124 tracks in all – all late 30s/early 40s recordings from the HRS label, mostly issued initially on 78s! Includes groups led by Harry Carney, Joe Thomas, Jimmy Jones, Sandy Williams, Billy Taylor, Rex Stewart, Brick Fleagle, Buck Clayton, Trummy Young, Russell Procope, and JC Higginbotham. CD

Three later albums from the Brain label, and with a smoother, tighter feel than earlier records – but still with some nice 70's electronics, and a proggish tip that's a bit jazzy. CD

A soaringly joyous album from British trumpeter Kenny Wheeler – one that has him leading a larger group in a style that resonates with similar projects of the time from artists like Mike Westbrook or Michael Gibbs! Wheeler delivers some magnificent trumpet and flugelhorn solos – very much at the more straightforward, soulful side of his range – and the ensemble is overflowing with work from top-shelf contemporaries – including Mike Taylor on some key electric piano lines, next to Mike Osborne on alto, Tony Roberts on tenor, Ian Hamer on trumpet, Bobby Lamb and Keith Chrsitie on trombones, Alan Branscombe on acoustic piano, Ron Mathewson on bass, and Tony Oxley on drums and percussion. The feel of the record is great – very much like better-known sessions where some of the top-shelf UK talents come together in a unified voice – and the set also features guest tenor from Evan Parker, trombone from Chris Pyne, and vocals from Norma Winstone. Winstone sings on "Song For Someone" – and other instrumental tracks include "Mikei", "Some Days Are Better", and "CP EP". CD