David Sanchez on tenor & soprano sax, clave & rainstick, Kenny Garrett on alto sax, Danilo Perez on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass, John Benitez on bass & clave, Charnett Moffett on bass, Clarence Penn on drums, Horacio Hernandez on drums, Milton Cardona on bata drums & shekere & Richie Flores on percussion. CD

A great counterpart to some of Archie Shepp's studio albums for Impulse – a live date recorded in San Francisco, with a slightly freer, sharper edge! The sound is almost free at times, but always with that strong sense of focus that Archie brought to his brilliant work of the time – and the group's a well-honed ensemble who really understand each others motivations and inspirations – Roswell Rudd on trombone, Donald Garrett and Lewis Worrell on bass, and Beaver Harris on drums – all almost working at an ESP level together. Shepp plays a bit of piano on the record – in sharply angular tones that are almost more modern than his tenor – and titles include "The Wedding", "Wherever June Bugs Go", and "Keep Your Heart Right". CD

A great counterpart to some of Archie Shepp's studio albums for Impulse – a live date recorded in San Francisco, with a slightly freer, sharper edge! The sound is almost free at times, but always with that strong sense of focus that Archie brought to his brilliant work of the time – and the group's a well-honed ensemble who really understand each others motivations and inspirations – Roswell Rudd on trombone, Donald Garrett and Lewis Worrell on bass, and Beaver Harris on drums – all almost working at an ESP level together. Shepp plays a bit of piano on the record – in sharply angular tones that are almost more modern than his tenor – and titles include "The Wedding", "Wherever June Bugs Go", and "Keep Your Heart Right". LP, Vinyl record album

Important 70s work from the great La Monte Young – a set that takes off strongly on his exploration of tones and sonic waves – heard here in two very unique settings! Side one features a quartet – with Young on voice and sine wave generator, alongside Jon Hassell on trumpet, Garrett List on trombone, and Marian Zazeela on voice – all elements that are fused together beautifully in these slow-moving waves of sound – rising and falling with the kind of organic tonality that Hassell later explored in his own music, but in a more dynamic way. Side two features Young solo, but working with three different sine waves – which are set up in one of La Monte's drift studies – a progression of sound with very subtle shifts – almost constant in quality from the outside, but with a slow-moving drift that's very hypnotic, and which lives up to the dreamlike promise of the title. CD

Music from Tail Dragger Chicago Blues Band, Prez Kenneth Chicago Blues Band, Joshie Armstrong, Paul Jones Rockin' Four, Little Mack Simmons Chicago Blues Band, Studebaker John Tonemasters, Big Mojo Elem Chicago Blues Band, Pretty Things/Yardbird Blues Band, the El Dorados, Jo Ann Garrett, Chicago Slim Maxwell Street Trio, and Andre Williams Fatback Band. CD

The best look at Chicago's legendary Twinight label that we've ever seen – a massive 2CD set that goes way past the obvious hits, and really digs into the heart and soul of this unique little record company! Twinight is best known as the home of Syl Johnson during his legendary run of funky soul singles at the end of the 60s – but the company was also home to a lot of other great talent during the same stretch – harmony vocal groups, sweet soul singers, funky combos, and more – all of which you'll hear in this incredible little set! (And in fact, the set does such a great job of presenting the other artists on Twinight, that it leaves out Syl Johnson entirely – so the package is a 100% non-Syl set – which is ok with us, because you can always get Johnson's work on other reissues.) The Numero Group have really outdone themselves this time around – using their careful ear to pull out the best lost bits from Twinight, remastered here with wonderful sound – and a brilliant 32 page booklet that tells the story of the label, and also includes loads of vintage photos. The set's a must-have for any fan of quality funk or soul – and the package includes a whopping 40 titles that include "Goin Man Huntin" by Jo Ann Garrett, "I've Made Up My Mind" by Josephine Taylor, "A New Day" by The Notations, "Nevermore" by Renaldo Domino, "Yesterday's Mistakes" by Jimmy Jones, "I'll Always Love You" by Velma Perkins, "Life Walked Out" by Mist, "Put Out The Fire by Mystiques, "You & Me Baby" by Kaldirons, "Rosemarie" by Dynamic Tints, "Remind Me" by Schiller Street Gang, "Is It Meant To Be" by Krystal Generation, "Pardon My Innocent Heart" by Nate Evans, "Package Of Love (part 1)" by Dynamic Tints, "The Devastator" by Stormy, "Mama" by Annette Poindexter, "Pass It On (part 1)" by Pipes Of Peace, "My Sunshine Girl" by Radiants, "Let Me Come Within" by Renaldo Domino, "Soul Strokes" by Sidney Pinchback, and "Can You Find Me Love" by Harrison & The Majestic Kind. CD

Killer work from one of the smokinest soul labels of the west coast scene of the 60s – mighty Mirwood Records, a company that's kept the Northern Soul scene humming for decades! Mirwood wasn't one of the biggest, or most chart-topping labels – but the company came up with some incredible work in the uptempo mode that's really held strongly over the years. The label boasted some great singers with a straightforward, no-nonsense approach – often working with tight rhythms and rolling piano lines to send the tunes home with a solid sort of punch! This set features 24 classics from the glory days of Mirwood – all lovingly presented with great notes in the usual high Kent/Ace standard. Titles include "Your Kind Ain't No Good" by The Mirettes, "Stubborn Heart" by The Sheppards, "Baby Your Time Is My Time" by Bob & Earl, "Oh My Darlin" by Jackie Lee, "Set Me Free" by The Performers, "Words Can't Explain" by The Belles, "Where There's A Will" by Jimmy Thomas, "The Same Old Thing" by The Olympics, "Keep It Coming" by Bobby Garrett, "Just Tryin To Please You" by Jimmy Thomas, "Is She In Your Town" by Curtis Lee, and "Lost" by The Darlettes. CD

Rootsy blues from the great Excello Records – most of it recorded not too far from the Tennessee city in which the label made its home! The southern scene in the 50s was going through plenty of changes – partly because of all the migration northwards that started during the wartime years, partly because of the way that radio and growing indie labels were helping criss-cross sounds and scenes through their musical efforts – with a huge run of changes that were taking place in the urban scene. Even out in the sticks, stronger use of the electric guitar really transformed rural blues – even in spare recording settings that might have mirrored blues records of the 20s and 30s – and the use of new ideas, new inflections, and new ways of putting over a tune are perfectly captured here in a batch of rare tracks done by the Excello label. Most of the cuts are super-rare singles, issued here with excellent sound – and there's a few other numbers on the set that are issued here for the first time ever – with great sound and excellent notes. Titles include "I'm Bad" by Good Rockin Bob, "No Jive" by Little Al, "Honey Babe" by Arthur Gunter, "The Natural Facts" by Leroy Campbell, "Wasted Time" by Shy Guy Douglas, "Dirty Britches" by The Leap Frogs, "Welcome Home Baby" by Slim Hunt, and "Quit My Drinkin" by Robert Garrett. CD

A treasure trove of lost soul – featuring countless great tracks we'd never heard before, and some killer unissued cuts making their first appearance! The CD focuses on the harder sound of LA's famous Modern Records label – tracks mostly recorded in the late 60s, with a heavy style that showed the changes of the times, and a rougher edge that borrowed a lot from southern artists recording in Memphis, Jackson, & Muscle Shoals. The whole thing's great – like coming across a pile of forgotten singles in the back of a record shop in a small town in Arkansas – and titles include "Funky Way" by Jimmy Bee, "Keep On Forgiving You" by Vernon Garrett, "I Just Love Your Work" by Jeb Stuart, "Fill My Needs" by Millie Foster, "I Wanna Love You" by Joe Haywood, "Satisfied Woman Satisfied Man" by Vernon Garrett, "What You See Is What You're Gonna Get" by Brenda George, "IT's Real (part 2)" by Jimmy Robins, "First Come First Served" by Betty Bibbs, "Without A Love" by Jackie Day, "Georgia Woman" by Freeman King, and "Who Will You Favor" by Tommy Youngblood. CD

The final volume in this fantastic collection of rare female soul from the 60s – and one that's maybe even better than the earlier entries in the series! The tracks here are totally great, and totally well-chosen – not big girl group hits of the time, but instead a treasure trove of under-appreciated singles on labels that include Excello, Dionne, Cameo/Parkway, Fairmount, Musicor, and other indies of the time – mix with a few 60s gems that weren't even issued back in the day! As always with Ace/Kent, the track list is superb – completely wonderful music that we never would have discovered otherwise – track after track of new discoveries for our ears, all presented with fantastic sound, very detailed notes, and enough tracks to make the whole thing a hell of a deal for the price. Many of these cuts have much more of a deep soul vibe than the lighter style you might be expecting for 60s female soul – and titles include "This Heart Is Haunted" by Kelly Garrett, "Hot Spot" by The Bronzettes, "Top Twenty" by The Delicates, "He's My Hero" by The Avons, "It's The Loving Season" by The Vareeations, "Just A Little Touch Of Your Love" by Saundra Franklin, "Sir Galahad" by The Elites, "That's How It Goes" by Jackie & Gayle, "That Guy Of Mine" by The Sherrys, "Everybody South Street" by The Taffys, "I Would If I Could" by The Sweet Three, "That Kind Of Love" by Diana King, "Nothing Can Go Wrong" by The Beas, and "False Alarm" by Tari Stevens. CD

A fantastic addition to the John Coltrane catalog, and a set that's wonderful for so many different reasons it's hard to fit them all in one short passage! As the title implies, the album features a rare live performance of "Love Supreme" – done in 1965, when the work was new both to the world, and the classic Coltrane quartet with McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. Yet the version here is also very different than the album reading – looser, with more "interlude" passages – at a level that already has the group drinking in the spirit of the tune, and finding a way to rise with a new spiritual majesty! Another key part of the recording is the presence of Pharoah Sanders on tenor – making a very early appearance with the group – amidst a septet lineup that also features a very young Carlos Ward on alto, and Donald Rafael Garrett on bass – players who expand the lineup in ways that show some of Coltrane's growing experiments past the quartet structure. The whole thing was recorded at the Penthouse Club in Seattle – a place that's given us some other fantastic "lost" recordings from the 60s in recent years – and the record is essential listening, even if you own the studio Love Supreme record, or any other Coltrane records at all. LP, Vinyl record album

A tight live set from the late years of Miles Davis – a Chicago performance played around the time of his Doo Bop album, but featuring a range of selections from most of Miles' 80s electric period! There's a fair bit of funk in the rhythms – underscored by the bass work of Richard Patterson, electric percussion of Erin Davis, and the keyboards of Kei Akagai – and while Miles himself also plays a bit of keys, his main focus is on those tight, muted solos from the time – played alongside alto and flute from Kenny Garrett. Titles include instrumental Davis-ized versions of "Perfect Way", "Human Nature", and "Time After Time" – plus "Star People", "Hannibal", "The Senate/Me & You", and "Wrinkle". CD

Dennis Edwards made some great music with The Temptations – but a record like this is key proof that he was maybe even stronger as a solo act on his own! There's a mature 80s vibe to the whole record – one that comes from the commandingly strong, soulful style that Edwards perfected with his previous group – a depth that never gets lost in the 80s production, weather quiet storm mellow or upbeat and catchy – really well formed all the way through, thanks to work from producer Dennis Lambert. Siedah Garrett duets with Edwards on the mellow groover "Don't Look Any Further" – and other tracks include "(You're My) Aphrodisiac", "Another Place In Time", "I Thought I Could Handle It", and "Just Like You". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the excellent non-Art Ensemble sessions cut by the team of saxophonist Joseph Jarman and percussionist Don Moye – work that draws on their experience in the groundbreaking Chicago group, but also takes them into rich new territory on their own! The group's a quartet – with trombone and flute by Craig Harris, and bass and reeds by Rafael Garrett – and the tracks long, and slow-building – as concerned with sound overall as they are with improvisation, in a style that reminds us of some of the best mellower early 70s moments of the Art Ensemble, but with loft jazz touches too. Jarman plays a very large range of reed instruments, and Moye matches with lots of varied percussion – and titles include "Sunspots", "Jawara", "Happiness Is", and "Zulu Village". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the last really all-star sets from Quincy Jones – and a record that reprises the format of some of his big records of the 70s – like Mellow Madness or Body Heat – in a way that has Quincy surrounding himself with top-shelf artists of all sorts, from jazz soloists, to hip hoppers, to R&B vocalists. Kool Moe Dee & Big Daddy Kane rap on a version of "Birdland" that also has solos from Miles, Diz, and James Moody; Take 6 sing on a mellow version of Ivan Lins' "Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song)", Bobby McFerrin sings goofily on "Wee B Dooinit", Siedah Garrett and Al B Sure sing on "The Secret Garden", and a whole choir joins in on "Tomorrow". LP, Vinyl record album

An obscure late ESP session featuring Don Rafael Garrett and Zusann Fasteau Garrett in a set of duets on percussion, bass, clarinet, and voice. The sound's a bit hippy dippy in parts, with a vibe that's kind of groovy and optimistic – but at other times, the playing is nice and spare, with a good east coast avant sound, in that mid 70s loft jazz mode. Titles include "Wave Hands Like Clouds", "Stork Cools Its Wings", and "Snake Creeps Down". CD

2 CD set that brings together a huge amount of the best tracks cut by trumpeter Woody Shaw during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The selection is excellent, and the material is culled from Muse records like The Iron Men, Imagination, Solid, and Cassandrite – plus a few Blue Note 60s sessions. There's a number of great cuts that feature Shaw in his youthful edgey period, playing with Herbie Hancock, Larry Young, and Joe Henderson – and there's a lot more that have him laying down mature soulful solos with the likes of Kenny Barron, Kenny Garrett, and Kirk Lightsey. Titles include "Dat Dere", "Spiderman Blues", "Solid", "Obsequious", "Baloo Baloo", "Tetragon", and "Nutville". CD

One of the most soulful sets so far from Steve Turre – a record with a really great sense of groove, thanks to a tight rhythm section that includes Mulgrew Miller on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Ignacio Berroa on drums! There's a warmth and depth here that's totally great – a sound that almost takes us back to a hip Prestige Records soul jazz set at the end of the 60s – or some of the better Muse label work of the 70s – a combination of well-crafted rhythms and freer-feeling solos that's totally great. Other players include Kenny Garrett on alto and Sean Jones on trumpet – each of whom play on a few tracks – and titles include "Groove Blues", "Brother Ray", "Rainbow People", "Forward Vision", "Search For Peace", and "Cleopatra's Needle". CD

A great little collection done in the best "mondo" mode – which means that it brings together weird, raw tracks from the early years of rock and soul – and mixes them with some great spoken snippets from B-Movie films of the time! The approach is a bit of a variation on the other Cramps Jukebox titles from this label – still a similar great blend of weird, offbeat, and unusual tracks from the glory days of the 45rpm underground – but also put together in a way that gives them a slight cinematic bent, and also ties them to lurid images on the screen. Titles include "Motorcycle Millie" by Garrett Williams, "You Been Torturing Me" by Four Young Men, "Trouble" by Jackie Dee, "If You Can't Rock Me" by Debbie Stevens, "She's A Going Jessie" by Andy Starr, "I Thought I Told You About Them" by Marie Knight, "Nag" by The Halos, "Killer" by Sparkle Moore, "Don't Be Mad" by Don Feger, "Don't Bug Me Baby" by Milton Allen, "Scorpion" by The Carnations, "I'm Gonna Tell On You" by George Fleming, and "Enough Man" by Bobby Christian. CD

Music from the Gladiolas, Rudy Green, Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers, Ray Batts, Robert Garrett, the Marigolds, Jerry McCain & His Upstarts, Arthur Gunter, the King Crooners, Lillian Offitt, Hooks Coleman, and more. CD

Features Marcus Belgrave on trumpet and Kenny Garrett on alto! CD

A great back to basics session from Byrd – very solidly played, with a tight group, in a style that recalls his best mid 60s work for Blue Note! Players include Kenny Garrett, Joe Henderson, Donald Brown, Peter Washington, and the great Al Foster on drums – and the strength of Garrett and Henderson makes for some excellent tracks that rank with Byrd's best work of his late career. Titles include "Around The Corner", "Theme For Malcolm", "Popmponio", "A Certain Attitude", and "The Onliest". LP, Vinyl record album

Rare live material recorded right here in Chicago that captures the classic lineup – Coltrane, Tyner, Workman, and Jones – performing with a second bassist, Raphael Don Garrett! CD

Features Kenny Garrett and Joshua Redman on saxes, Wallace Roney on trumpet, Christian McBride on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums! CD

Kahil's Ritual Trio, with Lester Bowie and Malachi Favors, is joined by Raphael Garrett on clarinet and percussion in this spiritual set of long moody tracks. The vibe is slow and brooding, with a sort of organic feel as the musicians slowly unfurl their emotions. Features 3 originals by Kahil, plus a beautiful take of "There Is No Greater Love". CD

Incredible work by the great Eddie Harris – an album that was initially recorded for Vee Jay during his early tenure at the label, but not issued for years! The album's one of Eddie's greatest from the time – a really far-reaching blend of soul jazz, hardbop, and some of the more exotic influences running through the Chicago scene from whence he came. Two tracks on the album are especially long groovers – "Cuttin Out" and "Shakey Jake" – both in the 15 minute mark, and extended jammers with Ira Sullivan on trumpet, Bunky Green on alto, and Melvin Rhyne on organ. The first two tracks on the set feature Eddie in a lineup with Willie Pickens, Raphael Don Garrett, and Ira Sullivan – on the modal groovers "The Dancing Bull" and "Antidote". And the last 4 tracks on the CD are pulled from the album "Half & Half" – an 8 track release that initially featured 4 tunes with Eddie blowing with a vocal group, and these other 4 that have him working with a very hip group that includes Charles Stepney on piano, Melvin Jackson on bass, Joe Dorio on guitar, and Marshall Thompson on drums. Titles include "Half & Half", "KC Blues", "Lawrence Of Arabia", and "Yea Yea Yea". CD

Tremendous trumpets from Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw – a real standout from the mid 80s revival years of Blue Note – and a perfect setting for both players! The tracks are long, but tight too – with just the right balance of solo voices from Hubbard and Shaw – and excellent additional work on alto and flute from a young Kenny Garrett! The rhythms have a fluid feel that are especially great for Hubbard's approach – and are handled by Mulgrew Miller on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. Titles include "Desert Moonlight", "Lotus Blossum", "Hub-Tones", "Lament For Booker", and "Boperation". CD

Two of our favorite trumpet players of all time team up with a group of then-young lions for a late 80s session of killer material – definitely one of the best Blue Note new recordings of the time! Kenny Garrett, Mulgrew Miller, Ray Drummond and Carl Allen join Freddie and Woody for one of Woody's last dates, and the playing is filled with fire from the get go. Shaw's complex modern approach plays nicely off of Hubbard's soulful style . Six tunes: "Down Under", "The Eternal Triangle", "The Moontrane", "Calling Miss Khadija", "Nostrand & Fulton" and "Tommorrow's Destiny". CD

Wonderfully groovy work from Gary Lewis and his Playboys – just the sort of west coast pop masterpiece that Liberty Records could come up with when they were doing things this right! Production is by Snuff Garrett, with lots of Leon Russell arrangements in the studio – and although Gary's vocals are great and super-catchy, the guitars, basslines, and all the other great bits recorded for the backings hold our attention just as much! Titles include "String Along", "Tina", "My Heart's Symphony", "Looking For The Stars", "When Summer Is Gone", "Where Will The Words Come From", and "You Don't Have To Paint Me A Picture". LP, Vinyl record album

The first-ever album as a leader from tenorist Dewey Redman – a set that captures the rising musician at a level that's very full-formed, and which shows some of the roots of his years in Texas with a young Ornette Coleman! The vibe's different here than Coleman's music – at least in the early 60s – as Dewey would soon reunite with Ornette, and make some key sides in the second half of the decade. But there's definitely a similar sense of rhythmic pulse – with all the instruments leaping into the groove in a wonderful way – at times almost recalling some South African jazz modes, and at other moments maybe sparkling more with the best early 60s touches of the American underground! The rest of the combo features Jim Young on piano, Don Raphael Garrett on bass, and Eddie Moore on drums – an unusual grouping, but one that really makes some special magic here together – and in ways that give the record a very different sound than Redman's later, better-known albums. All titles are originals by Dewey – and tracks include "For Eldon", "Seven & One", "Look For The Black Star", "Of Love", and "Spur Of The Moment". CD

The first-ever album as a leader from tenorist Dewey Redman – a set that captures the rising musician at a level that's very full-formed, and which shows some of the roots of his years in Texas with a young Ornette Coleman! The vibe's different here than Coleman's music – at least in the early 60s – as Dewey would soon reunite with Ornette, and make some key sides in the second half of the decade. But there's definitely a similar sense of rhythmic pulse – with all the instruments leaping into the groove in a wonderful way – at times almost recalling some South African jazz modes, and at other moments maybe sparkling more with the best early 60s touches of the American underground! The rest of the combo features Jim Young on piano, Don Raphael Garrett on bass, and Eddie Moore on drums – an unusual grouping, but one that really makes some special magic here together – and in ways that give the record a very different sound than Redman's later, better-known albums. All titles are originals by Dewey – and tracks include "For Eldon", "Seven & One", "Look For The Black Star", "Of Love", and "Spur Of The Moment". CD

Diana and the ladies recorded live at London's Talk Of The Town nitespot – with arrangements conducted by Jimmy Garrett, and a set of tracks that includes a number of medleys of standards and late 60s pop tunes. Titles include "Mame", "Reflections", "In & Out Of Love", "Without A Song", "Baby Love", "Come See About Me", "Michelle", "You Keep Me Hangin On", "The Lady Is a Tramp", and "The Happening". CD

Important 70s work from the great La Monte Young – a set that takes off strongly on his exploration of tones and sonic waves – heard here in two very unique settings! Side one features a quartet – with Young on voice and sine wave generator, alongside Jon Hassell on trumpet, Garrett List on trombone, and Marian Zazeela on voice – all elements that are fused together beautifully in these slow-moving waves of sound – rising and falling with the kind of organic tonality that Hassell later explored in his own music, but in a more dynamic way. Side two features Young solo, but working with three different sine waves – which are set up in one of La Monte's drift studies – a progression of sound with very subtle shifts – almost constant in quality from the outside, but with a slow-moving drift that's very hypnotic, and which lives up to the dreamlike promise of the title. LP, Vinyl record album

It's been a decade since the last album as a leader from trombonist Clifton Anderson, but it's definitely been worth the wait – as the player has matured wonderfully over the years, working often with Sonny Rollins, and really finding his sense of space and soul! Anderson's got a very well-developed sound here – one that should easily make him one of the modern greats on his instrument, and one of the few to live up to a legacy started by players like JJ Johnson or Curtis Fuller many years back – tightly inventive improvisation on the trombone, creatively searching for new avenues of expression while also managing to always make things swing! That balance is a rare one, but Anderson's definitely got it – and he's helped ably by group mates who include Kenny Garrett on alto, Eric Wyatt on trenor, Larry Williss on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Titles include "So Wrong About You", "Noble", "Deja-Blue", "If", "Aah Soon Come", "Stubbs", and "Z". CD

Art Blakey on drums, Wallace Roney on trumpet, Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone, Jean Toussaint on tenor saxophone, Tim Williams on trombone, Donald Brown on piano, and Peter Washington on bass. CD

A beautifully sensitive album from Donald Byrd – quite a change from his better-known jazz funk work of the 70s and early 80s – and part of a back-to-basics move he made in part of that latter decade! The album's very much in the best straight mode of the Landmark Records label scene of the time – Byrd blowing strong and soulfully in the company of a key combo that features Kenny Garrett on alto, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Marvin Smitty Smith on drums – all players who really bring a lot of fire to the record, and almost push Byrd back to his pre-electric 60s years on Blue Note. Mike Daugherty plays synth on two tracks – using the instrument in gentle, string-like ways – but overall the record is proudly acoustic at most moments. Titles include "Harlem Blues", "Fly Little Byrd", "Voyage A Deux", "Sir Master Kool Guy", and "Blue Monk". CD

One of our favorite albums ever from John Coltrane – but a record that's sometimes eclipsed by the genius of A Love Supreme! The feel here is very similar to that one – long tracks that introduce a new mode of searching, spiritual jazz for the 60s – one that's performed by a core quintet with Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones – but which also features added players on the side-long title track! "Kulu Se Mama" is a tremendously bold statement in music – one that features a bit of spiritual vocals from Juno Lewis, plus added bass clarinet from Donald Garrett, tenor from Pharoah Sanders, and drums from Frank Butler. The two other tracks – "Vigil" and "Welcome" – are performed by a quartet, but are still equally great! This pressing includes two extra bonus cuts – "Selflessness" and an alternate take of "Dusk Dawn". CD

A pure statement of being and essence – and one of John Coltrane's spiritual masterpieces from the 60s! The 1965 recording was one of Trane's most adventurous so far – as it featured just one album-length track, building up out of relatively free expressions from Coltrane in the studio – initially in the spirit of Love Supreme, but much sharper-edged and unbridled overall – as if the meditative spirit of the previous recording had unlocked a sense of freedom that refused to be tied down to simple structures! The group is great – and features Pharoah Sanders on tenor, Donald Garrett on bass clarinet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – plus a bit of flute and percussion from Joe Brazil. The playing is much freer than on other albums of the time, but also has some introspective spiritual moments – clearly inspired by the Love Supreme recording, but taken a shade outside as well! LP, Vinyl record album

The fourth of the great Impulse box set series of essential Coltrane – Live At The Village Vanguard Again!, Expression, Om, Cosmic Music and Selflessness in a 5CD set! First in '66, Coltrane returns to the Village Vanguard – but his sound here is a lot more far-reaching than a few years before! The album's a great counterpart to the first Vanguard session – as it takes all of the bold, soaring energy of that date, and balances it with the newly introspective sound of the later Coltrane years. Includes an incredibly soulful version of "Naima", and a very firey version of "My Favorite Things", but one that begins with a haunting bass solo by Garrison and a 6+ minute intro! Expression is first Impulse album issued after the early death of John Coltrane. It's got a somber, introspective quality that almost hints at the darkness to come – a new way of reaching the spiritual planes that Coltrane was striving for in his music, but with gentler, more individual energy than before. Alice Coltrane plays piano on all tracks, and Coltrane plays tenor throughout – except for the long track "To Be", which has him on flute and Pharaoh Sanders on piccolo! Other titles include "Offering", "Expression", and "Ogunde". Om is one of Coltrane's spiritual masterpieces from the 60s – and one of his most open-ended sessions to date! The album features one long track – "Om" – a meditative ode that features the playing of Pharoah Sanders, Don Garrett, and Joe Brazil – in addition to the usual Coltrane quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones. Cosmic Music is a haunting set, with a few tracks that are dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. Tracks include "The Sun", "Reverend King", "Manifestation", and the incredible spiritual track "Lord Help Me To Be". Selflessness features 2 tracks recorded at the Newport Jazz fest in 1963 – both with Roy Haynes on drums, plus the usual McCoy Tyner/Jimmy Garrison lineup. One of these cuts is a very long reading of "My Favorite Things" – with a sweet loping modal groove, but soloing that is quite a bit more "out" than the famous studio version. The 3rd track on the album – "Selflessness" – was recorded in LA in 1965, and it features Raphael Don Garrett on bass clarinet, adding some nice Dolphy-esque touches. CD

The fifth in the great Original Impulse Albums of benchmark Coltrane – Transition, Live In Seattle, Sun Ship, Infinity and Concert In Japan – amazing recordings heavy with 1965 or '66 sessions that originally did not see release until the early 70s LP releases, together in a 5 CD box set! Transition stands with John Coltrane's best mid 60s work for Impulse – even if the session wasn't issued by the label until after his early death! The work builds strongly on the Love Supreme vibe – soaring, searching, and finding whole new space in jazz – but all with a unified conception that's driven by an unbridled sense of energy. Titles include "Transition", "Dear Lord", and the side-long "Prayer and Meditation" suite. Live In Seattle is ery heavy duty work from Coltrane – an extended live set, with very "out" playing – recorded in Seattle in 1965/ The group on the album is the classic quartet – expanded to include Pharoah Sanders, who blows some mighty fierce solos, and Don Rafael Garrett, who plays bass clarinet and bass. Titles include "Tapestry In Sound", "Out Of This World", "Evolution", and "Cosmos". Sun Ship is another gem recorded in ''65 – and it features the classic quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones – playing in a mode that's spiritutally informed, but never too "out" to be swinging. Tracks include "Amen", "Dearly Beloved", "Ascent", "Attaining", and "Sun Ship". The basic tracks for Infinity were recorded by 'Trane in 1965 and 1966, with laid over larger string parts arranged and conducted by Alice Coltrane that were recorded in 1972 by a hip little combo of avant players that includes Michael White. It's nice to hear Trane's heavy solos cutting through the larger backing. Includes the tracks "Living Space", "Joy", "Leo", and "Peace On Earth". Concert In Japan showcases 'Trane at his most out, featuring Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders as well as Rashied Ali's propulsive drumming. One of the definitive statements of "energy-jazz", and a recording that has gone onto become one of Trane's most-hailed albums! CD

A great set of unreleased recordings that was issued after John Coltrane's death, but which stands as an essential chapter in his groundbreaking body of work for Impulse! The album features 2 tracks recorded at the Newport Jazz fest in 1963 – both with Roy Haynes on drums, plus the usual McCoy Tyner/Jimmy Garrison lineup. One of these cuts is a very long reading of "My Favorite Things" – with a sweet loping modal groove, but soloing that is quite a bit more "out" than the famous studio version. The 3rd track on the album – "Selflessness" – was recorded in LA in 1965, and it features Raphael Don Garrett on bass clarinet, adding some nice Dolphy-esque touches. CD

John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders, really setting fire here in a classic live performance from the mid 60s – one of those very long, open-ended concert dates that was arguably even more impressive than some of Coltrane's studio album! The set was recorded in 1965, but not issued until a few years after Coltrane's death – and it's an amazing representation of the bold steps forward that Trane was taking at the time – working with Sanders in a set of very spiritual expressions that run in these out, open ways that are even different from the Coltrane sound of the year before! The group still features McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – often hanging onto modal rhythms at the start, then dropping back once the horns open up – and Don Raphael Garrett plays bass clarinet, bringing a bit of Dolphy flavor to the set. Titles include "Tapestry In Sound", "Out Of This World", "Evolution", and "Cosmos". CD

A very interesting batch of tracks – one tune apiece by each of the artists named in the title, recorded between the years 1970 and 1973 at the Festival Ljublijana, in Yugoslavia. Bill Evans performs a long, and straight reading of Miles Davis' "Nardis" with a trio that includes Eddie Gomez on bass and Tony Oxley on drums; Karin Krog sings a spare version of "Round Midnight", with only the bass of Arild Andersen for accompaniment; and Archie Shepp blows freely on a version of Grachan Moncur III's "Sonny's Back", in a group with Dave Burrell, Don Garrett, and Muhammad Ali. Perhaps the most striking track, though, is "The Creators" by Bobby Hutcherson – played with his group that included Harold Land and Hal Galper, and performed in an 18 minute reading that builds beautifully, into the dancing soul jazz sound that was Hutcherson's best contribution to jazz at the time! CD

A great trumpeter in an excellent group – with Kenny Garrett on alto and flute, Kenny Barron on piano, Ray Drummond on bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums! LP, Vinyl record album

Tremendous trumpets from Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw – a real standout from the mid 80s revival years of Blue Note – and a perfect setting for both players! The tracks are long, but tight too – with just the right balance of solo voices from Hubbard and Shaw – and excellent additional work on alto and flute from a young Kenny Garrett! The rhythms have a fluid feel that are especially great for Hubbard's approach – and are handled by Mulgrew Miller on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Carl Allen on drums. Titles include "Desert Moonlight", "Lotus Blossum", "Hub-Tones", "Lament For Booker", and "Boperation". CD

A relatively mellow recent effort from Bobby Hutcherson – one that has him playing both vibes and marimba, and going for a laidback style that allows plenty of spaces for tonal colors and shades of sound! The group's a quintet, with Kenny Garrett on alto, Geri Allen on piano, Christian McBride on bass, and Al Foster on drums – and in a way, the album's kind of a link between Hutcherson's inside work of the Landmark years, and some of his more exploratory work of the late 70s. Titles include "The Coaster", "Candle", "Tres Palabras", "Delilah", "Who's Got You", and "Pomponio". CD

Forget the hokey pun in the title, as the album's a sharp-edged set that has way more going on than that bad wit might imply – a brilliant record that has the same sort of post-loft vibe as some of the best Black Saint/Soul Note sessions from the time! The group here features players who worked on many of those records too – the mighty Billy Bang on violin, sounding incredible, and so different than generations of others touching that instrument in jazz – sharp, soulful, and almost "blown" more like a saxophone! Frank Lowe's tenor follows with a similarly bold voice – and the group features very urgent work on bass from Rafael Garrett and drums from Dennis Charles. Titles include great readings of Jackie McLean's "Little Melonae" and Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" – plus the tracks "Loweology", "Ballad With One L", and "Blood On The Cross". CD features some rare bonus tracks from the same sessions, appearing here for the first time ever – "Pent Up Suite", "I Mean You", "Suite For Gamma (parts 1 & 2)", and "Mr Syms". CD

One of the last really all-star sets from Quincy Jones – and a record that reprises the format of some of his big records of the 70s – like Mellow Madness or Body Heat – in a way that has Quincy surrounding himself with top-shelf artists of all sorts, from jazz soloists, to hip hoppers, to R&B vocalists. Kool Moe Dee & Big Daddy Kane rap on a version of "Birdland" that also has solos from Miles, Diz, and James Moody; Take 6 sing on a mellow version of Ivan Lins' "Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song)", Bobby McFerrin sings goofily on "Wee B Dooinit", Siedah Garrett and Al B Sure sing on "The Secret Garden", and a whole choir joins in on "Tomorrow". CD

Despite the fact that the title's "Introducing Roland Kirk", it's not actually Kirk's first album – but it is a heck of a smoker with a very unusual sound! The session features Roland with a Chicago group that includes Ira Sullivan on trumpet, Don Garrett on bass, and Ron Burton on both piano and organ – the latter of which gives Kirk's playing a very different feel than usual – a bit more soul jazz and gutbuckety than on the later Mercury recordings. In fact, given Roland's use of many different reed instruments (tenor, manzello, stritch, and whistle – all often played at the same time!) – there's almost a Yusef Lateef quality to the album, at last in the style of some of Lateef's more hardbop sides for Prestige at the time. Kirk's tone, as always, is amazing – with that really spacious feel he gets from playing more than one horn at once! Titles include some great originals, like "The Call", "Soul Station", and "Spirit Girl" – plus "Our Waltz" and "Jack The Ripper". CD

Despite the fact that the title's "Introducing Roland Kirk", it's not actually Kirk's first album – but it is a heck of a smoker with a very unusual sound! The session features Roland with a Chicago group that includes Ira Sullivan on trumpet, Don Garrett on bass, and Ron Burton on both piano and organ – the latter of which gives Kirk's playing a very different feel than usual – a bit more soul jazz and gutbuckety than on the later Mercury recordings. In fact, given Roland's use of many different reed instruments (tenor, manzello, stritch, and whistle – all often played at the same time!) – there's almost a Yusef Lateef quality to the album, at last in the style of some of Lateef's more hardbop sides for Prestige at the time. Kirk's tone, as always, is amazing – with that really spacious feel he gets from playing more than one horn at once! Titles include some great originals, like "The Call", "Soul Station", and "Spirit Girl" – plus "Our Waltz" and "Jack The Ripper". LP, Vinyl record album

A beautiful set from Mulgrew Miller – one of his greatest albums as a leader, and exemplary of the kind of underground jazz that was still bubbling strong in the 80s! The set features Miller's quintet with Kenny Garrett on alto and flute, Steve Nelson on vibes, Charnett Moffett on bass, and Tony Reedus on drums – led by Miller in a range of expressive styles carried off with effortless ease. There's some really nice numbers on here with a gentle and soulful groove – mixing vibes, piano, and alto in wonderful shades of colors and tone. Titles include "Sonhos Do Brasil", "Wingspan", "One's Own Room", "The Eleventh Hour", and "Soul Leo". LP, Vinyl record album

John Scofield on guitar, Kenny Garrett on alto sax, Brad Mehldau on piano, Christian McBride on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. CD

Way more than just a bop-heavy set – a landmark record that shows a side of the Chicago scene that hardly ever made it on record! In the years after Charlie Parker passed away, tributes to his greatness were a very common thing in local jazz scenes across the US. This is a prime example of that tradition, but way more than that, it's also a killer Chicago jazz session from the old days – featuring trumpeter Ira Sullivan at his best, along with some great local players that include tenorist Nicky Hill, pianist Jodie Christian, and bassist (Raphael) Don Garrett. The music is what you'd expect – loving renditions of Bird standards like "Klacktoveedesesteene" and "Love Letters" – but there's also a lot more going on underneath, and the album's as much a Charlie Parker tribute as it is a batch of bop and soul jazz numbers with a good underground feel. Titles include "Si Si", "Inchworm", "Milestones", "Sketches", "Fly Me To The Moon", and "Shaw Nuff" – and this 2CD reissue adds a heck of a lot more material to the original album – for a total of 15 tracks in all! CD

In the years after Charlie Parker passed away, tributes to his greatness were a very common thing in local jazz scenes across the US. This is a prime example of that tradition, but way more than that, it's also a killer Chicago jazz session from the old days – featuring trumpeter Ira Sullivan at his best, along with some great local players that include tenorist Nicky Hill, pianist Jodie Christian, and bassist (Raphael) Don Garrett. The music is what you'd expect – loving renditions of Bird standards like "Klacktoveedesesteene" and "Love Letters" – but there's also a lot more going on underneath, and the album's as much a Charlie Parker tribute as it is a batch of bop and soul jazz numbers with a good underground feel. LP, Vinyl record album

A really great look at a special side of the Chess Records soul catalog of the 60s – tracks that were very big on Chicago airwaves in the label's home town, yet which hardly got much play at all in the rest of the country! The collection's put together by Robert Pruter – the man who (literally) wrote the book on Chicago soul – and it's a wonderful portrait of soul in the Windy City of the 60s, with strands of music that nicely differ from the overplayed hits in later years. The collection also stands as a super-strong tribute to the never-ending genius of Chess Records – a label that never seems to let us down whenever we uncover a soul single we've never heard before! Titles include "Shy Guy" by The Radiants, "No Faith No Love" by Mitty Collier, "I Can't Help Myself" by The Gems, "Love Is A 5 Letter Word" by James Phelps, "A Thousand Miles Away" by Jo Ann Garrett, "Selfish One" by Jackie Ross, "Strange Feeling" by Billy Stewart, "The Creeper" by Freddy Robinson, "Peak Of Love" by Bobby McClure, "Lonely Girl" by Andrea Davis, "This Heart Of Mine" by Tony Clarke, "Bossa Nova Bird" by The Dells, and "Only Time Will Tell" by Etta James. CD

Plenty of street funk and just a bit of jazz here – all served up in the kind of killer funky collection we've always loved from the BGP label! As with some of their other gems, this set goes way beyond the obvious – and digs deep to not just feature rare singles and album tracks, but also include some never-issued recordings from the same period – which makes the set every bit as important for collectors of vintage 45s as it is for newcomers just looking to get a funky taste! There's a hard, deep vibe to most of these tracks – definitely some of the righteous message promised by the cover and title, but also just some plain old funky elements too – served up with lots of sinister guitar lines, heavy drums, and a mix of instrumental riffing and hard soul vocals. Titles include a special instrumental DJ edit of "A Joyful Process" by Funkadelic – plus "Dose Of Soul" by Chet Ivey & His Fabulous Avengers, "Do It" by Billy Sha Rae, "Music For The Brothers" by The Solicitors, "What's The Matter With The World" by Dave Hamilton, "Chains" by Blacks & blues, "Things Gonna Get Better" by Clarence Coulter, "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" by Pretty Purdie & The Playboys, "One Man's Loss" by Vernon Garrett, "125th Street & 7th Ave" by Richard Groove Holmes, "Mucho Macho" by Macho, "Push On Jesse Jackson" by The Pace Setters, "Shorty The Pimp" by Don Julian, and "Payin Dues" by Ruby Delicious. CD

A fantastic addition to the John Coltrane catalog, and a set that's wonderful for so many different reasons it's hard to fit them all in one short passage! As the title implies, the album features a rare live performance of "Love Supreme" – done in 1965, when the work was new both to the world, and the classic Coltrane quartet with McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. Yet the version here is also very different than the album reading – looser, with more "interlude" passages – at a level that already has the group drinking in the spirit of the tune, and finding a way to rise with a new spiritual majesty! Another key part of the recording is the presence of Pharoah Sanders on tenor – making a very early appearance with the group – amidst a septet lineup that also features a very young Carlos Ward on alto, and Donald Rafael Garrett on bass – players who expand the lineup in ways that show some of Coltrane's growing experiments past the quartet structure. The whole thing was recorded at the Penthouse Club in Seattle – a place that's given us some other fantastic "lost" recordings from the 60s in recent years – and the record is essential listening, even if you own the studio Love Supreme record, or any other Coltrane records at all. LP, Vinyl record album

Late live work from Miles Davis – a collection of material recorded in various concert settings during the last few years of the 80s – pulled together as a double-length tribute the trumpeter after he passed away! The quality of the performances here is great – very similar to some of Miles' early 80s work for Columbia, especially his great 2LP live set for them – and the players on the tracks vary a bit, given the setting – and include Adam Holzman, Joey DeFrancesco, and Robert Irving III on keyboards – plus Kenny Garrett on alto and flute, Benny Rietveld and Foley on bass, Ricky Wellman on drums, and Marilyn Mazur on percussion. Titles include "Hannibal", "New Blues", "Intruder", "Time After Time", "Human Nature", "Full Nelson", "Wrinkle", and "Amandla". CD

A well-titled album, as it features some of Gene's big early hits, mixed along with lesser-known gems – all done in that proud, loud style he used before becoming the Headless Hero! Snuff Garrett produced most of the work, and the tunes have a bold approach that certainly draws from the Liberty pop sound of the time – but which also has the same righteous soul touches that you might find in Lou Rawls work of the time, and which makes Gene a key link between Lou and earlier singers like Roy Hamilton or Tommy Edwards. Titles include "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay", "Chip Chip", "I Don't Want To Cry", "Tower Of Strength", "A Tear", "Send For Me", and "Point Of No Return". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Sergio Mendes' strongest soul sets of the 80s – a record that seems to bring his music back into focus a bit more than some of the previous albums – even though it still keeps things strongly in a contemporary R&B mode! Production and arrangements here are shared by Sergio with Peter Wolf – who's got a surprisingly subtle touch at times – and vocals are by Lani Hall, Siedah Garrett, Michael McDonald, and Philip Ingram – as well as the older Brazilian singer Gracinha Leporace. Tracks have some slight Brazilian touches, but the overall style is mostly smooth quiet storm 80s R&B – with titles that include "Daylight", "Take This Love", "What Do We Mean To Each Other", "Your Smile", "The River", "No Place To Hide", and "Here Where I Belong". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest discoveries of mid 80s Blue Note – a key group filled with bold young players who'd really go onto make some big waves in jazz for years to come! The musicians state their presence strongly right from the start – with just the sort of energy you'd expect from a group that features Kenny Garrett on alto, Ralph Bowen on tenor, Michael Philip Mossman on trumpet, Harry Pickens on piano, Robert Hurst on bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums – all players who also get to express themselves strongly on the host of original compositions on the set! Tunes are on fire with new voices and new ideas – much more hard-burning than you might expect – and titles include "RH Factor", "Output", "Reunited", "OTB", "Blue Hughes", and "Git In There". LP, Vinyl record album

A record that's full of heart – and one that features the great bassist William Parker handling a whole host of other instruments as well – ney flute, shakuhachi, bass dudek, Serbian flute, and ngoni – all of which stretch out and show the way that his sense of spirit can inhabit musical modes of expression from around the world! There's a wonderful balance here – this global expression of elements that we've always loved in Parker's music – carried off in the company of Cooper-Moore, who echoes some of the leader's modes on ashimba and hoe-handle harp – with drums from Hamid Drake, who can always seem to adapt and amplify things going on in a really special session like this. Titles include "Five Angels By The Stream", "Atman", "Serbia", "Kondo", "For Rafael Garrett", "Processional", and "Mud Dance". LP, Vinyl record album

Archie Shepp in Europe is always an amazing thing – and here, the spiritual master is captured right between his late 60s free French recordings, and some of his more tightly-controlled Italian albums of the second half of the decade! There's a great balance here – as Archie's still flowing forth with some of the inspirations of his Impulse sessions, while also pushing that spirituality into an exploration of older jazz material too – at that level that would really evolve in his recordings of the following decade. The lineup here is nicely unusual – with some superb piano from Dave Burrell, plus bass from Donald Garrett, percussion and flute from Zusaan Fasteau Garrett, and drums from Muhammad Ali. Shepp plays piano on one track, and Jasper Van't Hof plays piano on another – and titles include "Dr King The Peaceful Warrior", "Little Willie Leaps", "Round Midnight", "Sonny's Back", "African Blues", and "Sophisticated Lady". LP, Vinyl record album

Killer work from one of the smokinest soul labels of the west coast scene of the 60s – mighty Mirwood Records, a company that's kept the Northern Soul scene humming for decades! Mirwood wasn't one of the biggest, or most chart-topping labels – but the company came up with some incredible work in the uptempo mode that's really held strongly over the years. The label boasted some great singers with a straightforward, no-nonsense approach – often working with tight rhythms and rolling piano lines to send the tunes home with a solid sort of punch! This special vinyl-only set features some of the most crackling cuts from the Mirwood catalog – 14 titles that include "Do The Temptation Walk" by Jackie Lee, "That Beatin Rhythm" by Richard Temple, "My Little Girl" by The Bob & Earl Band, "I Wanna Do Everything For You Baby" by The Mirettes, "I Can't Get Away" by Bobby Garrett, "Is She In Your Town" by Curtis Lee, "Mine Exclusively" by The Olympics, "Where There's A Will" by Jimmy Thomas, "I Can't Stop You" by The Performers, "Stubborn Heart" by The Sheppards, and "Don't Pretend" by The Belles. LP, Vinyl record album

Includes tracks by Jackie Lee, JJ Barnes, The Mirettes, Edwin Starr, Darrell Banks, The Dynamics, San Remo Strings, LJ Reynolds, Lee Garrett, Carl Carlton, The Tripps, O'Jays, and more! CD

A fantastic collection of male soul tracks from the 60s – and one that really charts a whole new shift in the music – the rise of strong singers who aren't afraid to show their emotions, but with a sophistication that's very different than the earlier years of blues and R&B! There's an adult, mature approach to the songs here – vocalists who are accepting the terms of their heartbreak, or taking stock of their situation – putting forth their feelings strongly and directly, set to top-shelf arrangements that make it clear that they're not really the losers in the game! The set is in the best Ace/Kent tradition – really pulling together a fantastic body of work, mixing familiar and unfamiliar singers, and knocking it out of the park with the overall presentation. Titles include "Like A Big Bad Rain" by Kenny Carter, "They Say I'm Afraid" by Freddy Butler, "Anytime You Want Me" by Garnet Mimms, "A Day Or Two" by Garrett Saunders, "Can't Stand Your Fooling Around" by Gene Burks, "You Are A Lucky So & So"b y Sammy Sevens, "Through A Long & Sleepless Night" by Jimmy Radcliff, "Now You Are Gone" by Brooks O'Dell, "Forget The Girl" by Walter Jackson, and "Lonely People Can't Afford To Cry" by Clyde McPhatter. CD