JJ Johnson's greatest album – without a doubt! This gem of a session was recorded in 1960 in New York, with an incredibly hip sextet that includes Cedar Walton, Clifford Jordan, and Freddie Hubbard. The tracks are all long, hip, and very much in a Blue Note soul jazz mode – very unusual not only for Johnson, but for Columbia records as well. The album feels like it should have been issued on Epic, with those killer Dave Bailey sides from 1961 – which might be why it has frequently gotten lost in Johnson's career, hidden amidst some of the sleepier material that seems to see the light of day more often than this one. The album's a stone winner all the way through – and features Johnson playing some of his gutsiest solos ever. Tracks include "Minor Mist", "In Walked Horace", "Fatback", "Aquarius", and "Shutterbug". CD

The complete 50s studio recordings of one of the greatest pairings in popular jazz of the time – the twin-trombone lead work of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding, both players who'd come from differing backgrounds, but who created a wonderful new sound together! The work on the set was all recorded during the years 1954 and 1955 – but oddly issued on a variety of different labels, including Prestige, Columbia, and Savoy. The pairing of the trombones on the work is wonderful – a strongly pronounced mini-horn section – yet one that's fluid enough to work at a nice boppish pace, especially when paired with players that include Charles Mingus, Billy Bauer, Paul Chambers, Dick Katz, and Milt Hinton. The 2CD package features a total of 27 tracks in all – with titles that include "Thou Swell", "Gong Rock", "Bag's Groove", "Hip Bones", "Wind Bag", "Reflections", "Lament", "Co-Op", "Turnabout", "Trombone For Two", "Lope City", and "Dinner For One". CD

Prime selections from one of the greatest soundtracks of the blacksploitation era – served up with some incredible grooves from maestro JJ Johnson! Martha Reeves sings some of the deepest vocals of her career on the great title track "Willie D" – an old sample cut that you're sure to recognize – and the equally great "Keep On Moving On". The instrumental tunes might be even better, filled with great percussion and jazzy flourishes from JJ – in a style that really keeps things interesting! This 2 x 7" single set features the cuts "Willie D", "Willie Chase", "Keep On Moving On", and "Parade Strut". 7-inch, Vinyl record

A great small group session from trombonist JJ Johnson – a record that sets him up with a crack rhythm section, then really lets him open up on his solos! The approach is a great change from some of the more tightly arranged Johnson albums for Columbia – and is a great reminder of the sharp, soulful hardbop style that first made folks take note of JJ during his early work for Blue Note and Prestige Records! The set cooks nicely – thanks to piano from Tommy Flanagan, bass from Paul Chambers, and drums from Max Roach – and titles include "Kev", "Blue Trombone (parts 1 & 2)", "100 Proof", and "What's New". LP, Vinyl record album

A great set that brings together early material that trombone giant JJ Johnson cut for Blue Note as a leader – sides that already mark his approach to the instrument as one of the most distinct of the time, and which pave the way for all the greatness that Johnson would bring to jazz in years to come! JJ's got a way of blowing his horn here that's almost trumpet-like at time – tight and focused, and perfect for the young bop generation – as he's paired on these cuts with players who include Hank Mobley and Jimmy Heath on tenor, Clifford Brown on trumpet, and either Wynton Kelly, John Lewis, or Horace Silver on piano, depending on the volume. There's plenty of other great surprises too – including a bit of bass from Charles Mingus, on a few cuts that also feature congas from Sabu Martinez – plus drums from Kenny Clarke on all tracks too. Titles on this first volume include include "Turnpike", "Sketch 1", "Capri", "Lover Man", "Get Happy", and "Coffee Pot". CD

A mixture of Verve regulars and early third streamers join together in this one-off session designed as a focus on the writing talents of John Lewis. Most of the material takes off from Lewis' work with the MJQ, and the band includes two of his bandmates from that group, Connie Kay & Percy Heath – as well as soloists Stan Getz, JJ Johnson, Aaron Sachs, and Lucky Thompson. Titles include "Little David's Fugue", "Sun Dance", "Django", and "Midsommer". In a great David Stone Martin cover, too! LP, Vinyl record album

With Charlie Rouse, Tadd Dameron, Kenny Clarke, Art Blakey, JJ Johnson, Bud Johnson, Coleman Hawkins, Hank Jones, Max Roach, Dexter Gordon, Benny Goodman, Wardell Gray, Mundell Lowe, Allen Eager, and Chino Pozo. CD

Tenorist Ronnie Scott playing in his home turf – tucked up nicely in the Ronnie Scott's club in Soho, circa 1964 – but working here with a few different hip American guests! One long track – a 25 minute version of "Secret Love" – features both Scott and Sonny Stitt on tenor sax, with backing from Stan Tracey on piano, Malcolm Cecil on bass, and Jackie Dougan on drums – all grooving in a very open, jamming, Stitt-inspired way! Next are long takes on "Blues By Five" and "Well You Needn't", recorded with Donald Byrd – and a version of "Bye Bye Blackbird" with JJ Johnson. The CD finishes with a short interview with Scott! CD

A landmark set from the Swedish scene of the early 60s – one that shows just how far that nation's jazzmen had grown during the postwar years! Trombonist Eje Thelin's always one of those talents worth checking out, but we especially like him in these early years – as he's overflowing with fresh new ideas, and really seems to set fire to all around him! At some level, some of the sounds here echo the styles of other American trombone innovators – like JJ Johnson and Curtis Fuller – both particularly good choices for reference here, as a few years earlier, Sweden might have produced a player who was much more in a Bob Brookmeyer or Herbie Harper camp. There's a nice edge to Thelin's playing – and he's definitely not afraid to get a bit dirty with his tone – and other players include Ulf Andersson on tenor, Joel Vandroogenbrock on piano, Roman Dylag on bass, and Run Carlsson on drums. Titles include the originals "Folk Song", "So Far", and "Fast" – plus "Lament" and "It Could Happen To You". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the coolest work Kai Winding ever recorded – two very odd albums, back to back on a single CD! Soul Surfin is hardly the trombone jazz outing you might have guessed from Kai's famous work with JJ Johnson – and instead, an electrified set that's got plenty of cool 60s touches! Winding does play trombone, but the group also features lots of guitar from Kenny Burrell, electric piano from Paul Griffin, and ondioline from Jean Jacques Perry – who really gives the whole thing a cool sort of watery sound – making the guitar and trombone sound wonderful together! Burrell's at his boldest too – almost surf-ish in parts – and titles include the album's hit version of "More", plus "Gravy Waltz", "China Nights", "Pipeline", "Sukiyaki", "Tube Wall", "Sinner", and "Hearse Ride". Mondo Cane 2 is a sweet return of the cool sounds that Kai Winding cut on his Soul Surfin album – not really jazz, but a wicked hybrid of groovy 60s modes – set to larger orchestrations this time around, but still featuring some great ondioline from Jean Jacques Perry! Perry's instrument is really unique – gliding out here in ways that make the instrumental tunes cross over to worlds that Winding might never have touched before – augmented by great arrangements from Claus Ogerman, Charlie Calello, Billy Byers, and Winding himself! The set features guitar from Les Spann – and titles that include "Python", "Mondo Cane #2", "The Gospel Truth", "Warm", "Theme From The Medic", "The Struggle", and "Portrait Of My Love". CD

Excellent work from the glory days of Impulse Records – tracks from sessions for the label's most famous albums, but never issued until this special package! We're not normally ones to dig various artists collections in jazz, but this series is wonderful – an essential counterpart to the main records on Impulse, and filled with work that really offers a fresh look at the musicians. This 2nd volume is a bit more mainstream than some of the others, but still quite nice – and titles include "Gloria" by JJ Johnson, "Dear Old Stockholm" by John Coltrane, "Anything I Do" by Tommy Flanagan, "Moon Over My Annie" by Lionel Hampton, "The Blues Ain't Nothin But Some Pain" by Shirley Scott, and "Night Lights" by Oliver Nelson. LP, Vinyl record album

With selections by Dave Bailey, Coleman Hawkins and Clark Terry, Pony Poindexter, Montgomery Brothers, Johnny Coles, Slide Hampton, Tubby Hayes, and JJ Johnson. LP, Vinyl record album

The first-ever full collection of work based around the production efforts of Karl JJ Johnson – maybe not the biggest name in Jamaican studio talent, but a producer with a great ear for the most soulful sounds bubbling up at the time! Johnson was known as Sir JJ – and worked most famously with The Ethiopians, but also handled a fair bit of other rocksteady and early reggae groups during the five years' worth of recordings brought together in this set – material issued on his own small label, and on Duke and Trojan as well – all collected here in a package that features 58 tracks in all, and a very copious amounts of notes and vintage images! 17 of the tracks have never been on CD at all – and together, the whole thing is a fantastic tribute to Johnson – with work by The Vibrators, Kingstonians, JJ All Stars, Cark Dawkins, Winston Wright, Roy Shirley, Val Bennett, Lloyd Young, The Linkers, The Ethiopians, Family Man, The Cambodians, Stranger & Gladdy, The Scorchers, Ansel Collins, Stranger Cole, and others. CD

Legendary early work from trumpeter Miles Davis – late 40s sessions for Capitol Records that are completely different than the bop material he was cutting with Charlie Parker and on his own! Instead, these sides have Miles working with a complex, more arranged style – built up with a young Gil Evans, in a mode that prefaces the later famous recordings the pair would make in the late 50s for Columbia. Here, the tracks are shorter, but beautifully blend bop ideas with fuller arrangements – and Davis blows alongside other key young modernists in a variety of larger groups – with work from Lee Konitz on alto, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Al Haig and John Lewis on piano, and Kenny Clarke and Max Roach on drums. Mulligan contributed plenty, too – his ideas on an overall sound definitely helped shape these sides – and the record's go on to legendary status – even though it's very different than most other Miles Davis from the time. Titles include "Godchild", "Jeru", "Move", "Venus De Milo", "Budo", and "Deception". This "complete" package follows up the core tracks with live material recorded at the Royal Roost, even before the original studio sessions – in a group that features Mike Zwerin on trombone with Konitz, Mulligan, Lewis, and Roach – plus a bit of vocals from Kenny Pacho Hagood. Titles include "Darn That Dream", "Moon Dreams", "S'Il Vou Plait", "Move", "Birth Of The Cool Theme", "Godchild", and "Budo". CD

Brilliant early work by Miles Davis – some of his first truly important sessions to appear under his own name – originally issued as singles or 10" LP recordings by Blue Note, and brought together here in a full length set that would help to define the early years of his career! This is work before Miles was able to stretch out on longer sessions for Prestige, but the material already showcases his unique contribution to jazz – shorter tracks that are perhaps more boppish, than you might expect from some of Miles' other 50s work – but in a way that still allows for many moments of lyrical beauty, and that brilliantly cool sound of his which forever changed the sound of jazz trumpet. The set features work from an assortment of players who vary from track to track – including Jimmy Heath on tenor, Jackie McLean on alto, JJ Johnson on trombone, Gil Coggins on piano, and either Kenny Clarke or Art Blakey on drums – on titles that include "Tempus Fugit", "Kelo", "Enigma", "Ray's Ida", and "CTA". LP, Vinyl record album

As classic an early album by Miles Davis as you can find – truly filled with the "all star" players billed in the title, and a session that has the sharpness of Davis' bop work for Blue Note, yet also lets him stretch out in a slightly more relaxed format! The album features Miles trumpet with 2 different groups – one a sextet with Horace Silver, JJ Johnson, and Lucky Thompson; the other a quintet with Silver and the obscure altoist Davey Schildkraut! Tracks are long, with lots of solo room – and titles include his classic takes on "Walkin", "Blue N Boogie", and "Solar" – plus versions of "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Love Me Or Leave Me". LP, Vinyl record album

With John Coltrane, Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell, JJ Johnson, Art Blakey, Joe Carroll, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

A key album in the reintroduction of Coleman Hawkins in the late 50s – recorded in a style that still bears a lot of traces of earlier years, but at a time when Hawk was being claimed as a key influence by a variety of younger modernists! The set's got a sense of freedom that's really surprising – especially on the longer numbers, which unfold with some playful instrumental twists that seem to come especially from trumpeter Idrees Sulieman and trombonist JJ Johnson – both of whom are great on the record. Other players include Hank Jones on piano, Barry Galbraith on guitar, and Oscar Pettiford on bass – and titles include "Juicy Fruit", "Think Deep", "Blue Lights", "Sanctity", and "Chant". CD

With Dizzy Gillespie, JJ Johnson, Gene Krupa, Oscar Peterson, Shorty Sherock, Al Killan, Billie Holiday, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Parker, Buck Clayton, and Coleman Hawkins. CD

Joe Turner on vocals and Count Basie on piano and organ – with Eddie Davis and Zoot Sims on tenor, Harry Edison on trumpet, JJ Johnson on trombone, Ray Brown on bass, Irving Ashby on guitar, and Louis Bellson on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Arrangements by Thad Jones and JJ Johnson – with titles that include "Sposin", "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", "All Alone", "The Sweetest Sounds", "On The Other Side Of The tracks", "I Had A Ball", and "I Want To Be Happy". CD

Beautiful duets between trombonist Phil Wilson and pianist Makoto Ozone – surprisingly swinging at times, despite the lack of a rhythm section! Wilson's always got a great ear for unusual sounds on his horn – and in the open space of this set, he really comes up with some compelling moments – yet there's also a really great sense of swing and soul to his work here, too – almost a sort of 50s lyricism, as you'd hear on some of JJ Johnson's older recordings. Ozone's nicely laidback, too – quite different than some of his bigger-label recordings of the 80s – and titles include "Giant Steps", "Gravy Waltz", "These Are The Days", "Here's That Rainy Day", and "Stella By Starlight". CD

An excellent little collection – one that shows that the Chicago-based United Records label cut vocal work to match the best New York indies in the 50s! The tunes here are mostly jazz, but have some of the harder edges that you'd guess from United's R&B work too – and the singers are all wonderfully top-shelf – a fair bit of names you might not know at all, which makes the package a real revelation to our ears – mixed with rare recordings by a few others, including the first sides ever from Della Reese! Backings are great – tight and jazzy, often with a strong element of bop – and titles include "Never To Cry Again" and "Fallen" by Bixie Crawford, "Until I Fell For You" by Vanita Smythe, "I Can't Forget" and "Somebody Will Understand" by Terry Timmons, "How Deep Is The Ocean" and "A Fool Was I" by Helen Fox with Jimmy Coe, "Mays' Haze" and "Old Mill Stream" by Betty Mays with JJ Johnson & Kai Winding, "Please Wait For Me" by Debbie Andrews, and "Yes Indeed" and "Blue & Orange Birds & Silver Bells" by Della Reese with Jimmy Hamilton. CD

An all-star jam session from Montreux in 1973 – recorded in true Verve style by the great Norman Granz, Count Basie at the head of a group that includes Louie Bellson, Ray Brown, JJ Johnson, Harry Edison, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, and Zoot Sims! Tracks are nice lengthy rakes of Basie classics, with plenty of solo space – a bit tighter than a more traditional jam session, probably because the players get along so well together! 5 numbers in all, including "Doubling The Blues", "Hanging Out", "Red Bank Blues", "One-Nighter" and "Freeport Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

With notable sidemen including Harry Edison, Lester Young, Buddy Tate, Freddie Green, Lucky Thompson, Buck Clayton, JJ Johnson, Jimmy Rushing, and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Legendary early work from trumpeter Miles Davis – late 40s sessions for Capitol Records that are completely different than the bop material he was cutting with Charlie Parker and on his own! Instead, these sides have Miles working with a complex, more arranged style – built up with a young Gil Evans, in a mode that prefaces the later famous recordings the pair would make in the late 50s for Columbia. Here, the tracks are shorter, but beautifully blend bop ideas with fuller arrangements – and Davis blows alongside other key young modernists in a variety of larger groups – with work from Lee Konitz on alto, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Al Haig and John Lewis on piano, and Kenny Clarke and Max Roach on drums. Mulligan contributed plenty, too – his ideas on an overall sound definitely helped shape these sides – and the record's go on to legendary status – even though it's very different than most other Miles Davis from the time. Titles include "Godchild", "Jeru", "Move", "Venus De Milo", "Budo", and "Deception". LP, Vinyl record album

Legendary early work from trumpeter Miles Davis – late 40s sessions for Capitol Records that are completely different than the bop material he was cutting with Charlie Parker and on his own! Instead, these sides have Miles working with a complex, more arranged style – built up with a young Gil Evans, in a mode that prefaces the later famous recordings the pair would make in the late 50s for Columbia. Here, the tracks are shorter, but beautifully blend bop ideas with fuller arrangements – and Davis blows alongside other key young modernists in a variety of larger groups – with work from Lee Konitz on alto, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Al Haig and John Lewis on piano, and Kenny Clarke and Max Roach on drums. Mulligan contributed plenty, too – his ideas on an overall sound definitely helped shape these sides – and the record's go on to legendary status – even though it's very different than most other Miles Davis from the time. Titles include "Godchild", "Jeru", "Move", "Venus De Milo", "Budo", and "Deception". This "complete" package follows up the core tracks with live material recorded at the Royal Roost, even before the original studio sessions – in a group that features Mike Zwerin on trombone with Konitz, Mulligan, Lewis, and Roach – plus a bit of vocals from Kenny Pacho Hagood. Titles include "Darn That Dream", "Moon Dreams", "S'Il Vou Plait", "Move", "Birth Of The Cool Theme", "Godchild", and "Budo". CD

Brilliant early work by Miles Davis – some of his first truly important sessions to appear under his own name – originally issued as singles or 10" LP recordings by Blue Note, and brought together here in a full length set that would help to define the early years of his career! This is work before Miles was able to stretch out on longer sessions for Prestige, but the material already showcases his unique contribution to jazz – shorter tracks that are perhaps more boppish, than you might expect from some of Miles' other 50s work – but in a way that still allows for many moments of lyrical beauty, and that brilliantly cool sound of his which forever changed the sound of jazz trumpet. The set features work from an assortment of players who vary from track to track – including Jimmy Heath on tenor, Jackie McLean on alto, JJ Johnson on trombone, Gil Coggins on piano, and either Kenny Clarke or Art Blakey on drums – on titles that include "Tempus Fugit", "Kelo", "Enigma", "Ray's Ida", and "CTA". CD

Marvin Marvin Marvin – just when we thought you couldn't impress us any more, you took it to the next level! Trouble Man is a heck of a wonderful surprise from an artist that most folks really only knew as a singer – a fantastically funky blacksploitation soundtrack, conceived and composed by Marvin himself – and served up with some occasional vocals that work beautifully with the album's cool instrumental grooves! The set's easily one of Gaye's most righteous records ever – almost a second chapter to What's Going On, but more instrumental – and like that classic set, it really shows the whole new range of vision that Marvin was able to work in the studio. Gaye gets a bit of arranging help on some tracks from Gene Page and JJ Johnson – and the album's filled with great cuts – including the landmark "T Plays It Cool", plus other gems like "Don't Mess With Mister T", "Main Theme From Trouble Man", "The Break In", and "T Stands For Trouble". Very funky, very sophisticated, and very soulful! CD

A Jazzland issue of a top Golson side originally cut for Riverside. You can't get any more classic Benny Golson than this – a sublime late 50s album that features Benny with a sextet, working out amazing versions of the sorts of material that set him apart from every other jazz arranger of the time! The tracks here are complicated, yet have a rootsy soulfulness that makes them instantly compelling – and Benny's tone on tenor sax is sharp and angular, yet also has a raspiness that gives it a degree of honesty you wouldn't expect from a budding young modernist. The rest of the players – Max Roach, Paul Chambers, Wynton Kelly, JJ Johnson, and Kenny Dorham – are equally great, too – and amidst Benny's arrangements, they come together as if they'd been playing in this format for years! Titles include "Out Of The Past", "Venetian Breeze", "Reunion", "Hymn To The Orient", and "Blues On Down". LP, Vinyl record album

Rare King, Jewel, and Sensation sides with Dexter Gordon on tenor sax, Leo Parker on baritone sax, Teddy Edwards on alto, JJ Johnson on trombone, Bill Doggett on piano, Charles Mingus on bass, and Chico Hamilton on drums. CD

A nice mid 70s 2LP set – one that features the complete first Jazz At The Philharmonic concert – with performances by Nat King Cole, Illinois Jacquet, Billie Holiday, Les Paul, and JJ Johnson. LP, Vinyl record album

A nice live set – put together by Norm Granz, as a tour of the JATP all stars in Europe. The group brings together the hottest jazz stars of the day, and onthis volume itincludes Dizzy gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, JJ Johnson, Coleman Hawkins and Roy Eldridge. There's a great jamming take on "Bernie's Tune" and a sidelong riffing version of "All The Things You Are". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic early Blue Note release from trumpeter Howard McGhee – working with a bit of guest help from Fats Navarro on trumpet – plus work from Kenny Drew on piano, JJ Johnson on trombone, Brew Moore on tenor, and Max Roach on drums! Titles include "Boperation", "The Skunk", "Meciendo", "I'll Remember April", and "Fuguetta". LP, Vinyl record album

Players include Milt Jackson on vibes, JJ Johnson on trombone, Jimmy Heath on sax, Percy Heath on bass, and Joe Harris on drums. CD

Quite possibly the funkiest record ever made by guitarist Joe Pass – a real surprise from an artist we mostly know for his mellower and straight ahead work! The style here is tight electric funk, almost in a Groove Merchant sort of way – and given Joe's heavy use of hollow-body guitar on the record, and the warm chromatic hues in his tone, the style's a fair bit like O'Donel Levy on his 70s classics from the same era. Bassist Carol Kaye had a hand in putting together the record, and there's a similar feel here to her own best grooves – tight, studio-oriented work – but never slick or too commercial! Other players include Joe Sample on keyboards, Paul Humphrey on drums, Tom Scott on sax and flute, and JJ Johnson on trombone – and despite the presence of these heavyweights, the record has a nicely soulful sound that's more indie grit than major label funk! CD adds some bonus tracks to the original record – and features 18 titles that include "Free Sample", "Better Days", "Head Start", "It's Too Late", "Gotcha", "Alison", "The Preacher", "Bass Blues", "Burning Spear", "Slick Cat", "Flying Down To Baja", and "Love Is". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic set from Horace Silver – one in which his quintet is expanded by some great guest work from trombonist JJ Johnson! Johnson's at the height of his 60s powers here – blowing with that lean, soulful style that always made any record sparkle – and although he's only on half of the tracks on the date, his presence is more than worth the heavy billing he gets on the cover! Other great members of the group include Woody Shaw on trumpet, Joe Henderson on tenor, and rhythm from Bob Cranshaw on bass and Roger Humphries on drums – all coming together with that wonderful 60s Silver groove. The set's filled with sweetly grooving originals by Horace – a blueprint for the exotic style of soul jazz he helped to forge at the time – great writing all around, on titles that include "Mo Joe", "Nutville", "Bonita", "The African Queen", and "Pretty Eyes". CD

A classic set from Horace Silver – one in which his quintet is expanded by some great guest work from trombonist JJ Johnson! Johnson's at the height of his 60s powers here – blowing with that lean, soulful style that always made any record sparkle – and although he's only on half of the tracks on the date, his presence is more than worth the heavy billing he gets on the cover! Other great members of the group include Woody Shaw on trumpet, Joe Henderson on tenor, and rhythm from Bob Cranshaw on bass and Roger Humphries on drums – all coming together with that wonderful 60s Silver groove. The set's filled with sweetly grooving originals by Horace – a blueprint for the exotic style of soul jazz he helped to forge at the time – great writing all around, on titles that include "Mo Joe", "Nutville", "Bonita", "The African Queen", and "Pretty Eyes". CD

Amazing work from Blue Note Records – exactly the sort of jazz that really set the label apart back in the old days! The entire batch of work here is from the 50s – and is pulled either from groundbreaking 10" albums from the label's early 50s output, or from some of its key sides in the 1500 series in the latter part of the decade – all wonderful material throughout, with a sharp-edged sound that was hardly matched in jazz again – despite the countless inspired legions to tried to copy its groove! The package crackles from the very first note – really exploding with energy and dynamism, of the sort that makes it difficult to label this jazz with a few easy words – and which demands repeated listenings to the brilliant selection of tunes included in the package. 20 tracks in all – including "We Six" by Paul Chambers, "Avilla & Tequila" by Art Blakey, "Minor's Holiday" by Kenny Dorham, "Ande" by Louis Smith, "Wee Jay" by JR Monterose, "Coffee Pot" by JJ Johnson, "Doodlin" by Horace Silver, "Gaza Strip" by Lee Morgan, "Abdullah" by Elmo Hope, "Blue Lights" by Clifford Jordan & John Gilmore, "Don't Walk" by Hank Mobley, and "News For Lulu" by Sonny Clark. CD

Excellent bop sides cut for EmArcy by Cannonball, collected and assembled in a manner that showcases his wonderfully soulful and hard blowing approach to the alto in the years before Miles recruited him. The set features a host of great sidemen including brother Nat, JJ Johnson, Cecil Payne, Ernie Royal, John Coltrane, Junior Mance, Horace Silver, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Keeter Betts, Sam Jones, Kenny Clarke, Max Roach and Jimmy Cobb. 17 tracks in all, including "Hurrican Connie", "Cynthia's In Love", "Cannonball", "Nat's Everglade", "Fallen Feathers", "Watermelon", "Fort Lauderdale", "Broadway At Basin Street", "T's Tune", "Blues For Bohemia", "Specutacular", "Miss Jackie's Delight", "Hoppin' John", "The Way You Look Tonight", "I'll Remember April", "Limehouse Blues" and "The Sleeper". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful little session from Manny Albam – one that continues the strong tradition of larger group jazz arranging he began in the 60s, but which takes it to an even deeper level! Manny composed the entire set as kind of a "city suite" in jazz – one that paints the picture of many different shades of city life through jazzy solos and a range of deeper tones and colors from the larger ensemble. Players include Frank Wess, Phil Woods, JJ Johnson, Jerome Richardson, and Mike Manieri – all extremely well-suited to an outing like this – and titles include "The Game Of The Year", "Born On Arrival", "The View From The Inside", "El Barrio Latino", "Ground Floor Rear", and "Riverview". 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

Count Basie on piano, JJ Johnson on trombone, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and flugelhorn, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis on tenor saxophone, Joe Pass on guitar, and Jake Hanna on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Joe Turner on vocals and Count Basie on piano and organ – with Eddie Davis and Zoot Sims on tenor, Harry Edison on trumpet, JJ Johnson on trombone, Ray Brown on bass, Irving Ashby on guitar, and Louis Bellson on drums. CD

Features work from Milt Jackson on vibes, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Al Cohn on tenor, and Duke Jordan on piano! CD

Seminal work from one of the greatest trumpeters of the postwar years – captured here right before his famous association with drummer Max Roach in the final years of his life! The set brings together everything that Clifford Brown recorded for both the Blue Note and Pacific Jazz labels – including sides done with Lou Donaldson as a co-leader, in the groups of drummer Art Blakey and trombonist JJ Johnson, and as as leader on his own. Includes some alternate takes as well! CD

Legendary early work from trumpeter Miles Davis – late 40s sessions for Capitol Records that are completely different than the bop material he was cutting with Charlie Parker and on his own! Instead, these sides have Miles working with a complex, more arranged style – built up with a young Gil Evans, in a mode that prefaces the later famous recordings the pair would make in the late 50s for Columbia. Here, the tracks are shorter, but beautifully blend bop ideas with fuller arrangements – and Davis blows alongside other key young modernists in a variety of larger groups – with work from Lee Konitz on alto, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Al Haig and John Lewis on piano, and Kenny Clarke and Max Roach on drums. Mulligan contributed plenty, too – his ideas on an overall sound definitely helped shape these sides – and the record's go on to legendary status – even though it's very different than most other Miles Davis from the time. Titles include "Godchild", "Jeru", "Move", "Venus De Milo", "Budo", and "Deception". LP, Vinyl record album

Legendary early work from trumpeter Miles Davis – late 40s sessions for Capitol Records that are completely different than the bop material he was cutting with Charlie Parker and on his own! Instead, these sides have Miles working with a complex, more arranged style – built up with a young Gil Evans, in a mode that prefaces the later famous recordings the pair would make in the late 50s for Columbia. Here, the tracks are shorter, but beautifully blend bop ideas with fuller arrangements – and Davis blows alongside other key young modernists in a variety of larger groups – with work from Lee Konitz on alto, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Al Haig and John Lewis on piano, and Kenny Clarke and Max Roach on drums. Mulligan contributed plenty, too – his ideas on an overall sound definitely helped shape these sides – and the record's go on to legendary status – even though it's very different than most other Miles Davis from the time. Titles include "Godchild", "Jeru", "Move", "Venus De Milo", "Budo", and "Deception". This "complete" package follows up the core tracks with live material recorded at the Royal Roost, even before the original studio sessions – in a group that features Mike Zwerin on trombone with Konitz, Mulligan, Lewis, and Roach – plus a bit of vocals from Kenny Pacho Hagood. Titles include "Darn That Dream", "Moon Dreams", "S'Il Vou Plait", "Move", "Birth Of The Cool Theme", "Godchild", and "Budo". CD

Brilliant early work by Miles Davis – some of his first truly important sessions to appear under his own name – originally issued as singles or 10" LP recordings by Blue Note, and brought together here in a full length set that would help to define the early years of his career! This is work before Miles was able to stretch out on longer sessions for Prestige, but the material already showcases his unique contribution to jazz – shorter tracks that are perhaps more boppish, than you might expect from some of Miles' other 50s work – but in a way that still allows for many moments of lyrical beauty, and that brilliantly cool sound of his which forever changed the sound of jazz trumpet. The set features work from an assortment of players who vary from track to track – including Jimmy Heath on tenor, Jackie McLean on alto, JJ Johnson on trombone, Horace Silver on piano, and Art Blakey on drums. Titles on this second volume include "Weirdo", "Donna", "Ray's Idea (alt)", "Take Off", "Would'n You", "The Leap", "Lazy Suzan", and "Tempus Fugit (alt)". LP, Vinyl record album

A young man with a horn, and a hell of a lot of talent too – as this early Blue Note album really has Miles Davis coming into his own – and showing even more genius than on previous records! There's a really special quality to the record that may well make it one of the first great moments for Miles as a leader – a sense of phrasing and timing that comes through especially in his landmark recording of "Dear Old Stockholm" – a track that's well worth the price of the record alone! Davis is hardly in his "birth of the cool" mode here – but has a great way of arranging the group, too – with players who include JJ Johnson on trombone, Jackie McLean on alto, Gil Coggins on piano, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. In addition to "Dear Old Stockholm", the set also features sublime versions of "Yesterdays" and "Woody N You" – plus "Chance It", "Donna", and "How Deep Is The Ocean". LP, Vinyl record album

As classic an early album by Miles Davis as you can find – truly filled with the "all star" players billed in the title, and a session that has the sharpness of Davis' bop work for Blue Note, yet also lets him stretch out in a slightly more relaxed format! The album features Miles trumpet with 2 different groups – one a sextet with Horace Silver, JJ Johnson, and Lucky Thompson; the other a quintet with Silver and the obscure altoist Davey Schildkraut! Tracks are long, with lots of solo room – and titles include his classic takes on "Walkin", "Blue N Boogie", and "Solar" – plus versions of "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Love Me Or Leave Me". LP, Vinyl record album

As classic an early album by Miles Davis as you can find – truly filled with the "all star" players billed in the title, and a session that has the sharpness of Davis' bop work for Blue Note, yet also lets him stretch out in a slightly more relaxed format! The album features Miles trumpet with 2 different groups – one a sextet with Horace Silver, JJ Johnson, and Lucky Thompson; the other a quintet with Silver and the obscure altoist Davey Schildkraut! Tracks are long, with lots of solo room – and titles include his classic takes on "Walkin", "Blue N Boogie", and "Solar" – plus versions of "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Love Me Or Leave Me". CD

One of Sammy D's best albums of the late 60s – and a beautiful mix of modes that he explored on the Reprise label! The title track is Sammy's big hit "I've Gotta Be Me", but that tune's followed up with some nice groovers – like Sammy's versions of "My Personal Property" and "I'm a Brass Band" – both pulled from Sweet Charity, a film in which he had a part. Arrangements are by HB Barnum, JJ Johnson, and Richard Wess – and get very nicely jazzy in parts, an aspect that's further emphasized by Jimmy Bowen's great production. Other tracks include "She Believes In Me", "Sweet November", "Here I'll Stay", "I'm Glad There Is You", and "I've Got You Under My Skin". LP, Vinyl record album

A sweet blend of west coast jazz and Brazilian rhythms – and one of our favorite records ever from trombonist Raul De Souza! The session's got a more soulful, jazzy feel than some of Raul's other dates from the 70s – not nearly as tight as his sets for Capitol, with an earthy undercurrent in the music, thanks to the production efforts of Airto, who spearheads the session. Horns are by JJ Johnson, with some slight echoes of his soul soundtrack work of the period – and other players include Ted Lo on keyboards, Richard Davis on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums – plus a bit of guest alto sax from Cannonball Adderley on a few tunes. Titles include "Water Buffalo", "Dr Honoris Causa", "Canto De Ossahna", "Nana", "Festival", and "Chants To Burn". CD

A completely unique little session – and a record that's every bit as musically striking as you might guess from its title and cover! The date's a rare Latin-tinged one for trumpeter Kenny Dorham – a record that takes his usually smooth sound and sets it up against octet backings with horns from JJ Johnson on trombone, Cecil Payne on baritone sax, and Hank Mobley on tenor – plus piano from Horace Silver, bass from Oscar Pettiford, and drums from Art Blakey – plus added congas from Patato Valdes! The expanded group plays with a great sense of power – really pushing Kenny's sound tremendously – and although the album also features a few tracks by a smaller group with less percussion, these also have a bit of a Latin/exotic tinge too. Titles include "Basheer's Dream", "Lotus Flower", "KD's Motion", "Venita's Dance", "Minor's Holiday", "La Villa", and "Afrodisia". CD

A completely unique little session – and a record that's every bit as musically striking as you might guess from its title and cover! The date's a rare Latin-tinged one for trumpeter Kenny Dorham – a record that takes his usually smooth sound and sets it up against octet backings with horns from JJ Johnson on trombone, Cecil Payne on baritone sax, and Hank Mobley on tenor – plus piano from Horace Silver, bass from Oscar Pettiford, and drums from Art Blakey – plus added congas from Patato Valdes! The expanded group plays with a great sense of power – really pushing Kenny's sound tremendously – and although the album also features a few tracks by a smaller group with less percussion, these also have a bit of a Latin/exotic tinge too. Titles include "Basheer's Dream", "Lotus Flower", "KD's Motion", "Venita's Dance", "Minor's Holiday", "La Villa", and "Afrodisia". CD features 2 bonus tracks too – "Echo Of Spring (aka KD's Cab Ride)" and "Minor's Holiday (alt take)". CD

Magnificent work from European jazz vocalist Karin Krog – a landmark album that shows why she sings like no other singer! On this 1974 session, Karin moves far beyond the standard jazz of her roots – into territory that's spacey, cosmic, and filled with the best influences bubbling underground in the Euro scene of the 70s. The backing group features Steve Kuhn on keyboards, Steve Swallow on bass, and Jon Christensen on drums – all working out these beautiful modal patterns that unlock Karin's cool and icy vocals. The tunes are all pretty incredible too – vocal versions of originals by Kuhn, like "Meaning Of Love", "Sometime To Go", and "Raindrops Raindrops"; a very cool version of Joni Mitchell's "All I Want", a rare Jon Hendricks' lyrical version of JJ Johnson's "Lament", and a sweet and breezy take on the Michel Colombier tune "We Could Be Flying"! CD

Magnificent work from European jazz vocalist Karin Krog – a landmark album that shows why she sings like no other singer! On this 1974 session, Karin moves far beyond the standard jazz of her roots – into territory that's spacey, cosmic, and filled with the best influences bubbling underground in the Euro scene of the 70s. The backing group features Steve Kuhn on keyboards, Steve Swallow on bass, and Jon Christensen on drums – all working out these beautiful modal patterns that unlock Karin's cool and icy vocals. The tunes are all pretty incredible too – vocal versions of originals by Kuhn, like "Meaning Of Love", "Sometime To Go", and "Raindrops Raindrops"; a very cool version of Joni Mitchell's "All I Want", a rare Jon Hendricks' lyrical version of JJ Johnson's "Lament", and a sweet and breezy take on the Michel Colombier tune "We Could Be Flying"! CD

A better-than-usual set of third stream jazz by John Lewis – quite possibly because it was recorded a bit earlier than the rest! As with similar sessions on Columbia and Atlantic, this one has Lewis working with Gunther Schuller on tracks for a larger group that seek to bridge the gap between jazz and more "serious" music – almost an experiment in modern classical music, but a bit less constricted, and with plenty of room for the soloists to liven up the material. Players include JJ Johnson, Stan Getz, Tony Scott, and Lucky Thompson – who all get in some nice moments on the record – and titles include "Sun Dance", "Midsommer", "The Queen's Fancy", "Little David's Fugue", and "Django". LP, Vinyl record album

As classic as it comes for late 50s Blue Note – and a key meeting between Sonny Rollins and Thelonious Monk! The group on the set features Rollins and Monk with JJ Johnson, Paul Chambers, and Art Blakey – all of whom push things more in the direction of Blue Note's sound of the time, then Monk's own recordings of the period for Riverside. But the contrast of modes makes for a really startling sound – one that has Monk "monking" it up next to the straighter rhythm section, and bringing out some more modern tones in Rollins' tenor work. Horace Silver plays piano on part of the set as well – but still keeps things strong – and titles include "Why Don't I", "Wail March", "Misterioso", and "Reflections". CD