Drummer Roy Haynes always brings something great to the table for any album he does as a leader – and this record is no exception! Here, the "added something" is the presence of Roland Kirk on reeds – offered a key early chance to express his most modern ideas in the freedom of Haynes' group – working alongside Tommy Flanagan on piano and Henry Grimes on bass, in what was easily one of the hippest groups to record for Impulse in the early 60s! The record's filled with wonderful material – and a mix of originals and standards done with a very twisted edge – all with great interplay between Kirk's quirky sax work and Roy Haynes' amazing drumming – often changing up timings and rhythms with ease, and really matching Kirk's quirky energy for the set. Titles include "Moon Ray", "Raoul", "Snap Crackle", and "Long Wharf". LP, Vinyl record album

A great late 80s date from Pat Metheny – working here in a trio with Dave Holland on bass and Roy Haynes on drums! Tracks include "Law Years", "Change Of Heart", "Old Folks", "Three Flights Up", and the title tracks, "Question & Answer". CD

A great late 80s date from Pete Metheny – working here in a trio with Dave Holland on bass and Roy Haynes on drums! Tracks include "Law Years", "Change Of Heart", "Old Folks", "Three Flights Up", and the title tracks, "Question & Answer". CD

Could anyone ever utter a sexier line than "Don't go to strangers, come to me?" We think not, and it's material like that that makes the album a real killer from Etta Jones – one of her best from the 60s, cut when she was really developing her skills as a vocalist, but still had enough of an edge to be interesting. Backing is by a small group that includes Frank Wess, Roy Haynes, and Richard Wyands – and the album has a relaxed, jazzy quality that easily makes it one of the real standouts in Etta's career! Titles include "All The Way", "Where Or When", "Yes Sir, That's My Baby", "If I Had You", "Something To Remember You By", and "Don't Go To Strangers". CD

One of the most ambitious albums ever recorded from Clifford Jordan – a totally righteous little effort that was the first installment in the legendary Dolphy Series on the Strata East label! The set has Jordan working with a larger group than usual – an all-star array of players that includes Kenny Dorham and Don Cherry on trumpets, Julian Priester on trombone, Wynton Kelly on piano, Wilbur Ware and Richard Davis on bass, and drums from Roy Haynes, Ed Blackwell, and Albert Heath. The titles are originals by Jordan – long numbers that flow out slowly as they build up new musical ideas – all in a style that's somewhat laidback and spacious, very organic, and a bit like some of the best early 70s Impulse material by Archie Shepp. Album features 4 long tracks – "872", "Vienna", "Doug's Prelude", and "Ouagoudougou". LP, Vinyl record album

Roy Hargrove on trumpet, Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone, Houston Person on tenor saxophone, Graham Haynes on cornet, Rodney Kendrick on piano, Tarus Mateen on bass, Turu Alexander on drums, and Aaron Walker, Big Black, and Chi Sharpe on percussion. CD

A key early album from reedman Roland Kirk – at set that really has him strongly finding his voice in jazz, and transforming most of modern music in the process! The set's a perfect illustration of the way that Roland could swing with soul, yet still reach out with bold new ideas too – mixing up work on tenor sax, manzello, stritch, flute, and even nose flute – instruments often played at the same time, with this amazing multi-reed style that's really mindblowing – and which follows the soaring sheets of sound of the Coltrane generation, yet completely in its own way too! There's a sharp modern edge to most of the rhythms – thanks in part to the presence of Andrew Hill on piano and celeste on a few cuts – alongside from Vernon Martin on bass and Roy Haynes and Henry Duncan on drums – and a bit of additional piano from Wynton Kelly. The whole thing's amazing – one of those records that never fails to delight us – and titles include "3 In 1 Without The Oil", "ED", "Domino", "Meeting On Termini's Corner", and "A Stritch In Time". CD

Reissue of a record that was originally issued on Time Records – only briefly during the 60s. The album's a killer from Booker Little – one of the last few records that Book cut before his early death, and one of his only ones as a leader! The album features an excellent soulbop quintet with Wynton Kelly on piano, Scott LaFaro on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – and the album's got some great little tracks like "Bee Tees Minor Plea", "Opening Statement", "Minor Sweet", and "The Grand Valse". Excellent stuff all around – and a record that would have been bigger, had it been issued on a larger label! LP, Vinyl record album

It certainly was time – time for Jackie McLean to break out of his older bop mode, and hit a whole new level of playing with a tight group of "new thing" compatriots like Herbie Hancock on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Charles Tolliver on trumpet! The record isn't as totally "out there" as some of his other ones from this period, but it's a seminal release in Jackie's modernist period – and it's one of the hardest to find from the era. Filled with warmly wonderful original compositions like "Revillot", "Snuff", "Truth", and "Das Dat" – the record is unpacked and remodeled nicely by the trio of young players, aided by Jackie's moody alto, and given a great spin by Roy Haynes on drums. Striking cover, too – with a huge field of exclamation points! LP, Vinyl record album

A key classic from Thelonious Monk's years at Riverside – and an album that's as compelling as its haunting title! The session features Thelonious working with a great quartet that includes Johnny Griffin on tenor, playing these wonderfully angular lines; Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass, working in well-rounded tones that add a lot of depth to the work; and Roy Haynes on drums, bringing in a playfully rhythmic spirit that really matches the tone of Monk's compositions – a wonderful quartet to interpret the thoughtful, angular, inventive numbers on the set – not just Monk's own tunes, but some killer arrangements of a few classics too. Tracks are all longish, and the album features key readings of "In Walked Bud", "Misterioso", "Nutty", and "Let's Cool One" – includes two bonus tracks. CD

with Pepper Adams, Art Blakey, Donald Byrd, Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Haynes, Billy Higgins, Philly Joe Jones, Sam Jones, Thad Jones, Harold Land, Gerry Mulligan, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Rouse, and others. CD

One of the all-time classics of early 60s mainstream jazz – and a beautiful record that showcases writing and arranging talents of Oliver Nelson! Nelson had been bumping around a variety of sessions before this one – as a leader, sideman, and arranger – but it was with this album that his true talents really unfolded – sparkling with a depth of imagination and expression that marked him as one of the greatest artists in 60s American jazz! The group on the set is an all-star sextet – featuring Paul Chambers, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Roy Haynes, and Freddie Hubbard – a disparate group of players who manage to come together with Nelson and find a unique voice that's rarely been duplicated again! The album features 6 fantastic compositions by Nelson, including "Stolen Moments", "Hoe Down", and "Yearnin". A fantastic record – and one that you can't go wrong with! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the all-time classics of early 60s mainstream jazz – and a beautiful record that showcases writing and arranging talents of Oliver Nelson! Nelson had been bumping around a variety of sessions before this one – as a leader, sideman, and arranger – but it was with this album that his true talents really unfolded – sparkling with a depth of imagination and expression that marked him as one of the greatest artists in 60s American jazz! The group on the set is an all-star sextet – featuring Paul Chambers, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Roy Haynes, and Freddie Hubbard – a disparate group of players who manage to come together with Nelson and find a unique voice that's rarely been duplicated again! The album features 6 fantastic compositions by Nelson, including "Stolen Moments", "Hoe Down", and "Yearnin". A fantastic record – and one that you can't go wrong with! CD

One of the all-time classics of early 60s mainstream jazz – and a beautiful record that showcases writing and arranging talents of Oliver Nelson! Nelson had been bumping around a variety of sessions before this one – as a leader, sideman, and arranger – but it was with this album that his true talents really unfolded – sparkling with a depth of imagination and expression that marked him as one of the greatest artists in 60s American jazz! The group on the set is an all-star sextet – featuring Paul Chambers, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Roy Haynes, and Freddie Hubbard – a disparate group of players who manage to come together with Nelson and find a unique voice that's rarely been duplicated again! The album features 6 fantastic compositions by Nelson, including "Stolen Moments", "Hoe Down", and "Yearnin". A fantastic record – and one that you can't go wrong with! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the all-time classics of early 60s mainstream jazz – and a beautiful record that showcases writing and arranging talents of Oliver Nelson! Nelson had been bumping around a variety of sessions before this one – as a leader, sideman, and arranger – but it was with this album that his true talents really unfolded – sparkling with a depth of imagination and expression that marked him as one of the greatest artists in 60s American jazz! The group on the set is an all-star sextet – featuring Paul Chambers, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Roy Haynes, and Freddie Hubbard – a disparate group of players who manage to come together with Nelson and find a unique voice that's rarely been duplicated again! The album features 6 fantastic compositions by Nelson, including "Stolen Moments", "Hoe Down", and "Yearnin". A fantastic record – and one that you can't go wrong with! LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet electric funk – and a really great, long-lost Japanese fusion session from the 70s! The album's headed up by Japanese trumpeter Shunzoh Ohno, but it also features work by American players like Reggie Lucas on guitar, Sam Johnson on keyboards, and Roy Haynes on drums – all of whom contributed a really solid rhythm approach to the album, and give it some really funky grounding! The style kind of starts at CTI, but then really stretches out with a more unique appeal – still soulful, and never as rockish as other fusion records from the US – but still with a far-reaching sort of vibe overall. Titles include "Bubbles", "Don't Get Down", "Song For My Kid", and "Bullfight". CD

An aggressive bit of funky fusion – a set that matches the talents of Japanese trumpeter Shunzoh Ohno with some hip American grooves from Reggie Lucas on guitar, Cedric Lawson on keyboards, Don Pate on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums! The sound is very full-on – in a mid 70s Miles Davis electric mode, but with perhaps a bit more of a funk touch on the best cuts – almost a refinement of the groove that Miles hit in Japan, fusing the energy into some great tunes that really pack a sharp punch! Haynes' drums are surprisingly heavy at points – and titles include "You Dig That?", "But It's Not So", and "I Remember That It Happened". CD

Notable sideman include Miles Davis on trumpet, Nat King Cole on piano, and Max Roach and Roy Haynes on drums. CD

Charlie Parker on alto saxophone, JJ Johnson on trombone, Fats Navarro and Red Rodney on trumpet, Al Haig and Bud Powell on piano, Curley Russell and Tommy Potter on bass, and Art Blakey and Roy Haynes on drums. CD

Rare Charlie Parker material from 1950 – including some of his only small group versions of a few classic standards! The material was all recorded at the Cafe Society club in June and July of 1950 – and the bulk of the set features Parker's alto with Kenny Dorham on trumpet, Al Haig on piano, Tommy Potter on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – on titles that include "April In Paris", "Night In Tunisia", "Bewitched Bothered & Bewildered", "Summertime", "Gone With The Wind", and "Easy To Love". The remaining three tracks feature Dorham, Brew Moore on tenor, Tony Scott on clarinet, Chuck Wayne on guitar, and Dick Hyman on piano – on titles that include "Moose The Mooche", "52nd Street Theme", and "Lover Come Back To Me". CD

A soaring later date from Art Pepper – recorded with excellent rhythm from the trio of Stanley Cowell on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – plus a bit of percussion from Kenneth Nash too! LP, Vinyl record album

All original compositions by the late pianist – with a group on side one that features Gary Peacock on bass and Roy Haynes on drums, plus guest guitar from John Abercrombie on one track – and a group on side two that features Eddie Gomez on bass and Al Foster on drums, with Abercrombie guitar on one track, and percussion from Steve Thornton on another. CD

All original compositions by the late pianist – with a group on side one that features Gary Peacock on bass and Roy Haynes on drums, plus guest guitar from John Abercrombie on one track – and a group on side two that features Eddie Gomez on bass and Al Foster on drums, with Abercrombie guitar on one track, and percussion from Steve Thornton on another. LP, Vinyl record album

A wealth of classic work from Bud Powell – his complete recordings for both the Blue Note and Roost label – served up in a mighty 4CD set! The package begins with early 78rpm sides from the late 40s, then moves into material from full albums in the 50s – and ends with one track from 1963. As with most Powell recordings from the time, much of the material is recorded with a trio – players like Paul Chambers, Sam Jones, or Curley Russell on bass – and drummers who include Art Taylor, Max Roach, and Roy Haynes. A few sides feature added horns from Fats Navarro on trumpet and Sonny Rollins on tenor – and the set features a total of 75 tracks in all, plus a 40 page booklet of notes. CD

Features work with Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Art Blakey, Max Roach, and Roy Haynes. CD

Features work with Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Art Blakey, Max Roach, and Roy Haynes. LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best records ever by this unique bop trumpeter – and one that catches him with a strong comeback group that includes Chicagoans Ira Sullivan on trumpet and tenor, Vic Sproles on bass, and Norman Simmons on piano. Roy Haynes rounds out the group on drums – giving the proceedings a warm soulful feel. Titles include "Swingin With Daddy-O", "Hale To Dale", "Laura", and "Trumpet Juice". LP, Vinyl record album

Early Rollins work for Prestige – recorded between 1951 and 1954, in a variety of settings! Like a lot of the other Milestone 2LP sets issued in the 70s, this album collects tracks from a number of sessions, restoring recordings to the order they were recorded in rather than how they were originally issued, which in this case was mostly as 10" LPs, under a variety of titles including Mambo Jazz, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Rollins With The Modern Jazz Quartet and others. As such the set features five lineups, all smaller groups, mostly quartets and sidemen include Miles Davis, Roy Haynes, Elmo Hope, Kenny Dorham, Thelonius Monk, Kenny Drew, Percy Heath, and Art Blakey. Since most of this was originally issued on 10"s, the tunes are shorter than you might be used to hearing Rollins' LPs, but there's still plenty of power and imagination in the grooves – very economical solos, crafted with a great deal of imagination. 20 tracks in all, with including "Scoops", "Shadrack", "Mambo Bounce", "The Stopper", "I Know", "Movin' Out", "Solid", "Newk's Fadeaway", "Silk'N'Satin", and "No Moe". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful reunion of Pharoah Sanders and vocalist Leon Thomas – and a set that captures a lot of the same energy as the pair's previous record – Karma! Thomas' vocals are in wonderful form for the set – stretching out soulfully on the extended classic "Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah" – a title that has much of the same grace and power as "The Creator Has A Master Plan. The rest of the players on the date include Lonnie Liston Smith on piano, Richard Davis and Cecil McBee on basses, and Idris Muhammad and Roy Haynes on drums – and unusually enough, each of the double bassists and drummers gets their own channel of sound to work with! The other long track on the album is the extended "Sun In Aquarius" – which is a bit more outside, but still pretty great! CD

Two Pharoah Sanders classics – back to back on a single CD! Tauhid is one of the first moments of genius from a young Pharoah Sanders – a set that builds on the energy of John Coltrane's Love Supreme generation – but takes it in a much more expansive direction! The album's got a sense of majesty that's years ahead of its time – righteous, positive, spiritual jazz that flows out with a timeless power, and a quality that almost out-Coltrane's Coltrane! All tracks are long, expressive, and freely flowing – building with a very organic sense of energy – totally free from any gimmicks or cliche. Players include Dave Burrell on piano, Henry Grimes on bass, and Sonny Sharrock on guitar – and Pharoah plays alto, tenor, and piccolo – and even vocalizes a bit. The album begins with the amazing "Upper & Lower Egypt" – which is a perfect illustration of the two sides of Pharoah's genius – free/out & spiritual/modal – and other titles include "Japan", and "Capricorn Rising". Jewels Of Thought is a wonderful reunion of Pharoah Sanders and vocalist Leon Thomas – and a set that captures a lot of the same energy as the pair's previous record – Karma! Thomas' vocals are in wonderful form for the set – stretching out soulfully on the extended classic "Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah-Hum-Allah" – a title that has much of the same grace and power as "The Creator Has A Master Plan. The rest of the players on the date include Lonnie Liston Smith on piano, Richard Davis and Cecil McBee on basses, and Idris Muhammad and Roy Haynes on drums – and unusually enough, each of the double bassists and drummers gets their own channel of sound to work with! The other long track on the album is the extended "Sun In Aquarius" – which is a bit more outside, but still pretty great! CD

An unusual package – one that features the full album The Way Ahead, plus tracks from other late 60s Archie Shepp sessions too! The Way Ahead has tenor giant Archie Shepp in prime form – working with a sextet that's awash in avant freedoms, but which always shows a great sense of restraint – just the right power gained from the new modes of jazz expression, as the players dance together beautifully on a razor's edge of personal creativity and ensemble exploration. Players here include Grachan Moncur on trombone, Jimmy Owens on trumpet, Ron Carter on bass, and Beaver Harris and Roy Haynes on drums – and the album also features the first piano player on most of the Shepp albums on Impulse – Walter Davis Jr, making a rare outside appearance with the group! Titles include the classic track "Frankenstein", plus "Fiesta", "Damn If I Know (The Stroller)", and "Sophisticated Lady" – all nice and long! Next are two tracks from the Kwanza album – with a lineup that includes Charles Davis on baritone, Grachan Moncur on trombone, Jimmy Owens on trumpet, and Dave Burrell on piano – on the titles "New Africa" and "Bakai". Last on the CD is the side-long gem "Magic Of Juju" – a set that has an unusual group with Martin Banks on trumpet, Michael Zwerin on trombone, Reggie Workman on bass, and both Norman Connors and Beaver Harris on drums – plus Ed Blackwell on rhythm logs, Franck Charles on talking drums, and Dennis Charles on added percussion! CD

A great and unusual album from pianist Horace Tapscott – a bit straighter than some of his 70s classics for Nimbus Records, but a real delight throughout! Tapscott's normally associated with the LA underground of the post-cool jazz years, but this unique set has him working in New York with a trio that includes Art Davis on bass and Roy Haynes on drums – both accompanying Horace in a set of four long tracks that spin out with a beautifully fluid sense of grace and soul! Some of the bright spots of the solo Tapscott sessions are tied to more progressively rhythmic moments here from the team of Davis and Haynes – letting Horace really soar on the keys, but still explore with the bolder touch of his solo sets. Titles include "If You Could See Me Now", "Lino's Pad", "Akirfa", and "Sketches Of Drunken Mary". CD

A great and unusual album from pianist Horace Tapscott – a bit straighter than some of his 70s classics for Nimbus Records, but a real delight throughout! Tapscott's normally associated with the LA underground of the post-cool jazz years, but this unique set has him working in New York with a trio that includes Art Davis on bass and Roy Haynes on drums – both accompanying Horace in a set of four long tracks that spin out with a beautifully fluid sense of grace and soul! Some of the bright spots of the solo Tapscott sessions are tied to more progressively rhythmic moments here from the team of Davis and Haynes – letting Horace really soar on the keys, but still explore with the bolder touch of his solo sets. Titles include "If You Could See Me Now", "Lino's Pad", "Akirfa", and "Sketches Of Drunken Mary". CD

Rare material from the great Lennie Tristano – a host of tracks that sit perfectly with his two landmark albums for Atlantic Records – and which maybe even push the envelope a bit more as well! The material is all from the 50s and early 60s – and is pulled together here in an excellent album that originally appeared on the Japanese market, then got wider circulation – really helping fill in the picture of Tristano's talents, which were often sadly under-represented on record. Highlights include a beautiful solo piece based on an Edgar Allen Poe story – "Descent Into The Maelstrom" – plus the lovely "Dram Paris 1965" and "Image Paris 1965" – plus three more tracks from a 1961 rehearsal, and trio titles with either Sonny Dallas or Peter Ind on bass, and Roy Haynes or Nick Stabulas on drums. CD

Some of the most important work ever recorded by Randy Weston – 5 early albums that really pushed the boundaries of modern jazz! First up on the set is Little Niles – a fantastic set that features some of Weston's best early compositions – angular and Monk-ish numbers, but with a profound influence from African rhythms. Next up is Live At The Five Spot – a really compelling live set that features Randy working out Little Niles-ish numbers with a live group that includes Kenny Dorham and Coleman Hawkins. After that is Piano A La Mode – a sublimely simple album of mellow piano tracks – followed by a series of previously unissued tracks done with a quartet that includes Roy Haynes, Cecil Payne, and Ron Carter. Following that are some of Randy's most Afro-centric albums – very unique for the time, and equally powerful today – the records Uhuru Afrika and Highlife – both of which feature larger groups working through some distinctly African ideas in jazz. Nearly every record features arrangements by Melba Liston – and if you've ever wondered where to start with Randy, this is it – because the set encapsulates nearly all of the biggest contributions he ever made to jazz! 40 titles in all – with tunes that include "Little Niles", "Nice Ice", "Earth Birth", "Gingerbread", "Saucer Eyes", "204", "CB Blues", "Where", "Fe Double U Blues", "African Lady", "Bantu", "Kucheza Blues", "Blues To Africa", and "Congolese Children". CD

The famous 50s team of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding are reunited strongly here – after working alone for several years on their own projects! The groove here is a bit more open and less arranged than some of the pair's earlier projects – mostly just two trombones in the lead, soloing separately, with backing from a rhythm trio – split into two for each half of the album, with Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Roy Haynes handling side one; and Evans, Tommy Williams, and Art Taylor on side two. Tunes are short, but include deft demonstrations of the solo talents of each player – and titles include "Judy", "Alone Together", "Going, Going, Going", "Trixie", "This Could Be The Part Of Something", "Georgia On My Mind", "I Concentrate On You", and "Just For A Thrill". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the best early work by Prez – all recorded in small combo sessions for Aladdin Records during the years 1945 through 1948. The album's one of the few chances you can get to hear Prez blowing clear and free from the time, in that amazing tone which inspired generations of players, which works perfectly in groupings with players that include Dodo Marmarosa, Willie Smith, Curtis Counce, Chico Hamilton, Irving Ashby, and Roy Haynes. Titles include "No Eyes Blues", "DB Blues", "Jumpin At Mesners", "Lester's Be Bop", "Lester Leaps In", "East Of The Sun", "Just Cooling", and "Lester Smooths It Out". LP, Vinyl record album

A great little 15 track CD that compiles some of Lester Young's small combo work for Savoy – featuring backing by players that include Count Basie, Freddie Green, Shadow Wilson, Cozy Cole, Roy Haynes, and Junior Mance. Titles include "June Bug", "Blue Lester", "Blues N Bells", "Basie English", "Jump Lester Jump", and "Ding Dong" – and the album comes with a great cover image! CD

A great little 12 track LP that compiles some of Lester Young's small combo work for Savoy – featuring backing by players that include Count Basie, Freddie Green, Shadow Wilson, Cozy Cole, Roy Haynes, and Junior Mance. Titles include "June Bug", "Blue Lester", "Blues N Bells", "Basie English", "Jump Lester Jump", and "Ding Dong" – and the album comes with a great cover image! LP, Vinyl record album

Way more than just a simple collection of famous cool jazz numbers – and instead, an ultra-hip set that shows the evolution of the original sound over the space of decades and the stretch of two continents! The collection nicely avoids the obvious overplayed west coast examples of the sound, and goes for some less obvious gems that show the way that players in the late 50s and 1960s took the initial cool jazz inspiration and expanded it tremendously in a range of different modes! As with other titles in the excellent Jazz Club series, the tracks here are pulled from Universal-owned labels like Verve, Impulse, and MPS – recorded on both sides of the Atlantic in the 50s and 60s, and brought together here in one well-done, low-priced package. Titles include "Nuages" by Barney Wilen, "The Cool One" by Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet, "Harper" by Ed Thigpen, "Crackle Hut" by Max Roach, "Coolie" by Dizzy Gillespie, "Cleo's Asp" by Paul Gonsalves, "Serenade In Blue" by Stan Getz, "Snap Crackle" by Roy Haynes, "Foolin Myself" by Lee Konitz, "The Gentle Art Of Love" by Hans Koller, and "Wintersong" by Gerry Mulligan & Paul Desmond. CD

With selections by Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Charles Kynard & Buddy Collette, Roy Haynes, Gerald Wilson, Les McCann, Gil Evans, Laurindo Almeida & Bud Shank, and others. LP, Vinyl record album

A reverent snapshot of the spiritual & soul jazz emanating from the Mainstream label in the early 70s – a well curated set featuring great numbers by Frank Foster, Blue Mitchell, Hadley Caliman, Roy Haynes and other giants of the scene! The material comes from a time in Mainstream label history when it was essentially relaunched as a jazz label, following some the psyche era rock albums of the previous few years. Soulful jazz sounds from a spiritual realm as well as some in a jazz funk mode, and excellent material all the way! 12 great tracks in all: The sprawling opener "The Loud Minority" by Frank Foster, "Mi Hermano" by Blue Mitchell, "Up And Down" by Harold Land, "Watercress" by Hadley Caliman, "Kamili" by Buddy Terry, "Senyah" by Roy Haynes, "EW Beautiful People" by Frank Foster, "Little One" by Hadley Caliman and "Petits Machins" by Johnny Coles/ CD

Pretty hip stuff – recorded in Paris, but featuring some leading lights of American bohemia! The first half of the CD features work by a quartet led by bassist Buddy Banks, and featuring work by American players Bob Dorough on piano and Roy Haynes on drums, as well as the French musician Jimmy Gourley on guitar. Gourley's tone is excellent on the session, and he really dominates the proceedings over piano work by Dorough – especially on the tracks "I Love You", "Line For Lyons", "Night In Tunisia", and "Buddy Bank's Blues". The second half of the CD features a quartet with Bobby Jaspar on flute and the enigmatic Blossom Dearie on piano. Blossom doesn't sing on the set, but she works in a lovely way with Jaspar – providing some light lyrical backing that gives the tracks a nice little kick. Titles include "Old Devil Moon", "Flamingo", and "There Will Never Be Another You". CD

A great set of unreleased recordings that was issued after John Coltrane's death, but which stands as an essential chapter in his groundbreaking body of work for Impulse! The album features 2 tracks recorded at the Newport Jazz fest in 1963 – both with Roy Haynes on drums, plus the usual McCoy Tyner/Jimmy Garrison lineup. One of these cuts is a very long reading of "My Favorite Things" – with a sweet loping modal groove, but soloing that is quite a bit more "out" than the famous studio version. The 3rd track on the album – "Selflessness" – was recorded in LA in 1965, and it features Raphael Don Garrett on bass clarinet, adding some nice Dolphy-esque touches. CD

Groundbreaking early work from pianist Chick Corea – a set of unissued material that's very different than much of what he'd record during his later, more successful years! The set's especially noteworthy in that it features the amazing pairing of Chick and AACM reed genius Anthony Braxton – working together here during the short space of time when they were together in the group Circle, and really making some sublime sounds together! Some of the tracks feature a trio – Chick on piano, Braxton on clarinets and alto, and Dave Holland on guitar, cello, and bass – and some feature the full Circle lineup, with the addition of Barry Altschul on drums and percussion. The package also features some other unique early sides – a trio track with Altschul and Holland, and a few more trio tracks with Miroslav Vitous on bass and Roy Haynes on drums – equally groundbreaking, but in a different sort of way. Titles include "Duet for Bass & Piano", "Bossa", "Gemini", "Starp", "Chimes", "Danse For Clarinet & Piano", and "Samba Yanta". CD

Highlights from a three week stand at the Blue Note in New York City – including collaborations with Bobby McFerrin, Gary Burton, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Roy Haynes and Miroslav Vitous, Michael Brecker, and Corea's own Akoustic Band. CD

One of Larry Coryell's greatest albums ever! Barefoot Boy is a much more expansive session than some of Coryell's others, fueled in part by the spiritual intensity of the Impulse Records generation. It's got a momentum that's pretty darn exciting throughout – but the compositions are nice and long, which gives the players plenty of space to explore. Personnel includes Steve Marcus on tenor and soprano sax, Mike Mandel on piano, Roy Haynes on drums, and Larry Killian on congas – working with Coryell on long trippy tracks that remind us a bit of 60s work by Chico Hamilton, Charles Lloyd, and Gabor Szabo. Titles include "Call To The Higher Consciousness", "The Great Escape", and "Gypsy Queen". CD

A pair of classic early 60s modern jazz sets – back to back in this great 70s package! First up is the album Far Cry from Eric Dolphy – Eric Dolphy's first meeting in the studio with trumpeter Booker Little – a brilliant batch of modernism that's easily one of the hippest records Little ever worked on! The Dolphy heard here is Eric at his most inventive – sharp-edged and angular one minute, then spiritually lyrical the next – playing flute, bass clarinet, and alto sax equally well on the record – and somehow managing to get Little to share his inspiration perfectly on every number. Other players include Jaki Byard on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – a rhythm team whose abilities are a big part of the success of the record – and titles include "Far Cry", "Mrs Parker Of KC", "Left Alone", "Ode To Charlie Parker", and "Miss Ann". Next is Where – a haunting and unusual batch of tracks from bassist Ron Carter – working here with a group that includes spiritual modernists Eric Dolphy on reeds and Mal Waldron on piano – both players who really add a lot to the set! In a way, the album's more like Dolphy's own work as a leader from the time than the sort of music usually associated with Carter – and Ron really seems to let the reedman shape the overall sound of the set with his tremendous work on alto, flute, and bass clarinet. Carter plays a bit of cello in addition to his bass – giving the record a nicely eerie sound at points – and Waldron's piano, as always, is excellent during this point in his career. Titles include Randy Weston's "Where" and "Saucer Eyes", plus "Bass Duet", which features Carter dueting with George Duvivier, and a very nice version of "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise". LP, Vinyl record album

Early genius from the great saxophonist John Handy – working here at a time when he was fresh from some key experience with Charles Mingus, and ready to try out some of his own great ideas as a leader on his own! The album's a stunner right from the start – a record of subtle power and very deep soul – one that's also different than some of the directions Handy would take in years to come – both in some of his more freewheeling hippy modes, or his slicker jazz funk of the 70s. Instead, this set's a mix of modern ideas and sharper swing – a bit like Jackie McLean during some of his pivotal early 60s years, but with raspier soul too – delivered by a perfect group that also features great work on trumpet from Richard Williams, plus piano from Roland Hanna, bass from George Tucker, and drums from the great Roy Haynes. Titles include "Blues In The Vernacular", "Suggested Line", "First Time", "I'll Close My Eyes Again", "Quote Unquote", and "Dance To The Lady". LP, Vinyl record album

Insanely wonderful music from Andrew Hill – a lean, stripped-down session that has Hill working at his firey best – in a space that's somewhere between the "new thing" recordings of Jackie McLean, and the brooding brilliance of Andrew's later Smokestack session! The group here has some key figures fleshing out the sound – a young Joe Henderson, blowing tenor with a very edgey quality – the very versatile Richard Davis on bass – and the great Roy Haynes on drums, very much at his most fluid interpretation of rhythm! The whole set's pretty darn great – one of the more mindblowing Blue Notes you'll ever hope to buy – and tracks include "Pumpkin", "Subterfuge", "Cantarnos", and "McNeil Island". CD

Insanely wonderful music from Andrew Hill – a lean, stripped-down session that has Hill working at his firey best – in a space that's somewhere between the "new thing" recordings of Jackie McLean, and the brooding brilliance of Andrew's later Smokestack session! The group here has some key figures fleshing out the sound – a young Joe Henderson, blowing tenor with a very edgey quality – the very versatile Richard Davis on bass – and the great Roy Haynes on drums, very much at his most fluid interpretation of rhythm! The whole set's pretty darn great – one of the more mindblowing Blue Notes you'll ever hope to buy – and tracks include "Pumpkin", "Subterfuge", "Cantarnos", and "McNeil Island". CD features 2 bonus tracks too – alternate takes of 2 tracks on the album. CD

A definite sweet return from Freddie Hubbard – a record with a cover and title that might appear to be smooth jazz, but one with a sound that's solidly acoustic and soulful all the way through! The album's a great example of Hubbard's amazing work in the early 80s – a time when he was shaking off the larger and electric trappings of the 70s, to return to smaller combo work – but often with a really fluid and warm feel that showed the best lessons learned from the previous decade! Freddie's tone and timing here are impeccable – and the long tracks are especially great, with continually-inventive solo work that holds us rapt with attention. Other players include Lew Tabackin on tenor and flute, Joanne Brackeen on piano, Eddie Gomez on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – and titles include "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes", "Heidi B", "Sweet Return", "Whistling Away The Dark", and "Calypso Fred". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer from trumpeter Booker Little – one of the last few records that Book cut before his early death, and one of his only ones as a leader! The album features an excellent soulbop quintet with Wynton Kelly and Tommy Flanagan on piano, Scott LaFaro on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – working with that dark, sharp edge that always seemed to characterize Little's sessions – kind of an added fire he always brought to the studio when working as a leader. Little's trumpet has some of those great modern tones he blew with Max Roach – and the album's got some great little tracks like "Bee Tees Minor Plea", "Opening Statement", "Minor Sweet", and "The Grand Valse". Excellent stuff all around – and a record that would have been bigger, had it been issued on a larger label! CD

Later work from 50s modernist Warne Marsh – but pretty darn great stuff, and proof that Marsh remained creative and inventive as the years went on! The core of the CD features a 1980 live date recorded in Berlin with pianist Sal Mosca – like Marsh, another disciple of the Tristano school, and a great accompanist for the set! The rest of the group includes Eddie Gomez on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums – but although both players are strongly voiced, the real focus here is on Warne's beautifully-spun solos on the longer tracks, and on Sal's angular approach to the keys. Tracks are nearly all Tristano, Marsh, or Mosca numbers – and titles include "Leave Me", "The Family Song", "Like The Angels", "And Then There's Music", and "Background Music". CD also features 2 more tracks from a 1977 live date in Bronxville – with Mosca, plus Sam Jones and Roy Haynes – on readings of "She's Funny That Way" and "Background Music". And quite possibly best of all, the set's completed by 2 more tracks that are only spare duos between Sal and Warne – recorded at Mosca's apartment in 1979, and featuring versions of "Noteworthy" and "The Hard Way". CD

A rare glimpse of the Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane – recorded in Monk's home turf of The Five Spot by Coltrane's wife at the time! The recording was done on a portable tape recorder, but the overall quality is surprisingly strong – not in stereo, but with more than enough depth to capture the interplay between Monk and Coltrane in the more relaxed, open setting of the club. 3 of the tracks on the set are quite long – "Trinkle Trinkle", "In Walked Bud", and "I Mean You" – and they're complemented by 2 shorter tunes – "Epistrophy" and "Crepuscule With Nellie". Group features Roy Haynes on drums and Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass. CD

A very cool package – one that brings together a classic album, plus another disc of even more rare material! LP 1 features Blues & The Abstract Truth – one of the all-time classics of early 60s mainstream jazz – and a beautiful record that showcases writing and arranging talents of Oliver Nelson! Nelson had been bumping around a variety of sessions before this one – as a leader, sideman, and arranger – but it was with this album that his true talents really unfolded – sparkling with a depth of imagination and expression that marked him as one of the greatest artists in 60s American jazz! The group on the set is an all-star sextet – featuring Paul Chambers, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Roy Haynes, and Freddie Hubbard – a disparate group of players who manage to come together with Nelson and find a unique voice that's rarely been duplicated again! The album features 6 fantastic compositions by Nelson, including "Stolen Moments", "Hoe Down", and "Yearnin". LP 2 features material from the Sound Pieces sessions – just the small group sides, with two previously unreleased tracks appearing here. The group features Oliver Nelson on soprano sax – plus Steve Kuhn on piano, Ron Carter bass, and Grady Tate on drums. Kuhn's piano brings a nice modern edge that works perfectly with the soprano – and titles include "Patterns", "Shadow Of Your Smile", and "Elegy For A Duck" – plus the unissued "Straight No Chaser" and "Example 78". LP, Vinyl record album

Classic spiritual soul jazz from Pharoah – recorded with an all star lineup that includes Lonnie Liston Smith, Cecil McBee, Roy Haynes, and Michael White. The album's got a strong influence from the members on the set – particularly Lonnie Liston Smith, who seems to bring in a very nicely soulful approach to a few of the numbers, and Michael White, whose spiritual consciousness is still a bit rough-hewn and personal at this point. The record oddly shifts mood from track to track – going from the mellow soul of "Astral Traveling", into the loud free jazz of "Red Black & Green", to the modal grooving of "Thembi", and into the spiritual joy of "Love" and "Bailophone Dance" – all of which makes for a really wonderful album, one of Pharoah's strongest statements of the time! CD

Classic spiritual soul jazz from Pharoah – recorded with an all star lineup that includes Lonnie Liston Smith, Cecil McBee, Roy Haynes, and Michael White. The album's got a strong influence from the members on the set – particularly Lonnie Liston Smith, who seems to bring in a very nicely soulful approach to a few of the numbers, and Michael White, whose spiritual consciousness is still a bit rough-hewn and personal at this point. The record oddly shifts mood from track to track – going from the mellow soul of "Astral Traveling", into the loud free jazz of "Red Black & Green", to the modal grooving of "Thembi", and into the spiritual joy of "Love" and "Bailophone Dance" – all of which makes for a really wonderful album, one of Pharoah's strongest statements of the time! LP, Vinyl record album

Shirley Scott on organ with Kenny Burrell, Arnett Cobb, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, George Duvivier, Arthur Edgehil, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Haynes, Oliver Nelson, Joe Newman, Jerome Richardson, Buddy Tate, Stanley Turrentine, Lem Winchester, and others. CD

One of Sonny Stitt's great laidback dates from his later years – with Stitt on both alto and tenor, alongside Jimmy Heath on tenor, soprano, and flute – plus Barry Harris on piano, Richard Davis on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums! LP, Vinyl record album