A great rare set from this French pianist – recorded as a non-commercial sound library album, with a group that includes trumpet, trombone, bass, and drums! LP, Vinyl record album

A really sweet set of straight jazz from Eastern Europe – and a rare one too! French pianist Jack Dieval is working here with a group that includes American Art Taylor on drums, plus tenor by Francois Jenneau and Eduard Sadil, French horn by Bernard Vitet, and trumpet by Predrag Ivanovic. The feel is pretty easy-going overall, a relaxed jam session in the studio between some very like-minded players – and the album almost feels like some of the titles in the Jazz In Paris series. Titles include "Gloria", "My Birthplace", "Bon Voyage", and "Theme No 4". LP, Vinyl record album

Never-issued material from a key moment in the early career of trumpeter Donald Byrd – a time when he was working in Paris, and really starting to hit the soulful vibe that would open strongly on Blue Note albums to come! The work here is every bit as great as his early sides for that label – expertly executed, with a group that's co-led by European reedman Bobby Jaspar, who blows both tenor and flute, and gives a nicely different vibe to the proceedings than some of Byrd's early records with Pepper Adams – driven strongly by two different rhythm trios – one with Walter Davis on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Art Taylor on drums – the other with Jack Dieval on piano, Jacques Hess on bass, and Daniel Humair on drums. Both groups are great – and the tracks are long, and wonderfully recorded for French radio – with titles that include "Flute Bop", "Easy Living", "Paul's Pal", "Splendid", "Formidable", and "After You've Gone". LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing music by one of our favorite saxophone players of all time – captured here at the height of his 60s genius on the European scene! The tracks here have never been issued at all – but stand as a perfect complement to the killer MPS/Saba albums by Nathan Davis – and are served up with a similar blend of soulful hardbop and modernist edges – qualities that are already present in the fantastic phrasing of Davis on tenor and flute, pushed even further by the equally great work of French piano legend Georges Arvanitas! Although Arvanitas could be out when he wanted, he could also swing like the best of them – and his pairing with Davis here is perfect, and really brings out both the soul and edge in both players – especially in the company of George's fantastic rhythm duo of Charles Saudrais on drums and Jacky Samson on bass. The set's full of other surprises, too – including a bit of organ from Arvanitas, and an appearance by Jack Dieval – and the whole thing is beautifully recorded by French Radio. Tracks are all long – and include "Mid Evil Dance", "Blues For Southeast Asia", "The Hip Walk", "Rules Of Freedom", "A5", "The Thing", "Love Ye The Neighbor", "Nathalie's Dance", and "Yesterdays" in both flute and tenor versions. LP, Vinyl record album

A gem of a record – Eric Dolphy's last studio session, recorded in Paris with some very surprising guest stars! The work is really tremendous – every bit as great as Dolphy's monumental studio albums for Prestige, and written and performed with a similar blend of the free, the lyrical, the avant, and the soulful – a groove that's often a bit more inside than some of Eric's other late recordings – and played with plenty of spirit throughout! The sessions make great use of American soloists Donald Byrd on trumpet and Nathan Davis on tenor – both players whose sound really balances Dolphy in a great way – holding down a groove while Eric takes off on alto sax or bass clarinet. The rhythm is by a French combo – with Jack Dieval on piano, Jacques Hess on bass, and Franco Monzecci on drums – plus a bit of congas on two tracks from Jacky Bambou. Titles are quite long, and really wonderful – and tunes include "245", "GW", "Serene", and "Springtime". CD

A gem of a record – Eric Dolphy's last studio session, recorded in Paris with some very surprising guest stars! The work is really tremendous – every bit as great as Dolphy's monumental studio albums for Prestige, and written and performed with a similar blend of the free, the lyrical, the avant, and the soulful! Of course, the players help a lot – as the group includes Donald Byrd on trumpet, Nathan Davis on tenor, and the great Jack Dieval on piano. Titles include "245", "GW", "Serene", "Naima", and "Springtime". CD