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

With sidemen including Taft Jordan, Cat Anderson, Lawrence Brown, Wilbur De Paris, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Oscar Pettiford, Sonny Greer, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

The earliest days of a legendary jazz label – some of the first 78rpm material recorded by Prestige Records, all of it pretty darn great! The first half of the set features work by the group of tenorist Don Lanphere – a great player we don't really know at all, but one who's got Fats Navarro blowing trumpet on most of the tracks on the set! Piano is by Duke Jordan on the first two tracks, and Al Haig on all the rest – and titles include "Spider's Web", "Strike Up The Band", "Wailing Wall", "Go", "Stop", and "Infatuation". Next are some rare sides from saxophonist Leo Parker – playing alto here in addition to his usual baritone – in a group with Al Haig on piano, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and Max Roach on drums – on tunes that include "Mad Lad Returns", "Who's Mad", "Mona Lisa", "Darn That Dream", and "I Cross My Fingers". Last are some sweet bop sides from a trio with Al Haig on piano, Tommy Potter on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – on the titles "Liza", "Stars Fell On Alabama", "Opus Caprice", and "Stairway To The Stars". LP, Vinyl record album