Wonderful work by a group who really know how to make their mark – coming across with a sound that's very much their own, with a quality that hits you from the very first note! As with previous records, a big part of the sound here depends on the vibes of Behn Gillece – already a really great player on his own records, and a core part of the color and tone of this quintet – a tight lineup that also features Patrick Cornelius on alto, Ryan Keberle on trombone, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums! There's a way in which the vibes are used that's very different than on other records of this nature – maybe the initial paintbrush on the palette, with a stroke that resonates throughout the canvas and touches all other players – bringing them together wonderfully on tunes that include "Slope Of The Blues", "Dinner Is Served", "We Will Know", "Sisters Of Mine", "We Dare", "After KW", and "Waiting For Takeoff". CD

Nobody's out to dinner here – or out to lunch – as the quintet revel in the tight intensity that we love from some of the recent all-star projects like this on the Posi-Tone label! The combination of instrumental elements here is wonderful – the sharp alto of Patrick Cornelius, colorful vibes of Behn Gillece, the deep-toned trombone of Ryan Keberle, careful basswork of Boriz Kozlov, and well-placed drums and percussion of Rudy Royston – all players that really have an understanding of each other, and work brilliantly as a group, even though any of the members could be a leader on their own! As with other projects like this, almost all the tunes are originals by group members – really fresh numbers that make the album a fresh delight throughout – titles that include "Episodes Of Grace", "We Create", "Precious Moments", "Hollow Men", "Green Machine", and "The Last Corner". CD

Nobody's out to dinner here – or out to lunch – as the quintet revel in the tight intensity that we love from some of the recent all-star projects like this on the Posi-Tone label! The combination of instrumental elements here is wonderful – the sharp alto of Patrick Cornelius, colorful vibes of Behn Gillece, the deep-toned trombone of Ryan Keberle, careful basswork of Boriz Kozlov, and well-placed drums and percussion of Rudy Royston – all players that really have an understanding of each other, and work brilliantly as a group, even though any of the members could be a leader on their own! As with other projects like this, almost all the tunes are originals by group members – really fresh numbers that make the album a fresh delight throughout – titles that include "Episodes Of Grace", "We Create", "Precious Moments", "Hollow Men", "Green Machine", and "The Last Corner". CD

Great work from Out To Dinner – an all-star group who certainly weren't out to lunch when this set was recorded – as it's got all the sharp crackle of some of the members' other work on the Posi-Tone label! The lineup is a bit different than the previous record, but every bit as wonderful – theses bold colors from the vibes of Behn Gillece, soulful flow from the tenor of Nicole Glover, well-punctuated trumpet from Giveton Gelin, round bass from Boris Kozlov, and sharply snapping drums from Donald Edwards – joined by the alto sax of Patrick Cornelius on three of the album's thirteen tracks. Tunes are all relatively short – between four and six minutes – but are mostly originals from group members, and really pack a lot of imagination into a short space. Titles include "Asami's Playland", "Random", "The Essential Passion", "Abe Duct", "Something From Nothing", "Rebecca's Dance", and "Into The Shadows". CD

Wonderful work by a group who really know how to make their mark – coming across with a sound that's very much their own, with a quality that hits you from the very first note! As with previous records, a big part of the sound here depends on the vibes of Behn Gillece – already a really great player on his own records, and a core part of the color and tone of this quintet – a tight lineup that also features Patrick Cornelius on alto, Ryan Keberle on trombone, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums! There's a way in which the vibes are used that's very different than on other records of this nature – maybe the initial paintbrush on the palette, with a stroke that resonates throughout the canvas and touches all other players – bringing them together wonderfully on tunes that include "Slope Of The Blues", "Dinner Is Served", "We Will Know", "Sisters Of Mine", "We Dare", "After KW", and "Waiting For Takeoff". CD

Great work from Out To Dinner – an all-star group who certainly weren't out to lunch when this set was recorded – as it's got all the sharp crackle of some of the members' other work on the Posi-Tone label! The lineup is a bit different than the previous record, but every bit as wonderful – theses bold colors from the vibes of Behn Gillece, soulful flow from the tenor of Nicole Glover, well-punctuated trumpet from Giveton Gelin, round bass from Boris Kozlov, and sharply snapping drums from Donald Edwards – joined by the alto sax of Patrick Cornelius on three of the album's thirteen tracks. Tunes are all relatively short – between four and six minutes – but are mostly originals from group members, and really pack a lot of imagination into a short space. Titles include "Asami's Playland", "Random", "The Essential Passion", "Abe Duct", "Something From Nothing", "Rebecca's Dance", and "Into The Shadows". CD

Excellent compilation of some of the earlier material by Black Uhuru, before they were signed to Island, but after the Jammy produced Black Sounds of Freedom set. This is the stuff that really set them at the forefront of the 80s reggae scene, with sharp production by Sly & Robbie, and the Puma Jones, Duckie Simpson & Michael Rose lineup on vocals. Huge singles like "Shine Eye Gal", "General Penitentiary", "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" and "Abortion" are included, plus "Leaving To Zion", "Natural Reggae Beat" and "Plastic Smile". CD

Beautiful spacey soul and righteous rock/soul grooves from one of the most enigmatic groups ever to come out of the Chicago soul scene! The drummer really kicks it on this one – and more than a few cuts have a nice backbeat to them, and the record probably has a bit more of a rock feel than some of the group's other work. But that doesn't stop this one from still being completely wonderful – and Minnie Riperton gives up some of the best vocals of her young career, set to airy spacey production by the great Charles Stepney. Tracks include "Love Me Now", "Merry Prankster", "Lonely Summer", "Amuse", "Want You To Know", "Country Things", "Living Alone", and "We Will Be Free". LP, Vinyl record album

A gem of a record from Bliss Band – a group that features lead vocals and Fender Rhodes from Paul Bliss – who also turns out to be a hell of a songwriter too! Bliss has this sweet way of crafting a tune – AOR tight, but never too slick – that really special moment of the 70s scene when artists like Paul were able to bring a high level of care to work in the studio – elevating the singer/songwriter mode of a few years before with lots of well-crafted jazzy instrumentation – in ways that echo the bigger fame of Steely Dan during the same period, but with a bit more personal approach. The result is completely sublime – a record that stands as one of our favorite AOR sets from the time – with titles that include "Don't Do Me Any Favors", "On The Highway", "Right Place Right Time", "Rio", "Over The Hill", "Here Goes", "Stay A Little Longer", and "Take It If You Need It". LP, Vinyl record album

A four-pack of albums from this seminal group – all brought together in a single set! Where Were You is a seminal set from the Sunset Strip scene of the 60s – and just the kind of record that shows why the changes taking place in Cali were so important to the growth of so much other music at the time! A few years before, and The Grass Roots would have been a pop folk combo re-tuning traditional tracks for the coffeehouse scene – but here they're taking off with some post-folk modes that are partly sunshine pop, partly the headier currents that were the darker side of the west coast – all put together with superb production by PF Sloan and Steve Barri – who also penned some of the best tunes on the record. Titles include the great "Where Were You When I Needed You" – plus "Only When You're Lonely", "Look Out Girl", "Ain't That Loving You Baby", "I've Got No More To Say", "I Am A Rock", "Tell Me", and "Mr Jones". Let's Live For Today is maybe the most famous record ever given to the world by California quartet The Grass Roots – famous for its title tune, and for the way that it effortlessly blends together folk inclinations and psych inspirations! The record's definitely one of those that showed the world that there was something new in the air at the time – put together with perfect production in the studio from Steve Barri and PF Sloan – who are in territory that's somewhere between the best from Brian Wilson and Abbey Road Studios – but a bit more understated than both! Titles include the classic "Let's Live For Today" – plus "Things I Should Have Said", "Wake Up Wake Up", "No Exit", "This Precious Time", "House Of Stone", "Is It Any Wonder", and "Tip Of My Tongue". Feelings is a great departure for The Grass Roots – a set that has the group taking a stronger role overall in the instrumentation and songwriting on the record – at a level that makes the whole thing a fabulous extension of all the genius they'd given the world on previous sets! There's still that cool blend of post-folk and psychedelic elements taking place here – gently swirled together with acoustic and electric guitars setting the tunes up just right – all with a late 60s Cali vibe that's as great today as when it was recorded. Titles include "The Sins Of A Family Fall On The Daughter", "Melody For You", "You Might As Well Go My Way", "Dinner For Eight", "Good Things Come To An End", "You & Love Are The Same", and "Hey Friend". CD

An all-instrumental set from Mose Allison – one that drops out his familiar jazz vocals, and really brings a nice focus to his energy on the keys of the piano! Given that Mose really got his start as a sideman in other combos during the 50s, the selection's no surprise – and if you've only heard Allison's better-known numbers with singing, you'll really be floored here at his skills as an instrumentalist – particularly in the way he manages to play the piano with deep-down roots, yet also hit some stunningly modern tones as well! Accompaniment is by Addison Farmer on bass, plus either Ronnie Free or Nick Stabulas on drums – and titles include "Dinner On The Ground", "Crepuscular Air", "Mule", "Creek Bank", "Town", "Devil In The Cane Field", "The Minstrels", "Moon & Cypress", "Carnival", and "Mojo Woman". CD

Not actually a proper album – but still one of the greatest Miles Davis albums of all time! Side one features 10 tracks from Miles' amazing soundtrack to the film Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud – with excellent work by French players Barney Wilen, Rene Urtreger, and Pierre Michelot, on haunting moody tracks like "Generique", "Lassassinat De Carala", "Au Bar Du Petit Bac", and "Dinner Au Motel". Great stuff – and with a wonderful sound that's like no other Miles album! Side 2 is equally great – as it features 3 classic sextet tunes – "On Green Dolphin Street", "Put Your Little Foot Right Out", and "Stella By Starlight" –peformed with Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Bill Evans in that amazing Kind Of Blue mode of perfection. Truly one of our favorite albums of all time! LP, Vinyl record album

The seminal second album from Slint, and the group's swan song too – yet a record that would go on to have a huge impact for years to come, virtually setting the tone for many other 90s projects from a variety of other scenes! The Louisville quartet really knock it out of the park here – refining their instrumentation, and honing things to a level that really makes great use of some of the longer spaces on the album to serve up instrumental complexity with a level that almost seems effortless – on titles that include "Don Aman", "Washer", "Good Morning Captain", "Breadcrumb Trail", "Nosferatu Man", and "For Dinner". LP, Vinyl record album

A great early moment from Black Uhuru – a set recorded before their famous albums for Island Records, and in this nice lean style that draws plenty from the production team of Sly & Robbie – who also add plenty to the rhythms too! The Revolutionaries give Black Uhuru a perfect vibe on the record – lean and spacious, with tracks that stretch out a lot longer than their Island material – which only seems enhance the righteous message in the music, expanded out in the moodier, dubbier space of the recording! Wonderful all the way through, and a really unified set – with cuts that include "Leaving To Zion", "General Penitentiary", "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner", "Shine Eyed Gal", 'Abortion", "Natural Reggae Beat", and "Plastic Smile". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the smartest books we've ever seen on album cover art – a lavish full color volume that not only presents loads of classic images, but also has plenty to say about them as well! The book is a bit smaller than LP format – maybe 8" square overall – but it's filled with loads of full page reproductions of classic hi fi, bachelor pad, and mood music album covers – most with a facing page of test that really examines the images, and also offers up other historical details too! The authors really follow a direction that's inspirational – treating these album covers not as kitsch, but as a rich document of midcentury America at the crossroads – full of deeper meaning if you know how to read things the right way. The book features chapters that include "Let's Have a Dinner Party", "Music For Hi Fi Living", "Cuba", "Airlines", "Adventures In Sound", "Sound Tour", and "Capitol Of The World" – and the hardcover volume is 420 pages, full color, with great notes at the end! Book

A nice cooker from Urbie Green – one that has his tightly compressed trombone soaring out over some sweet fuller backings! Al Cohn and Irwin Kostal handled the arrangements, and they have a playfully dynamic feel that's a nice change from some of the more staid, serious RCA jazz of the time – an energy that's almost veering towards RCA's hi fi work of the late 50s, but which is still firmly grounded in jazz overall. Green's trombone is the main solo instrument, and it sounds really wonderful in this setting – on tracks that include "Love Walked In", "The Moon Is Low", "When You're Smiling", "That Old Gang Of Mine", "It Must Be True", and "Dinner For One Please James". LP, Vinyl record album

Three albums by this wonderfully unique keyboardist! First up is Eyeball – a really nice mix of modes from keyboardist Jasper Van'T Hof – as some cuts feature the heavy electric modes we know from his MPS recordings of the 70s – but others feature a much more personal approach on acoustic piano! As with other records from the time, Jasper plays a range of keyboards here – from piano to Fender Rhodes to organ – and the group shifts a bit from track to track, depending on the mood – and features Wim Overgaauw on guitar, John Lee on bass, Zbigniew Seifert on violin, and Gerry Brown on drums. Lee and Brown kick in heavily on the jamming cuts, but lay back more on the mellower ones – and titles include "One Leg Missing", "Bax", "Viper Snake", "Eyeball 1", "The Rev", and "Schwester Johanna". Next is Solo Piano – a record that's a bit more down to earth than some of the electric 70s material from Jasper Van't Hof, but equally great in its own sort of way! The session has Jasper playing solo acoustic piano, mixing a few standards with even cooler original material that really makes the record shine! Titles include "Eyes", "7th Day Ticket", "Dinner For Two", "Skyline", "The Dodge", and "New Bob". Tomorrowland is a cool trio set from pianist Jasper Van't Hof – one that has him joined by the great Bob Malach on tenor, a player Jasper's worked with for years, and who really gets some great space to open up here! The third member of the group is the wonderful JF Jenny Clarke on bass – and titles include "Ventre A Terre", "The Quiet American", "Round About", "Ma Belle", "Mr Woof", and "Rutherford" – all nice original material! CD

Other players include Roswell Rudd on trombone, Carlos Ward on alto and tenor, Michael Mantler on trumpet, Eric Gale and Cornell Dupree on guitars, and Richard Tee on piano and electric piano. CD

A righteous batch of 70s reggae tracks, all produced by Niney The Observer – including 15 tracks that haven't been in print since their original Jamaican release back in the day! The cover and title are a play on a famous American film of the late 60s – but the music here is pure Kingston, and has Niney working with some of the top talents of the scene, and as a lead act on his own – serving up both instrumentals and vocal tunes, all in a wonderfully soulful mix of modes! There's definitely some key classics on the set, but those are also mixed with some great rare numbers too – a rich array of cuts that were originally only issued as 7" singles, presented here with great sound and very detailed notes. There's a whopping 49 tracks in all – with work from Big Youth, Earth & Stone, Ken Boothe, Sang Hugh, The Observers, Hubert Lee, Winston Wright, Delroy Wilson, Denis Brown, U Roy, Glassford Manning, Junior Delgado, Roman Stewart, and Niney himself! CD

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Maybe one of the coolest country Christmas collections we've ever heard – but then again, we'd expect no less from the folks at Bear Family! There's a lot of great original tunes here – which are mixed with country-fied takes on more popular Holiday songs from the midcentury years – often served up here by singers that were the bigger names of their generation, caught in a very special setting for the month of December! As usual with Bear Family, the presentation is great – vivid images inside and out – and notes on every single track – supporting a selection of 27 titles that include "I'll Be Walking The Floor This Christmas" by Ernest Tubb, "Senor Santa Claus" by Jim Reeves, "Christmas Dinner" by Tennessee Ernie Ford, "Snowdeer" by Carl Smith, "They Shined Up Rudolph's Nose" by Johnny Horton, "Santa Claus Jr" by Eddi Cletro, "It's Christmas Every Day In Alaska" by Hank Thompson, "It Was Jesus (undubbed)" by Johnny Cash, "Reindeer Boogie" by Hank Snow, "The Christmas Boogie" by Davis Sisters, "I'm Your Private Santa Claus" by Eddie Arnold, "I'm Gonna Tell Santa Claus On You" by Faron Young, "Captain Santa Claus" by Bobby Helms, "Santa's Big Parade" by The Louvin Brothers, and "Christmas In My Hometown" by Sonny James. CD

A nice overview of Coleman Hawkins' career in a great 2LP set, containing material recorded between 1939 and 1947, and later work recorded in 1956. Most of the early work is in a wonderful small group format that lets Hawkins' tenor really come to the forefront. Other players on the sessions include Benny Carter, JC Higginbotham, Allen Eager, Peter Brown, and Budd Johnson – and titles include "Half Step Down Please", "Bouncing With Bean", "Meet Doctor Foo", "Spotlite", "Low Flame", and "Jumping For Jane". The later work features the orchestra of Billy Byers, including soloists Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and Hank Jones. Coleman's the main blower, though – and the arrangements have a solid base that lets him open up in that exploratory tone he was crafting during the time. And although tracks are short, there's a heck of a lot of soul packed into them – recorded with impeccable quality, much more so than earlier sides. Titles include "I Never Knew", "Bean & The Boys", "The Essence of You", "Have You Met Miss Jones", "Dinner For One Please, James", and "I'm Shooting High". LP, Vinyl record album

A 12" album that combines sides that JJ Johnson previously issued on Prestige – some as 78rpm singles, some as 10" LP material – all of it very top-level bop modern work from Johnson's first stretch on the scene! There's a sharpness here that really sets JJ apart from other trombonists – that mix of fresh ideas that makes all of his recordings from the time worth checking out – both the late 40s cuts that make up a third of the record, and the additional 8 tracks from 1954 that make up the rest. Other players include Kenny Dorham on trumpet, John Lewis on piano, and Sonny Rollins on tenor for the 1949 sessions – and Kai Winding on trombone and Dick Katz on piano for the 1954 sessions. Titles include "Elysses", "Hilo", "Fox Hunt", "Opus V", "Don't Argue", "Riviera", "Dinner For One", "Wing Bag", and "Hip Bones". LP, Vinyl record album