A beautiful tribute to one of the first great pairings of Hammond and tenor – the saxophone of Eddie Lockjaw Davis and the organ of Shirley Scott – presented here in four classic albums that would forever change the face of jazz! The "cookbook" in the title is a reference to the name of the first three records in the set – The Eddie Lockjaw Davis Cookbook records, volumes 1 to 3 – and the set is completed with the great album Smokin, which also pairs Scott and Davis together! The records were key dates for both players – for Davis, a way to firmly move into the world of jazz after roots in more R&B-styled recordings – on long tracks that really showed the world what a tremendous soloist he could be when he had the chance to stretch out. And for Scott, a way to showcase her budding talents on the Hammond – in ways that have a lot more bite than her later trio sides, and which also mark her as a different organ jazz stylist from contemporary Jimmy Smith. All four records here are presented with a new set of notes, and in a really wonderful package overall – finally together after all these years! CD

A beautiful tribute to one of the first great pairings of Hammond and tenor – the saxophone of Eddie Lockjaw Davis and the organ of Shirley Scott – presented here in four classic albums that would forever change the face of jazz! The "cookbook" in the title is a reference to the name of the first three records in the set – The Eddie Lockjaw Davis Cookbook records, volumes 1 to 3 – and the set is completed with the great album Smokin, which also pairs Scott and Davis together! The records were key dates for both players – for Davis, a way to firmly move into the world of jazz after roots in more R&B-styled recordings – on long tracks that really showed the world what a tremendous soloist he could be when he had the chance to stretch out. And for Scott, a way to showcase her budding talents on the Hammond – in ways that have a lot more bite than her later trio sides, and which also mark her as a different organ jazz stylist from contemporary Jimmy Smith. All four records here are presented with a new set of notes, and in a really wonderful package overall – finally together after all these years! LP, Vinyl record album

A searing live performance from Hammond legend Shirley Scott – much more on fire and longspun than her work in the 60s on Prestige Records – and an amazing showcase for the bold tenor talents of the great George Coleman! Coleman's always one of those players who seems to hit an extra something special when blowing live – and that's definitely the case here, as the richness of his tone and dexterity of his imagination – qualities that also really seem to inspire Scott on the organ as well! Unlike earlier dates, Shirley's handling all the basswork herself on the pedals of the Hammond – which only seems to open up and solidify her sense of rhythm – and the trio features excellent work on drums from Bobby Durham, whose loose touch is perfect. Titles include "Blues By Five", "Never Can Say Goodbye", "Like Someone In Love", "Impressions", "Witchcraft", and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" – and Ernie Andrews guests on vocals on a few tracks too, including "Girl Talk" and "Don't Mess Around With Jim". LP, Vinyl record album

A trio date with Shirley Scott on piano, Arthur Harper on bass, and Mickey Roker on drums. Tracks include "Oasis", "Embraceable You", "Triste", and "The Theme". CD

One of the best Shirley Scott albums ever – a wonderfully groovy little set that seems to stand head and shoulders above some of her other trio dates of the 60s! Shirley really hits a nice clean groove here – a sense of tone we don't always hear this beautifully on earlier Prestige dates, with almost an influence from some of the 60s bossa organists, which seems to show up in the grooves as well. But there's also a deeper swing too – one that seems to come from the album's tight rhythms from Ron Carter's bass and Jimmy Cobb's drums – both of whom snap the groove very tight, and keep Shirley's solos very lean, very clean. Titles include "What The World Needs Now", "Corcovado", "Instant Blues", and "On A Clear Day". LP, Vinyl record album

A searing live performance from Hammond legend Shirley Scott – much more on fire and longspun than her work in the 60s on Prestige Records – and an amazing showcase for the bold tenor talents of the great George Coleman! Coleman's always one of those players who seems to hit an extra something special when blowing live – and that's definitely the case here, as the richness of his tone and dexterity of his imagination – qualities that also really seem to inspire Scott on the organ as well! Unlike earlier dates, Shirley's handling all the basswork herself on the pedals of the Hammond – which only seems to open up and solidify her sense of rhythm – and the trio features excellent work on drums from Bobby Durham, whose loose touch is perfect. Titles include "Blues By Five", "Never Can Say Goodbye", "Like Someone In Love", "Impressions", "Witchcraft", and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" – and Ernie Andrews guests on vocals on a few tracks too, including "Girl Talk" and "Don't Mess Around With Jim". CD

Kenny Burrell joins the trio of organist Shirley Scott for this sweet little album – a set that seems to burn a bit more than usual for Shirley, probably because of the cool-toned guitar lines from Kenny! The album's got the same laid back feel as other Scott albums of the time, but Burrell really digs in during his solos – adding a bit more bite, and inspiring Shirley to do the same on her own Hammond lines. Bass is by Eddie Khan and drums are by Otis Finch – and titles include "Solar", "The Kerry Dance", "They Call It Stormy Monday", "Nice N Easy", and "Baby It's Cold Outside". LP, Vinyl record album

Sweet 60s grooves from Shirley Scott – really working the Hammond organ here with a wonderful sound – that warm, lean, soulful groove she hit perfectly at Impulse Records! There's a clarity here you don't get on some of Shirley's other records – a really stripped-down sound on the keys, which makes for playful lines that really sparkle – the kind of class and care that really set Scott apart from other 60s organists! Rhythm is nice and tight – bass from George Duvivier, and the great Mickey Roker playing some nice snapping, dancing drums – and tracks are short and compact, but still with some nice solo moments. Titles include "Come Back To Me", "On The Trail", "Love Nest", "Girl Talk", and "Keep The Faith Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

A great album from Shirley Scott – with some excellent arrangements by Gary McFarland! We've always felt that Shirley plays best when she's not leading the group – when someone else is handling the arrangements, so that she can groove mightily on her own – and this album is a perfect illustration of that fact! The album has a sparkling bossa and 60s groove finish – similar to McFarland's albums for Verve at the time – and Shirley's light touch on the Hammond really makes the whole thing dance nicely! Tracks include a sweet version of "Soul Sauce", plus covers like "Can't Get Over the Bossa Nova", "Downtown", and "Dreamsville". Also includes "Latin Shadows", a great original by McFarland! CD

One of the coolest albums ever recorded by female organist Shirley Scott – a very hip set that's got a very different flavor than her earlier work for Prestige and Impulse Records! As you might guess for a date issued on the Strata East label, the approach here is very soulful, and very far-reaching – much longer, looser tracks than Shirley Scott ever served up before – done with superb accompaniment from Harold Vick on tenor – a player who's also at his hippest here, and really showing off all the many changes in his style that he'd picked up since the 60s! All tracks are originals, and the group features Billy Higgins on drums and Jimmy Hopps on some additional cowbell – leaving Shirley to handle the bass parts with her Hammond, in a way that is groovier and more rhythmic than some of her work in the past. A gem through and through – with titles that include "What Makes Harold Sing", "Do You Know A Good Thing When You See One", "Big George", "Keep On Movin On", and "Don't Look Back". LP, Vinyl record album

A great take on the music of Duke Ellington – one that takes it from the more sophisticated setting on the stage, and down into the small club scene of the Hammond generation – thanks to superb work from Shirley Scott on the keys! As with many of Shirley's records from the time, there's a bassist in the mix to handle the groove – an approach that's more like a piano trio combo – with George Tucker on bass and Mack Simpkins on drums. Titles include "Satin Doll", "C Jam Blues", "Perdido", "Mood Indigo", and "It Don't Mean A Thing". LP, Vinyl record album

A great funky album from Shirley Scott – a set that's nicely different than the more conventional work she did for Prestige earlier in the 60s! There's a great lineup here – and the record features Eric Gale playing some nice guitar, plus Stanley Turrentine blowing tenor on a number of cuts, and Shirley on organ, and even singing on one track! The tracks are a bit longer than usual, too – and titles include a cover of "Think", plus "Soul Song", "Mr. Businessman", "When A Man Loves A Woman", and "Like A Lover". LP, Vinyl record album

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An excellent album that mixes Latin grooves with heavy Hammond organ – one of the most unique albums ever recorded by the great Shirley Scott! The session features Shirley's organ backed up by the Latin Jazz Quintet of Juan Amalbert– a very hip combo that blends together piano, vibes, and percussion – all with a highly rhythmic approach that really drives the album! The blend of organ and Latin modes was quite unique for the time – and still sounds pretty darn great today – and titles include "Mucho Mucho", "Muy Azul", "Tell Me", "The Lady Is A Tramp", and a nice long Latin version of "Walkin". CD

A great album from Shirley Scott – with some excellent arrangements by Gary McFarland! We've always felt that Shirley plays best when she's not leading the group – when someone else is handling the arrangements, so that she can groove mightily on her own – and this album is a perfect illustration of that fact! The album has a sparkling bossa and 60s groove finish – similar to McFarland's albums for Verve at the time – and Shirley's light touch on the Hammond really makes the whole thing dance nicely! Tracks include a sweet version of "Soul Sauce", plus covers like "Can't Get Over the Bossa Nova", "Downtown", and "Dreamsville". Also includes "Latin Shadows", a great original by McFarland! LP, Vinyl record album

Great early work as a leader from organist Shirley Scott – a tight trio album that's filled with plenty of heavy Hammond, all set out in that early Scott mode with plenty of flutters and vibration! The group features frequent Scott associates Wendell Marshall on bass and Arthur Edgehill on drums – both laying out simple, effective rhythms that feature Shirley's organ as the main solo vehicle. The record's got some really great original compositions – including "Plunk Plunk Plunk", "Duck & Rock", "Boss", and "Soul Searchin" – plus versions of "Yes Indeed", "Moanin", and "You Won't Let Me Go". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer record by Shirley Scott and Stanley Turrentine – and quite possibly the best they ever did together! The lady organist and husband tenorist play hard, firm, and strong – and the backing by Earl May and Grasella Oliphant is right in the pocket, and bubbles with a nice strong soul jazz groove. The record features their famous version of "In The Still Of The Night", taken at triple-time, with some excellent solo work by both players. Other tracks include 'Gravy Waltz", "Deep Down Soul", and "Soul Shoutin". LP, Vinyl record album

A 2LP set that combines 2 of Eddie Lockjaw Davis' early Cookbook sessions – cut for Prestige in a key transitional moment, when Lock was trying to break past the R&B roots of earlier years, and emerge as a more sophisticated jazz soloist, capable of carrying an idea way past the short format of singles and jukebox sides. The sessions provide a perfect format for such an effort – as the tracks are long and open-ended, and match Eddie with a great quintet that includes Shirley Scott on organ and Jerome Richardon on flute. Includes the classic "The Rev", plus "Stardust", "The Chef", "In The Kitchen", "Three Deuces", "Skillet", and "The Broilers". LP, Vinyl record album

Volume 2 of Lockjaw's classic early Cookbook sessions – cut for Prestige in a key transitional moment, when Lock was trying to break past the R&B roots of earlier years, and emerge as a more sophisticated jazz soloist, capable of carrying an idea way past the short format of singles and jukebox sides. The sessions provide a perfect format for such an effort – as the tracks are long and open-ended, and match Eddie with a great quintet that includes Shirley Scott on organ and Jerome Richardon on flute. Includes the classic "The Rev", plus "Stardust", "Skillet", and "The Broilers". Includes the bonus track "Willow Weep For Me". CD

The kind of record that really broke Eddie Lockjaw Davis out of the R&B world and into the soul jazz camp at the end of the 50s – a seminal early mix of tenor and organ, with the young Shirley Scott handling the Hammond! The group's also got George Duvivier on bass and Arthur Edgehill on drums – and both Davis and Scott really make magic out of familiar tunes – at a level that would set the standard for a generation to come! Davis plays them with a nice deep soulful sound, reaching deeply into his tenor, wrenching out hard-edged notes that drip with a deep rich emotion – and titles include "I'll Never Be The Same", "Old Devil Moon", "Too Close For Comfort", "Tangerine", and "But Not For Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Volume 2 of Lockjaw's classic early Cookbook sessions – cut for Prestige in a key transitional moment, when Lock was trying to break past the R&B roots of earlier years, and emerge as a more sophisticated jazz soloist, capable of carrying an idea way past the short format of singles and jukebox sides. The sessions provide a perfect format for such an effort – as the tracks are long and open-ended, and match Eddie with a great quintet that includes Shirley Scott on organ and Jerome Richardon on flute. Includes the classic "The Rev", plus "Stardust", "Skillet", and "The Broilers". LP, Vinyl record album

An unusual later set from the great Dexter Gordon – and a record that features the surprising addition of Hammond organ! Shirley Scott's on the record with Dex, and plays organ on half the cuts (Kirk Lightsey handles piano on the others) – bringing a soulful depth to the record which then seems to inspire Gordon to move into the sort of territory we might have expected from Stanley Turrentine back in the 60s! Grover Washington's on the record, blowing soprano sax on a few cuts with Scott – and reminding us of his deeper soul jazz roots – and other players include David Eubanks on bass and Eddie Gladden on drums. Titles include "Besame Mucho", "Skylark", "Sticky Wicket", and "For Soul Sister" – plus an interview with Dex! LP, Vinyl record album

A really great later Blue Note session from Stanley Turrentine – a small combo set that's almost a return to the format of earlier years! The group's a strong one – and features Shirley Scott on organ, Jimmy Ponder on guitar, and Idris Muhammad on drums – playing in a style that's subtler and more laidback than his work with Lou Donaldson, but which still has a nice funk undercurrent. Stan's horn is in wonderful form on the record – really taking advantage of the longer tracks to open up with a mellow and exploratory tone – and the team of Scott and Ponder especially sounds great next to each other on the album. Tracks include "Boogaloo", "Buster Brown", and "Common Touch". CD also features a bonus 11 minute version of Carolyn Franklin's fiesty cut "Ain't No Way"! CD

A rare non-Blue Note 60s date as a leader from Stanley Turrentine – recorded for Impluse when his (then) wife Shirley Scott was contracted to the label – and featuring the talents of both players on some very groovy tracks! The quartet features both Stan's tenor and Shirley's Hammond – with bass by Ron Carter and drums from Mack Simpkins – all in an easy-going groove that recalls some of the best Turrentine/Scott pairings on Prestige! There's a quality here that's relaxed, but never lazy – professional, but never slick – and the album's great proof that although both players could be great on their own, they often sounded even better together at this point in their careers. The album features a cool version of "On a Clear Day", which Shirley always manages to kick into a nice groove – plus the tracks "Good Lookin Out", "Let It Go", "Sure As You're Born", "T'Aint What You Do", and "Ciao Ciao". CD

Music by Burt Bacharach, Bert Kaempfert, Caterina Valenta, Astrud Gilberto, Count Basie, France Gall, Shirley Scott, Mantovani, and Stan Getz. CD

Plenty of Hammond Heroes here – served up in assortment of 13 organ-based jazz tunes recorded for Prestige Records from the late 50s to the late 60s! There's a great range of work here – from the first hard-burning organ work that simmered into jazz music from R&B, to the leaner, cleaner style of the 60s onward – when the instrument really started to hit some groovy notes! Some of the tracks here were recorded with saxophonists as the leader, but all feature Hammond players in strong focus – and titles include "Take Five" by Trudy Pitts, "One Track Mind" by Freddie Roach, "Misty" by Richard Groove Holmes, "Donald Duck" by Don Patterson, "Pool Shark" by Willis Jackson, "Twistin The Jug" by Gene Ammons, "Please Mr Jackson" by Willis Jackson, "Sticks & Stones" by Johnny Hammond Smith, "Takin Care Of Business" by Shirley Scott, "Crib Theme" by Red Holloway, and "Rock Candy" by Jack Mc Duff. CD

A new year's always a new way to fall in love with contemporary soul music – thanks to the annual gems we always get in this great series from Expansion Records! For decades, the UK label has been one of the best outlets for new music from the neo soul underground – and in recent years, as so many releases are digital-only, their efforts with this collection series is even more important – as provides a massive overview of great contemporary soul cuts that may never make it to any sort of physical format at all! There's other cuts from album released mixed in with singles and more obscure cuts – and as always, the set list is superb – a batch of 35 tracks that include "Dot Dot Dot" by Marquel Jordan, "Something Like This (breakdown rmx)" by Tristan, "Don't Throw Our Love Away" by Ashley Scott, "Love Can Make You Feel So Happy" by Ipso Facto, "Slow Motion" by Kenya with Noel Gourdin, "This Is Worth It" by Blue Soul Ten, "While I'm Alone" by Alton McClain Scarborough, "Such A Good Feelin (Don-E chuffed mix)" by Rich Beggar, "Alone Again" by Ernie & The Family McKone, "Light Up My World" by Victor Haynes, "Soul Steppin (Soul Syndicate rmx)" by Shirley Jones, "Move Me No Mountain" by Lisa Dietrich, "I Believe" by Khari Cabral & Jiva, "Moods" by The R&R Soul Orchestra, "Here We Got Again" by Output/Input, "Now's The Time For Us" by Julian Joseph, and "If It Feels Good" by We Are One X-Perience. CD

With selections by Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Gene Ammons, Coleman Hawkins, Red Garland, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Billy Taylor, Shirley Scott, Lem Winchester, and James Moody. LP, Vinyl record album

A very groovy idea! This sparkling set takes older vocal jazz tunes from the Verve catalog, and uses the songs as the basis for new tracks by some of the better producers in the global groove underground. The mix of styles and eras is quite compelling – as torchy vocals drift over the top of cutting edge beats – creating a sound that's bound to get you digging through the crates for some of these singers, and reevaluating work from the past like never before! Titles include "Who Needs Forever" by Astrud Gilberto remixed by Thievery Corporation, "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday remixed by Tricky, "Hare Krishna" by Tony Scott remixed by King Britt, "See Line Woman" by Nina Simone remixed by Masters At Work, "Return To Paradise" by Shirley Horn remixed by Mark De Clive-Lowe, "Feelin Good" by Nina Simone remixed by Joe Claussell, "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?" by Dinah Washington remixed by Rae & Christian, and "How Long Has This Been Going On" by Carmen McCrae remixed by MJ Cole. And don't miss the super-low priced Verve Unmixed CD! CD

A great set of older tracks – at a really nice price! The package features 12 older jazz and vocal tunes that formed the basis for the slick new set Verve Remixed – the original versions of tracks on that set, offered here without any remixing, so that you can put the classics back to back with the new ones, for comparison! And even if you haven't heard Verve Remixed, the package is still a wonderfully priced set of tunes – with a wealth of great vocal jazz performances that are a treat to listen to, no matter what the setting. Titles include "Who Needs Forever" by Astrud Gilberto, "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday, "Hare Krishna" by Tony Scott, "See Line Woman" by Nina Simone, "Return To Paradise" by Shirley Horn, "Feelin Good" by Nina Simone, "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?" by Dinah Washington, and "How Long Has This Been Going On" by Carmen McCrae. CD

A great look at the 7" single side of the legendary TK Records – the Miami family of labels best known for some key disco hits in the 70s, but a company who also really helped to fan the flames of southern soul too! The work here is a great overview of that second side of the TK legacy – and the set includes cuts by artists who'd recorded previously for other labels, and got a chance to continue their glory at TK – plus other artists who found a surprisingly strong home amidst the variety of imprints that the company was managing at the time – as titles here came out on labels that include Cat, Dash, Blue Candle, Glades, and others. The set features 24 well-chosen cuts – and titles include "Lovin You Lovin Me" by Ann Sexton, "I Found Out" by Don Hollinger, "I Can't Leave Your Love Alone" by Willie & Anthony, "My Love Ain't No Good To Me" by Helene Smith, "Trying To Get Back To You Girl (part 1)" by Jackey Beavers, "Sleep With Me" by Willie & Barbara, "Remember Martin Luther King" by Shirley Wahls, "Keep Her Happy" by Phillip Wright, "Pow City" by Freddie Scott, "Jimmie Bo Charlie" by Robert Moore, "Must I Kill Her" by David Hudson, "Good Old Song" by Smokey 007, "Who Am I" by John Hendry, "No One Left To Come Home To" by George & Gwen, "Let Me Take Care Of Your Heart" by The Smith Brothers, and "It Ain't Fair" by True Image. CD

Excellent work from the glory days of Impulse Records – tracks from sessions for the label's most famous albums, but never issued until this special package! We're not normally ones to dig various artists collections in jazz, but this series is wonderful – an essential counterpart to the main records on Impulse, and filled with work that really offers a fresh look at the musicians. Titles on this 3rd volume include "Vilia" by John Coltrane with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones; "The Chased" by Archie Shepp, in a trio with David Izenzon and JC Moses; "One For Phil" by The Oliver Nelson Septet, "Big Noise From Winnetka" by The Chico Hamilton trio with Willie Bobo and Alvin Stinson; "Time After Time" by Shirley Scott with Stanley Turrentine; and "That Five Four Bag" by The Elvin Jones Quartet with Charlie Mariano. LP, Vinyl record album

Music from the Exciters, Betty Everett, Shirley Ellis, the Cookies, Carole King, Earl Jean, Skeeter Davis, Little Peggy March, Linda Scott, Janie Grant, Toni Fisher, the Murmaids, Robin Ward, and more. CD

One of our favorite compilations of all time – a smoking batch of soulful jazz from the 60s, with a slight bit of funk and blues thrown in as well! The set's exactly what's promised in the title – jazz cuts, but with an ultra-cool mod vibe – the kind of soulful sounds that played big with the younger London crowd digging American music in the mid 60s – and also the kind of music you'd be likely to find blasting out of a backroom jukebox on the west side of Chicago! There's loads of rare single mixes of LP tracks on the set, and a number of smoking 45s from artists you might know better from more mainstream work – really hitting hard here, alongside a few special numbers from the indie underground too. Tracks are cool enough for old school hipsters – but appealing enough to bring in a new listener too – and as proof of that, we've given this one away for many years as a Christmas present. The collection features 25 tracks in all – non-stop pleasure throughout – with titles that include "Soul Shoutin" by Shirley Scott, "Tengo Tango" by Cannonball Adderley Sextet, "Whip It On Me" by Billy Hawks, "Yeh Yeh" by Mongo Santamaria, "Black Talk" by Charles Earland, "I'm Ready" by Otis Spann, "Mama Rufus" by Merced Blue Notes, "Theme From NYPD" by Johnny Hammond, "Step Out & Get It" by The Nomos, "Why Don't You Do Right" by Mark Murphy, "Collard Greens" by Freddie McCoy, "Theme From The Carpetbaggers" by Jack McDuff, "Filthy McNasty" by Eddie Jefferson, "Evil Ways" by Cal Tjader, "Kenny's Theme" by Kenny Burrell, and "Games" by Ivan Boogaloo Joe Jones. CD

Lots of great soul jazz numbers here from the glory days of Prestige – all nice and long! Titles include "Blue Hymn" with Gene Ammons on tenor, Jerome Richardson on flute, and Mal Waldron on piano; "The Rev" with Eddie Lockjaw Davis on tenor, Richardson on flute, and Shirley Scott on organ; "Cool Grits" with Willis Jackson on tenor, Jack McDuff on organ, and Bill Jennings on guitar; and "Enough Said" with both McDuff and Jennings! LP, Vinyl record album

A pretty rare one – and one of the best albums that Eddie Lockjaw Davis ever recorded! The album takes Eddie's usual trio with Shirley Scott on organ, and adds in some extra bongos and conga – by Luiz Perez and Ray Barretto, respectively – to create a Latinized version of soul jazz, with a very nice swing! The album grooves well on nearly every track – almost in the mode of Eddie's classic Afro-Jaws album – and the setting really brings out the best in his tenor work, cutting across lines in a way that almost hearkens back to his R&B days. Titles include "Dobbin The Redd Foxx", "Last Train From Overbrook", "Fast Spiral", "Dancero", and "That Old Black Magic". LP, Vinyl record album

Great early work from tenor man Eddie Lockjaw Davis – recorded with a hard-grooving trio that features Doc Bagby on organ and Charlie Dice on drums. The work predates Davis' work with Shirley Scott in his combo, and (dare we say it?) actually seems a lot more soulful than his work with Scott – with a rough, R&B current that definitely belies the album's placement on King Records – even though the music is all jazz, all the way through! The tracks are all pretty darn great – whether Lock is blowing fast and free on a groover, or laidback and soulfully on a ballad – and Bagby's R&B-ish organ really opens up the set nicely. Titles include "Bean O", "Dizzy Atmosphere", "Johnny Come Lately", "Tenderly", and "Leaping On Lenox". CD