Soaring, righteous sounds from Elvin Jones – an early 80s session, but one that cooks as strongly as his most soulful albums from the 70s! In fact, there's almost a focus or tightness here that could sometimes be missing from other Jones albums – a really bold, sharp use of the group's excellent quintet lineup – Dave Liebman on soprano sax and flute, Terumasa Hino on cornet, George Mraz on bass, and Kenny Kirkland on piano – all players driven on by the kind of bold, never-ending sense of flow that Jones really picked up during his post-Coltrane years! Liebman and Hino are especially great – and titles include "Three Card Molly", "The Top Of The Middle", "Earth Jones", "Never Let Me Go" and "Day & Night". CD

Two late 70's Muse albums from pianist Hank Jones. Bop Redux is a trio session with George Duvivier on bass and Ben Riley on drums. Groovin High is a quinter date with the great Charlie Rouse on tenor, Thad Jones on cornet, Sam Jones on bass, and Mickey Roker on drums. CD

An obscure small group 70s session from Thad Jones – one that features the leader on cornet and piano, with Gregory Herbert on tenor, George Mraz on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums! The tracks are long and very groovy – and the whole thing is very different than most other work from Thad! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest albums ever recorded by the Jones/Lewis band – oddly cut for Philadelphia International, during the height of that label's classic soul output! The group is totally great – filled with deeply soulful players like Ron Bridgewater, Cecil Bridgewater, Billy Harper, Roland Hanna, Jon Faddis, and George Mraz – and the tunes have a laidback feel that moves past the group's big band stylings, into a ream that includes some hipper mellow tracks – including a few with nice electric piano work. Quite soulful throughout – almost a Quincy Jones feel – and includes covers of "Don't You Worry Bout A Thing", "For The Love Of Money", and "Living For The City" – plus the originals "Yours & Mine", "Quiet Lady", "All My Yesterdays", and "Blues In A Minute". LP, Vinyl record album

With Billy Harper on tenor, Ron Bridgewater on tenor and clarinet, Billy Campbell, Cliff Heather, Jimmy Knepper, and Quentin Jackson on trombone, Cecil Bridgewater, Jim Bossy, Jon Faddis, and Steve Furtado on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone, Roland Hanna on piano, George Mraz on bass, and vocals by Dee Dee Bridgewater. LP, Vinyl record album

Don't let the "playhouse" in the title fool you – as this isn't a casual set of goofy numbers, and instead the album represents a wonderful meeting of two older piano legends – John Lewis and Hank Jones, playing here in a relaxed, easygoing setting that really lets them open up! The rare Japanese-only album is a complement to the American album of twin pianos that John Lewis and Hank Jones recorded around the same time – but there's a nice change here, in that the record changes things up – and features two duets between Lewis and Jones, two quartet numbers with bass from George Duvivier and drums from Shelly Manne, and two trio numbers, one by each pianist! The set's an especially nice way to hear Lewis in a more relaxed setting – different than his more structured, or concept-based albums – and titles include "Sacha's March", "LA Rondo", "Oh Look At Me Now", "POV", and "Marchin". CD

Japanese vocalist Junko Mine is in some great company here – working with drummer Mel Lewis and cornetist Thad Jones, but not in their usual big band setting – as the pair here just support Junko in a quartet, with piano by Walter Norris and bass from George Mraz! There's an easygoing quality to the record that's very different than Jones/Lewis sessions with a larger group and a singer – and the album's also a great reminder of how great Thad can be in a lean setting like this. Junko's at her best, too – the album's one of her most expressive from the time – and titles include "A Child Is Born", "After You've Gone", "That Old Feeling", "My One & Only Love", "My Funny Valentine", and "Here's That Rainy Day". CD

On tracks 1 to 5; Cannonball Adderley on alto saxophone, Nat Adderley on trumpet, Junior Mance on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. On tracks 6 to 11; George Shearing on piano, Emil Richards on vibes and percussion, Toots Thieleman on guitar, Al McKibbon bass, and Percy Brice on drums. CD

A great step forward for Sarah Vaughan – a set in which she gets the same sort of "songbook" treatment that was really helping Ella Fitzgerald elevate her career at the same time! Backings are by Hal Mooney, who does a good job of bringing a bit of sophistication into the setting, but not at a level that's ever sleepy or overdone – a fair bit like the wonderful mode that Sarah would hit on her Roulette Records material to come! Jimmy Jones plays piano on most numbers, and titles include "Of Thee I Sing", "Bidin My Time", "Summertime", "Lorelei", "My One & Only", "Do It Again", "Love Walked In", "He Loves & She Loves", "Looking For A Boy", and "Someone To Watch Over Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A great 2CD set that's filled with some of the best 50s work ever recorded by pianist George Wallington – a key full album plus bonus tracks, and material from an additional 10" LP! Live At The Cafe Bohemia is real standout in the catalog of Wallington – a very cooking live set, recorded with an expanded quintet! The record supposedly showcases Wallington's style (or gimmick) – called "The Peck", and explained as a series of incomplete phrases from the players – but to us, this approach is just prime 50s hardbop at its most inventive – a mode that might be dubbed "call and response", in which players trade lines back and forth with great dynamism and energy! Players here are all very well suited to the task – and include Donald Byrd on trumpet, Jackie McLean on alto, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Taylor on drums – all working with great boppish fire on a set of tunes that include "Sweet Blanche", "Minor March", "Jay Mac's Crib", and "Bohemia After Dark". And as an added bonus, this 2CD set features all the alternate takes from the album – a whopping 14 Bohemia titles in all! And added to those are another 10 tracks from the Blue Note 10" LP The George Wallington Showcase – recorded in 1954, with a largeish group that includes Dave Burns on trumpet, Jimmy Cleveland on trombone, and Danny Bank on baritone – all playing to Quincy Jones arrangements. Titles include "Baby Grand", "Festival", "Bumpins", and a nice take on "Summertime". CD

Music from the Chantels, Malcolm Dodds And The Tunedrops, Ronnie Jones And The Classmates, Lewis Lymon And The Teenchords, Peter Morris, The Miracles, King George, The Starlighters, The Spinners, The Starlighters, The Harmony Grits, The Flamingos, and more. CD

One of Chet Baker's most classic albums of the 50s – a record that features both vocals and strong trumpet solos – all from a time when Baker was one of the hottest things going in jazz! The album's different from records from previous years, in that it moves Baker from LA to New York – where he works with a great quartet that features Kenny Drew on piano, George Morrow or Sam Jones on bass, and Philly Joe Jones or Danny Richmond on drums – all players who have a slightly different approach than some of Baker's compatriots on Pacific Jazz sessions, which also seems to bring out a bit more bite in Chet too. Tracks are still shortish, with those breathy Baker vocals we love so much, balanced with really well-crafted trumpet solos – and titles include "It Could Happen To You", "Do It The Hard Way", "Old Devil Moon", "Dancing On The Ceiling", and "The More I See You". CD features 2 bonus tracks! CD

Great live work from the Clifford Brown/Max Roach group of the 50s – including material recorded at Basin Street in 1956, but different than the classic Emarcy album of the same name! These Basin Street sides are from April and May of 1956 – and feature a group with Sonny Rollins on tenor sax, alongside Brown's trumpet and Roach's drums, plus bass from George Morrow and piano from the great Richie Powell. Tunes are live broadcasts from the club, complete with an announcer calling the tunes – but are nicely tight, and very much in the spirit of the group's official albums from the time – even though Roach is replaced by drummer Willie Jones on a few of the tracks. Titles include "Valse Hot", "I Feel A Song Comin On", "What's New", and "Sweet Clifford". Added to these are 2 tracks from a Carnegie Hall performance in 1955 – featuring the same group, but with Harold Land in place of Rollins – on titles that include "I Get A Kick Out Of You" and "The Blues Walk". CD

A magnificent record from John Coltrane – one of his earliest expressions of unbridled spirituality, and a session that we've treasured for years! As you might guess from the title, there's a slight Latin focus to the record – but not one that has congas and bongos creating choppy rhythms – most just a bold, driving, modal sort of inspiration – of the sort that allows the tracks to open up and flow with some of the genius that Coltrane would show more fully later on Impulse! But honestly, we'd rate this one right up there with the best modal sides on Impulse – as the record's got a sense of flow and energy that's simply breathtaking – with lots of long tracks that let Coltrane open up on tenor and soprano sax, and which also feature work from Eric Dolphy (under the "nom du date" George Lane) on alto, plus Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums, and Art Davis and Reggie Workman on twin basses! The title track "Ole" runs for a whopping 18 minutes, and takes up all of side one – and side two features the great numbers "Dahomey Dance" and "Aisha". LP, Vinyl record album

A magnificent record from John Coltrane – one of his earliest expressions of unbridled spirituality, and a session that we've treasured for years! As you might guess from the title, there's a slight Latin focus to the record – but not one that has congas and bongos creating choppy rhythms – most just a bold, driving, modal sort of inspiration – of the sort that allows the tracks to open up and flow with some of the genius that Coltrane would show more fully later on Impulse! But honestly, we'd rate this one right up there with the best modal sides on Impulse – as the record's got a sense of flow and energy that's simply breathtaking – with lots of long tracks that let Coltrane open up on tenor and soprano sax, and which also feature work from Eric Dolphy (under the "nom du date" George Lane) on alto, plus Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums, and Art Davis and Reggie Workman on twin basses! The title track "Ole" runs for a whopping 18 minutes, and takes up all of side one – and side two features the great numbers "Dahomey Dance" and "Aisha". LP, Vinyl record album

A sweetly swinging seventies set from pianist Tommy Flanagan – one of those records that's a perfect balance between the bop-inspired dexterity of his work on the keyboard, and that undeniable warmth he always brought to his best recordings! Tommy's got maybe a bit more bite on the keys, especially when moving at a quicker pace – and backing is by George Mraz on bass, whose round tones emphasize the warmer elements, and Elvin Jones on drums – who may well be part of the reason for the bite! The set features a number of bop classic tunes – like "Oleo", "Confirmation", and "Relaxin At Camarillo" – plus the great title cut "Eclypso", and a moody reading of Tom McIntosh's excellent "The Cup Bearers". CD

A portrait of Duke, done by Dizzy – and one that's got a whole different feel than you might think! Gillespie's working here with arrangements by a young Clare Fischer – who takes Ellington's themes and recasts them with an even deeper sense of color and tone – one that pushes the already-modern themes of the numbers into a whole new realm of sound, and uses the horn passages to carve things out a lot differently than Duke might have done! The result is a wonderfully striking session – one with familiar melodies that unfold in a whole new way – and which showcases some great phrasing from Dizzy, over rhythms by a combo that features Hank Jones, George Duvivier, and Charlie Persip – playing alongside a group of larger horns. Titles include "Perdido", "Caravan", "Upper Manhattan Medical Group", and "Chelsea Bridge". CD

2 of the nicer Bobby Hutcherson albums of the past 20 years, put together back to back on another one of those nifty 32 Jazz CD packages dedicated to helping jazz fans today rediscover lost gems of the past. Both records have a nice spare straight-ahead jazz sound, which is a refreshing change after some of Hutcherson's forays into larger formats during the 70s. Good Bait features a group with George Cables, Ray Drummond, Philly Joe Jones, and Branford Marsalis – and includes the cuts "Love Samba", "Montgomery", "Israel", and "Good Bait". Color Schemes features Mulgrew Miller, John Heard, and Billy Higgins – and the record has a mix of tracks that includes "Never Let Me Go", "Recorda Me", Bemsha Swing", and "Whisper Not". Hutcherson's tone is amazing on both albums – and it's incredible to hear that even in his third decade of playing the vibes, he was still stretching his work to reach new levels, and lay down notes on the instrument that sound like nobody else! CD

Beautiful late work from Art Pepper – one of his albums recorded for the well-done Artist House label, and a set that's maybe got a different vibe than some of his Galaxy recordings of the time! There's a rock-solid sense of soul to the record – one that comes from the work of two different rhythm trios – one that features George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm trio who keep things swinging, but never in a way that's too straight – pushing Art a bit around the edges, but letting him come right down the middle with some fantastic solos on alto – the other with Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Tunes are a bit shorter than on some other albums of the period, but in a great way that really lets you focus in on Pepper's amazing sound –and titles include "Diane", "Stardust", "Blues For Blanche", and "Straight No Chaser". CD

The "trip" here is a mellow one – not the soaring, spacey style you might expect in a long line of drug-reference titles for Art Pepper albums – but that difference is a-ok with us, because Art's really hitting some great new territory here, thanks to a hip trio that includes George Cables on piano! Tracks are long and stretched out – but in a way that's gently exploratory, and focused on a really warm sense of tone – in a mode that we might liken slightly to Stan Getz at his best moments from the same period, particularly the groove he developed in his post-Sweet Rain years. Other members of the quartet include David Williams on bass and Elvin Jones on drums – and tracks include "The Trip", "Sweet Love Of Mine", "A Song For Richard", "Red Car", and "The Summer Knows". LP, Vinyl record album

Brilliant work from the "Vice Pres" – tenorist Paul Quinichette, stepping out here in one the best of of his all-too-few sessions as a leader! Paul's tone is amazing throughout – very much on a par with that of Ben Webster or Coleman Hawkins, and proof that his admission to the jazz "executive branch" in the 50s was well deserved. The tunes are shortish, but very swinging – and Quinichette's tenor work dominates in a group that also includes Nat Pierce, Henry Coker, Thad Jones, Freddie Green, and Joe Newman. There's a Basie-esque swing overall – but the final result is miles from Basie, and has a very different vibe overall. Titles include "Big Deal", "Happy Feeling", "Pardon The Blues Please", "Start Here", and "The Kid From Denver". Plus, this CD features a huge amount of bonus tracks – 12 extra tunes, all pulled from exclusive sessions for various Jazzville compilations! The overall sound is similar to the full album – although the players differ a bit – and titles include "Colonel Hodge", "I Never Knew", "The Creeper", "Big George", "Suitcase", and "Minor Scene". CD

Perhaps the best-known (and arguably the best) record by Paul Quinchette, and an album that brings his rich tenor solo style into contact with a very tight, very swinging batch of arrangments by a young Quincy Jones. Quincy's got an all-star batch of players backing up Q, including Sam Most, Charles Thompson, Paul Chambers, and Barry Galbraith – plus players like Willie Rodriguez and Manny Oquendo, who bring some added Latin percussion to the session. The tracks are short, but with a very open approach to soloing, and although Quinchette's in the lead, some of the other players get their licks in quite a bit. Titles include "Pablo's Roonie", "Shorty George", "Grasshopper", and "Tropical Intrigue". LP, Vinyl record album

A seminal work in the development of the career of Cedar Walton – the formation of his excellent Eastern Rebellion ensemble, a group that became a platform for soul jazz expression for the next two decades! The group on this set features George Coleman on tenor, Sam Jones on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – all working in territory that Walton and Clifford Jordan were exploring heavily at the time – long, drawn-out soul jazz tunes – frequently built upon modal rhythms, and touched with traces of post-Coltrane blowing. The key factor, though, is that the work's never too outside, never too overindulgent – just hard-swinging soul jazz, in a 70s expression of the older Blue Note ideal! Titles include "Bolivia", "5/4 Thing", "Mode For Joe", and "Naima". CD

Ben & Sweets finds tenor Webster and trumpeter Edison in wonderful form – both veterans complementing the other brilliantly – with a crack group that includes Hank Jones on piano, George Duvivier on bass and Clarence Johnson on drums. The overall groove is very melodic, but it's still got plenty of kick underneath! Titles include "Better Go", "How Long Has This Been Going On?", "Kitty", "My Romance" and "Did You Call Her Today" and George & Ira Gerswin's "Embraceable You". CD

Cootie Williams on trumpet, Abraham 'Boomie' Richman, Al Klink, Elwyn Fraser, Nick Caizza, Phil Bodner, Romeo Penque, and Stanley Webb on saxophone, Billy Byers, Bobby Byrne, Lou McGarity, and Richard Hixson on trombone, Hank Jones, Henry Rowland, and Lou Stein on piano, Barry Galbraith, George Barnes, and Tony Mottola on guitar, Eddie Safranski on bass, and Don Lamond, and Osie Johnson on drums. 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

Think what you will about Willie Nelson, the man's a hell of a songwriter – one who began giving away some of his best right from the start – not just to country singers, but to blues musicians, soul artists, rock stars, and many others too – as you'll hear in this fantastic overview of some of his best compositions! As the well-known story goes, it took Nelson well over a decade to find his own big success as a recording artist – which is maybe why so many of his great tunes were able to find big life in the hands of others, in renditions that were very different than Willie's own takes on the songs – standing as further testament to his songwriting genius! The scope of work here is really wonderful, and almost unexpected – even to our own Willie-trained ears – and as usual with Ace Records, the whole thing comes with copious notes that really get at the heart of the music. Titles include "Me & Paul" by Doug Sahm, "Night Life" by BB King, "Hello Walls" by Little Esther, "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" by Bob Dylan, "Funny How Time Slips Away" by The Spinners, "Good Hearted Woman" by The Everly Brothers, "Family Bible" by George Jones, "Opportunity To Cry" by Tom Jones, "He's Not For You" by Dionne Warwick, "You Took My Happy Away" by Timi Yuro, "Somebody Pick Up My Pieces" by Bettye LaVette, "One Day At A Time" by The Flatlanders, "Pretty Paper" by Johnny Tillotson, "Man With The Blues" by Del McCoury, and "Pretend I Never Happened" by Waylon Jennings. CD

Includes music from Orville Couch, Ray & Lindy, Lucky Wray, Eddie Noack and Thumper Jones (an alias for George Jones). 30 tracks total! CD

A deep deep dive into the legendary Twinight Records label from Chicago – an imprint that's maybe best known as the home to Syl Johnson during his funky early years – and which also includes all sorts of excellent material from deep in the Windy City underground at the end of the 60s! There's a gritty feel to most cuts – fantastic funky 45 material, mixed with a few sweeter soul moments – all presented at a level that rivals some of the best work on Chess/Cadet during the same time – with a bit of label crossover from a few artists too! The set features 24 tracks in all – including "Just You & Me" and "A New Day " by the Notations, "Main Squeeze" by Nate Evans, "Don't Wanna Face the Truth" by Radiants, "Maggie" by Johnny Williams, "Life Walked Out" by the Mist, "You Need To Be Loved On" by Renaldo Domino, "Soul Heaven" by Friends Of E Rodney Jones, "Which One Am I" by The Perfections, "So Good To Have You Home Again" by The Mystiques, "Tearing Me Up Inside" by Harrison & The Majestic Kind, "Falling In Love" by The Dynamic Tints, "To Love Somebody" by The Kaldirons, "I Won't Stop To Cry" by Stormy, "Lift This Hurt" by Elvin Spencer, "Temptation Is So Hard To Fight" by George McGregor & The Bronzettes, "I've Made Up My Mind" by Josephine Taylor, "That's The Reason" by Buster Benton, and "Powerful Love" by Chuck & Mac. CD

A collection of classic country that's got way more to offer than the "depressing" in the title might make you think – not tracks that are purposely over the top and full of bad feeling – but instead the kind of well-crafted work that makes postwar country some of the most carefully emotive music of the time! The set's overflowing with themes of love and loss, but handled with a mature, honest, very human approach – never wallowing too much in depression, and instead often coming across with a slightly redemptive spirit in the realization of the loss. The set features 30 tracks in all – and titles include "Letter Edged In Black" by Hank Snow, "Teardrops & Empty Arms" by Texas Ruby, "A Church A Courtroom & Then Goodbye" by Patsy Cline, "Lonely Street" by Don Gibson, "Call Of The Wedding" by Goldie Hill, "There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight by George Jones, "Tramp On The Street" by Carlisle Brothers, "The Old Crossroad Is Waitin" by Rose Maddox, "Lonely Side Of Town" by Kitty Wells, "Are You Afraid To Die" by Stanley Brothers, and "I'm Reading Yaur Letter Again" by Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper. CD

A fantastic album from Pepper Adams – one of his best, and an incredibly swinging session that will make you forget that he's playing a heavy baritone! At some level, the session shouldn't work so well – as it's got a rhythm group that's not particularly hard-hitting – with Hank Jones on piano, George Duvivier on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – and Adams' baritone is matched with the euphonium of Bernard McKinney, which should weigh the session down into even deeper depths. But for some reason, there was magic in the air when the album was recorded – and the group gels together perfectly, slinkily sliding through the tunes with all the coolness implied in the title, yet with a deep deep dose of Detroit soul from Adams and McKinney. Tracks are all nice and long, and titles include "Bloos Blooze Blues", "Skippy", and "Like What Is This?" LP, Vinyl record album

With Charles Anderson, Charlie Jones, LD Harris, Percy Bush, George Corley, AJ Johnson, Jeff Thomas and Walter McHenry. CD

A record that marks the live recording debut of the alto giant Art Pepper – quite a surprise, given that he'd already had many years of playing under his belt – but also a date that captures Art at a time of real revival in his career – stretching out with new inspirations, and a sound that's very different from the Art Pepper of the 50s and 60s! The group features George Cables on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. CD

Mid 50s genius from Sonny Rollins – 5 albums in a single set, all presented in LP-styled sleeves! Worktime is a record that perfectly illustrates why Rollins was one of the greatest players on his horn for many decades running! There's a depth of tone on the record that rivals Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young – but a quickness of pace and imagination that shows a clear influence from Charlie Parker, and a deftness that few were bringing to the tenor at the time. The rhythm section here is super tight – and features Ray Bryant on piano, George Morrow on bass, and Max Roach on drums – all supporting Rollins' bold lead with lines that bristle with electricity, but still often fall back to let the sound of the tenor envelop the whole group. Tracks are longish, and titles include "Raincheck", "There Are Such Things", "Paradox", and "It's All Right With Me". Sonny Rollins With The Modern Jazz Quartet is an album recorded in the years 1951 and 1953, in a variety of settings! 4 tracks on the album features Rollins blowing with the MJQ, one more has him working with a Miles Davis group, and the last 8 feature a quartet with Kenny Drew, Percy Heath, and Art Blakey. The tunes are shorter than you might be used to hearing Rollins, but there's still plenty of power and imagination in the grooves – very economical solos, crafted with a great deal of imagination. Titles include "Scoops", "Shadrack", "Mambo Bounce", "The Stopper", "I Know", and "No Moe". Tenor Madness is a groundbreaking album from Rollins, largely for the extended track "Tenor Madness", which runs on for 13 minutes, and features him and Coltrane blowing head to head – redefining the sound of the tenor sax in jazz through the course of that amazing track! Backing is by the Red Garland/Paul Chambers/Philly Joe Jones group that backed up 'Trane on many of his Prestige sides, and they work equally well with Rollins – especially on the ballads "When Your Lover Has Gone" and "My Reverie", plus the lyrical "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World". Moving Out features tracks from 2 different sessions, brought together into one album that packs a hell of a punch! The modernist Rollins tenor is at its early peak here – fresh, bold, and highly creative – yet equally concerned with the role of the ensemble as well. And with players like Kenny Dorham, Elmo Hope, Thelonious Monk, and Art Blakey helping things out, the sessions are both cookers all the way through! Titles include 4 by a group with Dorham, Hope, and Blakey – "Solid", "Movin Out", "Swingin For Bumsy", and "Silk N Satin" – plus 1 more by a quartet with Monk, Tommy Potter, and Art Taylor – the longer "More Than You Know". Last up is Saxophone Colossus, quite possibly THE greatest Sonny Rollins album of the early years – or at least the one that has received the most accolades over the years! The record is a brilliant batch of quartet tracks that reinvents bop through Sonny's complicated, yet seemingly automatic solos – an excellent showcase for his razor-sharp talents for improvisation and invention, played with effortless ease, yet still one of the great bar-setting performances of 50s jazz. The group features Tommy Flanagan, Max Roach, and Doug Watkins – and tunes include an original reading of the perennial Rollins' standard "St. Thomas", plus a great version of "Moritat (Mack The Knife)", and the cuts "Strode Rode" and "Blue 7". CD

Ben & Sweets finds tenor Webster & trumpeter Edison in wonderful form – both veterans complementing the other brilliantly – with a crack group that includes Hank Jones on piano, George Duvivier on bass and Clarence Johnson on drums. The overall groove is very melodic, but it's still got plenty of kick underneath! Titles include "Better Go", "How Long Has This Been Going On?", "Kitty", "My Romance" and "Did You Call Her Today" and George & Ira Gerswin's "Embraceable You". LP, Vinyl record album

Gentle genius from Bob Brookmeyer – a 70s session recorded with all the swinging poise of his best work from the late 50s! The group on the set features Bob on valve trombone, next to Thad Jones on fluegelhorn and cornet, Jimmy Rowles on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums. Tracks are all nicely swinging, even on the mellower numbers – and Bob proves once again that his work on the valve trombone is some of the freshest in jazz. Titles include "Carib", "Caravan", "I Love You", "In A Rotten Mood", and "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To". CD also features a bonus track! CD

Great work from the mighty Sonny Burns – one of the hippest artists recording on the young Starday Records label – at a time when the great Pappy Daily was bringing a lot of his Texas indie genius to the company! Sonny's a singer who often sings country, but with the attitude of a young rocker – maybe that mix of rocka/hillbilly you'd find in the early work of George Jones – who was one of Burns' label mates at the time – although Sonny has maybe more of a honky tonk vibe that comes through especially well on the mellow tunes! CD features 23 tracks in all – including "I'm Not Long for This World", "Powder & Paint", "Girl Of The Streets", "A Place For Girls Like You", "Six Feet Of Earth", "Too Hot To Handle", "Heart Like A Dollar Sign", "Blue Blue Rain", "If You See My Baby", and "Satan's A Waitin". CD

The album that very firmly put Clarence Carter on the mainstream soul map – thanks to his brilliant version of the title tune! By the time of this set, Carter was already one hell of a soul singer – and really brought amazing sounds to play with classic production from Rick Hall and the Fame Studios gang. But when he pointed those talents towards the country soul story "Patches", he really found his groove – mixing southern roots from both sides of the fence into one really unique groove – and following it up with a host of other well-chosen tunes that really helped establish Carter's unique place in music. George Jackson co-wrote a number of the best tunes – a few with Clarence – and titles include "Patches", "I'm Just A Prisoner", "Till I Can't Take It Anymore", "Changes", "Say Man", "Willie & Laura Mae Jones", "CC Blues", and "Getting the Bills (But No Merchandise)". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent small group material recorded at the Hi Hat in Boston and the Celebrity Club in nearby Providence, RI. Tracks come from three different dates and feature work by Sonny Truitt on trombone, Nat Pierce on piano, Joe Shulman and George Jones on bass, and Jack McDonald on drums. CD

Arnett Cobb on tenor sax, David Page on trumpet, Michael Wood on trombone, George Rhodes on piano, Walter Buchanan on bass & George Jones on drums. CD

A magnificent little record from John Coltrane – one of his earliest expressions of unbridled spirituality, and a session that we've treasured for years! As you might guess from the title, there's a slight Latin focus to the record – but not one that has congas and bongos creating choppy rhythms – most just a bold, driving, modal sort of inspiration – of the sort that allows the tracks to open up and flow with some of the genius that Coltrane would show more fully later on Impulse! But honestly, we'd rate this one right up there with the best modal sides on Impulse – as the record's got a sense of flow and energy that's simply breathtaking – with lots of long tracks that let Coltrane open up on tenor and soprano sax, and which also feature work from Eric Dolphy (under the "nom du date" George Lane) on alto, plus Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums, and Art Davis and Reggie Workman on twin basses! The title track "Ole" runs for a whopping 18 minutes, and takes up all of side one – and side two features the great numbers "Dahomey Dance" and "Aisha". The CD includes the bonus track "To Her Ladyship"! CD

A magnificent little record from John Coltrane – one of his earliest expressions of unbridled spirituality, and a session that we've treasured for years! As you might guess from the title, there's a slight Latin focus to the record – but not one that has congas and bongos creating choppy rhythms – most just a bold, driving, modal sort of inspiration – of the sort that allows the tracks to open up and flow with some of the genius that Coltrane would show more fully later on Impulse! But honestly, we'd rate this one right up there with the best modal sides on Impulse – as the record's got a sense of flow and energy that's simply breathtaking – with lots of long tracks that let Coltrane open up on tenor and soprano sax, and which also feature work from Eric Dolphy (under the "nom du date" George Lane) on alto, plus Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums, and Art Davis and Reggie Workman on twin basses! The title track "Ole" runs for a whopping 18 minutes, and takes up all of side one – and side two features the great numbers "Dahomey Dance" and "Aisha". The CD includes the bonus track "To Her Ladyship"! CD

A really fantastic career-spanning collection of work from Aretha Franklin – the first we've ever seen to start with her earliest years, then follow the greatness of her voice and spirit as it blossomed strongly over the decades! Sure, most folks know Franklin's classic work on Atlantic – but this package features earlier sides for Chess and Columbia, later work from Arista – and a whole host of rare and unreleased material – plus special tracks from side projects that worked together to form a crucial part of Aretha's legacy over the years! This 4CD package is beautiful – a book-style cover, with loads of vintage and rare photos, essays on Aretha by David Nathan and Rochelle Riley, and track-by track notes on the 81 tracks included in the lavish set. In addition to the rare tracks, there's some other great surprises here – and titles include "Until You Come Back To Me (work tape)", "Chain Of Fools (alt version)", "Rock Steady (alternate mix)", "Call Me (alt version)", "How I Got Over (live single edit)", "Chain Of Fools (alt)", "My Kind Of Town (Detroit Is) (demo)", "Try A Little Tenderness (demo)", "Oh Baby (demo)", "Til It's Over (demo)", "Angel (work tape)", "Somewhere (alt version)", "Mr DJ", "Ooo Baby Baby (with Smokey Robinson)", "Share Your Love With Me (live)", "Spanish Harlem (alt mix)", "Bridge Over Troubled Water (long version)", "Young Gifted & Black (alt long version)", "It's Not Unusual/See Saw (with Tom Jones)", "You're All I Need To Get By (work tape)", "Don't Play That Song (live)", "Spirit In The Dark (live reprise with Ray Charles)", "Oh Happy Day (with Mavis Staples)", "Someday We'll All Be Free", "A Rose Is Still A Rose", "Master Of Eyes", "A Change Is Gonna Come (mono)", "One Step Ahead", "Never Grow Old", "Today I Sing The Blues", "You Light Up My Life (unissued)", "Think", "I Knew You Were Waiting (with George Michael)", "Respect", and her version of "Natural Woman" from the 2015 Kennedy Honors ceremony. CD

2 later albums by Johnny Griffin – both recorded after his return to the US during the late 70s! Bush Dance is a pretty interesting little set – one that features Griffin working in an easygoing combo with slight electric touches – a group that features George Freeman on guitar, alongside Cedar Walton's acoustic piano, plus bass by Sam Jones, drums by Albert Heath, and percussion and congas from Kenneth Nash. The mixture of guitar and congas gives the album a very different feel than some of Griffin's other work – almost a lighter soul jazz touch that recalls some of the best Muse Records sides from the time. Tracks are long, and rhythms get nice and free at times – and titles include a 17 minute take on "Night In Tunisia" that really gets a bit wild, plus "Since I Fell For You", "Bush Dance", "Knucklebean", and "The JAMFs Are Coming". Call It Whatchawanna is a more straight-ahead album, and a great one too – recorded with a youthful and soulful rhythm combo that features Mulgrew Miller on piano, Curtis Lundy on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums – all supporting Griffin with warm round tones that work perfectly with his open solo style. Titles include "I Mean You", "Lover Man", "Call It Whachawanna", and "A Waltz With Sweetie". CD

The album gives away its premise with the "ballad" in the title – but that's only part of the picture here, as the tenor of Joe Lovano is so wonderfully distinct, the album's got a richness that goes way beyond its cover! As with Coltrane's famous Ballads album of the early 60s, Joe here proves that at the core, past his other settings and experiments, he can still be a hell of a traditionalist on his horn – yet work with a sense of individuality that comes through right from the very first note! His partners in crime here are Hank Jones on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Paul Motian on drums – and titles include "Early Autumn", "Monk's Mood", "Like Someone In Love", "I'm All For You", "Don't Blame Me", "I Waited For You", and "Countdown". LP, Vinyl record album

Icy brilliance from a young Helen Merrill – The Nearness Of You – a record that's easily the Mercury equivalent of June Christy's classic work on Capitol or Chris Connor's classics for Bethlehem! Helen's working here with small combo backings on all tracks – carved out with players who include Bobby Jaspar, Bill Evans, Oscar Pettiford, and George Russell – all swinging gently alongside the vocals, but also taking care to shade things in with some of the darker, bluer colors that always worked best for Merrill – and which made her voice echo with a depth that few other singers could match! Titles include "When The Sun Comes Out", "I Remember You", "Summertime", "Let Me Love You", and "All Of You". You've Got A Date With The Blues – maybe our favorite album ever from Merrill – certainly from the early days – and a unique outing cut for MGM's excellent Metrojazz label! The set's got a more laidback sound than Merrill's previous records – and a definite bluesy undercurrent too – one that comes through strongly in the piano and arrangements of Jimmy Jones, and in the tremendous tenor work from Frank Wess – whose playing on the record gives the set a soulful quality we're not used to hearing with Helen! Tunes all follow the theme of the title – but are done in really inventive ways, especially when Wess gets a chance to solo – and titles include "Blues In My Heart", "The Blues", "The Thrill Is Gone", "You've Got A Date With The Blues", "The Meaning Of The Blues", and "Vous M'Ebloussez". CD

A relaxed small group session from saxophonist Oliver Nelson – a record that's quite different than some of his more tightly arranged dates, and a good reminder of this side of his talents! Oliver plays both alto and tenor sax on the album, and he's joined by a perfect group for the easy rolling groove of the tracks – Joe Newman on trumpet, Hank Jones on piano, George Duvivier on bass, and Charlie Persip on drums – plus a young Ray Barretto on congas, who brings in the loping, stepping groove you find on other early 60s soul jazz sets of this nature. Nelson's sax is always a treat – blown with a sharper edge than you might hear with a big group – and the tracks are all quite fress too, and include "Tipsy", "Mainstem", "Ho!", "J&B", and "Latino". CD

A record that marks the live recording debut of the alto giant Art Pepper – quite a surprise, given that he'd already had many years of playing under his belt – but also a date that captures Art at a time of real revival in his career – stretching out with new inspirations, and a sound that's very different from the Art Pepper of the 50s and 60s! The group features George Cables on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – on titles that include "Valse Triste", "Goodbye", "Blues For Les" and "My Friend John". CD

Features Coleman Hawkins, Harry Sweets Edison, Hank Jones, and George Duvinier. CD

This was Sinatra's first swing record for Reprise and his third collaboration with Billy May who arranged and conducted this 1961 recording. It features some standards from the likes of Rodgers & Hart ("Have You Met Miss Jones?") and George & Ira Gershwin ("Love Walked In"), plus some others like "Granada" and "Moonlight on the Ganges." There is a charming photo of Frank on the back cover swinging a golf club in fine form. (This is the record that was later changed to Sinatra Swings.) CD

Fantastic work from this legendary group – a special set of live material that really has them stretching out on extended tunes that are maybe even more powerful than the group's famous work in the studio! A key part of the sound here is tenorist George Coleman, who always sounds wonderful when he gets a chance to open up like this – very spiritual and deep, and perfect in the company of Cedar Walton on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums! Most tracks push well past the 10 minute mark – which also allows for some stunning solos from Walton – and titles include great takes on "Naima", "Seven Minds", "Firm Roots", "Bolivia", and "Blue Monk". CD

A seminal work in the development of the career of Cedar Walton – the formation of his excellent Eastern Rebellion ensemble, a group that became a platform for soul jazz expression for the next two decades! The group on this set features George Coleman on tenor, Sam Jones on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – all working in territory that Walton and Clifford Jordan were exploring heavily at the time – long, drawn-out soul jazz tunes – frequently built upon modal rhythms, and touched with traces of post-Coltrane blowing. The key factor, though, is that the work's never too outside, never too overindulgent – just hard-swinging soul jazz, in a 70s expression of the older Blue Note ideal! Titles include "Bolivia", "5/4 Thing", "Mode For Joe", and "Naima". CD

A great split set – with some excellent early 60s Columbia material! Ben & Sweets finds tenor Webster & trumpeter Edison in wonderful form – both veterans complementing the other brilliantly – with a crack group that includes Hank Jones on piano, George Duvivier on bass and Clarence Johnson on drums. The overall groove is very melodic, but it's still got plenty of kick underneath! Titles include "Better Go", "How Long Has This Been Going On?", "Kitty", "My Romance" and "Did You Call Her Today" and George & Ira Gerswin's "Embraceable You". Next is the even better album Back In Bean's Bag – a strong full-bodied session with totally solid playing, and a stone cold hardbop groove that you'd never expect from either Coleman Hawkins or Clark Terry. This could be because Dave Bailey's holding down the drum chores, and the record sounds a bit like his great recordings from the early 60's on Epic or Jazztime. There's a fantastic cut called "Tune For The Tutor", which was written by Pat Patrick, and which really grooves. Other nice ones include "Feedin' The Bean" and "Squeeze Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A really cool collection of vintage country music Christmas tunes – not just hits, but some excellent obscure material – all pulled together in a way that really lives up to the high standards we expect from the Bear Family label! These tracks are pulled together from a variety of labels and sources, and don't just include cowboy numbers you might guess from the "range" in the title – but also western swing, honky tonk, and maybe a few countrypolitan gems as well! The set features 26 titles in all – with great graphics and notes throughout – to accompany titles that include "Santa Claus Is Coming" by Skeeter Davis, "Santa's On His Way" by Bob Wills, "North Pole Boogie" by Billy Briggs, "Christmas Can't Be Far Away" by Eddie Arnold, "Christmas Time's A-Coming" by Bill Monroe, "Jolly Old St Nicholas" by Wilf Carter, "I Wish Everyday Was Christmas" by Ray Salter, "New Baby For Christmas" by George Jones, "Blue Snowfall" by George Morgan, "White Christmas" by Ernest Tubb, "Christmas Carols By The Old Corral" by Tex Ritter, "No Place Like Home On Christmas" by Little Jimmy Dickens, "It's Christmas Time" by The Louvin Brothers, "Home At Christmas" by Nelson Young, "I'm Gonna Lasso Santa" by Brenda Lee, and "We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo" by Terry Fell. CD

A second volume of disco and funk jams from late 70s and early 80s RCA, Columbia and affiliated labels – from simmering, sultry dancefloor soul to harder-hitting funk from superstars and lesser remembered groovers alike! It features numbers by Tamiko Jones, Bill Withers, Brick, George Duke, Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, GQ, John Lucien and more. Includes "Creepin" by Tamiko Jones, "Dazz" by Brick, "Baia" by Idris Muhammad, "Magic Mind" by Earth, Wind & Fire, "Space Princess" by Lonnie Liston Smith, "Elevate Our Minds" by Linda Williams, "Love Everlasting" by Jon Lucien and more. CD

Country music Christmas in all its glory – served up here in a whole host of tracks that mix bigger names with lesser-knowns, familiar songs with some unusual numbers that really keep things interesting! The themes here have a lot more to do with just daddy and drinking – and the package features a massive 30 tracks in all – with titles that include "Twisting Santa Claus" by Del Reeves, "Christmas At The Opry" by George Owens, "We Must Be Having One" by Tammy Wynette, "Gonna Wrap My Heart In Ribbons" by Hank Thompson, "Christmas Doll" by Reno & Smiley, "One Of You" by Marty Robbins, "Truckin Trees For Christmas" by Red Simpson, "Nuttin Fer Christmas" by Homer & Jethro, "It Won't Seem Like Christmas" by Loretta Lynn, "Merry Christmas Anyway" by Louise Johnson, "Mr & Mrs Santa Claus" by George Jones & Tammy Wynette, "Lonely Christmas Call" by Tamm Wynette, "Jingle Bells" by Johnny Paycheck, and "Christmas Greeting" by Liz Anderson, CD

Includes selections from Ernest Tubb, Blue Sky Boys, Grandpa Jones, George Harter, John Cephas, Dixon Brothers, and more. LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet set, and one that's overflowing with smoothly-crafted cuts from back in the day – and a set that's maybe a bit different than others to swim in the yacht rock waters, as it also features a few soul cuts too! Nobody ever used the term "yacht rock" when these tracks were coming out – but over the decades, it's come to refer to a time of AOR perfection – a moment when studio technologies were really hitting their heights, and amazing production efforts were utilized to capture charms of the artists in ways that had never been done before – music that was so sonically brilliant, it's really held up well over the years! The set comes in a cool book-like package, with 72 tracks in all, next to a big set of notes – work from artists who include Boz Scaggs, Raydio, George Benson, Starbuck, Christopher Cross, Toto, Average White Band, Michael McDonald, The Jones Girls, Little Feat, Robert Palmer, Larsen-Feiten Band, Lake, Kook & The Gang, JD Souther, Curved Air, Akiko Yano, Kiki Dee, Elkie Brooks, Bill Champlin, Robbie Dupree, Greg Guidry, Maxus, Ace, Gino Vannelli, Chaka Khan, and dozens of others. CD

One of Chet Baker's most classic albums of the 50s – a record that features both vocals and strong trumpet solos – all from a time when Baker was one of the hottest things going in jazz! The album's different from records from previous years, in that it moves Baker from LA to New York – where he works with a great quartet that features Kenny Drew on piano, George Morrow or Sam Jones on bass, and Philly Joe Jones or Danny Richmond on drums – all players who have a slightly different approach than some of Baker's compatriots on Pacific Jazz sessions, which also seems to bring out a bit more bite in Chet too. Tracks are still shortish, with those breathy Baker vocals we love so much, balanced with really well-crafted trumpet solos – and titles include "It Could Happen To You", "Do It The Hard Way", "Old Devil Moon", "Dancing On The Ceiling", and "The More I See You". LP, Vinyl record album

With Harry Edison, Preston Love, Illinois Jacquet, Buddy Tate, George Matthews, Paul Gonsalves, Emmet Berry, and Jo Jones. CD

With Marshall Royal and Bobby Plater on alto, Eric Dixon and Eddie Davis on tenor, Charles Fowlkes on baritone, Gene Goe, George Cohn, Oscar Brashear, and Al Aarons on trumpet, Grover Mitchell, Richard Boone, Bill Hughes, and Steve Galloway on trombone, Freddie Green on guitar, Harold Jones on drums, and Norman Keenan on bass. CD

With Marshall Royal and Bobby Plater on alto, Eric Dixon and Eddie Davis on tenor, Charles Fowlkes on baritone, Gene Goe, George Cohn, Oscar Brashear, and Al Aarons on trumpet, Grover Mitchell, Richard Boone, Bill Hughes, and Steve Galloway on trombone, Freddie Green on guitar, Harold Jones on drums, and Norman Keenan on bass. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest albums ever recorded by trumpeter Ruby Braff – a set that's hipper than some of his other 50s sessions, thanks to some wonderful sidemen! The sound here is still somewhat traditional, but there's also an undercurrent of 50s modern swing too – thanks to work by Jim Hall on guitar, Al Cohn on tenor, and Hank Jones on piano – all players who skew the record nicely away from some of the too-sweet or too-familiar modes of some of Ruby's other sessions. The music is all from the Gershwin score for Girl Crazy – played in a mellow and open-handed style that brings a new sense of swing to the tunes – and rhythm is by George Duvivier or Bob Haggart on bass, and Buzzy Drootin on drums. Titles include "Embraceable You", "Treat Me Rough", "But Not For Me", "I Got Rhythm", and "Bidin My Time". LP, Vinyl record album

A magnificent little record from John Coltrane – one of his earliest expressions of unbridled spirituality, and a session that we've treasured for years! As you might guess from the title, there's a slight Latin focus to the record – but not one that has congas and bongos creating choppy rhythms – most just a bold, driving, modal sort of inspiration – of the sort that allows the tracks to open up and flow with some of the genius that Coltrane would show more fully later on Impulse! But honestly, we'd rate this one right up there with the best modal sides on Impulse – as the record's got a sense of flow and energy that's simply breathtaking – with lots of long tracks that let Coltrane open up on tenor and soprano sax, and which also feature work from Eric Dolphy (under the "nom du date" George Lane) on alto, plus Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums, and Art Davis and Reggie Workman on twin basses! The title track "Ole" runs for a whopping 18 minutes, and takes up all of side one – and side two features the great numbers "Dahomey Dance" and "Aisha". The CD includes the bonus track "To Her Ladyship"! CD