Beautiful work from the Marvels group of Charles Lloyd – a combo that not only features his own great sounds on tenor and flute, but also the very strong presence of Bill Frisell on guitar! Although Lloyd recorded famously with guitar players back in his early years, the sound here is very different – filtered through the sonic explorations of his albums for ECM, and inflected with that sense of color that only seems to get stronger and stronger in the work of Frisell over the years. That quality is also augmented by use of the steel guitar in the quintet, handled by Greg Leisz – alongside the bass of Reuben Rogers and drums of Eric Harland. Titles include remakes of two 60s gems – Ornette Coleman's "Rambling" and Gabor Szabo's "Lady Gabor" – plus the originals "Tone Poem", "Dismal Swamp", and "Prayer". CD

One of the most unusual criss-crossings of styles that we've ever heard from saxophonist Charles Lloyd – and that's saying a lot, given all of his unusual projects over the years! This set follows from Lloyd's previous album with his Marvels group – a richly American blending of jazz and roots – and also brings in singer Lucinda Williams on a number of the album's tracks! The core sounds have that strong contribution from guitarist Bill Frisell that made the previous Marvels project so unique – and Williams herself has great sympathy with the guitarist, as she does with Greg Leisz, who plays pedal steel and dobro on the record. Lloyd handles tenor, flute, and "ghost vocals" – and the album equally balances instrumental tunes and vocal selections, including one trio number with just Lloyd, Frisell, and Williams. Titles include "Dust", "Vanished Gardens", "Unsuffer Me", "Monk's Mood", "Angel", "Blues For Langston & LaRue", "Ballad Of The Sad Young Men", "Ventura", and "We've Come Too Far To Turn Around". CD

Soul Jazz have done it again! As with their classic NuYorica, Strata East, and Black Jazz comps, this one's a definitive sampling of rare funky stuff that you'll never find otherwise. The set brings together 14 classic Jamaican tracks from the 60's and 70's – and unlike a lot of the other weak-ass reggae comps out there, every cut on here is a winner (or if you prefer, 100% Dynamite!) Great cuts include "Armageddon Time" by Willie Williams, "Stereo Freeze" by Jackie Mittoo, "Granny Scratch Scratch" by Sound Dimension, "Popcorn" by The Upsetters, and lots more! There's also some great Jamaican covers of American funky soul classics – like The Marvels' version of "Rock Steady", and Phyllis Dillon's great remake of Marlena Shaw's "Woman of the Ghetto". Lots more goodies, and the usual Soul Jazz high standard – which is 100% Dynamite! LP, Vinyl record album

Includes music by the Jade Four, Marvels, Cellos, Crests, Charters, Teenchords, Citations, Mello-Tones, Corvairs, Bob Chords, Young Tones, and more – 27 tracks total. CD