A wonderfully wide-ranging look at the more unique aspects of Japanese jazz from the 60s onward – a set that mixes together spiritual tracks, bossa nova, and some surprisingly soulful tracks too – all from records that were only ever issued in Japan! If you've heard the great first volume, you'll know what to expect here – but we can also say that the scope of work here might even be better, and there's some great surprises along the way – especially on cuts that show the way these Japanese jazz musicians have taken some inspiration from American music, then really run far in their own new directions with the work. Titles include "Yamame" by Akira Miyazawa, "Loving You" by George Otsuka, "Down To The Sea" by Yoshio Ikeda, "Clair Deluge" by Toshiyaki Yokota & The Beat Generation, "Saynoara Blues" by Hideo Shiraki, "Blossom In The Water" by Masao Yagi, "Day Of The Sun" by Masahiko Togashi & Isao Suzuki, "Summer Wind" by Yasuko Nagamine & Yasuaki Shimizo, "Desireless" by Masahiko Togashi, "Lady Boogie" by Takeru Muaroka & His New Grup, "Constant Rain" by Tadao Sawai & Toshiyuki Miyama, and "Ma Mere L'Oye" by Jun Date & Masayki Takayanagi. LP, Vinyl record album

Miles Smiles, but his grin is a wry one – given the angular energy of the set! The album's a landmark effort from the mid 60s quintet that includes Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams – all of whom work without fail to capture Davis' newly emerging approach to jazz – a style that's touched with some of the light lyricism of the late 50s, but which has much sharper edges overall – and really approaches some of the best "new thing" modes that were going down at labels like Blue Note or Impulse! Many tunes have a subtly spare quality, but nonetheless work with a tremendous amount of power – and titles include a classic version of "Freedom Jazz Dance", a haunting take on Shorter's "Footprints", and the titles "Orbits", "Circle", "Dolores", and "Gingerbread Boy". CD

24 tracks that perfectly illustrate all that was great about Gene Ammons in his early days – a set of singles and 78s recorded for Chess in the late 40s and early 50s, featuring players that include Tom Archia, Matthew Gee, Junior Mance, Sonny Stitt, and Bill Massey. Titles include "Do You Really Mean It", "Swingin For Xmas", "The Battle", "Jam For Boppers", "Bless You", "Cha Bootie", "Goodbye", " Tenor Eleven", "Don't Do Me Wrong", "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe", and "Can Anyone Explain". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes the songs "You Took Advantage Of Me", "Manoir De Mes Reves ("Django's Castle")", "Lady Chatterly's Mother", "Barbara's Theme", "Blueport", "Weep", "All About Rosie", "Chuggin'", "Summer's Over", "Israel", "Ballad", and "Big City Blues". CD

Pulled from his Decca, Barclay, and Blue Star sessions – other players include Stephane Grappelli, Pierre Michelot, and Joseph Reinhardt. 16 tracks total. CD

Includes 16 tracks. CD

Includes the songs "Jeep's Blues", "Castle Rock", "(A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing) Passion Flower", "Duke's In Bed", "Little Rabbit Blues", "Early Morning Rock", "Honey Hill", "The Last Time I Saw Paris", "Not So Dukish", "Back Beat", "Gal From Joe's", "Rosetta", "Don't Sleep In The Subway", "Funky Blues", and "Squatty Roo". CD

With 16 tracks including "Work Song", "Wild Is The Wind", "I Put A Spell On You", "Four Women", "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair", and "I Loves You Porgy". CD

Earl Hines on piano. CD

Music from Jeri Southern, Peggy Lee, Chris Connor, Mildred Bailey And Her Orchestra, Gloria Lynne, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Lena Horne With Lou Bring And His Orchestra, Etta Jones, Billie Holiday, and more - 18 songs in all. CD

Gerry Mulligan with Paul Desmond, the University Of Illinois Orchestra with Gerry Mulligan & Al Belleto, Freddy Gray & Loyola Stage University Band. CD

Titles include "Minor Swing", "Nocturne", "Daphne", "Nuages", "Viper's Dream", "Souvenirs", and "Honeysuckle Rose" – 20 tracks total. CD

Benny Carter plays with The American Jazz Orchestra, directed by John Lewis, with John Eckert, Virgil Jones, Bob Millikan, and Marvin Stamm on trumpets, Eddie Bert, Jack Jeffers, Jimmy Knepper, and Britt Woodman on trombones, Bill Easley and John Purcell on alto and flute, Loren Schoenberg on tenor, Lew Tabackin on tenor and flute, Danny Bank on baritone and bass clarinet, Dick Katz and John Lewis on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums. CD

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Sonny Clark on piano, George Duvivier on bass, and Max Roach on drums. Titles include "Sonny's Crib", "Blue Mambo", "Minor Meeting", "My Conception", and "Sonia". CD

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Ruby Braff on cornet and Dick Hyman on piano. CD

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Late work from Eddie Harris – but a great session too, and one that cooks with raw soulful energy that shows he was still at the top of his game! The date's a quartet session, with that spare, back-to-basics approach Eddie was using in the years after his bigger 70s fame – a great reminder of the tenor roots from which he sprang in the Chicago scene, where he could still make some compellingly complicated moments, even without any electricity or tricks. Other players include Jacky Terrasson on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Billy Hart on drums – and titles include "Little Sunflower", "Freedom Jazz Dance", "For All We Know", "Georgia On My Mind", and "Lisa Marie" CD

Features early jazz drum work – from Sonny Greer, Baby Dodds, Jimmy Bertrand, James Lent, Tony Sbarbaro, Zutty Singleton, Vic Berton, and others! CD

Featuring "Autumn in New York", "Crazy Rhythm", "My Funny Valentine", "I've Got You Under My Skin", and more! 43 tracks on 2 discs! CD

A landmark album from Sonny Rollins – one that marked his comeback in the early 60s, after a brief period of retirement, and which also initiated a string of incredible recordings with guitarist Jim Hall. Given Hall's gentleness and spare modernity on the guitar, a fan of Rollins' hard-blowing late 50s sessions might not expect the album to work – but instead, it sets up his playing in a whole new mode that brings out a leaner, more confident, more sophisticated solo mode that shows that his time woodshedding in retirement was well spent. Rollins playing is impeccable, with a maturity not heard in his late 50's work, and the whole album is a beautiful study in measured, thoughtful soloing. Tracks include "John S.", "The Bridge", and "God Bless the Child". CD

One of the best Stitt sessions from the 70's, and a sweet batch of electric tracks with Eddie Russ on the piano. In a way, this is his best album on the Jazz Master label – better than the Tornado album, which seems to show up more. It's got a very nice version of "We've Only Just Begun" that has a super-sample intro, with a jazzy Tribe Called Quest vibe. Other nice ones include the group's version of "Ain't No Sunshine", and a nice long take of "Hill Where The Lord Hides". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible blend of Fender Rhodes and soulful saxophone – a late record from saxophonist Sonny Stitt, but one that also features the young Eddie Russ on keyboards! The record's got a laidback and funky sound that goes deeper than any of Stitt's earlier sides of the 70s – and it sounds a fair bit like Eddie Russ' own record for the Jazz Masters label, thanks to a pretty heavy focus on the keys. Electric piano starts off most of the tracks before Stitt comes in for his solos – and the arrangements are relatively full, with added horns, guitar, and percussion on a fair number of tunes. Larry Nozero plays flute on the record, and some tracks even seem to feature more of him than Stitt – and the range of grooves here is really great. "Tornado" is a rolling funky tune with lots of conga on the bottom, "Escanaba Beat" is a slightly Latin-styled number, "Spinning Wheel" is taken in a jazzily stepping groove that runs for nearly ten minutes, "By My Side" has a nice chunky drum pattern under the Rhodes, and even the album's version of "We've Only Just Begun" is great – with a wicked rolling bassline sample on the intro, and lots of jazzy changes in the groove! LP, Vinyl record album

George Benson's first LP for Columbia – a hard, heavy, soul jazz slammer that bears no resemblance to his overproduced work of the 70s! The album's a real cooker – recorded hot on the heels of Benson's classic work on Prestige with the Jack McDuff group, and sounding a lot like McDuff's hard wailing organ jazz of the same time. George is working with a group that features a young Lonnie Smith on organ, plus Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Ronnie Cuber on sax, and Charlie Persip on drums – all tightly coming together, and jamming hard on the album's short cooking tracks. Tracks include "Clockwise", "Jaguar", "Hello Birdie", and "Bullfight". This is the earlier version of the CD – without the bonus tracks on the later reissue. CD

Really important early live work from The Doors – a performance at the legendary Matrix club in San Francisco – and one of the first concert recordings ever done of the group! The set wasn't originally part of their legacy with Elektra Records, but has become rehoused as a key part of their catalog at the label – a really burning performance that effortlessly mixes blues inspirations, psych inclinations, and that very special quality that the band was forging right from the start! As with other unearthed Matrix recordings – which seem to show up more and more as the years go on – the whole thing is a key window into not just a moment in the group, but a moment in the scene as well – even though, reportedly, the concerts were very under-attended at the time. This triple-length package brings together the entire five nights of recording, with lots of unissued material – including surprising versions of jazz tunes "Bag's Groove" and "All Blues" – plus never-heard versions of "Summer's Almost Gone", "When The Music's Over", "My Eyes Have Seen You", "Alabama Song", "Break On Through", and "Moonlight Drive". CD

The second part of a great Japanese-only session recorded in 1980 – one that features a later edition of the Great Jazz Trio – with Eddie Gomez on bass and Al Foster on drums, next to piano by usual group member Hank Jones! The set's got a hipper feel than usual for the group – partly because Jones plays Fender Rhodes on part of the record, and partly because Gomez's work on bass gives the proceedings a warm and soulful sound – that deep-flowing groove we first came to love in Eddie's work with Bill Evans and Jeremy Steig. Foster's drums are great too – and have a sense of sharpness that changes the Great Jazz Trio sound nicely. Titles include "Peedlun", "Light Listened", "Duplex", "Just Before Dawn", and "Sublime". CD

The Great Jazz Trio really stretch out here – taking each of the album's four songs at a mighty relaxed pace – which allows even more room than ever for the creative expression of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! The cover's got a slick look that might be more at home on a fusion record – but the set's all acoustic, and has this warm, personal vibe that's really tremendous – that special sound that the three legendary musicians brought to their great run of albums in this format! Titles include "Satin Doll", "My Funny Valentine", "Night In Tunisia", and "Round Midnight". CD

A wonderful live set from the legendary Great Jazz Trio of Ron Carter, Tony Williams, and Hank Jones – one of the group's key Japanese albums of the 70s! As the title implies, the set was recorded live at the Village Vanguard – in a setting that has the trio stretching out even more than on their already-spacious studio sides of the time. Williams is especially nice on the record – light and free on the kit, and miles away from some of his fusion work of the 70s. Jones' tones are warm and soulful, and Carter's bass work is always a treat in a setting like this. The album features a great take on "Naima", plus the tracks "Moose The Mooche", "Favors", and "12+12" – all done in nice long versions. CD

One of the most open-ended sessions ever recorded by the Great Jazz Trio of Hank Hones, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams – a live set from the Village Vanguard, and one that features them really stretching out on 4 longer tracks! Jones' work on piano is an especially nice treat here – as he's still got the poise that we know from his more restrained studio sessions, yet also seems to really loosen up with the warm rhythm accompaniment of Carter and Williams. The session features a great obscure gentle groover titled "Wind Flower", plus a really introspective take on Miles Davis' "Nardis", and the tunes "Lawra" and "Confirmation". CD

The Village Vanguard seemed to be one of the greatest settings for the Great Jazz Trio – a place where the group of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums could really stretch out in the kind of loose, open lines that made their 70s albums so great! This set's the third that the trio recorded at the Vanguard – and it's very much in the best spirit of its predecessors – gently soulful, with a strong focus on the individual talents of the players, yet nary a moment of overindulgence. The set includes five long tracks – "Hi Fly", "Sophisticated Lady", "Wave", and "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise". CD

A great Tokyo meeting from this wonderful trio – and a great little record that even stands out from most of their others from the time! The set's got a surprising amount of original material by the members of the group – as each player contributes at least one title – and these compositions really help give the whole thing a very fresh, personal vibe – quite different than the more common use of standards on some of their other albums. And although Hank Jones is billed as the "owner" of the group on the title, the set is the same sort of wonderfully collaborative effort as usual – with some specially brilliant work on bass from Ron Carter, and well-chosen work on drums from Tony Williams. Titles include "Forever", "To Destiny", "Pink Lady", "GJT", and "Mellow Blues". CD

The title's a wonderful one – given the warmth and great spirit of this legendary trio – a near-perfect assemblage of the talents of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! Both Carter and Williams help Hank to hit the hipper side of his talents for the 70s – and together, they work as one – with a well-rounded, well-crafted style that's a great testament to the group's strong appeal at the time. Titles include "Freedom Jazz Dance", "A Child Is Born", "Mr PC", "All Blues", and "Doom". CD

A bit of a change for The Great Jazz Trio, but a great one too – given that Buster Williams is on bass here, instead of the usual Ron Carter – working with drummer Tony Williams and pianist Hank Jones to really make things sparkle! Buster's bass is always a treat, and this album's no exception – a set that's filled with some surprisingly soulful moments on the bottom, which really seems to push the group nicely on the longer tracks in the set. Jones sounds a bit different here than before – in a good way – and titles include versions of "Love For Sale", "Secret Love", "Autumn Leaves", and "Someone To Watch Over Me". CD

One of a number of late 70s milestones from the Great Jazz Trio – that sublime grouping of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums! Like the rest of their gems from the time, the album's got this simple, subtle brilliance – a way of approaching piano trio material that was quite fresh for the time – different than Jones might have sounded the decade before, and clearly influenced by the huge growth of the format in Japan – the market for which the album was originally produced. Carter really shines on the record – reminding us of his incredible ability to act as both a soloist and a rhythmatist – and Tony Williams is a great here as he is on the Herbie Hancock trio dates of the time. Titles include "Wave", "Milestones", "Mr Biko", and "Eighty One". CD

A slightly different lineup than usual for the Great Jazz Trio – but a great one too, and proof that the group had way more to offer than just familiar trio grooving! This time around, Eddie Gomez is on bass – making for a wonderfully full, rich sound in the rhythms – a perfect complement for the sly drumming of Al Foster – who adds an edge to the record that you don't always get on other sessions from the group. And Hank Jones really seems to pick up this edge in his acoustic piano playing – and then pushes it even further on his work on Fender Rhodes, which appears on a few of the album's best tracks. All these changes make for a nicely compelling record – one that's got a bit more of a soulful bottom than you might expect – and titles include "Phasar", "Pauletta", "Moreover", "My Cherie Amour", and "Another World". CD

The J Masters are Japanese Jazz Masters – a really great sextet with key members from a few different generations – all coming together here in a really wonderful performance! The group is grounded by work from Yoshio Suzuki on bass and Shingo Okudaira on drums – and features tenor from Kosuke Mine and trombone from Shigeharu Mukai – both players who gave us killer albums from the 70s – alongside pianist Soichi Noriki and trumpeter Tomonao Hara. Tracks are nicely structured, different than you might expect from the "jam session" title – and tunes include "Cleopatra's Dream", "EJ Blues", "Norwegian Wood", "Night In Tunisia", "What A Wonderful World", and "Ellen David". CD

The "J Masters" here are all Japanese jazz masters – particularly some players from the 70s who we really appreciate hearing from again! The group's an all-star assemblage, working in a nicely loose, live setting – without any one ego taking the lead, and instead this spontaneous flowering of energy between all the players. Musicians include Kosuke Mine on tenor, Shigeharu Mukai on trombone, Tomonao Hara on trumpet, Fumio Karashima on piano, Yoshio Suzuki on bass, and Hiroshi Murakami on drums – and titles include nicely swinging takes on "Recado Bossa Nova", "Moment's Notice", "Five Spot After Dark", "Norwegian Wood", and "Round Midnight". CD

A very apt title – as Jackie McLean sits in for a soulful session with the Great Jazz Trio of Hank Jones, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams – all "old bottles" at this point in their career, but working together beautifully to brew some very mellow "new wine"! The album's easily one of the best in the trio's run of the time – as Jackie's alto sax really helps flesh things out a bit more than usual – and moves the album past the trio sound of their other records. McLean gets plenty of space to do his thing on the longer tracks – and the piano of Jones, bass of Carter, and drums of Williams have a solid, soulful approach that's really wonderful. Titles include 2 McLean originals titled "Appointment In Ghana Again" and "Little Melonae Again", both remakes of older tunes – plus "Confirmation", "Bein Green", and "Round Midnight". CD

A rich tapestry of Afro-Caribbean rhythms – and one of the most compelling albums we've heard in years from David Murray! The set features an expanded group of percussionists, vocalists, and other instrumentalists – fronted by lead solo stars David Murray and Pharoah Sanders – all jamming freely in styles that bring together bits of African, Haitian, and Cuban rhythms – forging them into a bold new sound for the project! Tracks are all quite longish, and given the previous skills that both Murray and Sanders have exhibited in such settings, they're more than up for the challenge of working with such a heady group of players! Titles include "Go To Jazz", "Gwotet", "Djolla Feeling", "La Jwa", "O Leonso", and "Ovwa". CD

A massive record – and an instant legend the day it was released! Masters At Work host the beautiful meeting of a host legendary artists – Roy Ayers, George Benson, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Jocelyn Brown, Vince Montana, and others – all united in a magical session that brings Latin firmly back to the dancefloor with the power and majesty of the best 70s recordings! The whole thing's amazing – a fantastic mix of Latin, funk, jazz, and house that's inspired a whole new generation of musicians – and which has still yet to be duplicated years later! Includes the massive remake of "I Am the Blackgold of the Sun", plus "Runaway", "Sweet Tears", and the great cover of Bob James' "Nautilus". CD

A surprising title – given that Sadao Watanabe was really stretching out a lot in the early 70s – but a fitting one too, as the set's a nice back-to-basics date from the amazing Japanese saxophonist! Sadao's working here with the Great Jazz Trio of Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums – a swingingly solid combo who really make things cook, even in a small space – sounding almost better here when topped by Watanabe's sharp-edged alto lines than on their own albums of the time! Sadao also plays a bit of flute, which is really a treat – and titles include "Confirmation", "Episode", "Gary", "3:10 Blues", "Chelsea Bridge", and "One For C". CD

That's the great Grant Green on the cover – a hint that you're in for an all-masters set of funky guitar here – in a selection that's put together by the folks at Japan's Guitar Magazine! The package features 2CDs, and Grant gets one whole disc to himself – as the collection mixes together a fair bit of gems from the early 70s years when jazz guitar was finding much funkier currents, thanks to shifts that were taking place in the world of soul music – inspirations from the world of funky 45s, but taken to jazz territory with much longer grooves and extended solos! Tracks include "Brown Bag" and "No Way" by Ivan Boogaloo Joe Jones, "Bowlegs" and "Sister Janie" by Funk Inc, "Giblet Gravy" by George Benson, "Bambu" by Reuben Wilson, "Thank You" by Melvin Sparks, "Chunk A Funk" by Mel Brown, and "The Soul Roll" by Billy Butler – plus Grant Green cuts that include "Jan Jan", "Ain't It Funky Now", "Windjammer", "Sookie Sookie", "The Final Come Down", and "Hurt So Bad". CD

Possibly the best entry in Art Ensemble Of Chicago's Dreaming Of The Masters series – as the set's devoted to the work of John Coltrane, and has a really unified feel throughout! About half the tunes are Coltrane compositions, and the rest are originals by the Art Ensemble – done with fluid, open sounds that are less a strict tribute to Coltrane, than an expression of the ideas in jazz he allowed! As you might guess, the reeds play strongly in the sound of the set – and both Joseph Jarman and Roscoe Mitchell hit some great moments on the Coltrane tunes especially – notes that are quite different than any Trane might have played, but which he would no doubt appreciate in his music. Titles include "Dreaming Of The Masters", "Impressions", "Spiritual", "Naima", "Song For Atala", and "Go Head". CD

An obscure set of tracks – but some really wonderful material from the catalog of Pacific Jazz Records! The CD's title clearly showcases the presence of Wes Montgomery on the sides – but Wes was actually more of a sideman on these tracks, and the real credit for the greatness goes to the leaders! The first 10 tracks on the CD are from the album Good Git Together by Jon Hendricks – a rare early non-LHR session by the jazz vocalist – one cut in a very different style than his more famous group vocalese work. Hendricks is laidback, open, and very soulful – working with Wes, Buddy, and Monk Montgomery – as well as Cannonball and Nat Adderley, Pony Poindexter, and Gildo Mahones – all coming together in a "git together" session that features some of Hendricks' best vocals on record! The session features great readings of Hendricks originals that include "Minor Catastrophe", "I'll Die Happy", and "I'm Gonna Shout" – as well as Gigi Gryce's "Music In The Air" and "Social Call", plus a great take on Randy Weston's "Pretty Strange" and Gildo Mahones' "The Shouter". Next up on the set are 8 more tracks from a jazz version of Kismet – recorded by The Mastersounds group which featured Buddy Montgomery on vibes and Monk Montgomery on bass – joined here by Wes on guitar! The source of the tunes is a musical, but the presentation is all jazz – and the group craft some real magic in their exotic style, with tracks that include "Fate", "Olive Tree", "Not Since Nineveh", and "Gesticulate & Rhymes Have I". CD

Sublime grooves from the first few years of the 21st Century – all work by other artists, but all strongly given the Jazzanova touch – and brought together here in one excellent package! Jazzanova are one of the few remixers that we'll automatically skip to when scanning a set – because they've got a way of expanding a tune while still loving the original – deepening elements that were almost overlooked by the original artist, in a way that makes us kind of wish they'd do more as full-fledged producers! In the meantime, though, we've got this great set to get us through – as it includes a wide range of tracks from different sources – including some especially hard to find singles that are now way out of print. 10 tracks in all – including "Song Of Will (Jazzanova's rhythm happening" by Eddie Gale, "Besteiras Do Amor (Jazzanova rmx)" by Marcos Valle, "Our Time Is Coming (Jazzanova's guestlist mix)" by Masters At Work with Roy Ayers, "Wonderlove (Jazzanova rmx)" by Heavy, "You Ain't Really Down (Jazzanova's Hey Baby rmx)" by Status IV, "Let It Go (Jazzanova rmx)" by Shaun Escoffery, "Black Heart (Jazzanova's white soul dub)" by Calexico, and "Honest (Jazzanova's honestly yours rmx)" by Nuspirit Helsinki. CD

An excellent addition to any collection of Wes Montgomery's work – a rare album of live material from his early years, recorded in a style that really enriches an understanding of his work! 4 tracks with Billy Hart and brothers Buddy and Monk Montgomery – grooving with Wes in that soulful easy mode that the latter two used often in their Mastersounds group. The set's well recorded – and Wes has a fat tone that really points the way towards his later work. Includes lengthy takes on "All Of You" and "Back To Bach To Boch", plus "Heartstrings" and "Summertime". LP, Vinyl record album

Pre-Atlantic work from Ornette Coleman – one of his first recorded statements in jazz – and one of his boldest! At some level, the complete Coleman sound isn't entirely in place here – as there's a bit of a trace of hardbop in the mix – not entirely, but just a bit. But at another level, the record's still way darn bolder than just about anything coming out of LA at the time – proof that amidst all the cool jazz ruminations of the 50s, there was a second wave of modernism about to explode! The group here features Don Cherry on trumpet, Walter Norris on piano, Don Payne on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – and while the core harmelodic rhythmic approach isn't always in place, it's more than made up for by some surprisingly free energy. Titles include "Invisible", "The Blessing", "Alpha", and "The Sphinx". CD

One of the biggest hits ever for Weather Report – thanks to Joe Zawinul's leadoff track "Birdland" – one of those tunes that entered the canon immediately, and saw countless covers pop up over the years – kind of a rare thing for a jazz tune at this point in time! The track's driving, building energy shows a newly focused side to Weather Report – one that's traded some of the spacier, more experimental moments of the past for a dynamic energy that still puts them ahead of most other 70s fusion supergroups. The presence of Jaco Pastorius is felt quite strongly here – especially on the way the colors ebb and flow up from the bottom – and the way that Jaco's using his bass with the energy of a solo jazz guitar! Alex Acuna and Manolo Badrena are on percussion, and Wayne Shorter's reeds still crackle with a nice degree of soul – on titles that include "Harlequin", "Rumba Mama", "A Remark You Made", "Teen Town", "Palladium", "Havona", and "The Juggler". CD

The Beatles had Abbey Road – and Booker T & The MGs had McLemore Ave, the main street running outside the Stax studios, and a fitting title for the album that has them playing tunes from The Beatles' incredible Abbey Road album. If you've ever thought that Abbey Road was a soft-rock lowpoint in the Beatles' career, consider how many soul and jazz artists either covered the whole album, performed songs from it, or referenced it in their album covers. This little gem is proof that the compositions already had a life of their own within a short time of the release of the record – as Book and crew take the Beatles' tunes to whole new heights, working them together into a complicated batch of grooves that really pushes past their earlier work on Stax. Who knows, perhaps The Beatles were just the kick that Book needed – we can't ever tell the whole story, but we can say that the record marks a strong turning point for the group, and is well worth having for a variety of reasons. Titles include "The End", "You Never Give Me Your Money", "Because", "I Want You/She's So Heavy", and "Polythene Pam". This Stax Remasters edition has 6 bonus tracks: "You Can't Do That", "Day Tripper", "Michelle", "Eleanor Rigby" and a previously unreleased alternate take of "You Can't Do That". CD

Groovy groovy work from Johnny Williams – a second volume of material for one of his best 60s soundtracks – excellent early work from on the great modern film score composers! The film's a goofy sex romp, as you might expect from the title, and Williams' tunes really keep the spirit of the movie up nicely – running through a variety of upbeat styles, from jazzy Hammond, to groovy vocals, and even a few surprisingly nice chorus vocal type tunes! Includes the great song "Big Beautiful Ball", presented in vocal versions as well as a bonus instrumental, the former with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This great Film Score Monthly Vol 2 features the nearly complete original film tracks, derived from the original scoring masters. Other titles include "My Inamorata", "It'll Take Hours", "Tom's Jealousy", "Two Of Everything", "High Tank", "Cold Feet", "Bowed Heads And Flowers" and many more. Also includes several bonus track instrumental versions. 38 tracks in all. CD

Killer grooves from the Jazztet – lean, lanky, and plenty darn soulful! CD

What better way to describe Wes' playing than an easy groove! Also released under the Montgomery Brothers name, this side has a nice breezy quality to it, with backing by his brothers Buddy & Monk on piano & bass, plus Harold Land on tenor. The sides were recorded a few years earlier, in the 50s, with a nice crisp quality to the playing, though there are a few pieces recorded at other sessions, one number with Freddie Hubbard, "Bock to Bock" and another in a more Mastersounds mode, "Baubles, Bangles & Beads". Also includes "Far Wes", "Leila" & "Hymn for Carl". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent set that brings together 2 rare albums from the 50s! Sonny Criss At The Crossroads is an obscure 1959 session recorded by Criss in Chicago, and it's one of the only jazz records ever on the Peacock label, which put out mostly gospel and blues. Criss is joined by Joe Scott on piano, and the Chicago rhythm section of Bob Cranshaw and Walter Perkins, both fresh from the MJT+3. Great tone, warm solos, and a nice vibe throughout. Tracks include "You Don't Know", "Butts Delight", "Softly", and "Sylvia". Kenny Dorham & The Jazz Prophets is a fantastic lost hard bop album, featuring Kenny Dorham leading a tight quintet that stars J.R. Monterose on Tenor. Monterose and Dorham are great, and really open up on the 5 tracks on the album – all of which are long enough to give the players plenty of room to blow. Probably one of the best jazz records ever recorded for ABC, and with the titles "The Prophet", "DX", "Tahitian Suite", and "Blues Elegante". LP, Vinyl record album