part – hardly the clunky horns you might expect, and instead sort of a rumbling bottom-end sound that's really great. Titles include "Hank's Other Bag", "Touch Of Blue", and "A Slice Of The Top". LP, Vinyl record album

A lost Blue Note Records session by tenor genius Hank Mobley – originally recorded in 1966, but not officially issued until 1979 – and then only briefly until another short issue in the mid 90s! The record has Mobley really reaching out into a new bag – hitting a more soulfully arranged sound than on some of his other straighter Blue Notes – a full, rich groove that's totally wonderful! Duke Pearson arranged the group, and it's slightly larger than usual – with James Spaulding on alto, Lee Morgan on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, Billy Higgins on drums, and Kiane Zawadi and Howard Johnson providing a very unique tuba/euphonium bass part – hardly the clunky horns you might expect, and instead sort of a rumbling bottom-end sound that's really great. Titles include "Hank's Other Bag", "Touch Of Blue", and "A Slice Of The Top". 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

A classic by Big John Patton! The master organ player is joined by Grant Green on guitar, and the much-overlooked drummer Hugh Walker – a fantastic player on the kit, little known, but who played with this incredible "skipping" groove – one that sounds that reminds us a lot of some of the work that Joe Dukes did with Jack McDuff in the 60s! There's no bass on the set at all – and Walker's drums combine with added conga from Richard Landrum – giving the songs an extra roll, and a modal approach that expands Patton's sound past his usual gutbuckety soul jazz! Includes loads of great tracks – especially the jazz dance classic "The Yodel", as well as on Sam Cooke's "The Shake", Duke Pearson's "Amanda", and the great "Soul Woman". LP, Vinyl record album

A very unusual album for Wayne Shorter – recorded right around that 1970 point when Duke Pearson was exploring formats for Blue Note artists that included larger, often electric arrangements, pointing the way towards some of the later 70s soul jazz work on labels like Kudu or CTI! This set, produced by Pearson, features Shorter as the main soloist on tenor and soprano sax – in a very hip group that includes Dave Friedman on vibes, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, Ron Carter and Cecil McBee on bass, and both Billy Hart and Alphonse Mouzon on drums. Tracks are long and complicated, with searching soulful arrangements that are part post-Miles fusion, part early 70s indie soul jazz – but balanced nicely without any sense of overindulgence at all. Shorter's soprano work is very nice, and much more angular than his playing on tenor – and titles include "Wind", "Joy", "Storm", and "Calm". CD

A very unusual album for Wayne Shorter – recorded right around that 1970 point when Duke Pearson was exploring formats for Blue Note artists that included larger, often electric arrangements, pointing the way towards some of the later 70s soul jazz work on labels like Kudu or CTI! This set, produced by Pearson, features Shorter as the main soloist on tenor and soprano sax – in a very hip group that includes Dave Friedman on vibes, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, Ron Carter and Cecil McBee on bass, and both Billy Hart and Alphonse Mouzon on drums. Tracks are long and complicated, with searching soulful arrangements that are part post-Miles fusion, part early 70s indie soul jazz – but balanced nicely without any sense of overindulgence at all. Shorter's soprano work is very nice, and much more angular than his playing on tenor – and titles include "Wind", "Joy", "Storm", and "Calm". LP, Vinyl record album

A very unusual album for Wayne Shorter – recorded right around that 1970 point when Duke Pearson was exploring formats for Blue Note artists that included larger, often electric arrangements, pointing the way towards some of the later 70s soul jazz work on labels like Kudu or CTI! This set, produced by Pearson, features Shorter as the main soloist on tenor and soprano sax – in a very hip group that includes Dave Friedman on vibes, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, Ron Carter and Cecil McBee on bass, and both Billy Hart and Alphonse Mouzon on drums. Tracks are long and complicated, with searching soulful arrangements that are part post-Miles fusion, part early 70s indie soul jazz – but balanced nicely without any sense of overindulgence at all. Shorter's soprano work is very nice, and much more angular than his playing on tenor – and titles include "Wind", "Joy", "Storm", and "Calm". CD

Stanley Turrentine's a hell of a soloist in a large ensemble setting – and there's possibly no better place to hear that talent at work than on this classic 60s date for Blue Note! The format's a bit different than other Turrentine records of the time – no small group romping, nor larger band soul jazz – and instead this laidback and classy mode that's handled with a heck of a lot of soul by arrangers Thad Jones and Duke Pearson – with this sophisticated vibe that almost points the way towards some of Stan's ballad work of the 70s. Strings are balanced nicely with jazz inflections from players who include Hank Jones, Roland Hanna, and Duke Pearson on piano – plus Kenny Burrell on guitar, Benny Powell on trombone, and both Snooky Young and Jimmy Nottingham on flugelhorn. Titles include "The Look Of Love", "Emily", "I'm Always Drunk In San Francisco", "MacArthur Park", "Blues For Stan", "This Guy's In Love With You", and "Here There & Everywhere". LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic grooves from the 70s – tracks that are part of a great second wave of Brazilian music to hit our shores, then take off in a whole new direction! The US was no stranger to Brazilian sounds in the 60s – given the popularity of bossa nova and a few other styles – but as the 70s approached, a new generation of artists started to hit the American scene – often with richer, more sophisticated ideas that built on older bossa and samba modes, then combined them with new approaches to jazz, funk, and soul! This killer set presents a perfect portrait of that time – mixing familiar names with newcomers, or Brazilian recording artists with American studio talents – all in a batch of cuts that still stand as some of our favorite Brazilian grooves of all time – even if they didn't come from Rio or Sao Paulo. Titles include "Bahia Soul" by Luiz Bonfa, "Catavento" by Milton Nascimento, "Ain't No Sunshine" by Sivuca, "Braun Blek Blu" by Dom Um Romao, "Skyscrapers" by Deodato, "Sandalia Delia" by Duke Pearson with Flora Purim, "Samba De Flora" by Airto, "Consolacao" by Tamba 4, "Moon Dreams" by Flor Purim, "Andei" by Airto, "Almas Irmas" by Joao Donato, "Kathy" by Moacir Santos, "Tombo In 7/4" by Airto, "Rio Vermelho" by Milton Nascimento, and "Escravos De Jo" by Dom Um Romao. CD

Fantastic grooves from the 70s – tracks that are part of a great second wave of Brazilian music to hit our shores, then take off in a whole new direction! The US was no stranger to Brazilian sounds in the 60s – given the popularity of bossa nova and a few other styles – but as the 70s approached, a new generation of artists started to hit the American scene – often with richer, more sophisticated ideas that built on older bossa and samba modes, then combined them with new approaches to jazz, funk, and soul! This killer set presents a perfect portrait of that time – mixing familiar names with newcomers, or Brazilian recording artists with American studio talents – all in a batch of cuts that still stand as some of our favorite Brazilian grooves of all time – even if they didn't come from Rio or Sao Paulo. Titles include "Bahia Soul" by Luiz Bonfa, "Catavento" by Milton Nascimento, "Ain't No Sunshine" by Sivuca, "Braun Blek Blu" by Dom Um Romao, "Skyscrapers" by Deodato, "Sandalia Delia" by Duke Pearson with Flora Purim, "Samba De Flora" by Airto, "Consolacao" by Tamba 4, "Moon Dreams" by Flor Purim, "Andei" by Airto, "Almas Irmas" by Joao Donato, "Kathy" by Moacir Santos, "Tombo In 7/4" by Airto, "Rio Vermelho" by Milton Nascimento, and "Escravos De Jo" by Dom Um Romao. LP, Vinyl record album

A second set of tracks chosen by the hip British duo of Martin Freeman and Eddie Piller – the former a well-known actor, the latter the man who founded the Acid Jazz label many years back! In some way, the set's similar to some of the compilations that were first showing up in the early years of the acid jazz scene in the UK at the end of the 80s – as the work here is mostly all from earlier generations, and has a real focus on the kind of jazz cuts that have a strong groove – not remixed club tracks or "nu jazz" house singles – but instead vintage jazz from the 60s and 70s that's still pretty darn powerful and inspirational all these many years later! As with the previous volume, Eddie's choices of cuts are somewhat hipper than Martin's – but they're all pretty great – and titles include "Gira Girou" by Duke Pearson, "Nature Boy" by Lorez Alexandria, "Al Amin" by Emanuel K Rahim & The Kaliqs, "Perseverance & Endurance" by Horace Silver, "I'm Gonna Leave You" by Nina Simone, "Creative Musicians" by Lyman Woodard Organization, "Leaving This Planet" by Charles Earland, "Tear To A Smile" by Roy Ayers, "Do It The Hard Way" by Chet Baker, "The Magilla" by Stanley Turrentine, "Freedom Jazz Dance" by Brian Auger, and "Ley Lines" by Emma-Jean Thackray. CD

Lots of jazzy Christmas gems here – including a few that we've never seen before on CD! These cuts do a great job of sticking to the melody of the original tune, while also adding in some special solo flair as well – still festive, but with a fresh vibe too – one that really keeps things interesting, given the range of music in the set! Titles include "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" by Don Patterson, "Winter Wonderland" by Ronnie Kole, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Duke Pearson, "Christmas Song" by Sonny Stitt, "Jingle Bells" by Jimmy Smith, "Winter Wonderland" by Bobby Timmons, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Bill Evans, "Deck The Halls" by Herbie Hancock, "Merry Christmas Baby" by Kenny Burrell, and "The Christmas Song" by Gene Ammons. CD

1973 recording that would become the last that Jug and Stitt did before Jug's untimely death in the mid 70's. Duke Pearson produced it (even though it wasn't for Blue Note), and the group includes Junior Mance on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and either Mickey Roker or Ajaramu on drums. Tracks include "One For Amos", "The Window Pain", "Saxification", and "I'll Close My Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

Sage sounds from tenorist Jacob Chung – a younger player, but one who really holds his own in the frontline next to alto veteran Vincent Herring – a musician who makes for a really great balance to Chung's sense of phrasing and timing! The rest of the group has a mixed young/old pedigree, and one that really seems to spark a special fire between generations – with the great Joe Farnsworth providing a rock-solid groove on drums, next to Tyler Henderson on piano and Caleb Tobocman on bass – a very tightly-woven quintet who produce top-shelf results throughout! Many tunes are originals from Chung – tracks that include "Thompson's Pulpit", "Dim Sum", "My Aspiration", "The Sage", and "Vincent's Place" – plus a nice take on the Duke Pearson classic "Jeannine". CD

A warmly melodic session from Blue Note's greatest guitarist! The sound of the set's as evocative as the title – an idle moment of space between the notes, explored by Green's tight single-note work on guitar – and wonderfully supported by a lineup that includes Joe Henderson on tenor, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, and Duke Pearson on piano – all working in a surprising blend of modern ideas and warmer lyricism. Hutcherson and Pearson are always a treat together – bringing out the best exotic side of each other, and crafting a set of spiritually soulful grooves that are really great! The album's got four long tracks – exploratory and open, in the best manner of Green's mid 60s work – and titles include "Nomad", "Idle Moments", and "Jean De Fleur". LP, Vinyl record album

A warmly melodic session from Blue Note's greatest guitarist! The sound of the set's as evocative as the title – an idle moment of space between the notes, explored by Green's tight single-note work on guitar – and wonderfully supported by a lineup that includes Joe Henderson on tenor, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, and Duke Pearson on piano – all working in a surprising blend of modern ideas and warmer lyricism. Hutcherson and Pearson are always a treat together – bringing out the best exotic side of each other, and crafting a set of spiritually soulful grooves that are really great! The album's got four long tracks – exploratory and open, in the best manner of Green's mid 60s work – and titles include "Nomad", "Idle Moments", and "Jean De Fleur". CD also features two alternate takes! CD

A fantastic session of 60s "new thing" jazz – and one of our favorite early records by Joe Henderson – exactly the kind of album to show why his emergence in the decade was such an important new voice in jazz! The album features some incredibly hard playing from Joe – with a very dark edge to his solos that's nicely offset by McCoy Tyner's lyrical piano, and the supple rhythms of Bob Cranshaw on bass and Elvin Jones drums – a really magical quartet who come across very different here than you might expect from the Coltrane legacies of Tyner and Jones! Instead, Henderson makes his presence known right from the very first note – as his voice on the tenor is completely singular – and titles include the Henderson originals "Inner Urge", "Isotope" and "El Barrio" – plus the great Duke Pearson song "You Know I Care", and the standard "Night & Day". CD

A fantastic session of 60s "new thing" jazz – and one of our favorite early records by Joe Henderson – exactly the kind of album to show why his emergence in the decade was such an important new voice in jazz! The album features some incredibly hard playing from Joe – with a very dark edge to his solos that's nicely offset by McCoy Tyner's lyrical piano, and the supple rhythms of Bob Cranshaw on bass and Elvin Jones drums – a really magical quartet who come across very different here than you might expect from the Coltrane legacies of Tyner and Jones! Instead, Henderson makes his presence known right from the very first note – as his voice on the tenor is completely singular – and titles include the Henderson originals "Inner Urge", "Isotope" and "El Barrio" – plus the great Duke Pearson song "You Know I Care", and the standard "Night & Day". LP, Vinyl record album

The title alone is more than enough to win us over here – as it's a great Duke Pearson composition that turns out to be a wonderful showcase for the most lyrical modes of pianist John Hicks! That tune's the leadoff, and it really sets the tone for the record – a gently soulful set that has Hicks working in a wonderful trio with Ray Drummond on bass and Idris Muhammad on drums – both players with a warmly melodic feel, especially Drummond – who seems to create this resonance with John's piano. Titles include "Is That So", "Emily", "Yesterdays", "I'll Remember April", "Sonnymoon For Two", and "April Eyes". CD

60s genius from the mighty Stanley Turrentine – an under-reissued album, coupled here with a huge amount of bonus tracks! The first part of the CD features material that was recorded in 1967, but not issued until the 70s – partly on the self-titled Stanley Turrentine album, and partly on New Time Shuffle! The album's got Stan working strongly in the Joyride style of his previous Blue Note hit – with larger arrangements from Duke Pearson, in a groove that sets Turrentine's tenor up with plenty of soulful rhythms! Pearson brings a nice sense of lyricism to the session, even a hint of bossa at times – and the sharp-edged Turrentine tone is a welcome one throughout – setting sparks and illuminating corners of the music with a deeply personal feel. Titles include "Blues For Del", "Manha De Carnaval", "Here's That Rainy Day", "She's A Carioca", "What Now My Love", and "Night Song". Added to these tracks are 5 more tunes from a similar Pearson-arranged date recorded a few months later – one that's got a slightly fuller horn section, and a bit less of a bossa groove, but still plenty darn great! Duke brings in a bit more drama at times – especially on some of the slower numbers – and Stan picks up the vibe with his tenor, playing with an almost soundtrack-like sensibility. Titles include "Silver Tears", "Come Back To Me", "A Bluish Bag", and "With This Ring". CD

Great large group genius from tenor giant Stanley Turrentine – one of a number of 60s Blue Note albums that have Stan exploring a format that he'd use even more strongly in the 70s! Here, the results are superb – thanks in strong part to the great Duke Pearson, whose growing talents as an arranger are perfect for the sound of Turrentine's horn – warmly soulful and lyrical, but still with a nice sense of bite – one that's furthered by work from James Spaulding on alto, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone, Grant Green on guitar, and McCoy Tyner on piano. The whole thing comes of wonderfully – with some open tunes that never feel too tightly constricted, which results in some great solo moments – on the tunes "Baptismal", "Feeling Good", "Shake", "Walk On By", and "And Satisfy". CD

Very cool work from Ernie Wilkins – a set that's got a lot more to offer than some of his other big band dates, and almost an MPS-like mix of groovy undercurrents and very strong jazz soloing! There's a slight bounce to the set at its best moments – thanks to round basslines from Mads Vinding, and great drums from Ed Thigpen – but the soloists are the ones who really make the record come alive – and include Sahib Shihab on alto, soprano sax, and flute – plus Jesper Thilo and Bent Jaedig on tenor, Richard Boone on trombone, Kenny Drew on piano, Tim Hagens on trumpet, and Wilkins himself on tenor. Titles include a great reading of Duke Pearson's "Is That So" – plus "Sugar", "Jenny", "No More Rat Race", "Sebastian", and "Ballad For Paul". CD

A second set of tracks chosen by the hip British duo of Martin Freeman and Eddie Piller – the former a well-known actor, the latter the man who founded the Acid Jazz label many years back! In some way, the set's similar to some of the compilations that were first showing up in the early years of the acid jazz scene in the UK at the end of the 80s – as the work here is mostly all from earlier generations, and has a real focus on the kind of jazz cuts that have a strong groove – not remixed club tracks or "nu jazz" house singles – but instead vintage jazz from the 60s and 70s that's still pretty darn powerful and inspirational all these many years later! As with the previous volume, Eddie's choices of cuts are somewhat hipper than Martin's – but they're all pretty great – and titles include "Gira Girou" by Duke Pearson, "Nature Boy" by Lorez Alexandria, "Al Amin" by Emanuel K Rahim & The Kaliqs, "Perseverance & Endurance" by Horace Silver, "I'm Gonna Leave You" by Nina Simone, "Creative Musicians" by Lyman Woodard Organization, "Leaving This Planet" by Charles Earland, "Tear To A Smile" by Roy Ayers, "Do It The Hard Way" by Chet Baker, "The Magilla" by Stanley Turrentine, "Freedom Jazz Dance" by Brian Auger, and "Ley Lines" by Emma-Jean Thackray. LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent little compilation of obscure grooves pulled from the classic years at Blue Note – mixed together with a subtle approach that's very different from some of the US Blue Breakbeats comps! This one has a slinky groove that's really great, and which is occasionally interrupted by spoken parts from albums by Lee Morgan, Marlena Shaw, Horace Silver, and others. Tracks include Duke Pearson's massive "The Phantom", Bobby Hutcherson's "Boquet", Donald Byrd's "Xibaba", Eddie Henderson's "Nostalgia", Lonnie Smith's "Dancing In An Easy Groove", Lee Morgan's "Estavanico", and Lou Donaldson's "One Cylinder". Very nicely selected and packaged – and a companion to the Chips & Cheers compilation! CD

One of the greatest Donald Byrd albums ever – a smoking live performance spread out over two different records – all with some of the tightest, most grooving work that Byrd ever recorded in his early years on Blue Note! Part of the strength of the set is the group – as Don's trumpet is alongside the brilliant baritone of Pepper Adams – who plays with the deftness of a tenor, but with a richer, fuller sound – and the group also includes the great Duke Pearson on piano, who has this way of comping out tunes that are soulful, but richly lyrical too. The group's completed by Lex Humphries on drums and Laymon Jackson on bass – and titles on this first volume include nice long versions of "Soulful Kiddy", "My Girl Shirl", and "Cecile". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest Donald Byrd albums ever – a smoking live performance spread out over two different records – all with some of the tightest, most grooving work that Byrd ever recorded in his early years on Blue Note! Part of the strength of the set is the group – as Don's trumpet is alongside the brilliant baritone of Pepper Adams – who plays with the deftness of a tenor, but with a richer, fuller sound – and the group also includes the great Duke Pearson on piano, who has this way of comping out tunes that are soulful, but richly lyrical too. The group's completed by Lex Humphries on drums and Laymon Jackson on bass – and titles on this second volume include a stunning long version of Pearson's "Jeanine", plus the tracks "Pure D. Funk" and "Kimyas". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic soul jazz material from trumpeter Donald Byrd – one of his most sinister (and most rare) albums for Blue Note! The group's a quintet, with frequent bandmate Pepper Adams on baritone, Duke Pearson on piano, and Philly Joe Jones on drums – all grooving with some of the tightness heard on other Adams/Byrd dates, but also a warmer, more open-ended approach to the music, especially on the solos! The tracks slink along with a dark little groove – and although Pearson's piano is often sweetly lyrical, it also has a nice hard sound that works well with the sharp-edged horn lines of Byrd and Adams. The album's very much in the vein of the pair's work on the Warwick label during the same time – and with excellent compositions that include "Say You're Mine", "Duke's Mixture", "The Cat Walk", and "Hello Bright Sunflower". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic soul jazz material from trumpeter Donald Byrd – one of his most sinister (and most rare) albums for Blue Note! The group's a quintet, with frequent bandmate Pepper Adams on baritone, Duke Pearson on piano, and Philly Joe Jones on drums – all grooving with some of the tightness heard on other Adams/Byrd dates, but also a warmer, more open-ended approach to the music, especially on the solos! The tracks slink along with a dark little groove – and although Pearson's piano is often sweetly lyrical, it also has a nice hard sound that works well with the sharp-edged horn lines of Byrd and Adams. The album's very much in the vein of the pair's work on the Warwick label during the same time – and with excellent compositions that include "Say You're Mine", "Duke's Mixture", "The Cat Walk", and "Hello Bright Sunflower". CD

Donald Byrd in a sweet electric mode – as you'd guess from the title! The set was recorded right before Byrd's legendary run with Larry Mizell in the early 70s – and the electric approach is a bit different here – a style that blends Byrd's wonderful trumpet lines with the larger ensemble mode Blue Note sometimes used in the late 60s, but with a spacey, stretched-out feel that's mighty nice! The album's somewhat similar to Byrd's Kofi set – but possibly a bit more open overall – and players here include Duke Pearson on electric piano, Jerry Dodgion on alto and sopranos ax, Frank Foster on tenor, Pepper Adams on baritone, Hermeto Pascoal on flute, Wally Richardson on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, Mickey Roker on drums, and Airto on percussion. Pearson produced, and probably arranged too – given a slight Brazilian undercurrent to the grooves – and titles include "Estavanico", "Essence", "The Dude", and "Xibaba". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Donald Byrd's first albums on Blue Note – tight, soulful, and a firm statement of hardbop truth – a record that showed that Byrd was firmly on the map! The ensemble features Jackie McLean on alto, and the rhythm section includes Duke Pearson, Doug Watkins, and Lex Humphries – all of whom bring in a sense of lyrical interplay that really shows off a newer side of Byrd's trumpet that didn't emerge in earlier 50s recordings – one that opens up in the individuality of the Blue Note mode, and shakes off some of the more academic trappings of his early work with Gigi Gryce. All tunes are proud originals by Byrd himself – written with a real sense of color, tone, and timing – and titles include "Bup A Loup", "Funky Mama", "Lament", and "Amen". CD

A really landmark album in soulful jazz for the 60s – a set that takes the already-great energy of the young trumpeter Donald Byrd, and mixes it with some voices borrowed from gospel music bur turned towards modern jazz – all in a style that's very similar to some of the Max Roach experiments from the time! The core group is really great – with tenor from Hank Mobley, guitar from Kenny Burrell, and piano from Herbie Hancock – plus vibes from the obscure Donald Best, an instrument that you don't always hear on Donald Byrd's albums! Added to this group are voices directed by Coleridge Perkinson, a very hip cat who takes the voices far away from cliched modes of earlier years – and into some very righteous territory that makes the record one of Donald Byrd's first really powerful statements as a leader. Duke Pearson handled the arrangements, and the sound is beautiful and spiritual, with a sound that mixes Blue Note hardbop with a style that would later show up on labels like Strata East, or in the experiments of Max Roach and Billy Harper. The tracks are long and moody, and the vocal group never gets in the way, but instead backs Byrd in a way that lets him hit new heights, and which gives him a stronger sense of voice. Titles include the classic "Christo Redentor", plus "Chant", "The Black Disciple", and "Elijah". CD

A rare session as a leader from trumpeter Johnny Coles – a player who cut some great work in the groups of James Moody and Gil Evans, but who shines even more brightly on this classic Blue Note album! Coles really has an ear for finding the hippest side of his instrument – and he blows with a style that's unlike anyone else we can think of – and certainly far from the mellower tones of his previous leader set for Columbia. This album's got a great mix of hardbop and modern ideas – right up there with the best Blue Note had to offer at the time – and the group's filled with equally hip players who include Joe Henderson on tenor, Leo Wright on alto and flute, Duke Pearson on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and either Pete LaRoca or Walter Perkins on drums. Titles include "Heavy Legs", "Hobo Joe", "Jano", and "Little Johnny C". Very hip, very hard, and very swingin! CD

An unusual session from the heart of Lou Donaldson's return to Blue Note in the late 60s – a mellower date that stands in strong contrast to his funkier albums of the time! As you might guess from the title, there's a lusher feel going on here – one that has Lou's alto sax augmented by larger backings from Duke Pearson – who manages to score things perfectly with a balance of soul and sophistication. The album's hardly a "Donaldson with strings" date – and instead is done in the more mature mode that Duke was using in some of his own sides from the time, and on work with players like Donald Byrd or Stanley Turrentine. Other players here include Wayne Shorter on tenor, Pepper Adams on baritone, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, and Garnett Brown on trombone – plus core rhythms from the trio of McCoy Tyner on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Harewood on drums. Titles include "Sweet Slumber", "The Good Life", "Sweet & Lovely", "Stardust", and "You've Changed" – and the album was recorded in the 60s, it was only first issued in Japan in 1980 – and even then only later in the US! CD

A warmly melodic session from Blue Note's greatest guitarist! The sound of the set's as evocative as the title – an idle moment of space between the notes, explored by Green's tight single-note work on guitar – and wonderfully supported by a lineup that includes Joe Henderson on tenor, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, and Duke Pearson on piano – all working in a surprising blend of modern ideas and warmer lyricism. Hutcherson and Pearson are always a treat together – bringing out the best exotic side of each other, and crafting a set of spiritually soulful grooves that are really great! The album's got four long tracks – exploratory and open, in the best manner of Green's mid 60s work – and titles include "Nomad", "Idle Moments", and "Jean De Fleur". CD also features two alternate takes! CD

The title alone is more than enough to win us over here – as it's a great Duke Pearson composition that turns out to be a wonderful showcase for the most lyrical modes of pianist John Hicks! That tune's the leadoff, and it really sets the tone for the record – a gently soulful set that has Hicks working in a wonderful trio with Ray Drummond on bass and Idris Muhammad on drums – both players with a warmly melodic feel, especially Drummond – who seems to create this resonance with John's piano. Titles include "Is That So", "Emily", "Yesterdays", "I'll Remember April", "Sonnymoon For Two", and "April Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest lost sessions ever! Legendary vibist Bobby Hutcherson recorded this set of tracks in his early days with Blue Note – but the set's never come out until now, and its release is cause for rejoicing! The material shows Hutcherson playing in a straight-ahead format, tinged with some of the modernist new thing elements of other recordings from the time, but mostly filled with a soulfulness not always heard on his Blue Note albums at the time. The group includes Duke Pearson on piano, whose lovely lyrical approach works perfectly with Hutcherson's vibes. Joe Henderson plays some great hard-edged tenor, cutting nicely through all the tracks – and Grant Green sits in on half of the material, playing some nice spiralling modal lines on guitar. Many of these titles have been recorded in other versions on later Blue Note albums – but they're all in fantastic versions here, including "Bedouin", "The Kicker", "Step Lightly", and "Mirrors". LP, Vinyl record album

A lost Blue Note Records session by tenor genius Hank Mobley – originally recorded in 1966, but not officially issued until 1979 – and then only briefly until another short issue in the mid 90s! The record has Mobley really reaching out into a new bag – hitting a more soulfully arranged sound than on some of his other straighter Blue Notes – a full, rich groove that's totally wonderful! Duke Pearson arranged the group, and it's slightly larger than usual – with James Spaulding on alto, Lee Morgan on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, Billy Higgins on drums, and Kiane Zawadi and Howard Johnson providing a very unique tuba/euphonium bass part – hardly the clunky horns you might expect, and instead sort of a rumbling bottom-end sound that's really great. Titles include "Hank's Other Bag", "Touch Of Blue", and "A Slice Of The Top". CD

A very unusual album for Wayne Shorter – recorded right around that 1970 point when Duke Pearson was exploring formats for Blue Note artists that included larger, often electric arrangements, pointing the way towards some of the later 70s soul jazz work on labels like Kudu or CTI! This set, produced by Pearson, features Shorter as the main soloist on tenor and soprano sax – in a very hip group that includes Dave Friedman on vibes, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, Ron Carter and Cecil McBee on bass, and both Billy Hart and Alphonse Mouzon on drums. Tracks are long and complicated, with searching soulful arrangements that are part post-Miles fusion, part early 70s indie soul jazz – but balanced nicely without any sense of overindulgence at all. Shorter's soprano work is very nice, and much more angular than his playing on tenor – and titles include "Wind", "Joy", "Storm", and "Calm". CD

Rhythmic and exotic grooves from the classic Atlantic Records catalog – most of them based around modal progressions and jazz waltz styles, which means that the set dances in a lively way through just about every track! Most of the tunes are pulled from rare 60s sessions – sparkling as a set of overlooked album tracks brought together through a compelling rhythmic pulse. The groove is more sophisticated than your average funky jazz compilation – sweeping, majestic, and pretty darn soulful! Titles include "The Fakir" by Duke Pearson, "Turkish Mambo" by Lennie Tristano, "Ad Infinitum" by Art Farmer, "Woodward Avenue" by Yusef Lateef, "Little Bit" by Eddie Harris, "Let Thy People Go" by Max Roach, "Elephant Walk" by Ted Curson, and "Juba Juba" by Yusef Lateef. CD

Beautifully sensitive work from pianist Geri Allen – a session cut with a core trio of Ron Carter on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums, but one that sparkles even more from guest contributions by Wallace Roney and Carmen Lundy! Geri's piano is at the forefront of the set – sliding out gracefully with a sound that's not exactly timeless, but which has a soulful energy that reminds us a lot of some of the best styles of her roots – focused a bit more here, and augmented on a few tracks by the Atlanta Jazz Chorus, a vocal group who hardly dominate the record, but float in very gently alongside Geri's piano – almost in a style that's similar to the use of voices on some of Duke Pearson's last recordings for Blue Note. Titles include "Portraits & Dreams", "Oh Freedom", "Melchezedik", "Well Done", "La Strada", "I Have A Dream", "Nearly", "In Real Time", "Our Lady", and "Timeless Portraits & Dreams". CD features a bonus disc with a version of "Lift Every Voice & Sing" by vocalist George Shirley with the Atlanta Jazz Chorus. CD

One of the coolest, grooviest 60s albums from trumpeter Donald Byrd – one that has him really reaching out for a hip new sound, but in ways that are different than most of his other material at the time! Key on the date is the placement of electric piano from Duke Pearson – played in this open, flowing style that has all the best hallmarks of Pearson's own work on the instrument for his sessions – yet balanced nicely with the bolder punch of Byrd's trumpet as well. Donald's quite far from any Miles Davis cliches on this one – no too-dark electric modes at all – and instead, the album's got this sense of lyrical soulfulness that we've maybe never heard this strongly again on any of Byrd's other albums. Other players include Frank Foster on tenor, Jerry Dodgion and Lew Tabackin on flute, Julian Priester on trombone, Jimmy Ponder on guitar, and either Idris Muhammad or Joe Chambers on drums. All tracks are nice and long, and very fresh – and include "Weasil", "I Love the Girl", "Fancy Free", and "The Uptowner". CD

One of the coolest, grooviest 60s albums from trumpeter Donald Byrd – one that has him really reaching out for a hip new sound, but in ways that are different than most of his other material at the time! Key on the date is the placement of electric piano from Duke Pearson – played in this open, flowing style that has all the best hallmarks of Pearson's own work on the instrument for his sessions – yet balanced nicely with the bolder punch of Byrd's trumpet as well. Donald's quite far from any Miles Davis cliches on this one – no too-dark electric modes at all – and instead, the album's got this sense of lyrical soulfulness that we've maybe never heard this strongly again on any of Byrd's other albums. Other players include Frank Foster on tenor, Jerry Dodgion and Lew Tabackin on flute, Julian Priester on trombone, Jimmy Ponder on guitar, and either Idris Muhammad or Joe Chambers on drums. All tracks are nice and long, and very fresh – and include "Weasil", "I Love the Girl", "Fancy Free", and "The Uptowner". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Donald Byrd's first albums on Blue Note – tight, soulful, and a firm statement of hardbop truth – a record that showed that Byrd was firmly on the map! The ensemble features Jackie McLean on alto, and the rhythm section includes Duke Pearson, Doug Watkins, and Lex Humphries – all of whom bring in a sense of lyrical interplay that really shows off a newer side of Byrd's trumpet that didn't emerge in earlier 50s recordings – one that opens up in the individuality of the Blue Note mode, and shakes off some of the more academic trappings of his early work with Gigi Gryce. All tunes are proud originals by Byrd himself – written with a real sense of color, tone, and timing – and titles include "Bup A Loup", "Funky Mama", "Lament", and "Amen". LP, Vinyl record album

A really landmark album in soulful jazz for the 60s – a set that takes the already-great energy of the young trumpeter Donald Byrd, and mixes it with some voices borrowed from gospel music bur turned towards modern jazz – all in a style that's very similar to some of the Max Roach experiments from the time! The core group is really great – with tenor from Hank Mobley, guitar from Kenny Burrell, and piano from Herbie Hancock – plus vibes from the obscure Donald Best, an instrument that you don't always hear on Donald Byrd's albums! Added to this group are voices directed by Coleridge Perkinson, a very hip cat who takes the voices far away from cliched modes of earlier years – and into some very righteous territory that makes the record one of Donald Byrd's first really powerful statements as a leader. Duke Pearson handled the arrangements, and the sound is beautiful and spiritual, with a sound that mixes Blue Note hardbop with a style that would later show up on labels like Strata East, or in the experiments of Max Roach and Billy Harper. The tracks are long and moody, and the vocal group never gets in the way, but instead backs Byrd in a way that lets him hit new heights, and which gives him a stronger sense of voice. Titles include the classic "Christo Redentor", plus "Chant", "The Black Disciple", and "Elijah". CD

Upfront issue of some Donald Byrd stuff recorded in the early 60's. Two great lineups, one that pairs Donald Byrd with the tenor of Jimmy Heath and the alto of Bunky Green; another that has him joining Johnny Coles on trumpet and Duke Pearson on piano. Nice hard bop stuff, in settings Byrd's not often heard in, 5 tracks in all: "My Babe", "Counter Punch", "Step High", "Out Of This World" and "Angel Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

Two great Donald Byrd sessions from the early 60s – both originally issued under the names of different leaders! First up is the Bunky Green album My Babe – a classic hardbop session that was cut in Chicago for Vee Jay, but which was issued after the demise of the label, on the related Exodus imprint. Chicago alto player Bunky Green leads a tight little sextet that has Donald Byrd on trumpet, Jimmy Heath on tenor, and Wynton Kelly on piano – and the group grooves with a tight sound that's in keeping with lots of the other great soul jazz/hardbop sessions that were coming out of Chicago at the time. Green's tone is nice and raw, quite a bit more so than on his later recordings for Cadet, and Heath is a perfect match for him on the frontline. Tracks include "Cecile", "Step High", "Counter Punch", and a swingin' version of "My Babe". Next is the Duke Pearson album Hush – not only one of his few non-Blue Note dates, but also one of the few titles that came out on the obscure Jazztime label – all of which are great! The session's a musical delight through and through – really Pearson's first full group hardbop date on wax – with a killer lineup that includes twin-trumpet interplay from Donald Byrd and Johnny Coles, plus rhythm from Bob Cranshaw on bass and Walter Perkins on drums – making one of his rare non-Chicago appearances here! The tunes are tight and catchy – very much a precursor to the mid 60s Blue Note recordings – and titles include "Hush", "Sudel", "Friday's Child", "Smoothie", and "Angel Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

A long-lost album from one of our favorite jazz talents of all time – British tenor legend Tubby Hayes, a player we'd easily place on a short list with giants like Dexter Gordon or Sonny Rollins! Like both of those players, Hayes has an incredible talent for longform solos that never lose their fire, direction, or imagination – a quality that emerges here maybe even more strongly than on some of the records that preceded it – as Hayes works with just a quartet, on long tracks that are really dominated by both his great sound, and the strong contributions of pianist Mike Pyne – an equal star on the set! At a time when British jazz was going for a lot of new recording modes, crossover styles, and other gimmicks, the whole thing is a back to basics record for Tubby – but also one that shows just how much he's grown as a soloist in just a few short years – really on fire, as the tenor is driven strongly by the efforts of Ron Mathewson on bass and Spike Wells on drums, completing a great quartet who really get the energy of their leader. Titles include a great version of the Duke Pearson tune "You Know I Care", a lovely take on "Where Am I Going", and the Hayes originals "For Members Only", "Rumpus", and "Grits Beans & Greens". Fantastic stuff – long overdue, and instantly a key addition to the Tubby Hayes Fontana catalog of the 60s! CD

An excellent set of hardbop tracks – originally recorded under the leadership of trombonist Willie Wilson – but also issued under the names of Duke Pearson and Freddie Hubbard over the years! The set was cut in 1961 for the Jazztime label – and really crackles with electricity, and has a straight hardbop sound and a smoking New York groove – every bit as great as the best Blue Note work of the time, but with a raw edge that drives it even further. The group is top-notch, too – and features Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Duke Pearson on piano, Thomas Howard on bass, and Lex Humphries on drums – plus the obscure Willie Wilson on trombone, a great player who was a friend of Pearson, and whose only recorded work is on this album. Tracks have a lively well-crafted sound, and titles include "Lex", "Blues For Alvina", "Apothegm", and "Minor Mishap". CD features 5 bonus alternate takes too! Note that this material was also issued by Prestige – under the title Dedication, with Pearson's name as the leader. CD

One of the biggest moments in the career of guitarist Harvey Mandel – an album based around his famous cover of "Cristo Redentor", a tune written by Duke Pearson for one of Donald Byrd's "with voices" albums, which was then turned into a spacey guitar classic by Mandel's trippy work. The tune's here in full force – backed up by an album of like minded tunes – 60s trippy guitar mixed with jazz influences, in a messed up Bay Area style that was every bit the product of its time as more famous rock albums coming out of the San Francisco scene. Titles include "Cristo Redentor", "Before Six", "The Lark", "Snake", "Long Wait", "Bradley's Barn", and "You Can't Tell Me". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the first albums to feature the trumpet of Blue Mitchell in a larger group – a really great move that let his soulful horn really come to the lead! Blue sounds wonderful here – soaring out in front of larger charts from Duke Pearson, Jimmy Heath, Don Pickett, and Melba Liston – all talents who start to bring in a bit of funk to Mitchell's music – which Blue responds to with a mighty nice kick! The group also features Pepper Adams on baritone, Jerry Dodgion on alto, Julian Preister on trombone, and Junior Cook on tenor – and titles include "Heads Up Feet Down", "Togetherness", "Good Humor Man", "Len Sirrah", and "People in Nassau". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the first albums to feature the trumpet of Blue Mitchell in a larger group – a really great move that let his soulful horn really come to the lead! Blue sounds wonderful here – soaring out in front of larger charts from Duke Pearson, Jimmy Heath, Don Pickett, and Melba Liston – all talents who start to bring in a bit of funk to Mitchell's music – which Blue responds to with a mighty nice kick! The group also features Pepper Adams on baritone, Jerry Dodgion on alto, Julian Preister on trombone, and Junior Cook on tenor – and titles include "Heads Up Feet Down", "Togetherness", "Good Humor Man", "Len Sirrah", and "People in Nassau". CD features bonus alternate takes of "Togetherness" and "Good Humor Man". CD