A big crossover moment for Peter Tosh – a set that was issued on the Rolling Stones own label, with a bit of help from Keith and Mick themselves! But if that makes you worry about some clunky effort that tries to blend rock and reggae, you can put all your fears aside – as the set's got all the soulful charm that made Tosh one of the true giants of the 70s – potentially as influential as Bob Marley, especially at the time – and working with rock-solid help from Sly and Robbie on rhythms, and Mao Chung on lead guitar, Fender Rhodes, and even a bit of moog! Tracks include "You Gotta Walk Don't Look Back", "Pick Myself Up", "Soon Come", "Moses The Prophet", "Stand Firm", "Dem Ha Fe Get A Beatin", and "Creation". LP, Vinyl record album

A big crossover moment for Peter Tosh – a set that was issued on the Rolling Stones own label, with a bit of help from Keith and Mick themselves! But if that makes you worry about some clunky effort that tries to blend rock and reggae, you can put all your fears aside – as the set's got all the soulful charm that made Tosh one of the true giants of the 70s – potentially as influential as Bob Marley, especially at the time – and working with rock-solid help from Sly and Robbie on rhythms, and Mao Chung on lead guitar, Fender Rhodes, and even a bit of moog! Tracks include "You Gotta Walk Don't Look Back", "Pick Myself Up", "Soon Come", "Moses The Prophet", "Stand Firm", "Dem Ha Fe Get A Beatin", and "Creation". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

An all time classic – and the most fully loaded version of it and more that we could have asked for! Legalize It, with that iconic cover that's a mainstay on dorm walls to this day, is first full length set from Peter Tosh after his earlier singles with The Wailers! The record's still one of Tosh's greatest on record – composed, arranged, and produced by Peter himself – a true essential! Original album tracks include "Legalize It", "Burial", "Whatcha Gonna Do", "Ketchy Shuby", "Till Your Well Runs Dry", "Brand New Second Hand", and "No Sympathy". This remastered Legacy Edition is absolutely packed – with the original album plus previously unreleased demo versions of most tracks on disc 1. Disc 2 includes the previously unreleased original Jamaican mix of the album, plus previously unreleased dub versions of "Burial" and "Legalize It", and rare dub plate versions of "Whatcha Gonna Do" and "Second Hand" and an original Public Service Announcement for NORML. CD

An all time classic – the first full length set from Peter Tosh after his earlier singles with The Wailers! The record's still one of Tosh's greatest on record – composed, arranged, and produced by Peter himself – a true essential! Tracks that include "Legalize It", "Burial", "Whatcha Gonna Do", "Ketchy Shuby", "Till Your Well Runs Dry", "Brand New Second Hand", and "No Sympathy". CD also features the bonus track "Ketchy Shuby", an instrumental. CD

One of the most righteous albums ever recorded by Peter Tosh – as you might guess from the title and cover! Tosh could be great on other themes – but this set has him picking up even more politics than usual – maybe a bit late in the roots game, but able to find a way to bring the message to a much larger audience – almost as if he's taking the helm from the recently late Bob Marley, his former partner in The Wailers! Sly and Robbie are on board for rhythms, and production is in the best mainstream reggae mode of the time – on titles that include "Mama Africa", "Glasshouse", "Maga Dog", "Where You Gonna Run", "Peace Treaty", and a surprisingly strong version of "Johnny B Goode". LP, Vinyl record album

A big 70s set for Peter Tosh – one of his late decade albums issued on the Rolling Stone label, as part of the rising stardom that Tosh was experiencing in the wake of a huge wave of enthusiasm for reggae at the time! The sound and style of the set show just how much the music had evolved from the sound of Kingston the decade before – with Tosh as one of the key messengers of the music, and a soulful, spiritual force within pop music as well – yet still working with relatively traditional support from his Word, Sound, & Power combo that featured Sly and Robbie on rhythms, plus Robbie Lyn on organ and piano, and Mikey Chung on guitar and keyboards too. Tosh wrote, arranged, and produced the set himself – and titles include "Mystic Man", "Recruiting Soldiers", "Can't You See", "Jah She No", "Fight On", "Buk-In-Hamm Palace", "The Day The Dollar Die", "Crystal Ball" and "Rumors Of War". LP, Vinyl record album

A big 70s set for Peter Tosh – one of his late decade albums issued on the Rolling Stone label, as part of the rising stardom that Tosh was experiencing in the wake of a huge wave of enthusiasm for reggae at the time! The sound and style of the set show just how much the music had evolved from the sound of Kingston the decade before – with Tosh as one of the key messengers of the music, and a soulful, spiritual force within pop music as well – yet still working with relatively traditional support from his Word, Sound, & Power combo that featured Sly and Robbie on rhythms, plus Robbie Lyn on organ and piano, and Mikey Chung on guitar and keyboards too. Tosh wrote, arranged, and produced the set himself – and titles include "Mystic Man", "Recruiting Soldiers", "Can't You See", "Jah She No", "Fight On", "Buk-In-Hamm Palace", "The Day The Dollar Die", "Crystal Ball" and "Rumors Of War". LP, Vinyl record album

Like much of Tosh's work after leaving the Wailers, this album is a bit uneven, but still has a couple of nuggets of fiery roots rock. There's a crack band behind him on these self-produced tunes, with Sly & Robbie, Mikey Chung and Skully Sims. Includes "Nothing But Love", "The Poor Man Feel It", "Cold Blood", "Rastafari Is", "That's What They Will Do" and "Fools Die". LP, Vinyl record album

Like much of Tosh's work after leaving the Wailers, this album is a bit uneven, but still has a couple of nuggets of fiery roots rock. There's a crack band behind him on these self-produced tunes, with Sly & Robbie, Mikey Chung and Skully Sims. Includes "Nothing But Love", "The Poor Man Feel It", "Cold Blood", "Rastafari Is", "That's What They Will Do" and "Fools Die". LP, Vinyl record album

Peter Tosh's great, militant, second solo LP, one of the best of his career! Equal Rights is up to par with the finest Wailers LPs, although this is a bit heavier than the groovy, mellow Legalize It, the predecessor. A vital, hugely important, essential set of mid-to-late 70s reggae on Columbia. Lots of classics – including "Stepping Razor" and "Get Up, Stand Up", plus "I Am That I Am", "Downpressor Man", "Jah Guide", "Equal Rights", and "African". LP, Vinyl record album

A real classic in mainstream reggae – the first full length set from Peter Tosh after his earlier singles with The Wailers! The record's still one of Tosh's greatest on record – composed, arranged, and produced by Peter himself – with tracks that include "Legalize It", "Burial", "Whatcha Gonna Do", "Ketchy Shuby", "Till Your Well Runs Dry", "Brand New Second Hand", and "No Sympathy". LP, Vinyl record album

Peter Tosh's great, militant, second solo LP, one of the best of his career – brilliantly expanded! Equal Rights is up to par with the finest Wailers LPs, although this is a bit heavier than the groovy, mellow Legalize It, the equally great predecessor. A vital, hugely important, essential set of mid-to-late 70s reggae on Columbia. Lots of classics – including "Stepping Razor" and "Get Up, Stand Up", plus "I Am That I Am", "Downpressor Man", "Jah Guide", "Equal Rights", and "African". The remastered Legacy edition includes 7 previously unreleased outtake session tracks on disc 1 with the original setlist. Those include "Mark Of The Beast", "400 Years", "Vampire", "You Can't Blame The Youth" and more. Disc 2 includes previously unreleased session material and alternate versions and rare dub versions. "Get Up, Stand Up (Alternate Version)", "I Am That I Am (ShaJahShoka Dub Plate)", "Babylon Queendom (Dub Version)" and many more. 30 tracks on 2CDs. CD

With a title like this, we can easily guess what Peter Tosh is smoking in his pipe on the cover! But that iconic 70s dorm room image aside, the album's a real classic in mainstream reggae – the first full length set from Peter Tosh after his earlier singles with The Wailers! The record's till one of Tosh's greatest on record – composed, arranged, and produced by Peter himself – with tracks that include "Legalize It", "Burial", "Whatcha Gonna Do", "Ketchy Shuby", "Till Your Well Runs Dry", "Brand New Second Hand", and "No Sympathy". CD also features the bonus track "Ketchy Shuby", an instrumental. CD

Produced by Tosh himself, band includes Keith Sterling, Santa Davison, Fully Fullwood, Sticky thompson, Skully Sims and others. 8 tracks in all, including "No Nuclear War", "Nah Goa Jail", "Fight Apartheid", "Vampire", "In My Song", "Lesson In My Life", "Testify" and "Come Together". CD

Quite possibly THE Bob Marley album – or at least the record that really exploded the man from the Jamaican scene into huge global fame – thanks to a universally soulful sound that moved the record way past the barriers that were holding the rest of Kingston sounds back from the mainstream! The record still has Bob working with the original Wailers lineup that includes Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh – both of whom have enough of a presence here to really rise Marley up, and point him in the majestic direction he'd take on his later solo albums. The record features the classics "Get Up Stand Up" and "I Shot The Sherriff" – and other titles include "Duppy Conqueror", "One Foundation", "Pass It On", "Burnin & Lootin", "Hallelujah Time", and "Small Axe". Includes bonus tracks & the previously unreleased Live at Leeds from 1973. CD

Landmark work from The Wailers – the early trio version of the group, with a legendary lineup that includes Peter Tosh and Bob Marley! The style here is different than both Tosh and Marley's music to come, but the sound is already totally top-shelf – a wickedly soulful blend of American soul harmonies and Jamaican rhythms – very well-crafted, mostly with Bob in the lead, but often with the kind of vocal interplay that makes all three members of the group shine in the spotlight, including third member Neville Livingston! The set's an early Studio One treasure, and is proof that Clement Dodd was already on the right track – and musical backing is by The Soul Brothers and Skatalites. Titles include "Lonesome Feelings", "I Need You", "Put It On", "Rude Boy", "Love & Affection", "Simmer Down", "I'm Still Waiting", and "Ten Commandments Of Love". LP, Vinyl record album

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. LP, Vinyl record album

Pure gold from the earliest years of the Studio One label – great tracks that really sum up the special sort of genius that the label helped allow! As you might guess from the "freedom sounds" in the title, the late 60s marked a new period of independent action in Jamaica – a strong sense of regional identity, and new pride in the local talent and its wellspring of new ideas – all coming forth in a huge wave of culture that was captured by Studio One and its various imprints! The approach here is not unlike all the small indie soul labels that were cropping up in the US at the same time – and as the notes display, most of these tracks were issued on 7" singles, with the kind of local punch and importance of rare soul 45s during the same decade up north. Some of these cuts are nicely rough around the edges – but in the best way possible – and titles include "Sunday Coming" by Alton Ellis, "Rain Or Shine" by Don Drummond, "Love Me Girl" by Leroy & Rocky, "Destiny" by Bob Marley & The Wailers, "Psychedelic Rock" by Ernest Ranglin, "Spread Satin" by Skatalites, "Hi Jack" by Jackie Mittoo, "Reggae In The Grass" by Roland Alphonso, "Contemplating Mind" by Barrington Spence, "Timo Oh" by Mr Foundation, "I Am What I Am" by Jackie Opel, and "I Am The Toughest" by Peter Tosh. CD

Early, early Coxsone Dodd produced sides of groovy rocksteady, voiced by a young Bob Marley with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. While we don't find this material nearly as compelling as his later work produced by Lee Perry and then his huge international hits, it's great Studio One rocksteady and an interesting portrait of a legend in the earliest stages of his career. Twenty tracks, including "Simmer Down", "Maga Dog", "It Hurts To Be Alone", "I'm Still Waiting", "Dancing Shoes", "Do You Feel The Same Way" and "Love & Affection". LP, Vinyl record album

Early, early Coxsone Dodd produced sides of groovy rocksteady, voiced by a young Bob Marley with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. While we don't find this material nearly as compelling as his later work produced by Lee Perry and then his huge international hits, it's great Studio One rocksteady and an interesting portrait of a legend in the earliest stages of his career. 10 tracks, including "Simmer Down", "Maga Dog", "I Made A Mistake", "I Am Going Home", "Donna", "Nobody Knows" and "Love & Affection". LP, Vinyl record album

Quite possibly THE Bob Marley album – or at least the record that really exploded the man from the Jamaican scene into huge global fame – thanks to a universally soulful sound that moved the record way past the barriers that were holding the rest of Kingston sounds back from the mainstream! The record still has Bob working with the original Wailers lineup that includes Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh – both of whom have enough of a presence here to really rise Marley up, and point him in the majestic direction he'd take on his later solo albums. The record features the classics "Get Up Stand Up" and "I Shot The Sherriff" – and other titles include "Duppy Conqueror", "One Foundation", "Pass It On", "Burnin & Lootin", "Hallelujah Time", and "Small Axe". LP, Vinyl record album

Pre-Island Records material from Bob Marley and The Wailers – and a set that really focuses on the strong harmony modes that made the group so great! Bob's lead is still wonderful, but the way the voices come together is tremendous – echoing American soul styles, but with a righteous vibe that already points the way towards the direction Marley would take in just a few short years! Even more familiar rocksteady rhythms have a lot more bite here – produced by Leslie Kong, with great guitar from Lyn Taitt amidst backings from the Beverley's All Stars – all to elevate the vocals of Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer. And despite the "best of" title, the set is all unique LP material – with titles that include "Soul Captives", "Caution", "Stop The Train", "Soul Shake Down", "Do It Twice", "Back Out", and "Soon Come". LP, Vinyl record album

The legendary solo debut of Bunny Wailer – a set that maybe marks him as the most righteous member of The Wailers! The style here is heavy on the roots tip, but there's also a special sort of vibe going on too – these warm currents that are laced with occasional touches of jazz, amidst a mellow-flowing presentation that's right up there with the best of Island Records in the mid 70s – but somehow deeper too! Peter Tosh joins a great lineup that includes Winston Barrett, Robbie Shakespear, Winston Wright, and other Jamaican instrumental giants – but it's definitely Bunny who holds the whole thing together with a spirit that's quite different than his famous previous partner, Bob Marley. Titles include "Blackheart Man", "Rasta Man", "This Train", "Reincarnated Souls", "Armagideon", "The Oppressed Song", "Fig Tree", and "Fighting Against Convictions". CD

Landmark work from The Wailers – the early trio version of the group, with a legendary lineup that includes Peter Tosh and Bob Marley! The style here is different than both Tosh and Marley's music to come, but the sound is already totally top-shelf – a wickedly soulful blend of American soul harmonies and Jamaican rhythms – very well-crafted, mostly with Bob in the lead, but often with the kind of vocal interplay that makes all three members of the group shine in the spotlight, including third member Neville Livingston! The set's an early Studio One treasure, and is proof that Clement Dodd was already on the right track – and musical backing is by The Soul Brothers and Skatalites. Titles include "Lonesome Feelings", "I Need You", "Put It On", "Rude Boy", "Love & Affection", "Simmer Down", "I'm Still Waiting", and "Ten Commandments Of Love". CD

Eleven songs from Jimmy Cliff, Culture Club, Toots & the Maytals, Billy Ocean, Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Bobby McFerrin, Johnny Nash, Third World, and Steel Pulse. CD

An incredible lost slice of music from the young Bob Marley – an unissued set of recordings done at the Capitol Studios in LA, at a time when the Wailers were just beginning to rise in global power! The session came at an unusual moment for the group – they had come to the US to tour with Sly & The Family Stone, and were fired because the audiences were not yet ready for their groove – leaving the group a bit astray in California. But an opportunity arose to record at Capitol, a performance that was also filmed – and the result is this amazing set of tracks that captures Bob and the group at a level that's even different than their massive Island Records sets to come. There's a current of funk running through a number of these tracks, and a lean groove that's wonderfully soul-drenched throughout – not just in Marley's vocals, but in the overall performance of the rest – a tight sextet that includes Peter Tosh, Joe Higgs, Aston Barrett, Carlton Barrett, and Earl Lindo. Titles include "Rastaman Chant", "Midnight Ravers", "Put It On", "Stop That Train", "Get Up Stand Up", "You Can't Blame The Youth", "Slave Driver", "Duppy Conqueror", and "Burnin & Lootin". LP, Vinyl record album

A searing late classic from FMP – a 90s performance, and one that shows just how much Peter Brotzmann had kept up the fire from his earliest albums for the label – and also just how much he was transforming as a player! The group features William Parker on bass and Hamid Drake on drums – both musicians who bring in a sense of spiritual undercurrents to the music, in ways that are very different than early German free jazz – almost that initial generation read through the lens of the loft jazz scene, with the always-amazing work of trumpeter Toshinori Kondo thrown in to bring a few new currents from the Japanese scene! The set's a live performance, and is brilliant throughout – on titles that include "Two Birds In A Feather", variations on "St James Infirmary", and some unnamed improvisations. LP, Vinyl record album

A searing late classic from FMP – a 90s performance, and one that shows just how much Peter Brotzmann had kept up the fire from his earliest albums for the label – and also just how much he was transforming as a player! The group features William Parker on bass and Hamid Drake on drums – both musicians who bring in a sense of spiritual undercurrents to the music, in ways that are very different than early German free jazz – almost that initial generation read through the lens of the loft jazz scene, with the always-amazing work of trumpeter Toshinori Kondo thrown in to bring a few new currents from the Japanese scene! The set's a live performance, and is brilliant throughout – on titles that include "Two Birds In A Feather", variations on "St James Infirmary", and some unnamed improvisations. CD

A really great blend of beatmaking and jazz instrumentation from the Japanese scene of the 90s – one of the best of its sort from the decade, and maybe in part because that scene was one of the few on the planet who was really getting things right! Trumpeter Toshinori Kondo has a range of experience in jazz, avant, and other modes – and he blows beautifully spare solos over production work from DJ Krush – very much at the top of his game here, and able to blend hip hop techniques with an understanding of wider-ranging grooves – delivering plenty of shades and textures throughout. The vibe is almost a 90s extension of Miles Davis electric modes – and titles include "Ha Doh", "Sun Is Shining", "Fu Yu" and "Ki gen" – and the set has some shorter interludes too. LP, Vinyl record album

Fantastic work from a time when Tristan Honsinger was really making some genre-breaking music – playing cello here in a free jazz-styled setting – in a trio that features the great trumpeter Toshinori Kondo, and pianist Shibuya Takeshi, who also plays organ too! As with the other titles on this excellent label, the production is by Maki Asakawa, who really lets the musicians find their own space in sound – an approach that's clearly improvised, and which has Honsinger using the centuries-old instrument in ways that really resonate with the other groundbreaking records he did at the time – a use of cello that's incredible, and which paved the way for a contemporary performer like Tomeka Reid. Titles include "Green Yellow Blue", "The Sneeze Cloud", "Travels With Priscilla & Trish", "China Snakes Wind & Ghosts", and "I Want Tokyoing Instead". CD

Fantastic work from a time when Tristan Honsinger was really making some genre-breaking music – playing cello here in a free jazz-styled setting – in a trio that features the great trumpeter Toshinori Kondo, and pianist Shibuya Takeshi, who also plays organ too! As with the other titles on this excellent label, the production is by Maki Asakawa, who really lets the musicians find their own space in sound – an approach that's clearly improvised, and which has Honsinger using the centuries-old instrument in ways that really resonate with the other groundbreaking records he did at the time – a use of cello that's incredible, and which paved the way for a contemporary performer like Tomeka Reid. Titles include "Green Yellow Blue", "The Sneeze Cloud", "Travels With Priscilla & Trish", "China Snakes Wind & Ghosts", and "I Want Tokyoing Instead". LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

Brilliant live work from the legendary saxophonist Peter Brotzmann – recorded relatively late in life, but sometimes playing with a sense of fire and frenzy that matches his important early material! Brotzmann is working here next to Sabuy Toyozumi on drums and Toshinori Kondo on trumpet and a bit of electronics – the latter of which are used with tones and styles that are nicely different than more familiar improvised electronics – more tuneful and soundshaped, echoing some of Kondo's work in other styles besides jazz. Sabu is fantastic here – playing with a sense of space and soul that is then amplified by some more laidback moments from Brotzmann, who blows both tenor and tarogato – and the album features three improvisations of varying length, including the 48 minute "First Monorail", next to the shorter "To The Nature From The Heat" and "Memories Of Wuppertal". CD

Fantastic live material from a very unique group – the instantly-legendary meeting of reedman Peter Brotzmann with the leading lights of the Chicago avant jazz scene in the 90s – brought together into a tremendous tentet that's maybe even better than the sum of its parts! The group features Brotzmann on tenor and clarinet, Ken Vandermark on tenor and bass clarinet, Jeb Bishop on trombone, Fred Lomberg-Holm on cello and violin, Michael Zerang and Hamid Drake on drums, Kent Kessler on bass – and "honorary Chicagoan" Mats Gustafsson on tenor and flutophone, plus Toshinori Kondo on trumpet and electronics, and William Parker on bass. Phew, that's one heck of a lineup – the kind that rivals some of the European or British improvising ensembles of decades past – but one that has its own very specific flavor, and a sound that's brimming over with youth – so much so that the non-Chicago guests really seem to gain inspiration from the core. This Okka disc set captures the band live at the 16th Victoriaville Festival in 1999. CD

Fantastic live material from a very unique group – the instantly-legendary meeting of reedman Peter Brotzmann with the leading lights of the Chicago avant jazz scene in the 90s – brought together into a tremendous tentet that's maybe even better than the sum of its parts! The group features Brotzmann on tenor and clarinet, Ken Vandermark on tenor and bass clarinet, Jeb Bishop on trombone, Fred Lomberg-Holm on cello and violin, Michael Zerang and Hamid Drake on drums, Kent Kessler on bass – and "honorary Chicagoan" Mats Gustafsson on tenor and flutophone, plus Toshinori Kondo on trumpet and electronics, and William Parker on bass. Phew, that's one heck of a lineup – the kind that rivals some of the European or British improvising ensembles of decades past – but one that has its own very specific flavor, and a sound that's brimming over with youth – so much so that the non-Chicago guests really seem to gain inspiration from the core. This Okka disc set captures the band live at the 16th Victoriaville Festival in 1999. LP, Vinyl record album

Genius work from trumpeter Blue Mitchell – one of his most solid sides as a leader from the 60s, and a well-deserved treasure in the Blue Note catalog! The album's quite different than the straight soul jazz of Blue's early days on Riverside – or the more arranged dates of the late 60s – and it features him moving in a soulful, lyrical, modal style – quite similar to Horace Silver in conception, but with a fresh execution that's mighty nice – and which marks Mitchell as one of the fresher trumpet voices of his generation! The whole group's great, too – and the lineup includes Junior Cook on tenor, Blue's old bandmate from Horace Silver's group – plus Harold Mabern on piano, who really helps shape the sound of the record, Gene Taylor on bass and Billy Higgins on drums. Tracks include gems from Mitchell, Jimmy Heath, and Tom McIntosh – titles that include "Bring It Home To Me", "Blues 3 For 1", "Port Rico Rock", and "Ginger Bread Boy". CD

A great group, and one we've never heard before – stepping out with some tremendous trumpet and alto work that really makes the album sparkle! The group's led by trumpeter Hideto Sasaki, and features alto from guest Sekine Toshiyuki – both working in a mode that's sharply angular, but deeply soulful – like some of the most modern Blue Note work at the end of the 60s! There's some really wonderful interplay between the horns – supported by vamping, soaring rhythms on piano, bass, and drums – and in a way, the record feels like one of those later Lee Morgan dates, still rooted in hardbop traditions, but really taking off with new ideas! Titles include a wonderful version of "Little B's Poem", plus "Carole's Garden", "Turquoise Twice", "Stop Over", and "Soultrane". CD

One of the hippest large American ensembles of the late 60s – almost a US equivalent to the groovy sound of the Clark Boland Big Band over in Europe! Trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis had already made some great music together on their own – but once they came together in a record like this, they really found a great new direction for their energy – a bold musical force that's strong enough to also encompass the rich talents of players who include Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Joe Farrell on tenor, Jerome Richardson on soprano sax, Richard Williams on trumpet, Bob Brookmeyer and Tom McIntosh on trombones, Hank Jones on piano, and Richard Davis on bass! The sound is full, but never overwhelming – and like the Clark Boland group, this one has a great way of breaking open to allow key soloists to have some great space on their own – a modern approach, and one that still never has the band losing its groove. Titles include "ABC Blues", "Mean What You Say", "Three & One", and "Once Around". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the hippest large American ensembles of the late 60s – almost a US equivalent to the groovy sound of the Clark Boland Big Band over in Europe! Trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis had already made some great music together on their own – but once they came together in a record like this, they really found a great new direction for their energy – a bold musical force that's strong enough to also encompass the rich talents of players who include Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Joe Farrell on tenor, Jerome Richardson on soprano sax, Richard Williams on trumpet, Bob Brookmeyer and Tom McIntosh on trombones, Hank Jones on piano, and Richard Davis on bass! The sound is full, but never overwhelming – and like the Clark Boland group, this one has a great way of breaking open to allow key soloists to have some great space on their own – a modern approach, and one that still never has the band losing its groove. Titles include "ABC Blues", "Mean What You Say", "Three & One", and "Once Around". LP, Vinyl record album

A stunning early 80s performance from pianist Misha Mengelberg – working here with the ICP Orchestra, and at a level that's completely fresh and very striking – at a mode when the Dutch jazz approach was something very new indeed, and handled here with a wonderful balance between playful arrangements and fierce improvisations! In addition to Misha on piano, the lineup also includes Han Bennink on drums and percussion, Keshavan Masklats on alto, Walter Wierbos on trombone, Peter Brotzmann on alto and baritone, Maurice Horsthus on viola, and Toshinhori Kondon on trumpet – and most of the players vocalize at some point – but in ways that aren't really singing, and instead act as a great addition to their improvised musicianship. Larry Fishkind also throws in some incredible work on tuba – really amazing sounds – and titles include "Kwela", "Japan Japon", "Habanera", "Carnaval", "Brozziman", and "Zing Zang Zalerdag". CD

Genius work from trumpeter Blue Mitchell – one of his most solid sides as a leader from the 60s, and a well-deserved treasure in the Blue Note catalog! The album's quite different than the straight soul jazz of Blue's early days on Riverside – or the more arranged dates of the late 60s – and it features him moving in a soulful, lyrical, modal style – quite similar to Horace Silver in conception, but with a fresh execution that's mighty nice – and which marks Mitchell as one of the fresher trumpet voices of his generation! The whole group's great, too – and the lineup includes Junior Cook on tenor, Blue's old bandmate from Horace Silver's group – plus Harold Mabern on piano, who really helps shape the sound of the record, Gene Taylor on bass and Billy Higgins on drums. Tracks include gems from Mitchell, Jimmy Heath, and Tom McIntosh – titles that include "Bring It Home To Me", "Blues 3 For 1", "Port Rico Rock", and "Ginger Bread Boy". LP, Vinyl record album

Pretty hairy stuff from Peter Brotzmann and crew – a set that blasts right out of the gate with some really bone-rattling noise! The album's a live set, recorded recently in Amsterdam – featuring Brotzmann on alto, tenor, b flat clarinet, and tarogato – alongside Toshinori Kondo on electric trumpet, Massimo Pupillo on electric bass, and Paal Nilssen Love on drums. The electricity in the instruments can definitely be felt on the title track "Hairy Bones" – a hard-driving tune that runs for over 30 minutes, and which really recalls the energy that Brotzmann had a few decades before, when crossing over big to new audiences around the globe. "Chain Dogs" is even longer, but starts a bit slower – but then really bursts forth with more noisy elements on trumpet and bass – some really speaker-rattling stuff! 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

Toshiko Akiyoshi plays with two different sets of musicians on this trio side. Side 1 features Bob Daugherty on bass and Jimmy Smith on drums, while side 2 has Andrew Simpkins on bass and Peter Donald on drums. The set's largely standards, with 7 numbers in all, including "Swinging Till The Girls Come Home", "Solar", "Two Bass Hit", "In Your Own Sweet Way", and "Tempus Fugit". LP, Vinyl record album

Brilliantly bold work from pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi – an artist who's really coming into her own for the 70s – stepping out in a big band format that would win her a wide new audience on both sides of the Pacific! The album's one of the first to feature the ensemble co-led with husband Lew Tabackin – a group that features strong work from American players who include Dick Spencer and Gary Foster on alto saxes, Tabackin and Tom Peterson on tenor, Bill Perkins on baritone, Bobby Shew and Don Rader on trumpets, and Charles Loper and Jim Sawyer on trombones. The horns are only part of the picture, though – as the inventive writing and arranging from Akiyoshi is what really makes the album great – a strong sense of painting with sound, while still keeping things swinging – really unlocking all the best elements that had been opened up for larger ensembles in the previous few years. The set features all original tracks that include "Kogun", "American Ballad", "Henpecked Old Man", "Elegy", and "Memory". LP, Vinyl record album

A real lost treasure from Art Farmer – a tremendous album that hardly ever shows up in the history books, and which, to our knowledge, has never properly been reissued! The set's a rare jazz side for the mostly-pop Scepter label – featuring Farmer at the head of a small group working with Tommy Flanagan on piano, Charles McPherson on alto, and either Steve Swallow or Ron Carter on bass. The album was done under the direction of Tom McIntosh – the brilliant young composer who had a magical talent for blending together modern and lyrical modes while still keeping a strong degree of soul. McIntosh contributed a few tunes to the set, as did Dennis Sandole – the nearly-forgotten trumpeter from the Philly scene of the 50s. There's a dark beauty to this session that surpasses even many other Farmer sides from the time – and titles include "Hyacinth", "Ally", "Happy Feet", "Minuet In G", and "Saucer Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album