A record that's not only a landmark in Jamaican music – but also a set that was to reggae what Curtis Mayfield's Superfly was to 70s soul! In other words, the set not only raised the bar for all the competition, it also ended up in a lot more record collections than most of them too – maybe in part because it was a soundtrack, as was Superfly – but also because it has this global power that makes it a defining album of the genre! Jimmy Cliff is obviously the mainman here, but there's help from other key players in the growing reggae scene – and titles include Jimmy's classic "You Can Get It If You Really Want", in two versions – plus two takes on "The Harder They Come", "Many Rivers To Cross", and "Sitting In Limbo" – plus "Sweet & Dandy" and "Pressure Drop" by The Maytals, "007" by Desmond Dekker, "Johnny Too Bad" by The Slicers, "Draw Your Brakes" by Scotty, and "Rivers Of Babylon" by The Melodians. LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

A record that's not only a landmark in Jamaican music – but also a set that was to reggae what Curtis Mayfield's Superfly was to 70s soul! In other words, the set not only raised the bar for all the competition, it also ended up in a lot more record collections than most of them too – maybe in part because it was a soundtrack, as was Superfly – but also because it has this global power that makes it a defining album of the genre! Jimmy Cliff is obviously the mainman here, but there's help from other key players in the growing reggae scene – and titles include Jimmy's classic "You Can Get It If You Really Want", in two versions – plus two takes on "The Harder They Come", "Many Rivers To Cross", and "Sitting In Limbo" – plus "Sweet & Dandy" and "Pressure Drop" by The Maytals, "007" by Desmond Dekker, "Johnny Too Bad" by The Slicers, "Draw Your Brakes" by Scotty, and "Rivers Of Babylon" by The Melodians. CD

... CD

A heck of a strong effort from Jimmy Cliff – and he's a rejuvenated force here on the appropriately-titled Rebirth – which is no doubt his best work in years! Jimmy's voice is as soulful as ever, even this late in the game – and this set of stellar Cliff originals and a handful of strong covers is the real deal! Hats off to Tim Armstrong for handing his hero with the utmost respect – and smarts – as the producer here. Strains of soul, ska and rocksteady inform the craft – all done with a timeless vibe. Includes "World Upside Down", "One More", "Cry No More", "Children's Bread", "Bang", "Reggae Music", "Rebel Rebel", "Blessed Love", "Ship Is Sailing" and more. CD

11 classic tracks from Jimmy – pure Jamaican soul all the way through! Part of the very nice Reggae Greats series Island put together in the 80s, with 11 tracks in all: "Vietnam", "Sitting In Limbo", "Struggling Man", "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah", "Bongo Man", "The Harder They Come", "Sufferin' In The Land", "Many Rivers To Cross", "Hard Road To Travel", "You Can Get It If You Really Want" and "Sooner Or Later". CD

A record that's not only a landmark in Jamaican music – but also a set that was to reggae what Curtis Mayfield's Superfly was to 70s soul! In other words, the set not only raised the bar for all the competition, it also ended up in a lot more record collections than most of them too – maybe in part because it was a soundtrack, as was Superfly – but also because it has this global power that makes it a defining album of the genre! Jimmy Cliff is obviously the mainman here, but there's help from other key players in the growing reggae scene – and titles include Jimmy's classic "You Can Get It If You Really Want", in two versions – plus two takes on "The Harder They Come", "Many Rivers To Cross", and "Sitting In Limbo" – plus "Sweet & Dandy" and "Pressure Drop" by The Maytals, "007" by Desmond Dekker, "Johnny Too Bad" by The Slicers, "Draw Your Brakes" by Scotty, and "Rivers Of Babylon" by The Melodians. In addition, you get another disc of bonus material, much of it recorded in the crucial years before the film's release, giving you a wonderful portrait of the Jamaican music scene at the time, a dozen and a half of the finest rocksteady and reggae jams of the day, including Desmond Dekker's "Israelites", The Ethiopians "Reggae Hit The Town", Dave & Ansel Collins "Double Barrel", Jimmy Cliff's "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" and "Wonderful World, Beautiful People", The Maytals' "Do The Reggay" and "54-46 (That's My Number)", The Melodians "It's My Delight" and Eric Donaldson's "Cherry Oh Baby". 30 tracks in all on this awesome 2 disc set, packaged up nicely with notes by Dave Katz, photos from the film and full lyrics and track notations! CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Great mid 70s work from Jimmy Cliff – and a record from that moment when he was trying to really burst out globally, and not just as a straight reggae artist too! By that, we don't mean that Jimmy was going for anything too commercial – as he still arranged and produced the set himself, but with a really universal vibe that wraps influences from soul into a Jamaican groove – in a way that really does a great job of transcending standards, and helping Cliff find his own groove! Titles include the standout cuts "Brother" and "No 1 Rip Off Man" – plus "Long Time No See", "Look What You've Done To My Life Devil Woman" and "Money Won't Save You". CD

... CD

A classic early 60s session for Candid Records – put together by a group that includes Charles Mingus, Max Roach, and a host of other musicians who were working here as "Newport Rebels" – by setting up the Jazz Artists Guild Festival as a protest against the increasingly commercialized Newport date! And for the record, the group definitely live up to their name – really shaking off the easier modes popularized at the Newport festival, and coming across with a style that's much more modern, firey, and righteous! Other artists include Abbey Lincoln on vocals, Booker Little on trumpet, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Eric Dolphy on saxophone, and Jimmy Knepper on trombone – and titles include a great rendition of "Tain't Nobody's Business If I Do" – plus 2 other great originals, "Cliff Walk" by Booker Little and "Mysterious Blues" by Mingus. CD

A collection of vintage Starday recordings, with selections by Truitt Forse, Cousin Arnold, Dave Brockmann, Utah Carl, Cliff Blakely, Carl Trantham, Jimmy Johnson, Sony Burns, Johnny Tyler, Bill Floyd, Lawson Rudd, Larry Nolan, and Dave Woolum. LP, Vinyl record album

Very early work from the Jamaican scene – a set that includes cuts by artists who'd later record classic tracks in the rocksteady years, but who here are working in a much different mode! The title is plenty apt, but only gets at part of the sound – as this isn't straight doo wop as you'd know from the American scene, but instead some early group harmony – of the sort that would flourish even more strongly on famous Jamaican trio recordings of the late 60s – handled here with much more stripped-down instrumentation, and a shifting set of rhythms that mixes US influences with other more Caribbean modes. Titles include "Muriel" by Alton & Eddie, "Dearest Darling" by Jiving Juniors, "Til The End Of Time" by Chuck & Dobby, "Dearest Beverly" by Jimmy Cliff, "Heavenly Angel" by Laurel Aitken, "Do You Know" by Owen & Millie, "I'm Going Back" by The Charmers, "Diamonds & Pearls" by Dobby Dobson, and "Album Of Memory" by The Mellowlarks. LP, Vinyl record album

Very early work from the Jamaican scene – a set that includes cuts by artists who'd later record classic tracks in the rocksteady years, but who here are working in a much different mode! The title is plenty apt, but only gets at part of the sound – as this isn't straight doo wop as you'd know from the American scene, but instead some early group harmony – of the sort that would flourish even more strongly on famous Jamaican trio recordings of the late 60s – handled here with much more stripped-down instrumentation, and a shifting set of rhythms that mixes US influences with other more Caribbean modes. Titles include "Muriel" by Alton & Eddie, "Dearest Darling" by Jiving Juniors, "Til The End Of Time" by Chuck & Dobby, "Dearest Beverly" by Jimmy Cliff, "Heavenly Angel" by Laurel Aitken, "Do You Know" by Owen & Millie, "I'm Going Back" by The Charmers, "Diamonds & Pearls" by Dobby Dobson, "Album Of Memory" by The Mellowlarks, "Have Faith In Me" by Jiving Juniors, "Now You Want To Cry" by Prince Buster & The Charmers, "I Love My Teacher" by Chuck & Dobby, "Call Your Name Forever" by The Blues Busters, "I Love You Forever" by The Echoes Celestials, "Hear My Cry" by Wilfred Jackie Edwards, "Guilty Convict" by Rupert Edwards, "Julie" by The Moonlighters, "Worried Over You" by Keith & Enid, "My Heaven" by Alton & Eddie, "Sweet As An Angel" by Jiving Juniors, "First Time We Met" by Annette & Shenley, "Dream Girl" by Ricketts & Rowe, "Don't You Know" by The Moonlighters, "I'll Always Call Your Name" by Belltones, "Never Go Away" by Wilfred Jackie Edwards, "Change Of Mind" by Higgs & Wilson, and "I've Done You Wrong" by The Blues Busters. CD

Wonderful work from the deep Columbia Records catalog of rockabilly gems – music that might come as a surprise for a label that was best known for classical and showtunes in the late 50s! Features work by Rose Maddox, Joe Maphis, Ronnie Self, Jimmy Murphy, Onie Wheeler, Cliff Johnson, The Collins Kids, Carl Perkins, Bobby Lord, Werly Fairburn, and others! LP, Vinyl record album

Vintage work from some steel guitar pioneers – including Lemuel Turner, Jimmy Tarlton, Jenks Carman, Jimmie Davis, Roy Acuff, and Cliff Carlisle! LP, Vinyl record album

Music from the Folkes Brothers, Theophilus Beckford, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker, the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, John Holt, Dennis Alcapone, Big Youth, Burning Spear, Yellowman, Tenor Saw & more. CD

With music from Paul Barbarin, Ray Bauduc, Cozy Cole, Jimmy Crawford, Lionel Hampton, Jo Jones, Slick Jones, Gene Krupa, Cliff Leeman, Dave Tough & Chick Webb. CD

Music from Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, the Skatalites, Roland Alphonso, the Ethiopians, the Upsetters, Lord Tanamo, Dandy Livingstone, Don Drummond, the Pioneers, and more. CD

Seminal modern jazz from Art Farmer and Gigi Gryce, with more than a little help from Quincy Jones! The two groups represented here are both medium sized, with Art joined by Jimmy Cleveland up front, and a variety of other sidemen including Cliff Solomon, Oscar Estell, Charlie Rouse and Danny Bank on saxes, and Quincy Jones, Horace Silver, Monk Montgomery, Percy Heath, Sonny Johnson and Arthur Taylor in the rhythm section. The music is a great balance of some of Gryce's academic tendencies set against very soulful hard bop performances. Tracks include "Work Of Art", "The Little Bandmaster", "Mau Mau", "Up In Quincy's Room", "Wildwood", "Evening In Paris", "Elephant Walk" and "Tiajuana". CD features the bonus track "When Your Lover Has Gone". CD

One of the most unusual entries in this amazing set of releases from the Habibi Funk label – a set that's definitely what's promised in the title – in that Ibrahim Hesnawi delivers a really unique take on the sound of Kingston! The music is certainly in a rhythm that echoes conventional reggae, but the instrumentation is often nicely different, with ties to some of the more mainstream Mid-East modes of the period, especially on the keyboards – a quality that's also echoed in the lyrics here, which on most tracks are in Libyan Arabic, with phrasing that's miles away from the world of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff! Titles include "Only World", "Tayr Al Salma", "Kesati", "Enti", "Watany Al Kabir", "Tendme", and "Fouhi Ya Nesma". CD

One of the most unusual entries in this amazing set of releases from the Habibi Funk label – a set that's definitely what's promised in the title – in that Ibrahim Hesnawi delivers a really unique take on the sound of Kingston! The music is certainly in a rhythm that echoes conventional reggae, but the instrumentation is often nicely different, with ties to some of the more mainstream Mid-East modes of the period, especially on the keyboards – a quality that's also echoed in the lyrics here, which on most tracks are in Libyan Arabic, with phrasing that's miles away from the world of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff! Titles include "Only World", "Tayr Al Salma", "Kesati", "Enti", "Watany Al Kabir", "Tendme", and "Fouhi Ya Nesma". LP, Vinyl record album

With Billy Harper on tenor, Ron Bridgewater on tenor and clarinet, Billy Campbell, Cliff Heather, Jimmy Knepper, and Quentin Jackson on trombone, Cecil Bridgewater, Jim Bossy, Jon Faddis, and Steve Furtado on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone, Roland Hanna on piano, George Mraz on bass, and vocals by Dee Dee Bridgewater. LP, Vinyl record album

A classic early 60s session for Candid Records – put together by a group that includes Charles Mingus, Max Roach, and a host of other musicians who were working here as "Newport Rebels" – by setting up the Jazz Artists Guild Festival as a protest against the increasingly commercialized Newport date! And for the record, the group definitely live up to their name – really shaking off the easier modes popularized at the Newport festival, and coming across with a style that's much more modern, firey, and righteous! Other artists include Abbey Lincoln on vocals, Booker Little on trumpet, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Eric Dolphy on saxophone, and Jimmy Knepper on trombone – and titles include a great rendition of "Tain't Nobody's Business If I Do" – plus 2 other great originals, "Cliff Walk" by Booker Little and "Mysterious Blues" by Mingus. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, The Heptones, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Gregory Isaacs, Maxi Priest, Inner Circle, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Shinehead, Bloodfire Posse, Sly & Robbie, and more. CD

The great soundtrack to Rockers – an important film from the Jamaican scene of the 70s, and one that offered up some really fantastic footage right from the streets of Kingston! The film was issued after the big fame of The Harder They Come – and while it never reached the heights of the Jimmy Cliff classic, it's maybe even more interesting overall – a lot less polished, in a way that also comes through in the music – which echoes the nature of the film with some of the sense of accident and collaboration that characterized the ever-fervent scene of the time. Titles include "We A Rockers" by Inner Circle, "Money Worries" by The Maytones, "Police & Thieves" by Junior Murvin, "Book Of Rules" by The Heptones, "Stepping Razor" by Peter Tosh, "Tenement Yard" by Jacob Miller, "Fade Away" by Junior Byles, "Rockers" by Bunny Wailer, "Slave Master" by Gregory Isaacs, "Dread Lion" by The Upsetters, "Graduation In Zion" by Kiddus I, "Jah No Dead" by Burning Spear, "Satta Massagana" by Third World, and "Natty Take Over" by Justin Hinds & The Dominos. CD

The roots of British mod, served up here in a fantastic package that's overflowing with soulful, jazzy, and groovy gems that we might never have heard otherwise! The big British Invasion love of American sounds is no secret to anyone – but the cuts here are all from a moment before on the London scene, and represent some really wonderful experiments in ways of mixing together elements of jazz, soul, and blues – and coming up with something really fresh and unique! Tracks are a great mix of instrumental and vocal modes – and as usual with Ace, they're supported by detailed notes that really open up our understanding of both the music, and this point in time. Titles include "Danger Man" by Red Price Combo, "A New Kind Of Lovin" by Eden Kane, "Christine" by Miss X, "Sugar Baby (parts 1 & 2)" by Jimmy Powell, "When You Walked Out" by Alex Murray, "Chicago Calling" by Cyril Davies & His Rhythm & Blues All Stars, "King Of Kings" by Jimmy Cliff, "It Ain't Necessarily So" by Duffy Power, "Gurney Slade" by Max Harris, "Moanin" by Lynn Cornell, "I'm Just A Baby" by Louis Cordet, "Orange Street" by The Blue Flames, "Strawberry Fair" by Anthony Newley, "Sounds Like Locomotion" by Sounds Inc, and "Air Travel" by Chris Farlowe. CD

A classic early 60s session for Candid Records – put together by a group that includes Charles Mingus, Max Roach, and a host of other musicians who were working here as "Newport Rebels" – by setting up the Jazz Artists Guild Festival as a protest against the increasingly commercialized Newport date! And for the record, the group definitely live up to their name – really shaking off the easier modes popularized at the Newport festival, and coming across with a style that's much more modern, firey, and righteous! Other artists include Abbey Lincoln on vocals, Booker Little on trumpet, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Eric Dolphy on saxophone, and Jimmy Knepper on trombone – and titles include a great rendition of "Tain't Nobody's Business If I Do" – plus 2 other great originals, "Cliff Walk" by Booker Little and "Mysterious Blues" by Mingus. LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing, simply amazing – the full story of Tammi Terrell's short-lived soul genius – presented here in a mix of Motown recordings, and a host of much more rare sides from the 60s! The collection is a cracker from start to finish – a much-needed full-length look at this singer who's probably best known for her duets with Marvin Gaye – but who well deserves all the attention of more famous female soul stars from her generation! And instead of the usual Motown-heavy material you might expect – the package begins with a whole host of cuts from the Wand/Scepter label – sides done under the name of Tammy Montgomery, issued as singles in the 60s – mixed with a few more from a record shared with Chuck Jackson, and a few more recorded with James Brown, plus a duet with singer Jimmy Radcliffe! Then, the set moves into the full recordings for Tammi's album Irresistible for Motown – plus rare non-LP singles – then moves into a huge section of rare Motown material never issued – and caps off with a set of tracks recorded live at Detroit's Roostertail in 1966! The 2CD collection features 50 tracks in all – and way more than a reissue, it's more of a discovery in music – given how much here you've probably never heard. The notes are as deep as the track selection – and titles include "If You See Bill", "If I Would Marry You", "This Time Tomorrow", "I Can't Hold It In Anymore", "I Wancha To Be Sure", "I Can't Believe You Love Me", "There Are Things (stereo)", "It's Been A Long Time Happenin", "When Love Comes Knocking At My Heart", "Memory Chest", "My Heart", "Tears At The End Of A Love Affair", "I Can't Believe You Love Me (live)", "Come On & See Me (live)", and a live medley of "What A Difference A Day Makes/Runnin Out Of Fools/Tell Me The Truth/Baby Love". CD

A fantastic collection of male soul tracks from the 60s – and one that really charts a whole new shift in the music – the rise of strong singers who aren't afraid to show their emotions, but with a sophistication that's very different than the earlier years of blues and R&B! There's an adult, mature approach to the songs here – vocalists who are accepting the terms of their heartbreak, or taking stock of their situation – putting forth their feelings strongly and directly, set to top-shelf arrangements that make it clear that they're not really the losers in the game! The set is in the best Ace/Kent tradition – really pulling together a fantastic body of work, mixing familiar and unfamiliar singers, and knocking it out of the park with the overall presentation. Titles include "Like A Big Bad Rain" by Kenny Carter, "They Say I'm Afraid" by Freddy Butler, "Anytime You Want Me" by Garnet Mimms, "A Day Or Two" by Garrett Saunders, "Can't Stand Your Fooling Around" by Gene Burks, "You Are A Lucky So & So"b y Sammy Sevens, "Through A Long & Sleepless Night" by Jimmy Radcliff, "Now You Are Gone" by Brooks O'Dell, "Forget The Girl" by Walter Jackson, and "Lonely People Can't Afford To Cry" by Clyde McPhatter. CD

Trumpeter Jimmy Owens always has something wonderful going on – a hell of a great player, and one who's grabbed our ears right from the start of his career with a string of memorable recordings! Yet somehow, in these later years, he seems even more inventive than ever – willing to try new things and start new projects, at a time when so many other older players might just be content to settle into more easygoing modes. After some recent work on the music of Thad Jones and Tom McIntosh, Owens turns his talents to this hip Monk Project – a recasting of Thelonious Monk compositions in new arrangements by Jimmy – put together in ways that really sparkle with soul, and take the tunes in some great new directions – still respecting their roots, but bringing in a warmth that we really love – all a great reminder that Monk intended these tunes not as strict compositions, but as a framework for new exploration. Of course, the group players are a big part of the sound here – and include Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, Marcus Strickland on tenor, Howard Johnson on baritone, Kenny Barron on piano, Kenny Davis on bass, and Winard Harper on drums – on titles that include "Blue Monk", "Stuffy Turkey", "Let's Cool One", "Reflections", "Brilliant Corners", and "Espistrophy". CD

A fantastic live performance from Alice Coltrane – and one that features a very heavy-hitting group – stretching out here in a beautiful performance of extended tracks that maybe takes off even more than some of Coltrane's famous albums for Impulse Records! The group is great – and features features both Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp on tenor, in a spirit that's as strong and righteous as Alice's Ptah The El Daoud album – plus more doubling from two bassists – Jimmy Garrison and Cecil McBee – two drummers – Ed Blackwell and Clifford Jarvis – plus tambura from Tulsi and harmonium from Kumar Kramer – all laid out with both piano and harp from Alice Coltrane herself. The set features four very long tracks – "Shiva Loka", "Africa", "Leo", and "Journey In Satchidananda". CD

A fantastic live performance from Alice Coltrane – and one that features a very heavy-hitting group – stretching out here in a beautiful performance of extended tracks that maybe takes off even more than some of Coltrane's famous albums for Impulse Records! The group is great – and features features both Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp on tenor, in a spirit that's as strong and righteous as Alice's Ptah The El Daoud album – plus more doubling from two bassists – Jimmy Garrison and Cecil McBee – two drummers – Ed Blackwell and Clifford Jarvis – plus tambura from Tulsi and harmonium from Kumar Kramer – all laid out with both piano and harp from Alice Coltrane herself. The set features four very long tracks – "Shiva Loka", "Africa", "Leo", and "Journey In Satchidananda". 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". 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 features alternate takes, too. CD

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

Helen Merrill's first album for Emarcy – and a beautiful session of icy vocals arranged by Quincy Jones, and featuring work by Oscar Pettiford, Jimmy Jones, and Clifford Brown. The set's got a relaxed jazzy style that you don't hear on some of Merrill's more full-blown albums – and the coldness and sadness of Helen's tone is really right up front in the arrangements – with a starkness that's extremely moving, and a power that she often never matched on record again! Titles include "Don't Explain", "What's New", "Yesterdays", and "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To". CD

A brilliantly bubbling session from Hammond genius John Patton – and a set that serves as a real link between the gutbucket soul of his early years, and some of the fresher phrasing he was beginning to explore at Blue Note! Patton's lines on the keys are a wonderful thing to behold (and behear!) – as they're both rhythmic, but extremely fluid and exploratory – more conceived around some of the new ideas on tenor at the time, and pushing forward roughly into the same territory as Larry Young – but with more of Patton's rootsy soul still intact. Junior Cook is in the group on most tracks on tenor – sounding quite fresh himself in this context as he leaps around with new energy – and the rest of the group features Jimmy Ponder on guitar and Clifford Jarvis on drums. The cuts are all originals, further proof of Patton's genius through his writing – and titles include "String Bean", "I Want To Go Home", "Dirty Fingers", and "Daddy James". 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 this second volume include "Daylie Double", "Groovin", "Viscosity", "Coffee Pot", "It's You Or No One", and "Jay". CD

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 this second volume include "Daylie Double", "Groovin", "Viscosity", "Coffee Pot", "It's You Or No One", and "Jay". CD

Key moments in the career of Charles Mingus – all recorded during the crucial years of 1964 and 1965, and featuring the first-time release of a fair bit of live material too! The set represents the first full presentation of recordings that have appeared piecemeal on a handful of obscure releases – self-released records from Mingus himself – Town Hall, My Favorite Quintet, and Music Written For Monterey – all really expanded here with the full recordings of the tracks, and unreleased titles provided from the original tapes! Mingus was really on fire during these years – severed from most of his bigger label associations, and freely working on some of his most inventive ideas with various smaller groups of players – all fresh young talents who were key interpreters of Charles' ideas – including Johnny Coles and Lonnie Hillyer on trumpet, Jimmy Owens on trumpet and flugelhorn, Charles McPherson on alto sax, Clifford Jordan on tenor, Jaki Byard on piano, Eric Dolphy on alto, flute, and bass clarinet. The stalwart Dannie Richmond is on drums, and the sides represent some of Dolphy's last, and most important recordings on the planet – recordings done at Town Hall and in Amsterdam in April of 1964 – in addition to live material at Monterey in 1964 and 1965, in Minneapolis in May of 1965. Tracks are all quite long – some pushing the half-hour timing – and as with the best live Mingus, there's variations here that go way past any studio readings – really incredible solo flights that are still beautifully integrated with the ideas of the main group. Titles include "So Long Eric", "Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress Then Blue Silk", "Mingus Piano Solo", "Bird Preamble", "Themeless Blues", "Copa City Titty", "A Lonely Day In Selma", "Cocktails For Two", "Praying With Eric", "Parkeriana", "ATFW", "Meditations On A Pair Of Wire Cutters", and "Meditations On Integration". 7CDs, limited edition, and with a great book of notes too! CD

A really wonderful little chapter in the rich, and all-too-short career of bassist Oscar Pettiford – larger group recordings done for ABC in the mid 50s! The sessions show Pettiford to be surprisingly great at such a format – leading a group through Gigi Gryce arrangements that have a nice modern jazz take on earlier bop themes of the 50s. Gryce himself plays alto on the session, and other players include Jerome Richardson, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Kenny Dorham, Jimmy Cleveland, Al Grey, Tommy Flanagan, and Lucky Thompson. The CD seems includes material from both Pettiford sessions for ABC – for a total of 17 tracks that include "Two French Fries", "Perdido", "Speculation", "Sunrise Sunset", "Smoke Signal", "Deep Passion", "Nica's Tempo", "Not So Sleepy", "Little Niles", and "Seabreeze". Plus, the set also features 3 bonus tracks from a 1957 session with another large group (possibly not for ABC) – titles that include "Aw Come On", "I Remember Clifford", and "The Gentle Art Of Love". CD

Clifford Brown in Paris – working here with some great help from Gigi Gryce! The first half of the album features material recorded with a largeish group led by Gryce – a really strong modernist ensemble that's a perfect showcase for the sparkling sort of arrangements that Gigi was penning at the time. Brown's trumpet is in the lead on most numbers – alongside other trumpeters who include Art Farmer and Quincy Jones – and players in the group also include Jimmy Cleveland on trombone, Gryce and Anthony Ortega on altos, Henri Bernard on tenor, and Henri Renaud on piano – on titles that include two takes of "Brown Skins" and "Keeping Up With Jonesy" – plus "Deltitnu". Remaining material is from a small group, a sextet co-led by Gryce and Brown – with Henri Renaud on piano, Pierre Michelot on bass, Jean-Louis Viale on drums, and guitarist Jimmy Gourley on about half the tracks. Titles include two takes on "Conception" and "All The Things You Are" – plus "I Cover The Waterfront" and "Goofin With Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A very unusual album from Clifford Jordan – a session of shorter soul jazz numbers cut in the years between his earlier hardbop albums and his later, more righteous sounds of the 70s! The style here is straightforward and to the point – very much in the Atlantic soul jazz style of the late 60s, but with some looser, freer touches – especially on Jordan's solos, which are especially nice! There's organ on a fair bit of tracks on the record – played by either John Patton or Frank Owens – and other players include Jimmy Owens on trumpet, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Most tracks also have added percussion at the bottom (some by Ray Barretto) – making for a slightly more complicated groove that comes across with some headier sounds than you might expect! Jordan not only plays his usual tenor, but also flute and a bit of piano – and titles include "TNT", "HNIC", "I've Got A Feeling For You", "I Got You", "Senor Blues", "Retribution", and "Eeh Bah Lickey Doo". CD

A jazz vocal masterpiece from Sarah Vaughn – one of her greatest albums ever, and a record that raised the bar for countless vocal sessions in years to come! Sarah's working here in an intimate group arranged by Ernie Wilkins – filled with famous trumpet solo work by Clifford Brown, during his last few years on the planet - plus tenor from Paul Quinichette, flute from Herbie Mann, and piano from Jimmy Jones. Sarah's vocals are incredible – curving, turning, and lilting with a tremendous amount of jazz-based inflection – and titles include "Lullaby Of Birdland", "April In Paris", "September Song", "He's My Guy", and "I'm Glad There Is You". CD

A jazz vocal masterpiece from Sarah Vaughn – one of her greatest albums ever, and a record that raised the bar for countless vocal sessions in years to come! Sarah's working here in an intimate group arranged by Ernie Wilkins – filled with famous trumpet solo work by Clifford Brown, during his last few years on the planet – plus tenor from Paul Quinichette, flute from Herbie Mann, and piano from Jimmy Jones. Sarah's vocals are incredible – curving, turning, and lilting with a tremendous amount of jazz-based inflection – and titles include "Lullaby Of Birdland", "April In Paris", "September Song", "He's My Guy", and "I'm Glad There Is You". CD

A jazz vocal masterpiece from Sarah Vaughn – one of her greatest albums ever, and a record that raised the bar for countless vocal sessions in years to come! Sarah's working here in an intimate group arranged by Ernie Wilkins – filled with famous trumpet solo work by Clifford Brown, during his last few years on the planet - plus tenor from Paul Quinichette, flute from Herbie Mann, and piano from Jimmy Jones. Sarah's vocals are incredible – curving, turning, and lilting with a tremendous amount of jazz-based inflection – and titles include "Lullaby Of Birdland", "April In Paris", "September Song", "He's My Guy", and "I'm Glad There Is You". LP, Vinyl record album

A jazz vocal masterpiece from Sarah Vaughn – one of her greatest albums ever, and a record that raised the bar for countless vocal sessions in years to come! Sarah's working here in an intimate group arranged by Ernie Wilkins – filled with famous trumpet solo work by Clifford Brown, during his last few years on the planet - plus tenor from Paul Quinichette, flute from Herbie Mann, and piano from Jimmy Jones. Sarah's vocals are incredible – curving, turning, and lilting with a tremendous amount of jazz-based inflection – and titles include "Lullaby Of Birdland", "April In Paris", "September Song", "He's My Guy", and "I'm Glad There Is You". CD includes an alternate take of "Lullaby Of Birdland". CD