One of Cannonball Adderley's first albums – recorded for Savoy way back in 1955, and done with a free and open style that's a nice contrast to his tighter sides for Mercury! The album's very relaxed – that hardbop blowing session mode that Savoy virtually pioneered – letting the players open up in comfortable studio space, working together almost as they would on a hip live date. Cannon's in the lead on alto, and the group also features Nat Adderley on cornet, Hank Jones on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums – a classic Savoy rhythm section for the two horn players. Tracks are long, and titles include "Spontaneous Combustion", "Still Talkin To Ya", "Caribbean Cutie", and "A Little Taste". CD

One of Cannonball Adderley's first albums – recorded for Savoy way back in 1955, and done with a free and open style that's a nice contrast to his tighter sides for Mercury! The album's very relaxed – that hardbop blowing session mode that Savoy virtually pioneered – letting the players open up in comfortable studio space, working together almost as they would on a hip live date. Cannon's in the lead on alto, and the group also features Nat Adderley on cornet, Hank Jones on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums – a classic Savoy rhythm section for the two horn players. Tracks are long, and titles include "Spontaneous Combustion", "Still Talkin To Ya", "Caribbean Cutie", and "A Little Taste". LP, Vinyl record album

Tracks recorded back in 1955 as two separate albums and reissued here on this 2LP set. Adderley and his alto sax are joined by Donald Byrd on trumpet, Nat Adderley on cornet, Jerome Richardson on tenor sax and flute, Horace Silver on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. The tracks include "Bohemia After Dark", "Chasm", "Willow Weep For Me", "Late Entry", "Hear Me Talkin To Ya", "With Apologies To Oscar", "We'll Be Together Again", "Spontaneous Combustion", "Caribbean Cutie", and "Flamingo". LP, Vinyl record album

Most of two early sessions that featured Cannonball Adderley – both recorded for Savoy Records in 1955! First up are tracks from Kenny Clarke's album Bohemia After Dark – an excellent hardbop session from the glory days of the Savoy label – easily one of the label's key 50s classics! Drummer Kenny Clarke's at the front of the group – but all players are great, and the set features work by Cannonball Adderley on alto, Jerome Richardson on tenor, Donald Byrd on trumpet, Nat Adderley on cornet, Hank Jones or Horace Silver on piano, and Paul Chambers on bass. The Adderley brothers sound especially great – and the young Cannonball has a quality here that's more soulful and sharp-edged than his work on Mercury – much more in a Prestige blowing session style! Titles include "Late Entry", "Chasm", "Bohemia After Dark", and "Hear Me Talkin To Ya". Next is four tracks from Presenting Cannonball Adderley – one of Cannonball's first albums, done with a free and open style that's a nice contrast to his tighter sides for Mercury! The album's very relaxed – that hardbop blowing session mode that Savoy virtually pioneered – letting the players open up in comfortable studio space, working together almost as they would on a hip live date. Cannon's in the lead on alto, and the group also features Nat Adderley on cornet, Hank Jones on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums – a classic Savoy rhythm section for the two horn players. Tracks are long, and titles include "Spontaneous Combustion", "Still Talkin To Ya", "Caribbean Cutie", and "A Little Taste". CD

A 70s classic from the team of Toshiko Akioshi and Lew Tabackin – a duo who did for the jazz ensemble mode in their generation what Kenny Clarke and Francy Boland did in the 60s! The material here is wonderfully inventive – the kind of compositions that Toshiko wouldn't have even written in her smaller combo years – fleshed out here by a fantastic group that includes Lew Tabackin and Gary Foster on reeds, and Bobby Shew and Don Rader on trumpets – all in a setting where the voices of the individual members really get a lot of space to shine! Titles include "Since Perry", "Opus No Zero", "Long Yellow Road", "First Night", "Children In The Temple Ground", and "Yet Another Tear". CD

Collects performances with Franco Ambrosetti, George Gruntz, Alan Skidmore, Barney Wilen, Gil Cuppini, Kenny Clarke, and others. CD

An essential batch of music – four overlooked gems from the German Ego label of the late 70s – one of which is a stone classic that we've treasured for decades! All albums here are incredible – but our absolute favorite is Benny Bailey's Serenade To A Planet – a set that we think is one of the greatest jazz records ever! By the time of this 1976 release, trumpeter Benny Bailey had already had quite a history – working with Quincy Jones in his early years, and recording for MPS with the likes of Nathan Davis and the Clark Boland Big Band, as well as some of the best other players in Europe. This set's Benny's masterpiece – a soulful batch of tunes that feels like it was lifted from the catalog of Strata East, but which is played by a quintet that features Europeans Ferdinand Povel on tenor, Joe Haider on piano, and Isla Eckinger on bass – as well as American Kenny Clarke on drums. The vibe is perfect – and the group's harmoniously searching with a strong modal groove on nearly every track. Titles include "Aquarian Moods", "Neptunis", "Little B", and "The Kicker". East Of Isar is something of a follow-up to that date – done by Bailey with tenorist Sal Nistico – in a wonderful group that also includes Joe Haider on piano, Isla Eckinger on bass, and Billie Brooks on drums! The Haider/Eckinger team are known from other Bailey sessions in Europe – all of which are fantastic – and they perform extremely well here, too. Tracks are long, with a wonderfully searching quality – and titles include "Blues For Trane", "Joyful Sadness", and "East Of Isar". Then, the set steps into Just For Fun – another great album with a very similar groove – thanks to rhythm from Joe Haider on piano, Gunter Lenz on bass, and Joe Nay on drums. The group's backing up tenorist Sal Nistico – usually a sleepy talent, but a sparkling one on this session, thanks to a lively lyrical rhythm section, and some great compositions by Joe Haider. The whole thing sparkles with the kind of imagination and energy that keeps you tracking down sessions on MPS and other European labels – and with tracks like "Beautiful Black Casanova", "Do Not Make Circles", and "7787", you won't be disappointed in this one! And last by not least is After A Long Time – from trumpeter Dusko Goykovich – a rare gem that's in a similar format to Benny Bailey's classic Serenade To A Planet! Dusko stretches out beautifully on the record – in a group that features Joe Haider on piano, Roman Schwaller on tenor, Isla Eckinger on bass, and Alvin Queen on drums. Titles include "Emotionally", "After A Long Time", "Summit", "Mountain Witch", and "The Hunt Is On". CD

A gem of a session from the European expatriot scene of the postwar years – not really a tribute to Cannonball Adderley, but a rare meeting of Bud Powell and Don Byas in the studio, produced by Cannonball in Paris in 1961! The record has a tremendous amount of fire and focus – especially on the part of Powell, who could sometimes falter in a European setting – and although Byas' horn might seem a contrasting choice for Bud, he really burns with a lot of energy here – arcing, soaring, and turning with lines that show that his talents hadn't dimmed at all out of the American limelight. As always with his few productions from the time, Cannonball shows a great deal of sensitivity and patience with the players – probably a key factor of the success of the set. Also noteworthy is the rest of the group – which includes Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, Pierre Michelot on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. Titles include "Jeannine", "Just One Of Those Things", "All The Things You Are", "I Remember Clifford", and "Jackie My Little Cat". LP, Vinyl record album

Seminal early work from guitarist Charlie Christian – tracks that really preface the development of bop in the 40s – recorded at the birthplace of that movement, the legendary Minton's Playhouse in Harlem! Christian's sense of tone and timing is amazing – even sharper and bolder than his already-famous work with Benny Goodman, laid out here with a deftness that really paves the way for the kind of fast-thinking, fast-moving creativity of bop – in a combo that also includes Thelonious Monk on piano and Kenny Clarke on drums! There's still a bit of older swing style guitar work at points, but Christian's command of single-note lines is definitely bop-like riffing too. LP, Vinyl record album

The roots of bebop! During the early 40s, sets held in Harlem nightclubs, especially the famous Minton's, were seminal to the development of bebop – and you'll hear exactly what we mean on this long overdue CD reissue. The set features material recorded by Jerry Newman at Minton's and Monroe's up in Harlem – sessions that include players like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Christian, Thelonious Monk, Hot Lips Page, Kenny Clarke, and Don Byas. The players run through a batch of material that might be called small-combo swing – but the style of the solos shows a lot of bebop, as well as a strong penchant for new ideas. Titles include "Lips Flips", "Swing to Bop", "Guy's Got To Go", "Kerouac", and "Stardust". CD

One of the few albums to feature the work of the legendary Tadd Dameron from his formative early years in bop – a time when Dameron's modernist modes were really helping to shape the sound of the scene! The groups are all pretty darn smoking, and the record features some classic work by Fats Navarro on trumpet, Allan Eager on tenor, Milt Jackson on vibes, and Kenny Clarke on drums. Tracks are longer than the usual 3-minute bop side, and titles include "Wahoo", "Good Bait", "Tiny's Blues", and "Symphonette". LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite-ever Miles Davis albums – and a groundbreaking soundtrack that forever changed the way that jazz music was used in film! According to legend, the sounds here were recorded by Miles on a hot Paris night – late in the studio, after a live performance – in a very intimate setting that had he and the combo creating these little poetic passages along with the action in the film! In addition to sublime and moody muted trumpet from Miles – the small group also features tremendous tenor work from the great Barney Wilen – a French modernist who's at the height of his powers – and beautiful bass from Pierre Michelot, whose rich tones really frame the whole proceedings. The rest of the group features bop pianist Rene Urtreger and American drummer Kenny Clarke – but the real charm comes from the interplay between Wilen, Davis, and Michelo. Titles include "Florence Sur Les Champs-Elysees", "L'Assassinat De Carla", "Diner Au Motel", "Evasion De Julien", "Nuit Sur Les Champs-Elysees", "Le Petit Bal", "Au Bar Du Petit Bac" and "Sur L'Autoroute". LP, Vinyl record album

A lost Miles Davis concert – recorded in 1957, with many of the same players he used for his classic soundtrack to the French film Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud! The group's a quintet with French players Barney Wilen on tenor, Rene Utreger on piano, and Pierre Michelot on bass – grooving with help from Kenny Clarke on drums – and tracks are longish and include many late 50s jazz standards – like "Bag's Groove", "Four", "Walkin", "Round Midnight", and "Lady Bird". Barney Wilen's young tone is razor sharp at this point – and makes for a great counterpoint to the sweeter horn of Miles, coming together with the same magic they shared in their wonderful soundtrack work together. There's a bit of crackle in the recording quality, but the concert's well worth seeking out! LP, Vinyl record album

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

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

A 70s 2LP set that brings together some key material from Miles first few years at Prestige – tunes that were mostly issued on the albums Early Miles and Conception. The work is about as classic as you can get from Miles' early years – with players that include Sonny Rollins on tenor, Bennie Green on trombone, Jackie McLean on alto, John Lewis or Walter Bishop on piano, and Roy Haynes, Art Blakey, or Kenny Clarke on drums. Some tracks get quite long for the time, and the set includes the classic "Dig", a great reading of "It's Only A Paper Moon", and the tracks "Denial", "Down", "Morpheus", "Bluing", "Conception", "Willie The Wailer", "Tasty Pudding", "For Adults Only", and "Out Of The Blue". LP, Vinyl record album

An album that compiles early Miles Davis sides from two different Prestige sessions of the early 50s. One features Miles with a sextet that includes Sonny Rollins, Bennie Green, John Lewis, Percy Heath, and Roy Haynes – on the tracks "Morpheus", "Down", "Blue Room", and "Whispering". The other session features a septet, with Lewis, Kenny Clarke, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Leonard Gaskin, and Sonny Truitt. Titles include "Tasty Pudding", "Floppy", "Willie The Wailer", and "For Adults Only". LP, Vinyl record album

A real enigma from Miles Davis – rare material from the Blue Note vaults, issued here for the first time ever – and done as a totally sweet 10" album! The cover and package are great – and the music is even better – very much in the most sparkling spirit of Davis' early 10" albums for Blue Note – with a lineup that includes JJ Johnson on trombone, Jimmy Heath on tenor, Jackie McLean on alto sax, Gil Coggins on piano, Percy Heath or Oscar Pettiford on bass, and Art Blakey or Kenny Clarke on drums! Titles include "Enigma (alt take 1)", "Kelo (alt take 1)", "Chance It (alt take 3)", and "Chance It (alt take 4)". LP, Vinyl record album

A strange mix of material – but some great work overall! Most of the record features Miles Davis recording with a quintet that includes Thelonious Monk on piano, Milt Jackson on vibes, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums – on longer versions of "The Man I Love" (in 2 takes), "Swing Spring", and "Bemsha Swing". These sides have a great bop/modern approach that's a nice extension of the styles that Jackson and Davis were playing on Blue Note in earlier years. Also added to the set is one number from 1956 – a version of "Round Midnight" recorded in early sessions with John Coltrane on tenor, and the Red Garland Trio on rhythm – different than the rest of the tracks, but still quite nice! LP, Vinyl record album

An early full-length album issued under Miles Davis' name – one that brings together some earlier 10" and single recordings for Prestige! The feel here is quite similar to Davis' work of the time for Blue Note – done with tracks that are short and tight, and very boppish – less of the glistening Davis style of later years, but still quite strongly voiced nonetheless. Players include Horace Silver on piano on most tracks, plus a bit of keys from John Lewis – and one track even features Charles Mingus on piano! Other players on the sessions include Art Blakey, Max Roach, or Kenny Clarke on drums – plus Percy Heath on bass, and a bit of alto from Davey Schildkraut. Titles include "I'll Remember April", "Old Devil Moon", "Tune Up", "Miles Ahead", "Four", and "Smooch". LP, Vinyl record album

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

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

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

A rare early side of Miles Davis – recorded in postwar Paris in the company of Tadd Dameron! The group's a quintet – with Miles on trumpet and Tadd on piano – and although the overall vibe certainly shows a lot of bop generation spirit, there's also a strong indication of the deeper ideas that were already becoming a part of both artists' music. The group features some excellent work on tenor from James Moody – plus bass from Barney Spieler and drums from Kenny Clarke. Tunes include a fair bit of familiar numbers from the Charlie Parker camp – and titles include "Rifftide", "Good Bait", "Don't Blame Me", "Lady Bird", "Wah Hoo", "Allen's Alley", "Embraceable You", "Ornithology" and "All The Things You Are". CD

A rare early side of Miles Davis – recorded in postwar Paris in the company of Tadd Dameron! The group's a quintet – with Miles on trumpet and Tadd on piano – and although the overall vibe certainly shows a lot of bop generation spirit, there's also a strong indication of the deeper ideas that were already becoming a part of both artists' music. The group features some excellent work on tenor from James Moody – plus bass from Barney Spieler and drums from Kenny Clarke. Tunes include a fair bit of familiar numbers from the Charlie Parker camp – and titles include "Rifftide", "Good Bait", "Don't Blame Me", "Lady Bird", "Wah Hoo", "Allen's Alley", "Embraceable You", "Ornithology" and "All The Things You Are". CD

A killer hardbop session from the early years of MPS/Saba Records – and one of the boldest statements on record from the mighty American reedman Nathan Davis – then residing in Europe, and really making some great waves on the scene! As with so many of the best Saba gems, the record has a way of taking Blue Note/Prestige Records inspiration, and pushing it with a fresher sensibility picked up overseas – elements of spiritual and modal jazz in the mix, served up by Davis on tenor, flute and soprano – in a wonderful combo that also features Carmell Jones on trumpet – with Francy Boland on piano, Jimmy Woode on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums – that ultra-hip rhythm section who opened up so many Gigi Campi productions! The album's a prize in the collection of any serious jazz collector – and titles include "The Hip Walk", "Train Of Thought", "B's Blues", and the nice groover "That Kaycee Thing". LP, Vinyl record album

Two fantastic American players – both coming together here on a rare European session for the Saba/MPS label in Germany! "Carmell's Black Forest Waltz" features not just great saxophone from leader Nathan Davis, but also a strong trumpet solo from Carmell Jones – blowing over this excellent modal groove from Francy Boland on piano, Jimmy Woode on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums! "B's Blues" is a bold soul jazz number – stunning work from both horn players, with Davis on a soprano sax for his solo! 7-inch, Vinyl record

One of Art Farmer's pivotal mid 50s sides – recorded in the company of altoist Gigi Gryce, a great player and a budding young arranger who helped Farmer really formulate the best side of his sound! The tracks are lyrically modern – but still have a nice dose of soul in them – a wonderful blend that really sets the stage for the move that Art was making away from earlier trumpeters in jazz – into that hip territory that was neither too cool, nor too overblown – and which would almost be known as "Farmer-like" in years to come! The album features Gryce and Farmer in 2 different groups – one with Horace Silver on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums – the other with Freddie Redd on piano, Addison Farmer on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. Titles include "Social Call", "Capri", "Deltitnu", "Stupendous Lee", and "Blue Concept". CD

A rare 60s meeting of groovy talents from both sides of the Atlantic – and a record that matches the trumpet of Dizzy Gillespie with the hiply swinging vocals of The Double Six Of Paris! The group were a wonderfully groovy precursor to the Swingle Singers – and sung in a scatting approach to jazz vocals that was very much in the tradition of Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross – but also drew inspiration from the earlier work of Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure, and others. Their sound is great – much more 60s groovy than some other vocal groups – and pairing them with Dizzy gives this record an added punch that some of their other sessions are missing! Backing is small combo throughout – with either Bud Powell or Kenny Barron on piano, Kenny Clarke on drums, and James Moody on tenor – and with the presence of Diz, most of the material here is of bop orientation – taken at a fast and lively clip! Lalo Schifrin arranged the whole session too – and titles include "One Bass Hit", "Blue N Boogie", "Emanon", "Groovin High", "Ow", "The Champ", "Tin Tin Deo", "Hot House", and "Con Alma". LP, Vinyl record album

A legendary live set from Dizzy Gillespie – recorded over in Paris, but featuring a very hip large ensemble! The group includes extra trumpet from Dave Burns, trombone from Ted Kelly and William Shepherd, alto from John Brown, tenor from George Nicholas, baritone from Cecil Payne, piano from John Lewis, bass from Al McKibbon, and drums from Kenny Clarke – plus congas from the great Chano Pozo, and a bit of vocals from Kenny Pancho Hagood! LP, Vinyl record album

40's LP collection of some of the earlier sides that Dizzy cut for Savoy, with be bop classics like "Our Delight", "One Bass Hit", "Oop Bop Sh'Bam", "Salt Peanuts", and "Dizzy Atmosphere". The groups include players like Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Al Haig, and Kenny Clarke, and the set's virtually a who's who of early be bop, with Dizzy heading up the lead. CD

A collection of recordings by Dizzy's second band, with Dave Burns, Elmon Wright, Matthew McKay,and Ray Orr on trumpets, Ted Kelly and Bill Shepherd on trombones, John Brown and Howard Johnson on alto, George Nicholas and Joe Gales on tenor, Cecil Payne on baritone, and Kenny Clarke on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite Dexter Gordon sessions for Blue Note – and a unique album that's one of the first to illustrate his growing role in the European jazz scene! The group's a quartet – which let's Dex stand out front with plenty of space for marvelous tenor work – and it features Parisian bassist Pierre Michelot, plus Americans Bud Powell on piano and Kenny Clarke on drums – two players who were already making a bit name for themselves overseas. The album's a perfect link between Gordon's earlier American work and his long string of European sessions to come – and titles include a great take of "Scrapple from the Apple", plus excellent readings of "Stairway to the Stars" and "Night in Tunisia". The format is simple, but the sound is magic – classic Dexter Gordon in a tight Blue Note mode! CD reissue also includes 2 non LP bonus cuts – "Our Love Is Here To Stay" and "Like Someone In Love". CD

One of our favorite Dexter Gordon sessions for Blue Note – and a unique album that's one of the first to illustrate his growing role in the European jazz scene! The group's a quartet – which let's Dex stand out front with plenty of space for marvelous tenor work – and it features Parisian bassist Pierre Michelot, plus Americans Bud Powell on piano and Kenny Clarke on drums – two players who were already making a bit name for themselves overseas. The album's a perfect link between Gordon's earlier American work and his long string of European sessions to come – and titles include a great take of "Scrapple from the Apple", plus excellent readings of "Stairway to the Stars" and "Night in Tunisia". The format is simple, but the sound is magic – classic Dexter Gordon in a tight Blue Note mode! LP, Vinyl record album

With Marc Hemmeler on piano, Eberhard Weber on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A great European meeting of these two tenor giants – with Hampton Hawes on piano, Jimmy Woode on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums – recorded in Paris on the long tracks "Blues Up & Down", "Body & Soul", and "All The Things You Are". LP, Vinyl record album

An interesting record that collects the output of the rare Savoy subsidiary Signal. The label released recordings in the Music Minus One vein, but used the then new stereo technology to separate out the soloist, and always featured top flight soloists and rhythm sections. For this reissue the mix has been restored so it plays like a normal recording. The list of participants is great, and includes Gigi Gryce, Duke Jordan, Oscar Pettiford, Kenny Clarke, Phil Woods, Hall Overton, Teddy Kotick, Art Farmer, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk,Percy Heath, Art Blakey and more, and the playing throughout is a step above what you'd expect from this sort of recording. There's 18 tracks in all, with quite a few standards as you'd expect from a recording of this nature, including "Embraceable You", "Jordu", "Oh Yeah", "Yesterdays", "It's Only A Paper Moon", "Smoke Signal", "Nica's Tempo" and loads more. LP, Vinyl record album

Brilliant work from the modernist underground late 50s Paris! Andre Hodeir was one of the city's best-known jazz composers and arrangers at the time – a key part of the postwar scene, and its development into its own style away from strictly American sounds. Hodier's working here with a great batch of French players that include Martial Solal, Roger Guerin, Pierre Gossez, and Pierre Michelot – plus the then-French resident Kenny Clarke. The music swings much more than on other sessions of this type, and works extremely well throughout at blending tight jazzy lines with very "out there" concepts – especially in a way that we never really see in 50's recordings like this. Christine Legrand is on vocals, and although this was years before the Swingle Singers did their thing, and especially before they went onto do avant garde material by Berio, she's got these insane vocals here that are simply astounding. Tracks include "Jazz Et Jazz", "Trope A Saint-Trop", "Jazz Cantata", and "Osymetrios". Very good stuff, and unlike anything else we can think of! LP, Vinyl record album

Brilliant work from the modernist underground late 50s Paris! Andre Hodeir was one of the city's best-known jazz composers and arrangers at the time – a key part of the postwar scene, and its development into its own style away from strictly American sounds. Hodier's working here with a great batch of French players that include Martial Solal, Roger Guerin, Pierre Gossez, and Pierre Michelot – plus the then-French resident Kenny Clarke. The music swings much more than on other sessions of this type, and works extremely well throughout at blending tight jazzy lines with very "out there" concepts – especially in a way that we never really see in 50's recordings like this. Christine Legrand is on vocals, and although this was years before the Swingle Singers did their thing, and especially before they went onto do avant garde material by Berio, she's got these insane vocals here that are simply astounding. Tracks include "Jazz Et Jazz", "Trope A Saint-Trop", "Jazz Cantata", and "Osymetrios". Very good stuff, and unlike anything else we can think of! 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". 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

A huge batch of work from the great JJ Johnson – material that includes 14 tracks recorded for Savoy as singles in the late 40s – plus the full Jay & Kai 10" album from 1954! The singles were all recorded in 1946, 1947, and 1949 – and they already mark Johnson as one of the most inventive trombonists of his generation – a player working with none of the hoke of earlier eras, and with a clean, modern sound that's almost like that of a bop trumpet at times. Players on these dates include Cecil Payne or Leo Parker on baritone sax, Bud Powell or Hank Jones on piano, Sonny Rollins on tenor, and Max Roach on drums – and titles include "Coppin The Bop", "Jay Jay", "Mad Bebop", "Jay Bird", "Boneology", "Down Vernon's Alley", "Riffette", "Yesterdays", "Audobahn", "Don't Blame Me", and "Goof Square", several with multiple takes. The remaining 8 tracks on the CD are from a 1954 10" album – titled Jay & Kai, with a lineup that's a bit different than the full Savoy album of that name. The core group here is quite unusual – as it features Johnson and Kai Winding as twin-trombone co-leaders, plus Charles Mingus on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums – with either Billy Bauer on guitar on 4 tracks, and Wally Cirillo on piano on 4 others. The use of guitar without piano is especially inventive, and really highlights the modern inflections of the two trombonists – and titles include "Blues For Trombones", "Lament", "The Major", "Reflections", "Coop", and "Blues In Twos". LP, Vinyl record album

Early Hank Jones session for Savoy, that, despite the "trio" tag in the title, is actually a quartet session with Paul Chambers on bass, Kenny Clarke on drums, and Bobby Jaspar on flute. With a lineup like that, you can imagine how well the session stands up, and the added flute makes it groove in a way that stretches past the usual trio session from the time. Plus, the tracks are nice and long, which lets Jones show off his strong talent for warm lyrical soloing, especially on the tracks "Minor Contention" and "Spontaneous Combustion". LP, Vinyl record album

A classic session of cool jazz from the 50s – a majestic meeting of the alto of Lee Konitz and the tenor sax of Warne Marsh! The album's a perfect example of icy modernism at its best – swinging nicely, never too uptight, but with a well-composed approach that really shows the magic of the Konitz approach. The group features the great Billy Bauer on guitar, plus either Ronnie Ball or Sal Mosca on piano – and rhythm is by Kenny Clarke and Oscar Pettiford. Tracks are short, and titles include "Topsy", "Lee", "Donna", "Don't Squawk", and "Ronnie's Line". CD

A classic session of cool jazz from the 50s – a majestic meeting of the alto of Lee Konitz and the tenor sax of Warne Marsh! The album's a perfect example of icy modernism at its best – swinging nicely, never too uptight, but with a well-composed approach that really shows the magic of the Konitz approach. The group features the great Billy Bauer on guitar, plus either Ronnie Ball or Sal Mosca on piano – and rhythm is by Kenny Clarke and Oscar Pettiford. Tracks are short, and titles include "Topsy", "Lee", "Donna", "Don't Squawk", and "Ronnie's Line". LP, Vinyl record album

Mary Ann McCall never cut very many records in the 50s – but all of them are pretty darn great, and this one's no exception! The set's a great balance of mainstream swing vocals and slightly more soulful arrangements – penned and led here by Ernie Wilkins, and played by a group that includes Zoot Sims, Seldon Powell, Pee Wee Moore, Nat Pierce, and Kenny Clarke. McCall romps easily through the upbeat numbers – giving them a feel that's lively, but never too playful – and she burns even better on the mellower tracks, which make good use of her slightly-dusky vocals. Titles include "Mean To Me", "Shake Down The Stars", "It's Been So Long", "Deed I Do", and "It's You Or No One". CD

A stone classic from the Modern Jazz Quartet – recorded back when the group still featured Kenny Clarke in its membership, but already with some of the more serious, somber tones that would mark the combo's more famous years! Tracks here are from a variety of sessions in 1953, 1954, and 1955 – and trace an evolution of the MJQ style from initial more composed renditions of bop and modern jazz, to some of the more ambitious colors and tones of the Lewis-penned songbook. Titles include longish readings of "Django" and "La Ronde Suite", plus "Milano", "But Not For Me", "The Queen's Fancy", and "Delaunay's Dilemma". CD

Some of the earliest material ever recorded by the Modern Jazz Quartet – early 50s sides that were originally issued as 78rpm singles, then brought together in this self-titled LP! Some of the material was first released under the name of the Milt Jackson Quartet – but featured the lineup of Jackson on vibes, John Lewis piano, Percy Heath bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. Yet other tracks on the set have bassist Ray Brown in for Heath and drummer Al Jones in for Clarke – both players who make for a slightly different groove in the company of Jackson and Lewis. Tunes are short, but already show that Lewis love of chromatic tones – and titles include "Yesterdays", "Love Me Pretty Baby", "Milt Meets Sid", "Moving Nicely", "D&E", "True Blues", and "Autumn Breeze". CD

Some of the earliest material ever recorded by the Modern Jazz Quartet – early 50s sides that were originally issued as 78rpm singles, then brought together in this self-titled LP! Some of the material was first released under the name of the Milt Jackson Quartet – but featured the lineup of Jackson on vibes, John Lewis piano, Percy Heath bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. Yet other tracks on the set have bassist Ray Brown in for Heath and drummer Al Jones in for Clarke – both players who make for a slightly different groove in the company of Jackson and Lewis. Tunes are short, but already show that Lewis love of chromatic tones – and titles include "Yesterdays", "Love Me Pretty Baby", "Milt Meets Sid", "Moving Nicely", "D&E", "True Blues", and "Autumn Breeze". LP, Vinyl record album

Early and brilliant work by the MJQ – recorded at a time when the combo's idea was quite unique, and when its execution was still filled with a lot of creative energy! The group, of course, features the core duo of Milt Jackson and John Lewis – and bass chores are handled by either Percy Heath, or Ray Brown – the latter of whom dominates the album surprisingly. Drums are mostly by Kenny Clarke, whose harder touch gave the group an edge on a lot more of these early recordings – and on a few numbers, Al Jones sits in instead of Kenny. Titles include "Love Me Pretty Baby", "D&E", "True Blues", "Yesterdays", "Round About Midnight", and "Milt Meets Sid". CD

Nice stuff from the early days of the MJQ – recorded back when Kenny Clarke was still playing drums with the group, and giving them a bit more of a bottom! One side of the record features material recorded from one of the quartet's first sessions – in late 1952, with the tracks "La Ronde", "Vendome", and "Rose Of The Rio Grande". The rest of the record features material by Jackson's group with Horace Silver on piano, Percy Heath on bass, Kenny Clarke on drums, and the obscure Henry Boozier on trumpet. That material's a bit more bop-oriented, and titles include "Opus De Funk", "Buhania", and "Soma". CD

Thelonious Monk plays the music of Duke Ellington – but as you can imagine, the sound here is quite different than usual! At a time when Ellington was working mostly in large group format for the mainstream, Monk's presentation of his standards in trio format is a wonderful way to unlock their nascent modernism – the angular tones, lines, and complex ideas that were still present in the orchestra readings of the tunes, but which would show up even more strongly in Duke's smaller group dates of the 60s. Many numbers bear the familiar Monk imprint – complicated lines on the keys and sharp changes that really reignite the numbers – and rhythm here is from Oscar Pettiford on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. Titles include "Mood Indigo", "It Don't Mean A Thing", "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good", and "Caravan". CD

Thelonious Monk plays the music of Duke Ellington – but as you can imagine, the sound here is quite different than usual! At a time when Ellington was working mostly in large group format for the mainstream, Monk's presentation of his standards in trio format is a wonderful way to unlock their nascent modernism – the angular tones, lines, and complex ideas that were still present in the orchestra readings of the tunes, but which would show up even more strongly in Duke's smaller group dates of the 60s. Many numbers bear the familiar Monk imprint – complicated lines on the keys and sharp changes that really reignite the numbers – and rhythm here is from Oscar Pettiford on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. Titles include "Mood Indigo", "It Don't Mean A Thing", "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good", and "Caravan". LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of bop tunes recorded for Savoy – all of which feature trumpet solo work by Fats Navarro, plus work by a variety of excellent contemporaries of his – including Bud Powell, Kenny (listed as Kinney) Dorham, Kenny Clarke, Sonny Stitt, Tadd Dameron, and others. Titles include "The Tadd Walk", "Boppin A Riff (parts 1 & 2)", "Fat Boy (parts 1 & 2)", "Everything's Cool (parts 1 & 2)", "Seven Up", "Good Kick", and "That Someone Must Be You". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent set that brings together Fats Navarro's recordings for Savoy – late 40s sides that were always poorly packaged and annotated on record, which are compiled here wonderfully, with great notes, and a few unissued tracks! Players include Leo Parker, Kenny Dorham, Sonny Stitt, Ernie Henry, Tadd Dameron, Kenny Clarke, Art Blakey, and Charlie Rouse – and the set's got a huge amount of titles, including "Boppin A Riff", "Fat Boy", "Everything's Cool", "Webb City", "Fracture", "Calling Dr Jazz", "Red Pepper", "Spinal", "Fat Girl", "Ice Freezes Red", "A Bebop Carol", and "The Tadd Walk". LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of bop tunes recorded for Savoy – all of which feature trumpet solo work by Fats Navarro, plus work by a variety of excellent contemporaries of his – including Bud Powell, Kenny (listed as Kinney) Dorham, Kenny Clarke, Sonny Stitt, Tadd Dameron, and others. Titles include "The Tadd Walk", "Boppin A Riff (parts 1 & 2)", "Fat Boy (parts 1 & 2)", "Everything's Cool (parts 1 & 2)", "Seven Up", "Good Kick", and "That Someone Must Be You". LP, Vinyl record album

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

First volume of sessions originally recorded for radio on acetates, then transferred to tape in 1961 and released as 2 albums on the Jazzland label in the early 60s. The sides are noteworthy in that they offer some important early performances by Navarro – working with the Tadd Dameron band that included Allan Eager, Kenny Clarke, and altoist Rudy Williams. Dameron wrote and arranged most of the material, 7 titles on this first volume: "Anthropology", "Lady Be Good", "The Squirrel", "Our Delight", "Dameronia", "Tadd Walk", and "Good Bait". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic early work by Phineas Newborn – and a record cut right after his emergence from the great Memphis scene of the 1950s! Most of the album features trio material – cut with Kenny Clarke on drums and Oscar Pettiford on bass – but a few tracks also feature some very nice guitar work by Newborn's lesser-known brother, Calvin – who helps give the record some slight bluesy undercurrents you won't hear on other albums from Phineas at the time. The style is a mix of bop soloing and that lyrical approach to the keyboard that Newborn was forging along with a few other popular pianists of his generation – and titles include "Dahoud", "Celia", "Barbados", and "Newport Blues". CD

Classic early work by Phineas Newborn – and a record cut right after his emergence from the great Memphis scene of the 1950s! Most of the album features trio material – cut with Kenny Clarke on drums and Oscar Pettiford on bass – but a few tracks also feature some very nice guitar work by Newborn's lesser-known brother, Calvin – who helps give the record some slight bluesy undercurrents you won't hear on other albums from Phineas at the time. The style is a mix of bop soloing and that lyrical approach to the keyboard that Newborn was forging along with a few other popular pianists of his generation – and titles include "Dahoud", "Celia", "Barbados", and "Newport Blues". CD

Classic early work by Phineas Newborn – and a record cut right after his emergence from the great Memphis scene of the 1950s! Most of the album features trio material – cut with Kenny Clarke on drums and Oscar Pettiford on bass – but a few tracks also feature some very nice guitar work by Newborn's lesser-known brother, Calvin – who helps give the record some slight bluesy undercurrents you won't hear on other albums from Phineas at the time. The style is a mix of bop soloing and that lyrical approach to the keyboard that Newborn was forging along with a few other popular pianists of his generation – and titles include "Dahoud", "Celia", "Barbados", and "Newport Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Rare work by Charlie Parker, recorded at Storyville Nightclub in Boston in 1953 – originally broadcast on radio station WHDH, and featuring Bird in a more open, relaxed style than his studio sessions. The recording quality is a bit dated, but the quality of the playing isn't – with extremely fresh solo work by Parker, and great supporting work by players that include Herb Pomeroy, Red Garland, Roy Haynes, Kenny Clarke, and Sir Charles Thompson. Titles include "Cool Blues", "Dancing On The Ceiling", "Groovin High", "Out Of Nowhere", "Moose The Mooche", and "I'll Walk Alone". LP, Vinyl record album

A very well-done collection of Charlie Parker performances from the legendary Birdland nightclub – originally presented on radio, but cleaned up here with a great sense of sound! The mighty Symphony Sid can be heard introducing a few tracks, but the main focus is on the music – with the kind of razor-sharp solos that always made Parker a knockout, especially during these key early 50s years – and accompaniment from musicians who include Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet, Bud Powell or John Lewis on piano, Kenny Clarke or Roy Haynes on drums, and even the surprising inclusion of organist Milt Buckner at one point! The album may well be worth it, just to hear Bird playing with a Hammond – but the whole thing's great, and titles include "Cool Blues", "Star Eyes", "Blue N Boogie", "Anthropology", "Night In Tunisia", and "Groovin High". LP, Vinyl record album

A late 50s album that issues some killer combo material by Bird! One half of the album features work by a group that includes Red Rodney, John Lewis, Ray Brown, and Kenny Clarke – and the other features Parker with Miles Davis, Walter Bishop Jr, Max Roach, and Teddy Kotick. Tracks are short, and include some classics – and the album includes alternate takes of 4 numbers. Titles include "Si Si", "Swedish Schnapps", "Back Home Blues", "Lover Man", "Au Privave", "She Rote", and "Star Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic collection that has the pianist working in variety of small group settings. Notable sidemen include Curly Russell, George Duvivier, Lloyd Trotman, Percy Heath and Ray Brown on bass; Art Blakey, Art Taylor, Buddy Rich, Kenny Clarke, Max Roach and Osie Johnson on drums. CD