Sweet funky jazz from pianist Gene Russell – one of the hippest albums he ever recorded! Russell's a pianist with a wonderfully fluid touch – used here to near perfection in a small combo date that really stands out from most of his other albums – just the kind of effort we'd have to expect at the time, given that Gene was the head of the Black Jazz label! The sound is acoustic, but has a definite sense of electricity to Russell's phrasing on the piano – a bit like work from Vince Guaraldi from the time, when he was shifting between acoustic and electric – as if the latter instrument held on and helped shape the acoustic sound. The rest of the group features Henry Franklin on bass, Steve Glover on drums, and Tony William on congas – and the groove is kind of a soulful extrapolation of a core piano trio vibe – 60s soul jazz taken to hipper 70s territory. Titles include a great cover of "Listen Here", plus "Black Orchid", "Hitting the Jug", "Making Bread", and a version of "Silver's Serenade". CD

Sweet funky jazz from pianist Gene Russell – one of the hippest albums he ever recorded! Russell's a pianist with a wonderfully fluid touch – used here to near perfection in a small combo date that really stands out from most of his other albums – just the kind of effort we'd have to expect at the time, given that Gene was the head of the Black Jazz label! The sound is acoustic, but has a definite sense of electricity to Russell's phrasing on the piano – a bit like work from Vince Guaraldi from the time, when he was shifting between acoustic and electric – as if the latter instrument held on and helped shape the acoustic sound. The rest of the group features Henry Franklin on bass, Steve Glover on drums, and Tony William on congas – and the groove is kind of a soulful extrapolation of a core piano trio vibe – 60s soul jazz taken to hipper 70s territory. Titles include a great cover of "Listen Here", plus "Black Orchid", "Hitting the Jug", "Making Bread", and a version of "Silver's Serenade". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the hippest sounds we've ever heard from pianist Gene Russell – an album that features heavy use of Fender Rhodes – and a soulful, solid, rhythmic core that comes from the basslines of Henry Franklin, guitar of Calvin Keys, and drums of Ndugu Chancler! The set's one of the greatest in the legendary Black Jazz catalog – and is a perfect illustration of the righteous ways the label's players helped to update soul jazz styles of the 60s – really reworking things here with a fresh 70s vibe, and a sense of conscious energy that flows effortlessly from Russell's work on the keys! Most numbers feature added percussion, which really furthers the spirit of the session – and titles include the massive "Get Down", plus "Blues Suite", "For Heaven's Sake", "Talk to My Lady", "My Favorite Things", and "Me & Mrs Jones". CD

Some of the hippest sounds we've ever heard from pianist Gene Russell – an album that features heavy use of Fender Rhodes – and a soulful, solid, rhythmic core that comes from the basslines of Henry Franklin, guitar of Calvin Keys, and drums of Ndugu Chancler! The set's one of the greatest in the legendary Black Jazz catalog – and is a perfect illustration of the righteous ways the label's players helped to update soul jazz styles of the 60s – really reworking things here with a fresh 70s vibe, and a sense of conscious energy that flows effortlessly from Russell's work on the keys! Most numbers feature added percussion, which really furthers the spirit of the session – and titles include the massive "Get Down", plus "Blues Suite", "For Heaven's Sake", "Talk to My Lady", "My Favorite Things", and "Me & Mrs Jones". LP, Vinyl record album

The most righteous album ever from Kellee Patterson – her first record, and a set that's way different from her more soul-based sides of later years! The album's got Patterson working in a wonderfully soulful approach to jazz – a style that's not unlike the earliest work by Dee Dee Bridgewater, especially her seminal Afro Blue album – and which mixes Kellee's unique vocals with some very hip backings that are right in the best Black Jazz mode! Instrumentation is from a loose jazz combo, and the tunes are a mix of jazzy numbers and a few tighter tracks – a really rich array of sounds that comes together beautifully in the hands of producer Gene Russell. Titles include a stellar version of Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage", a great take on the Flip Nunez number "See You Later", and the tracks "Soul Daddy", "Be All Your Own", "Magic Wand Of Love", "You", and "Look At The Child". CD

The most righteous album ever from Kellee Patterson – her first record, and a set that's way different from her more soul-based sides of later years! The album's got Patterson working in a wonderfully soulful approach to jazz – a style that's not unlike the earliest work by Dee Dee Bridgewater, especially her seminal Afro Blue album – and which mixes Kellee's unique vocals with some very hip backings that are right in the best Black Jazz mode! Instrumentation is from a loose jazz combo, and the tunes are a mix of jazzy numbers and a few tighter tracks – a really rich array of sounds that comes together beautifully in the hands of producer Gene Russell. Titles include a stellar version of Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage", a great take on the Flip Nunez number "See You Later", and the tracks "Soul Daddy", "Be All Your Own", "Magic Wand Of Love", "You", and "Look At The Child". CD

A great compilation – despite the title – one that features west coast recordings made by Savoy, showing the less "cool jazz" side of the LA scene in the late 40s and early 50s! There's some excellent material on here not available elsewhere – especially some great bop groovers in the Central Ave kind of mode. The album's got 4 tracks by Slim Gaillard – "The Jam Man", "Slim's Riff", "I'm Confessin'" and "Oxydol Highball" plus "Blow Blow Blow" by the Wardell Gray All-Stars, 3 takes each of "Blues A La Russ" and "Wake Up Old Maid" by Russell Jacquet, 'What Is This Thing Called Love" by Wild Bill Moore and Gene Montgomery, "Strollin'", "Sonor", "Blues Mood", "Skoot" and "I've Lost Your Love" by a KennY Clarke Sextet that features Milty Jackson and Gerald Wiggins and 4 numbers from Helen Humes. LP, Vinyl record album

Sammy Davis Jr is looking pretty darn hip on the cover – and all the artists inside are sounding pretty darn hip as well – coming together during the glory days of soul jazz, at a time when blues, vocals, and R&B were also criss-crossing into other styles too! There's an upbeat, soul-drenched, ultra-cool vibe to the whole thing – not too-familiar retro jazz numbers, but instead a wealth of rare cuts that often come from the sort of 7" singles that change hands for big money in the funky 45 underground, next to obscure album cuts too – mixed with the kind of unreleased material that the Ace/Kent label has always done such a good job of digging up! The package explodes with groovy musical delights – and titles include "What Is love" by Bobby Jenkins, "Out House" by Eddie Bridges & His Lowriders, "Empire City" by Gene Walker & The Combo, "Pushin The Button Of Soul" by Hank Jacobs, "Fat Man" by Montego Joe, "The Bold" by Russell Evans & The Nite Hawks, "Hey Mrs Jones" by Jimmy Witherspoon, "Poppa Nickel" by The Tempo Rhythms, "Sherry's Party" by Ray Johnson, "Hot Tamale Man" by Harold Betters, "Shank & Grits" by Ray Shanklin, "Pluckin" by Jimmy Mayes & The Soul Breed, "East 24th Ave" by Billy Graham & The Escalators, and "Do The Thing" by Gate Wesley. CD

Includes 95 tracks on 4 CDs and features work by Jack Teagarden, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, Pee Wee Russell, Gene Krupa, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, and others. CD

Notable sidemen include Benny Carter, Lionel Hampton, Fletcher Henderson, Art Tatum, Gene Krupa, Pee Wee Russell, Teddy Wilson, and others. CD

Featuring Red Nichols, Jimmy Dorsey, Pee Wee Russell, Fud Livingston, Adrian Rollini, Arthur Schutt, Carl Kress, Vic Berton, Joe Sullivan, and Gene Krupa. CD

The most righteous album ever from Kellee Patterson – her first record, and a set that's way different from her more soul-based sides of later years! The album's got Patterson working in a wonderfully soulful approach to jazz – a style that's not unlike the earliest work by Dee Dee Bridgewater, especially her seminal Afro Blue album – and which mixes Kellee's unique vocals with some very hip backings that are right in the best Black Jazz mode! Instrumentation is from a loose jazz combo, and the tunes are a mix of jazzy numbers and a few tighter tracks – a really rich array of sounds that comes together beautifully in the hands of producer Gene Russell. Titles include a stellar version of Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage", a great take on the Flip Nunez number "See You Later", and the tracks "Soul Daddy", "Be All Your Own", "Magic Wand Of Love", "You", and "Look At The Child". LP, Vinyl record album

Blue Note double LP that compiles every single trio recording that Horace Silver did for the label. The range of material runs from 1952 up through 1968, and although all the stuff was released previously, this set's just about the only way you can really focus on Horace's work in this type of setting, since many of these tracks appeared in fairly scattered (and fairly rare) releases. Great rhythm sections back him up, with names like Louis Hayes, Art Blakey, Curley Russell, and Gene Taylor cropping up in all of the set lists. Good notes too, with a take on Horace's trio work written by pianist Ran Blake. Titles include "Ecaroh", "St. Vitus Dance", "Shirl", "Buhainia", "Silverware", and "Yeah" – all in trio format! LP, Vinyl record album

Sammy Davis Jr is looking pretty darn hip on the cover – and all the artists inside are sounding pretty darn hip as well – coming together during the glory days of soul jazz, at a time when blues, vocals, and R&B were also criss-crossing into other styles too! There's an upbeat, soul-drenched, ultra-cool vibe to the whole thing – not too-familiar retro jazz numbers, but instead a wealth of rare cuts that often come from the sort of 7" singles that change hands for big money in the funky 45 underground, next to obscure album cuts too – mixed with the kind of unreleased material that the Ace/Kent label has always done such a good job of digging up! The package explodes with groovy musical delights – and titles include "What Is love" by Bobby Jenkins, "Out House" by Eddie Bridges & His Lowriders, "Empire City" by Gene Walker & The Combo, "Pushin The Button Of Soul" by Hank Jacobs, "Fat Man" by Montego Joe, "The Bold" by Russell Evans & The Nite Hawks, "Hey Mrs Jones" by Jimmy Witherspoon, "Poppa Nickel" by The Tempo Rhythms, "Sherry's Party" by Ray Johnson, "Hot Tamale Man" by Harold Betters, "Shank & Grits" by Ray Shanklin, "Pluckin" by Jimmy Mayes & The Soul Breed, "East 24th Ave" by Billy Graham & The Escalators, and "Do The Thing" by Gate Wesley. CD

Kind of a cool Phil Spector "prequel" – one that brings together a few famous early hits, plus lots more productions for other artists that you may not already know about! Spector's lineage isn't exactly a secret – and even early work like this has been well documented in books on his music – yet this is the first time a compilation's ever done such a good job of bringing together such a wide variety of tracks, and not just a few famous ones! Phil's genius is already apparent at this point – but what's also nice is to hear how it's kind of interacting with other early 60s pop modes too – more conventional styles that are clearly the intended game plan for the songs, but which are often tweaked strongly by Spector in the studio. The notes do a great job of pointing out these highlights – and the package features 28 tracks that include "I Love How You Love Me" by The Paris Sisters, "When You Dance" by Billy Storm, "I'm So Happy" by The Ducanes, "Hey Memphis" by LaVern Baker, "The Basic Things" by The Top Notes, "You Said Goodbye" by The Teddy Bears, "Where Can You Be" by Tony & Joe, "Spanish Harlem" by Ben E King, "Nights Of Mexico" by Russell Byrd, "Bumbershoot" by Phil Harvey, "Every Breath I Take" by Gene Pitney, and "You Took Advantage Of Me" by The Blackwells. CD

Featuring Billy Butterfield, Ernie Caceres, Bob Casey, Eddie Condon, Joe Grauso, Bobby Hackett, Bob Haggart, Edmond Hall, Bill Harris, Cliff Jackson, James P Johnson, Jonah Jones, Max Kaminsky, Gene Krupa, Joe Marsala, Miff Mole, Benny Morton, Pee Wee Russell, Gene Schroeder, Willie The Lion Smith, Muggsy Spanier, Sid Weiss, and Lee Wiley. LP, Vinyl record album

Mad music from the legendary NRG Ensemble – a key early force in Chicago's avant jazz scene in the 80s, teamed here with the mighty reedman Charles Tyler! The group itself is already heavy on dynamic reeds – with leader Hal Russell on tenor and Chuck Burdelik on tenor, alto, and clarinet – but Tyler's presence is really felt strongly, as he adds this deeper dimension of spirituality to the music – one that gets past some of the deft movements of the Ensemble, and brings them to richer territory they sometimes never hit this well. Tyler plays baritone, alto, and clarinet – and Russell also handles cornet, vibes, drums, and shenai – with that multi-instrumental talent that always made him so great. The group also features Steve Hunt on vibes and drums, Curt Bley on bass, and Brian Sandstrom on guitar and trumpet – and titles include "Tatwas", "Cascade", "Generation", "Sponge", and "Sinus Up". CD also features two previously-unissued tracks – "This Fence Is A Loving Machine" and "Uncontrollable Rages". CD

Some of the most righteous sounds ever recorded at the legendary Studio One label in Jamaica – 70s music that marks a time when the company was moving into some of the more thoughtful, meaningful lyrics that rose to prominence during the rasta generation! The shift is no surprise, given that Bob Marley once recorded for Studio One – but by the time of these tracks, Marley had risen to international fame on Island Records – helping to open the door for a huge new audience for the message and the music, which Studio One was only happy to address with great tracks like this! The set's every bit as great as the other collections from the label on Soul Jazz – handled with equally thoughtful track selection and detailed notes, to support an 18 track set that includes "Sufferation" by Trevor Clarke, "I Am A Revolutionist" by Freddie McGregor, "Burning In My Soul" by The Silvertones, "Mr Jolly Man" by Horace Andy, "Things & Time" by Wailing Souls, "Serious Thing" by The Gladiators, "So Many Problems" by The Viceroys, "Inner Peace" by Pablove Black, "Rock But Don't Fall" by Wailing Souls, "Jah Jah Fire" by Devon Russell, and "Give Me Back Me Language & Me Culture" by Im & Count Ossie. LP, Vinyl record album

A rare performance from two 40s giants of the saxophone – tenorist Illinois Jacquet and baritonist Leo Parker – coming together here in a live setting, with tracks that run a lot longer than most studio work from either player at the time! Given that Jacquet's horn is played at a pretty deep, soulful level, he's pretty great match for the sound of the young Leo Parker – already one of the strongest baritone saxophonists of his generation, with a voice that easily bridges the space between bop and swing! Other players on the date include Joe Newman and Russell Jacquet on trumpets, Sir Charles Thompson on piano, Al Lucas on bass, and Shadow Wilson on drums – and the live material has a quality that's a bit like some of the smaller group JATP performances of the period. Tracks include "Mutton Leg", "Home Sweet Home", "Music Hall Beat", "Bottoms Up", and a nice "Ballad Medley". CD

Some of the best early work by Prez – all recorded in small combo sessions for Aladdin Records during the years 1947 through 1948. The album's one of the few chances you can get to hear Prez blowing clear and free from the time, in that amazing tone which inspired generations of players, which works perfectly in groupings with players that include Roy Haynes, Fred Lacey, Shorty McConnell, Curley Russell, and Tiny Kahn. Titles include "Sunday", "Jumpin With Symphony Sid", "No Eyes Blues", "OnThe Sunny Side Of The Street", "Jumpin' At The Woodside", "One O'Clock Jump", "Easy Does It", "Confessin'", "Sax O Be Bop", "East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon", "Sheik Of Araby", "Something To Remember You By" and "Just Cooling". LP, Vinyl record album

Marcus Miller does a nice job of bridging two generations of electric jazz here – still very strongly in his best mode on the bass, with those nimble funky fingers that have pleased us for years – but also opening up the door to some more contemporary influences and guest artists on the session – all of which makes for a nicely fresh space for Miller's classic sound! The bass is wonderfully upfront in the mix – with a presence that's as beautiful on the lyrical moments as it is on the funky ones – and the instrumentation and lineup shifts a bit from track to track, all with a nicer edge than some of Miller's smoother efforts of the past. The set features work from Marquis Hill and Russell Gunn on trumpet, Kirk Whalum on flute and tenor, Trombone Shorty on trombone, Brett Williams on keyboards, and Selah Sue, Jonathan Butler, and Take 6 on vocals. Titles include "Trip Trap", "No Limit", "Untamed", "Someone To Love", "Keep Em Runnin", "Preacher's Kid", "Sublimity Bunny's Dream", and "7T's". CD

5 classic Charlie Parker albums for Verve – brought together here in a special set, with each album in a tiny LP-styled sleeve! Four of the records – Night & Day, April In Paris, Now's The Time, and Plays Cole Porter – are from that special 1957 series of albums in which Verve finally brought some of the key Parker performances out for the LP generation – collecting full sessions from the 78rpm and 10" LP years, along with some extra tracks – to create special showcases for Bird in both small group settings, and his famous "with strings" albums. These records together form a portrait of Parker that's amazing – everything you'd need to blow your mind – if Charlie hasn't already had that effect on you! Last up is Bird & Diz – a classic meeting of two giants from the early years of bop – altoist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie – brought together here in a session that Norman Granz would later list as one of the truest realizations of his vision for recording jazz music! Parker's sharp lines are a great contrast to the robust horn work of Diz – and the players work here with a rhythm section that features Thelonious Monk on piano, Curley Russell on bass, and Buddy Rich on drums. Titles include "Relaxin With Lee", "Leap Frog", "Oscar For Treadwell", and "Mohawk". CD

Seminal sounds from the great Bud Powell – recorded right at an early moment when the pianist was bursting into Birdland fame – working here with a key trio that features Curley Russell on bass and a young Max Roach on drums! Bud seems to have a bit more color in his keys here than in later years – a sense of tone that's balanced by his increasingly deft flights on the keys – that amazing command of imagination and energy that makes a record like this one of the best bold statements of modernism from the bop generation. Many tunes are older standards, but transformed in Bud's hands – partly given a nod to the midtown modes from other players of the postwar years, then completely dismantled once the solos take off. Titles include "Buds Bubble", "Burt Covers Bud", "Off Minor", "I Should Care", "I'll Remember April", and "Everything Happens To Me". Japanese-only LP features 16 tracks in all! LP, Vinyl record album

Three full albums from Jonesy – plus some great bonus tracks too! First up is their classic No Alternative – really great work from Jonesy – one of the groups who got a chance to record for the legendary Dawn label – one of the most groundbreaking British imprints at the start of the 70s! The sound here definitely lives up to that legacy – a proggish mode, but with more hard rock touches around the edges – long tracks that certainly make good use of keyboards and mellotron, but which also feature heavier guitar and basslines – and some boldly soulful vocals at times from Jamie Kaleth. Titles include "1958", "Pollution", "No Alternative", "Mind Of The Century", and "Ricochet". Keeping Up is an incredibly fantastic album – one that really has the group putting their sound together even more – with sublime mellotron lines, wicked guitar work, and an overall sharpness to their sound that may well come from help on arrangements from guitar genius Ray Russell! There's a fuller sound on the record than before, a stronger lyrical presence at the right moments, and the record even features some great electric trumpet work from Alan Bown – on titles that include "Critique", "Questions & Answers", "Masquerade", "Sunset & Evening Star", "Preview", "Children", and "Song". Last up is the album Growing – a record that's totally on the money on the more jamming tracks, and which also has some more spacious moments at all the right times – really at a level that has the group recording as if they were one of the giants of the British prog generation – which, in truth, they really should have been. Titles include "Know Who Your Friends Are", "Growing", "Hard Road", "Jonesy", "Can You Get That Together", and "Waltz For Yesterday". Box set features detailed notes – and bonus tracks that include "Reprise", "Every Day's The Same", and "Ricochet (single version)" – plus a full album of material recorded in 1974, titled Sudden Prayers Make God Jump. CD

Seminal sounds from the great Bud Powell – recorded right at an early moment when the pianist was bursting into Birdland fame – working here with a key trio that features Curley Russell on bass and a young Max Roach on drums! Bud seems to have a bit more color in his keys here than in later years – a sense of tone that's balanced by his increasingly deft flights on the keys – that amazing command of imagination and energy that makes a record like this one of the best bold statements of modernism from the bop generation. Many tunes are older standards, but transformed in Bud's hands – partly given a nod to the midtown modes from other players of the postwar years, then completely dismantled once the solos take off. Titles include "Buds Bubble", "Burt Covers Bud", "Off Minor", "I Should Care", "I'll Remember April", and "Everything Happens To Me". CD features 16 tracks in all! CD