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A sweet little set from mid 60s Capitol Records – a wonderful blend of jazz and percussion, handled by two of the most inventive musicians on the LA scene! Jack Marshall's probably best known for his excellent arrangements for the label on sets with singers – but here, he's playing guitar alongside the percussion of Shelly Manne – who handles a whole host of unusual instruments, always with the fluid swing he brought to his jazz recordings of the 50s! There's definitely a lot more jazz going on here than the heavier percussion you'd hear on a bachelor pad record of this nature – and the open strings on Marshall's guitar make for plenty of nice bossa inflections, too. Titles include "Theme From Lawrence Of Arabia", "Yesterdays", "The Girls of Sao Paulo", "The Rain in Spain", and "Choros". LP, Vinyl record album

Two of the coolest trumpeters from the LA scene of the 50s – reunited here in a never-issued album from the start of the 70s! At the time of the set, Jack Sheldon was the real star of the date – big on TV, and a very confident, cool player – as well as a singer with a wonderfully distinct sound (which some folks might remember from Schoolhouse Rock or The Merv Griffin Show!) Jack started out in the mellow modes shared by Chet Baker during his early years – but by the time of this set, he was a nicely different player – which makes the pairing with Baker so great – especially as this was a time when Chet was really laying low, and hardly recording at all. The rest of the group features Jack Marshall on guitar, Dave Frishberg on piano, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Nick Ceroli on drums – a very sprightly combo who add a lot to the record – and both Chet and Jack sing on the record, in addition to serving up trumpet solos too. The record is an especially great one for Sheldon – very confident vocally, and really at the height of his powers here as both a singer and instrumentalist – with that wry approach that we love so much. Titles include "Evil Blues", "You Fascinate Me", "Once I Loved", "Too Blue", "Just Friends", "But Not For Me", "I Cried For You", and "Historia De Un Amor". CD

Two of the coolest trumpeters from the LA scene of the 50s – reunited here in a never-issued album from the start of the 70s! At the time of the set, Jack Sheldon was the real star of the date – big on TV, and a very confident, cool player – as well as a singer with a wonderfully distinct sound (which some folks might remember from Schoolhouse Rock or The Merv Griffin Show!) Jack started out in the mellow modes shared by Chet Baker during his early years – but by the time of this set, he was a nicely different player – which makes the pairing with Baker so great – especially as this was a time when Chet was really laying low, and hardly recording at all. The rest of the group features Jack Marshall on guitar, Dave Frishberg on piano, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Nick Ceroli on drums – a very sprightly combo who add a lot to the record – and both Chet and Jack sing on the record, in addition to serving up trumpet solos too. The record is an especially great one for Sheldon – very confident vocally, and really at the height of his powers here as both a singer and instrumentalist – with that wry approach that we love so much. Titles include "Evil Blues", "You Fascinate Me", "Once I Loved", "Too Blue", "Just Friends", "But Not For Me", "I Cried For You", and "Historia De Un Amor". LP, Vinyl record album

A groovy glide from the mighty Bill Jennings – making a key transition here from earlier R&B into hipper soul jazz – thanks to the help of organist Jack McDuff! Bill was Jack's guitarist on a few of his key early Prestige dates, but the roles are reversed here – with Jennings as the leader, and McDuff as the sideman – playing some incredible Hammond in a variety of tones and timings that really help keep things cool throughout! Bill's lean guitar lines are out front on all tunes, but Jack's organ follows strongly in second place – alongside other instrumentation that includes vibes from Al Jennings, bass from Wendell Marshall, and drums from Alvin Johnson. Titles include "Azur-Te", "Hey Mrs Jones", "Cole Slaw", "Glide On", "Billin & Burnin", and "Fiddlin". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic set of soul jazz tracks from Gator Tail and Brother Jack McDuff – recorded in a raw grooving style, very similar to that used on some of their live recordings from the same time. The core of the group features Bill Jennings on guitar and Wendell Marshall on bass, but some of the rhythm players change up over the course of the tracks, and Buck Clarke adds some nice conga on side 2! Includes the nice 10 minute groover "This'll Get To Ya", plus "Glad A See Ya", "Three Little Words", and "To' Gether". LP, Vinyl record album

Way earlier than the "acid jazz" you might expect from the title – but a great set of classic soul jazz, featuring two rare albums on Prestige! First up is Enough Said, a heavy set of hard-wailing soul jazz – a real lost treasure recorded by guitarist Bill Jennings (formerly "Wild" Bill Jennings during his R&B years), in a lean quintet format with help from organist Jack McDuff! Jennings and McDuff were playing together heavily at the time – and the feel here is quite similar to some of Jack's earliest albums on Prestige – particularly in the way the organ stops are set, with that wide-ranging sound that was quite popular at the end of the 50s – before the changes of the next decade had the instrument tightened up a bit more. Other members of the group include Al Jennings on additional guitar, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Al Johnson on drums – and titles include "Enough Said", "Tough Gain", "Volare", "Blue Jams", and "Dig Uncle Will". Glide On is a groovy glide from the mighty Bill Jennings – making a key transition here from earlier R&B into hipper soul jazz – thanks to the help of organist Jack McDuff! Bill was Jack's guitarist on a few of his key early Prestige dates, but the roles are reversed here – with Jennings as the leader, and McDuff as the sideman – playing some incredible Hammond in a variety of tones and timings that really help keep things cool throughout! Bill's lean guitar lines are out front on all tunes, but Jack's organ follows strongly in second place – alongside other instrumentation that includes vibes from Al Jennings, bass from Wendell Marshall, and drums from Alvin Johnson. Titles include "Azur-Te", "Hey Mrs Jones", "Cole Slaw", "Glide On", "Billin & Burnin", and "Fiddlin". CD

A tight, old school set of jazz from the Dutch American All Stars – a group that features trumpeter John Marshall, pianist Hod O'Brien, bassist Jacques Schols, and drummer Peter Ypma – all playing here in very relaxed, familiar company! There's nothing too fancy or overdone with these tunes – and they spin out with that easygoing feel we love in any album that has O'Brien on piano – a mature mode of jazz that never tries too hard to overstate its case, but gets plenty of greatness done along the way. Marshall's horn has all the sparkling tones we love in other Blue Jack Jazz recordings, and the basswork from Schols really adds a nice undercurrent of soul to the set. Titles include "Joop's Lope", "Forecast", "Quasimodo", "Frisky", "Milestones", and "Zanzibar". CD

Two albums from Peggy Lee on one CD. First up is I Like Men! – an obscure album of "guy" songs from the end of the 50s! There's a playful feel to the music that fits Lee's vocals very well – as do the bouncy arrangements from Jack Marshall, who turns out to be one of the best musical partners that Peggy could ever hope for! The set's got that nice jazzy groove that really makes Lee's return to Capitol Records so great – and titles include "Good For Nothing Joe", "Charley My Boy", "Jim", "Bill", and "It's So Nice To Have A Man Around the House". On Sugar 'N' Spice Peggy's sweet as sugar, but working here with a heck of a lot of spice – thanks to arranger Benny Carter, who brings in a wonderfully jazzy feel to the set! The album's one of Peggy's best from her comeback years at Capitol – and a prime example of the syncopated, slinking mode of arrangement that was the best 60s discovery for the Peggy Lee voice – and which allowed her to create a unique space for her own maturing sexuality in pop music. The whole thing's great, and avoids the cliches of some of the other Peggy Lee albums from the time. Titles include "I Believe In You", "Ain't That Love", "The Best Is Yet To Come", "The Sweetest Sounds", "Teach Me Tonight", "Tell All The World About You", and "Big Bad Bill". CD

Two great albums from Lucky Thompson! First up is Plays Jerome Kern – wonderful work from that early 60s moment when Lucky Thompson was really opening up with a newly soulful sound – and mixing in some great soprano sax work with his tenor! The tunes are familiar, but the execution is wonderful – Lucky blowing easily in a quartet with Hank Jones on piano, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Dave Bailey on drums – the last of whom really keeps things moving, even when mellow. Titles include " Long Ago And Far Away", "Lovely To Look At", "No More", "Look For The Silver Lining", "Who", "Dearly Beloved", "Why Do I Love You", "Why Was I Born", and "They Didn't Believe Me". Happy Days is an overlooked gem from Lucky Thompson's mid 60s years – that wonderful time when he'd returned to the fold even stronger than ever – filled with hip new musical ideas, and a great command for the soprano sax! This set's got Lucky working on both soprano and tenor, both of which are handled with these angular, soulful tones that are totally great – right at home in a group that features Tommy Flanagan on piano, George Tucker on bass, and Walter Perkins on drums – all marvelously sensitive rhythm accompanists. Jack Melady adds harp on 2 tracks on the set – a very nice touch – and titles include "Safari", "Cry Me A River", "People", "You Don't Know What Love Is", and "As Time Goes By". CD

Very groovy work from Peggy – a set of tunes tone with a nice little Latin flair! The tunes themselves are all Broadway hits of the late 50s and early 60s, but they're redone wonderfully here – so that they often bear little resemblance to the originals. Jack Marshall handled the arrangements with a swinging and jazzy sound – really throwing in some tight syncopated rhythms to make the album crackle more than most of Peggy's other work from the time. Titles include "Hey There", "I Am In Love", "Heart", "On The Street Where You Live", "The Party's Over", "Dance Only With Me", and "I Enjoy Being A Girl". CD features 3 bonus tracks – "Senza Fine", "Ole", and "Manana". CD

Includes the beautiful long "Afro Cuban Jazz Suite"! Composed, arranged, and conducted by Arturo (Chico) O'Farrill the Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band. Arturo O'Farrill, piano and musical director with John Benitez, Steve Berrios, Peter Brainin, Sam Burtis, Jimmy Cozier, Andy Gonzalez, Joe Gonzalez, Graciela, Roland Guerrero, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Matt Hilgenberg, Jack Jeffers, Victor Jones, Marshall McDonald, Mike Migliore, Michael Mossman, Mario Rivera, Jon Owens, Jim Seeley, Max Schsweiger, Gary Valente, and Papo Vasquez. CD

A great debut from singer Wanda Stafford – and the kind of set that makes you think she's been recording albums like this for years! Wanda's got a hell of a voice, right from the start – a nice punch that really fits with the choice of material on the date – and with the lively arrangements, which often have these playful horn parts moving up and down in the background – almost in a Capitol Records Jack Marshall or Billy May sort of style – although the instrumentation isn't credited here. The mix of great music and swinging vocals is great – and the album's a real knockout from Stafford, with cuts that include "Ridin On The Moon", "In Love For The Very First Time", "Hooray For Love", "Let There Be Love", "Late Late Show", and "Love". CD

Music from Jack Marshall, Nelson Riddle, Wanda De Sah, Billy May, Peggy Lee, Louis Prima, Tito Rodriguez , Jack Costanzo, Gloria Wood, Les Baxter & more. CD

A great album from Blossom Dearie – done with a soaring jazzy groove that makes it one of her best! Blossom's working here with Capitol arranger Jack Marshall – and he gives the album a much more upfront approach than some of Blossom's sparer sides for Verve – a groove, a bounce, and a sweeping sort of sound that works wonderfully with Dearie's sweetly-crafted vocals. We love the sound a lot, and wonder why Blossom hardly ever recorded in this mode again – save, perhaps, for her excellent British sides from the end of the 60s. The album includes a wonderful vocal version of Henry Mancini's "Charade", plus other great cuts that include "Love Is A Necessary Evil", "I Wish You Love", "In Love Again", "Quiet Nights", and "May I Come In". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic first generation Chicago acid house tracks, on Trax, from Marshall Jefferson. Get ready to Jack! 12-inch, Vinyl record

Killer Peggy Lee on Capitol Records – 2 very groovy albums on a single CD! Then Was Then is a sublime mid 60s effort that has Peggy working with arrangers Sid Feller, Billy May, and Cy Coleman – all of whom continue in the same groovy territory Lee hit at the time with Jack Marshall – a blend of romping rhythms, swinging jazz, and some slightly soulful touches that really come off well! The song selection is especially great – as it features some really unusual numbers that get past overdone standards, and some of the too-heard tunes from Peggy's Capitol years. Titles include "I Go To Sleep", "Then Was Then", "Seventh Son", "They Say", "Trapped In The Web Of Love", "Losers Weepers", "Shadow Of Your Smile", and "Leave It To Love". Bridge Over Troubled Water is wonderful work from Peggy Lee's newly mature years on Capitol Records – a set that follows from some of the hipper arranging and songwriting styles she was working with at the end of the 60s! Peggy's badass 60s self is even more pronounced here – as she's a forthright, adult singer on most of the tunes – workign with subjects she might not have touched at all a decade before – all with some great help on arrangements from the mighty Mike Melvoin. A few tunes are older, but most are relatively contemporary for the time of the album's release – and titles include "Something Strange", "You'll Remember Me", "He Used Me", "I See Your Face Before Me", "Always Something There To Remind Me", and "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?" CD features 3 bonus tracks – "Maybe This Summer", "Stop Living In The Past", and "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big". CD

A great illustration of the upbeat, positive vibe that Peggy Lee could serve up when she was at her best – a cool Capitol Records mode that really helped Lee set a whole new tone for singers in the 60s! The great Jack Marshall is at the helm on arrangements – putting things together with a vibe that's bright, but also pretty modern as well – thanks to work from a west coast jazz lineup that includes Shelly Manne on drums, Joe Harnell on piano, Pete Candoli on trumpet, and Barney Kessel on guitar! The set includes Lee's famous version of "Fever" – plus "It's A Wonderful World", "Things Are Swingin'", Alright, Okay, You Win", "Ridin' High", "Alone Together", "Life For Livin'", and"You Don't Know". A classic collaboration between Peggy Lee and Nelson Riddle – and a record that really set the tone for Lee's famous Capitol sides of the 60s! The groove here is very upbeat – as you might guess from the title – with a bouncing, almost syncopated approach that's definitely Riddle's, but which also hints at some of Lee's more soul-based backings of the 60s from Jack Marshall – those slinky-stepping groovers that would really put her back in front of American ears. Many tunes are older numbers, but they're updated nicely by Riddle's playful backings – and cuts include "Jump For Joy", "Back In Your Own Back Yard", "Old Devil Moon", "What A Little Moonlight Can Do", "Just In Time", "Music Music Music", "Four Or Five Times", and "Ain't We Got Fun". CD

Very groovy work from Marian Montgomery – an overlooked 60s singer who had a wonderful "punch" in her voice! At the time, Marian often recorded in a mode that was a lot like that used over at Reprise Records – a Ray Charles-inspired, Jimmy Bowen-popularized blend of pop, soul, and blues influences – often set to snappy syncopated backings that featured a good dose of Hammond organ behind the vocals! The songs on this set are a great example of Marian's lively style – with backings by Dave Cavanaugh that are very much in a Bowen mode – supported by arrangements from some of Capitol's grooviest talents of the time – including Jack Marshall, Bob Bain, Gerald Wilson, and Cavanaugh himself. And although this is the kind of a sound that should be hokey, it's oddly not – and we find ourselves really loving Marian's work more and more over the years. It's light, swinging, and always plenty positive and playful. Titles on this set include "Romance In The Dark", "Let There Be Love", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Danke Schoen", "Kansas City", "Alright, Okay You Win", "The Good Life", and "Candy". LP, Vinyl record album

Very groovy work from Marian Montgomery – an overlooked 60s singer who had a wonderful "punch" in her voice! At the time, Marian often recorded in a mode that was a lot like that used over at Reprise Records – a Ray Charles-inspired, Jimmy Bowen-popularized blend of pop, soul, and blues influences – often set to snappy syncopated backings that featured a good dose of Hammond organ behind the vocals! The 2 albums on this set are a great example of Marian's lively style – with backings by Dave Cavanaugh that are very much in a Bowen mode – supported by arrangements from some of Capitol's grooviest talents of the time – including Jack Marshall, Bob Bain, Gerald Wilson, and Cavanaugh himself. And although this is the kind of a sound that should be hokey, it's oddly not – and we find ourselves really loving Marian's work more and more over the years. It's light, swinging, and always plenty positive and playful. Titles on this set include "There I've Said It Again", "I Still Get Jealous", "The Moment Of Truth", "Lovin Is Livin", "Love Is An Old Maid's Dream", "Romance In The Dark", "Let There Be Love", "The Good Life", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "I Wanna Be Loved", "I'm Falling For You", and "Just A Dream". CD

John Surman on baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, recorder, synthesizer, and keyboards, Miroslav Vitous on double-bass, Kenny Kirkland on piano, Jon Christensen on drums, John Abercrombie on guitar, Marc Johnson on double-bass, Peter Erskine on drums, Stephen Waterman, Henry Lowther, and Stuart Brooks on trumpet, Malcolm Griffiths and Chris Pyne on trombone, David Stewart and Richard Edwards on bass trombone, Chris Laurence on double bass, John Marshall on drums, Jack DeJohnette on drums, Barre Phillips on double-bass, Stu Martin on drums, Paul Bley on piano, Gary Peacock on double-bass, Tony Oxley on drums, Terje Rypdal on guitar, Vigleik Stgoraas on piano, Rita Manning on violin, Keith Pascoe on violin, Bill Hawkes on viola, and Nick Cooper on cello. CD

A tight, old school set of jazz from the Dutch American All Stars – a group that features trumpeter John Marshall, pianist Hod O'Brien, bassist Jacques Schols, and drummer Peter Ypma – all playing here in very relaxed, familiar company! There's nothing too fancy or overdone with these tunes – and they spin out with that easygoing feel we love in any album that has O'Brien on piano – a mature mode of jazz that never tries too hard to overstate its case, but gets plenty of greatness done along the way. Marshall's horn has all the sparkling tones we love in other Blue Jack Jazz recordings, and the basswork from Schols really adds a nice undercurrent of soul to the set. Titles include "Joop's Lope", "Forecast", "Quasimodo", "Frisky", "Milestones", and "Zanzibar". CD

One of the best-known 50s jazz sessions from the Savoy label – a laidback classic that's a great illustration of the label's shift in modes after the early bop years! The setting here is relatively informal – with Milt Jackson as the ersatz leader, working almost in blowing session mode with hip players who include Frank Wess on flute and tenor, Hank Jones on piano, Eddie Jones on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums – all players who relax into a groove wonderfully, and really open up on the album's four long tracks. Titles include the classic reading of "Opus De Funk", plus "Opus Pocus", "You Leave Me Breathless", and "Opus & Interlude". A great little set from Milt Jackson – not just for his work on vibes, but also for some great tenor from Lucky Thompson! Thompson's raspy edge brings a nice degree of soulfulness to the set – a sound that adds depth to the sometimes mellower moments set down by Jackson and the rhythm section of Hank Jones, Wendell Marshall, and Kenny Clarke! The small group setting and the longer tracks make the record a good showcase for Thompson's talents at the time – and his way of building a solo gets plenty of room to do its thing here – on tracks that include "Lover", "Angel Face", "Can't Help Lovin That Man", "Sometimes I'm Happy", and "What's New". CD

A great collection of Milt's excellent sides as a leader for Savoy, pulled together for a 70s release. Wonderful bop rendered here in a small agile group that features the vibist alongside the great Lucky Thompson on tenor, with Hank Jones, Wendell Marshall and Kenny Clarke in the rhythm section. These tracks were cut in the mid 50s, when Savoy was transitioning from the early bop 78's that were their stock in trade to making longer LP sessions giving the players a bit more room to stretch out. 16 numbers in all, including "Flamingo", "Can't Help Lovin' That Man", "Sometimes I'm Happy", "Ellington Medley" "Now's The Time", "Soul In 3/4", "Minor Conception", "Fred's Mood", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Angel Face" and "Soulful". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic Marshall Jefferson acid house, with the full 11 minute version of the a-side. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A set with a familiar title – similar to a Soul Jazz compilation of vintage work from Studio One – but a package that's nicely different, and which digs even deeper into the legendary catalog of the famous reggae label! The style here is nicely open – there's vocal and instrumental cuts, ska, rocksteady, and early reggae – and while there's certainly a theme of freedom in the music, there's lots of other righteous energy going on too! Many of these numbers are quite obscure – and titles include "Freedom Street" and "Funny Man" by Freedom Singers, "Wire Higher" by Jackie Mitoo, "Stay A Little Bit Longer" and "Rome" by Larry Marshall, "Lee Arab" by Ernest Ranglin, "Your Love Gets Sweeter" by Irvin Brown, and "Soul Food", "Midnight Soul", and "Mun Dun Gu" by Im & David with Sound Dimension. LP, Vinyl record album

The second of two early LPs that the Byrd and Gryce team cut for Columbia – and the more obscure of the two by far! This one features the group's groundbreaking format – a mixture of hardbop and modern jazz, always swinging, but angularly carved, with striking tones and colors that recall the best mid 50s Mingus. The difference, though, is that 4 tracks also feature some vocals by Jackie Paris, a hip singer who's at his best here – vocalizing with way better material than he often got on his own albums, singing on the tracks "Now Don't You Know", "Elgy", "Early Byrd", and "Early Morning Blues". The rest of the group features Wynton Kelly, Art Taylor, and Wendell Marshall – but more than anything else, it's Gryce's unbelievable tone on alto that really makes the record cook. Why couldn't he have played like this forever? We love it to death! Other tracks include "Satellite", "Social Call", and "Steppin Out". LP, Vinyl record album

Seminal work from The Meters – and an album that's essential for just about any collection of old school funk! The record's a blueprint for grooves that have been copied for generations to come – yet nobody does it better than these Crescent City kings – working here with a sound that's lean, mean, and completely on the money! The mix of organ, guitar, and bad-walking rhythms is completely sublime throughout – and made even better by massive production from the team of Marshall Sehorn and Allen Toussaint. Imagine taking the best instrumental funk 45s from your collection, then playing them back to back – and you'll get a good idea of the solid sound of this landmark set. Titles include "Funky Miracle", "Oh Calcutta", "Yeah You're Right", "Pungee", "Look-Ka Py Py", "Dry Spell", "Little Old Money Maker", "The Mob", "9 Til 5", "Rigor Mortis", and "This Is My Last Affair". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest albums ever in the history of funk – the first album by The Meters, and virtually the blueprint for countless funky records to come! The set marked a key moment when energy from the funky 45 underground of 7" singles was able to step forward into the space of a full LP – yet all without losing any of the intensity of the smaller format at all – with an all-killer, no-filler approach that makes the whole thing burn all the way through! The album's bubbling over with classics – all hard-hitting instrumentals played by the group in an effortlessly tight style, produced to perfection by Allen Toussaint and Marshall Sehorn in their classic 60s New Orleans style. A blinding masterpiece of bass, drums, and scratchy guitar – with tracks that include "Cardova", "Cissy Strut", "Sophisticated Cissy", "Here Comes The Meter Man", "Ease Back", "Ann", "6V6 La", and "Live Wire". LP, Vinyl record album

With John Coltrane, Bobby Jaspar, Paul Quinichette, Booker Ervin, Gene Ammons, Jackie McLean, Eric Dolphy, Cecil Payne, Pepper Adams, Steve Lacy, Idrees Sulieman, Johnny Splawn, Webster Young, Kenny Burrell, Joe Puma, Teddy Charles, Paul Chambers, Julian Euell, Earl May, Addison Farmer, Buell Neidlinger, Joe Benjamin, Wendell Marshall, Ron Carter, Art Taylor, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Ed Thigpen, Jerry Segal, Kenny Dennis, Elvin Jones, and Charlie Persip. CD

Incredible work by the great Eddie Harris – an album that was initially recorded for Vee Jay during his early tenure at the label, but not issued for years! The album's one of Eddie's greatest from the time – a really far-reaching blend of soul jazz, hardbop, and some of the more exotic influences running through the Chicago scene from whence he came. Two tracks on the album are especially long groovers – "Cuttin Out" and "Shakey Jake" – both in the 15 minute mark, and extended jammers with Ira Sullivan on trumpet, Bunky Green on alto, and Melvin Rhyne on organ. The first two tracks on the set feature Eddie in a lineup with Willie Pickens, Raphael Don Garrett, and Ira Sullivan – on the modal groovers "The Dancing Bull" and "Antidote". And the last 4 tracks on the CD are pulled from the album "Half & Half" – an 8 track release that initially featured 4 tunes with Eddie blowing with a vocal group, and these other 4 that have him working with a very hip group that includes Charles Stepney on piano, Melvin Jackson on bass, Joe Dorio on guitar, and Marshall Thompson on drums. Titles include "Half & Half", "KC Blues", "Lawrence Of Arabia", and "Yea Yea Yea". CD

Featuring Harold Baker, Quentin Jackson, Jimmy Hamilton, Don Byas, Raymond Fol, Wendell Marshall, Sonny Greer, and Otto Franker. CD

A well-titled set from drummer Art Taylor – given that he's got some very heavy-duty horn power on the session, all of whom are heavy-duty wailers! Most of the record features a lineup with Charlie Rouse on tenor, Jackie McLean on alto, and Donald Byrd on trumpet – all taking off beautifully from some simple, rhythmic modes laid down by Taylor on drums, Ray Bryant on piano, and Wendell Marshall on bass. Most tracks are quite long – and include "Batland", "Cubano Chant", "Off Minor", "Well You Needn't", and "Exhibit A". One more track changes things slightly – and goes for a group that features John Coltrane on tenor, with Red Garland on piano and Paul Chambers on bass – a version of "CTA" that cooks every bit as nicely as other work on the set, although with less horns! CD

A great way to dip into the Chicago sound of the 80s! The package features an all-classic 12 track selection of singles that virtually defines the house sound that was coming out of the windy city back in the day – a mix of hard-thumping grooves, soulful vocals, and spare keyboard work that forever changed the face of dance music! Tracks include "Love Can't Turn Around" by Farley Jackmaster Funk, "Move Your Body" by Marshall Jefferson, "Your Love" by Frankie Knuckles, "Can You Feel It" by Mr Fingers, "You Used To Hold Me" by Ralphi Rosario, "Baby Wants To Ride" by Frankie Knuckles with Jamie Principle, "Promised Land" by Joe Smooth, "Bring Down The Walls" by Robert Owens, "Do It Properly" by Adonis, "Can't Get Enough" by Liz Torres, and "Pump Up London" by Mr Lee. CD

Really fantastic material from legendary pianist Abdullah Ibrahim – a set cut with a larger group of musicians, which we like even more than Ibrahim's work in a solo or trio format! The group here is his Ekaya ensemble – who flesh out Abdullah's larger musical ideas in a really great way – providing this sensitive soul and spirit for his work on piano – which, after all these years, still echoes the rhythmic impulses that made him such a standout in the 60s – but which also has this matured approach to color and tone that's really wonderful – and beautifully illuminated by the group! Players include Cleave Guyton Jr on alto and flute, Lance Bryant on tenor, Andrea Murchison on trombone, and Marshall McDonald on baritone – and the rhythm section features great work from Will Terrill on drums, and Noah Jackson on bass and cello. Titles include "Jabula", "Tuangu Guru", "ZB2", "Dreamtime", "Nisa", "Tonegawa", and "Devotion". LP, Vinyl record album

Really fantastic material from legendary pianist Abdullah Ibrahim – a set cut with a larger group of musicians, which we like even more than Ibrahim's work in a solo or trio format! The group here is his Ekaya ensemble – who flesh out Abdullah's larger musical ideas in a really great way – providing this sensitive soul and spirit for his work on piano – which, after all these years, still echoes the rhythmic impulses that made him such a standout in the 60s – but which also has this matured approach to color and tone that's really wonderful – and beautifully illuminated by the group! Players include Cleave Guyton Jr on alto and flute, Lance Bryant on tenor, Andrea Murchison on trombone, and Marshall McDonald on baritone – and the rhythm section features great work from Will Terrill on drums, and Noah Jackson on bass and cello. Titles include "Jabula", "Tuangu Guru", "ZB2", "Dreamtime", "Nisa", "Tonegawa", and "Devotion". CD

One of Sun Ra's best non-Saturn live sets of the 70s – a nice little record that shows the group mixing it up with equal parts avant garde and straight ahead jazz, all handled in that ever-growing large group style that made them a real force to be reckoned with in a concert setting! The album was recorded during the 1976 Montreux Jazz Festival, and has a bit more focus and polish than some of the other Arkestra live material from the time – a mature, coherent sound that almost points the way towards some of their work to come in the 80s – when Ra and the group were finally reaching the wider audience they deserved. The set's a double-length one, and features players who include John Gilmore on tenor, Marshall Allen and Danny Davis on alto and flute, Pat Patrick on baritone, Ahmed Abdullah on trumpet, Craig Harris on trombone, and James Jackson on Ancient Egyptian Infinity drum – which is always a treat. Ra plays solar organ and moog, as well as piano – and titles include "Of The Other Tomorrow", "On Sound Infinity Spheres", "El Is The Sound Of Joy", "Gods Of The Thunder Realm", "Gods Of A Thunder Realm", "The House Of Eternal Being", and "Lights On a Satellite". CD

A really wonderful under-discovered performance by Sun Ra & The Arkestra – a complete live set from 1984, presented here with really stunning fidelity! The package is a great antidote to some of the fuzzier Ra live sets on the market – as it's got the care that the Trost label has brought to their reissues of material by Peter Brotzmann and the FMP generation – with sound that's more than sensitive enough to capture some surprisingly great spare piano passages, as well as the full force of the Arkestra when they really get going. Sun Ra is still a tremendous force on the keys at this time – and delivers a lot of solos that are interspersed between larger, more structured songs – played with fire by a lineup that includes John Gilmore on tenor and clarinet, Marshall Allen on alto and flute, James Jackson on bassoon and infinity drum, and Danny Ray Thompson on baritone and flute. Titles include a number of "untitled improvisation" tracks – plus "Big John's Special", "Days Of Wine & Roses", "What's New", "Nuclear War", "East Of The Sun", "Yeah Man", "Mack The Knife", "Day Dream", and "Love In Outer Space". This great 4LP box set includes an insert card with notes and photos. Beautiful! LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of rare gems from the Studio One label – one that's filled with unusual material that we've not seen elsewhere! Some of the tracks are alternate mixes, some are unissued recordings – and there's also a nice range of material that goes past the more familiar early period of the label, which is normally the most reissued. Titles include "Hush Up (unreleased stereo mix)" by Larry & Alvin, "I Need You Girl (stereo mix)" by Larry Marshall, "Mr Moses (stereo mix)" by Lloyd Charmers, "I'm In Love With You (original JA mix)" by Lloyd Williams, "Freedom Justice Equality" by Alf & Teep, "Torture & Flames" by Jackie Bernard, "Mark I Word" by Winston Prince, "Give Me True Love (stereo mix)" by The Meditators, "Down In The Bone Yard" by The Three Tops, "Down By The Sore (7" version)" by The Silvertones, and "Jay Dip (stereo mix)" by Prince Jazzbo. CD

One of Sun Ra's best non-Saturn live sets of the 70s – a nice little record that shows the group mixing it up with equal parts avant garde and straight ahead jazz, all handled in that ever-growing large group style that made them a real force to be reckoned with in a concert setting! The album was recorded during the 1976 Montreux Jazz Festival, and has a bit more focus and polish than some of the other Arkestra live material from the time – a mature, coherent sound that almost points the way towards some of their work to come in the 80s – when Ra and the group were finally reaching the wider audience they deserved. The set's a double-length one, and features players who include John Gilmore on tenor, Marshall Allen and Danny Davis on alto and flute, Pat Patrick on baritone, Ahmed Abdullah on trumpet, Craig Harris on trombone, and James Jackson on Ancient Egyptian Infinity drum – which is always a treat. Ra plays solar organ and moog, as well as piano – and titles include "Of The Other Tomorrow", "On Sound Infinity Spheres", "El Is The Sound Of Joy", "Gods Of The Thunder Realm", "Gods Of A Thunder Realm", "The House Of Eternal Being", and "Lights On a Satellite". LP, Vinyl record album

Incredible work from the team of Donald Byrd and Gigi Gryce – crisp modern jazz, filled with soul, and never failing to swing! During the time of these recordings, Gryce was one hell of an arranger – with a tight ensemble approach that worked magic in a small combo setting. He was also a tremendous alto player – with a tone that was unlike any other musician at the time, magically sharp, with a sound that always seemed to inspire a great deal of energy from his bandmates. He gets plenty of that here from trumpeter Donald Byrd – sounding better on these sides than on most of his other 50s recordings – thanks also to some great accompanists, who include Tommy Flanagan, Wendell Marshall, and Art Taylor. Jackie Paris also joins the group on vocals for a few tunes – "Early Morning Blues" and "Elgy" – and some tunes feature additional horn work from players that include Benny Powell, Julius Watkins, and Sahib Shihab. Other tracks include "Sans Souci", "Speculation", "Stablemates", "Steppin Out", "Social Call", and "Satellite". CD

Luques Curtis, Mark Przybylowski, and Mike Boone on bass, Mark Allen and Todd Marcus on bass clarinet, Anwar Marshall, Donald Edwards, and Gene Jackson on drums, Jim Holton, Neil Podgurski, and Orrin Evans on piano, Chelsea Baratz, Darryl Yokley, Doug DeHays, Jaleel Shaw, Mark Allen, Ralph Bowen, Rob Landham, Tia Fuller, Tim Warfield, Todd Bashore, Victor North, Wade Dean and Wayne Escoffery on saxophone, Brent White, Ernest Stuart, Frank Lacy, Joe McDonough, and Stafford Hunter on trombone, and Brian Kilpatrick, Curtis Taylor, Daud El-Bakara, Josh Evans, Leon Jordan Jr, Luke Brandon, Tatum Greenblatt, Tim Thompson, and Walter White on trumpet. CD