With Kenny Drew on piano – and titles that include "Tenor Madness", "Wave", "You've Changed", and "Days Of Wine & Roses". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredible return to form for Billy Harper – and a landmark album recorded at the end of the 80s, when we'd all but given up on him! The session returns Billy to the majesty of his 70s work – placing him in the setting of long tracks, modal rhythms, and spiritual motivation – the uniquely Harper territory first forged with Lee Morgan and Max Roach, sounding better than ever here, with all the confidence of his youth. The group's a quintet – with Eddie Henderson on trumpet, Francesca Tanksley on piano, Clarence Seay on bass, and Newman Baker on drums – working perfectly as a unit, with a power level that's simply amazing. Harper's the main star, reaching towards the heavens with some incredible solos – but he also clearly knows that he wouldn't be able to do what he does without the great level of support he's getting from the rest of the group. Tracks include "Destiny Is Yours", "If One Could Only See", "Groove From Heaven", and "East West Exodus". CD also features 2 bonus tracks – "Dance In The Question" and "My Funny Valentine". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

A great little album from Jordan – one of a number of very hip sessions he cut in the mid 70s, working with his Magic Triangle group that included Cedar Walton on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. The group come together with an energy that's extremely rare – creative and experimental, yet never failing to swing, and working as one to explore a slightly cosmic approach to jazz, one that rarely shows up in Jordan's later work. The album's filled with great original tunes – including "One For Amos", "Inga", "Voices Deep Within Me", and "Scorpio" – and Jordan plays tenor and flute. CD also features a bonus unreleased version of "Bearcat". CD

A beautifully unique take on the music of Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman – served up here by a trio that features Kirk Knuffke on cornet, Jay Anderson on bass, and Adam Nussbaum on drums! The tunes are all classic Cherry or Coleman compositions – but the performance here is very different, with a robust quality that comes not just from the deeper range of the cornet, but also from the bold work on drum and bass – which still keeps things in that rompingly rhythmic mode of the group that Cherry and Coleman had together, but maybe both a bit more open in terms of the groove – and more focused on the one lead solo instrument. Knuffke's really opened up the sound of others in the past – but this record might well be his greatest achievement so far – as you'll hear on titles that include "Roland Alphonso", "The Sphinx", "Jayne", "Song In D", "Mind & Time", "Cherryco", "Golden Heart", "Paris Ambulance Song", and "Angel Voice". CD

A beautiful jazz-based take on the music of Erik Satie – one that really lives up to the spare spirit of the original compositions, but also opens the tunes up with a bit more soul as well! Jesse Stacken plays piano – with all the light touch and spacious presentation Satie intended for the music – while Kirk Knuffke blows cornet, often with an equally light, open touch – shading in the melodies in really gentle ways, but with a great deal of beauty – unlocking even more sentiment than is originally in the songs – and if you know the work of Satie, you know that's saying a lot! The music is beautiful – maybe one of the best extrapolations of Satie we've ever heard, on a par with some of the Nato Records experiments in the 80s – and titles include "Vexations", "Trois Gynopedies", "Six Gnossiennes", "Sarabande No 1", and "Petite Ouverture A Danser". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

An album with a bit of a gimmick – songs about the moon – but one that quickly transcends that mode, thanks to the vocal strengths of Allegra Levy! Levy's definitely a singer who's working in a jazz-based style, but she's also got this very pointed, personal approach to phrasing that almost feels as if she's talking to us personally – almost a style that could be set up with more contemporary instrumentation in the backings, but which feels even warmer here in the company of Carmen Staaf on piano, Alex Goodman on guitar, an Tim Norton on bass. The lack of drums gives the trio a slightly softer (but not sleepy) vibe – one that seems to really push Allegra to the forefront, as she takes on an unusual mix of songs that includes some familiar standards, plus tunes by Nick Drake, Neil Young, and Cat Stevens. The album features a great take on "Pink Moon" – plus "Harvest Moon", "Moon Ray", "Moon River", "No Moon At All", "Polkadots & Moonbeams", "Moonshadow", and "Moonlight In Vermont". CD

Joe Magnarelli can be one of the most explosively colorful trumpeters we know – and that's definitely the case here, as he works some beautiful magic alongside the alto of Andy Fusco and guitar of John Hart! Both players are equally imbued with hues, and weave this fantastic array of tones and colors throughout the set – especially on the few numbers that are Magnarelli originals! Joe's a player who would have been huge in the classic years of jazz recording – when his mix of technique and humanity would have grabbed many ears right away – but maybe that's also what makes a record like this so special – as it's part of a continuing statement of individuality from a player that only the few in the know can really appreciate. The group also features Ben Wolfe on bass and Byron Landon on drums – and titles include "Magic Trick", "Theme For Ernie", "2nd Anniversary", "Vercelli", "Akira's Riff", and a nice take on "Along Came Betty". CD

A nice later date from this legendary trumpeter – long tracks recorded in Copenhagen, with a lineup that features Horace Parlan on piano, Per Goldschmidt on baritone, Mads Vinding on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums! LP, Vinyl record album

A great meeting of these two alto giants – and a wonderfully soulful session that matches Gary Bartz's own great work from the same time! The overall feel of the session is quite spiritual – as Bartz and McLean seem to egg each other on, into far-reaching lines and freespirited grooves that are totally great. Rhythm is by a European trio of Thomas Clausen, Bo Steif, and Alex Riel – but the trio does more than enough of a good job to set the mood – especially on the excellent track "Great Rainstreet Blues", which sounds like some lost dark groove from the Black Jazz label! Other titles include "Watercircle", "Monk's Dance", and "Ode To Super". CD features a few bonus alternate takes, too. CD

Dick Oatts has a wonderful group here – a well-chosen quintet of musicians who really seem to open up the possibilities in each others' sound, especially when it comes to tone, texture, and color! Oatts is always great – his raspy alto is deft, but always very personal too – and it's offset here by the sparkling trumpet of Joe Magnarelli, who seems to be exploring a lot of fresh territory on the mostly-original tunes provided for the album by Dick. Pianist Anthony Wonsey blocks things out strongly with his work on the keys – bringing in a soulful, stepping vibe that's mighty nice – before soaring out on his own solos too. And bassist Ugonna Okegwo rounds out the snapping rhythms provided by drummer Chris Smith – making for a pair who's sense of timing really inspires the others. Titles include "Como Uno", "Speaking Relative", "Do Da Day", "Yesteryear", "Lossofyou", and "Midwest Mideast". CD

Trumpeter Jason Palmer has given us some great creative projects in recent years – but this time around, he's in a wonderfully back-to-basics mode – working with an excellent combo in a small club in Boston – on long tracks that really stretch out and let us hear his imaginative skill on solos! The core group is a quintet – with the excellent Noah Preminger on tenor, and Max Light ringing out nicely on guitar – driven by rhythms from Simon Willson on bass and Lee Fish on drums – players who keep a nice sense of structure in the tunes, even while things are open enough to really let the solos expand! Chris McCarthy plays Fender Rhodes on one track on each volume – and all titles are great originals by Palmer – really showing his dynamic vision as a leader. Titles on this first volume include "Gabby", "Kemerovo", "Preservation Of The Lower 9th Ward", "Be Aware", and "Stop Drop & Roll". CD

Trumpeter Jason Palmer has given us some great creative projects in recent years – but this time around, he's in a wonderfully back-to-basics mode – working with an excellent combo in a small club in Boston – on long tracks that really stretch out and let us hear his imaginative skill on solos! The core group is a quintet – with the excellent Noah Preminger on tenor, and Max Light ringing out nicely on guitar – driven by rhythms from Simon Willson on bass and Lee Fish on drums – players who keep a nice sense of structure in the tunes, even while things are open enough to really let the solos expand! Chris McCarthy plays Fender Rhodes on one track on each volume – and all titles are great originals by Palmer – really showing his dynamic vision as a leader. Titles on this second volume include "Ethos", "Style", "Sunny Rain", and "The Side Eye". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

With Buster Williams on bass and Billy Higgins on drums – on titles that include "Straight Street", "Arrival", "One For Hakim", "Medi II", and "Misty Thursday". LP, Vinyl record album

Guitarist Gene Segal has his instrument wrapped up nicely here in a trio – with work on Hammond Charette and drums from Bruce Cox – in a group that has a nicely different vibe than some of the more retro-styled organ combos! Segal changes up his sound a bit from track to track – sometimes playing with a bit of chromatic fuzz – sometimes more string-sensitive – and almost always working with his own compositions, which again really change things up in a good way – providing a fresh perspective on the traditional mix of Hammond and guitar, while also never resorting to any gimmicky modes. Titles include "Dharma", "Us", "Two Sides To Every Story", "Creeper", "Spiral", "Blues Out", and "Sunken Treasure". CD

Beautifully soulful duets – Parlan on piano, and Archie Shepp on tenor and soprano sax! LP, Vinyl record album

Pianist Mark Soskin has always had some wonderfully bright tones in his work – notes that ring out beautifully, almost with the ease of an electric piano, even when acoustic – and that tradition definitely continues here, as Mark works through a set of well-chosen tracks with a nicely tight trio! The song selection is quite compelling – tunes by Scott LaFaro, Tony Williams, Clare Fischer, Bud Powell, Wayne Shorter, and others – all really united by the sense of cohesion in Soskin's trio, which has some mighty deep, strong work on bass from Jay Anderson! The richness in Jay's sound seems to allow Mark to go for some brighter tones up top – really bringing this sense of sparkle to the music, but always in a thoughtfully understated way. Adam Nussbaum is on drums – and titles include "Pee Wee", "Pensativa", "Gloria's Step", "Fee Fi Fo Fum", "Soiree", "Listening Room", and "Un Poco Loco". CD

A gem of a record – the kind of overlooked 70s session we really treasure! Reed player Frank Strozier was one of the all-time under-discovered greats – and this set reunites him with his old Memphis partner/MJT+3 bandmate, Harold Mabern – a perfect pairing for Strozier's warm and fluid style on alto sax and flute! The pair always worked perfectly together, and on this session of laidback modern soul jazz material, they hit a very nice groove, and play off the best of each other's warm lyrical tendencies. Other players include Danny Moore, Lisle Atkinson, and Michael Carvin – and the set's filled with great original tutnes that include "Kram Samba", "Neicy", "Sidestreet", "Hit It", and "For Our Elders". CD

As a rule, we shouldn't like sessions that have a Marvin Gaye tune as the title – but in this case, we'll make an exception! The album's great one – filled with warmth, fire, and imagination – and key proof that Frank Strozier was still going strong in the 70s – after some early breakout work on the Chicago scene, and two brilliant early 60s albums on Riverside. The session has Strozier reunited with Memphis hometown partner Harold Mabern – a perfect accompanist to his fluid sound and soulful tone – and the rest of the group features Stafford James on bass, Louis Hayes on drums, and Danny Moore on trumpet. Tracks include some great originals – like "Chelsea Drugs", "The Chief", "Ollie", and "Psalm For John Coltrane". CD also features 5 other bonus tracks – all alternates. CD

A really sweet groover from obscure guitarist Monette Sudler – one of the few female players of the instrument we recall in 70s jazz! The set's got a freewheeling approach that's a bit spiritual soul jazz, but also has some angular touches that put Sudler in territory of some of the freer soul exploratory players of the time – like Sonny Greenwich or Ted Dunbar. The group's a quartet with the great Oliver Collins on piano, Gerald Benson on bass, and Newman Baker on drums – and William Duke Wilson guests on percussion on a few tracks. Sudler sings a bit on the record, too, and titles include "A Love Song', "Malik Yaumi Din", "Easy Walker", "Let Us Love", and "Three In One". LP, Vinyl record album

A great later moment from trumpeter Idrees Sulieman – a player that most folks know for his famous 50s appearances on Prestige Records sessions, before he left these shores and had a much more obscure later career overseas! During that time, though, Sulieman really grew as a player – especially in his phrasing, which is wonderful here – very rich and personal, with a mouthy style that's quite compelling, especially on the groovers! The group's one of those top-shelf Steeplechase combos from the time – as strong as you'd hear on an old Prestige date – and features Per Goldschmidt on tenor and baritone, Horace Parlan on piano, Mads Vinding on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. Titles include "Groovin High", "Tell Me What's Your Name", "Lipstick", "Happy Ending", and "The Center Of Copenhagen". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Drummer Eliot Zigmund rose to great fame in the trio of Bill Evans in the late 70s – and after that, he also had a strong stretch with pianist Don Friedman – both artists he seems to really pay tribute to here! The date's a nicely understated one – warm sounds that are spacious, but swinging – piano from Mike Eckroth, tenor and soprano from Chris Cheek, and bass from Morrie Louden – all players whose sense of timing is strongly matched with that of Zigmund, who only seems to take a few points in the recording to really state his presence. The choice of material here is wonderfully thoughtful, too – a range of tracks by Charles Minugs, Kurt Weil, Steve Swallow, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gordon Jenkins, and others – all of which might have come out sounding a lot more hodge-podge in the hands of another leader, but which work together beautifully here. Titles include "Supposition", "Liebslied", "Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love", "Olha Maria", "Eiderdown", "Goodbye", and "Time Was". CD

... CD

Just vibes and piano – a mighty nice set! CD

A real gem of an album – the kind of spiritual 70s soul jazzer that we never tire of putting on the turntable! Drummer Michael Carvin heads a great group that features Cecil Bridgewater on trumpet, Sonny Fortune on alto and soprano, and Ron Burton on piano – and the ensemble grooves in a way that reminds us a lot more of recordings on Strata East from the time, than some of the snoozier sides on Steeplechase. The record fits nicely in with some of the few recordings of this nature on the label – work by Billy Gault and Rene McLean – and the album's worth it alone for Fortune's incredible post-Coltrane solos. Tracks include "The Camel", "MC Blues", "Kwebena's Blues", and "Osun". CD features a few bonus alternate takes, too. CD

A real gem of an album – the kind of spiritual 70s soul jazzer that we never tire of putting on the turntable! Drummer Michael Carvin heads a great group that features Cecil Bridgewater on trumpet, Sonny Fortune on alto and soprano, and Ron Burton on piano – and the ensemble grooves in a way that reminds us a lot more of recordings on Strata East from the time, than some of the snoozier sides on Steeplechase. The record fits nicely in with some of the few recordings of this nature on the label – work by Billy Gault and Rene McLean – and the album's worth it alone for Fortune's incredible post-Coltrane solos. Tracks include "The Camel", "MC Blues", "Kwebena's Blues", and "Osun". CD features a few bonus alternate takes, too. CD

... CD

Ronnie Cuber's almost got a surprised look on the cover here – as if someone snapped the camera when he wasn't ready for the shot – but maybe that surprise also comes from the wonderful way in which his baritone sax works in a trio setting! The format here is one that's been familiar for tenorists from the late 50s onward – as the leader works with help from Jay Anderson on bass and Adam Nussbaum on drums – but the use of baritone in such a setting is a great change, especially when handled with the soulful depth that Cuber brings to his music! Ronnie clearly enjoys the freedom here, and definitely has a nice edge throughout – but he also never overindulges, and keeps most tunes at just the right level to maximize his creative flow. Titles include "Silver's Serenade", "Jean Marie", "The Jody Grind", "So Danco Samba", "Bernie's Tune", "All The Things You Are", and "Just Squeeze Me". CD

... CD

A great title for this one – as the album's got a dark edge that's quite different than some of Kenny Drew's earlier work – the start of a great run of recordings for Steeplechase Records on the European scene of the 70s – and a demonstration of Drew's real powers when he can really open up and run! The trio date has a wonderfully full sort of feel – those long flowing lines that Kenny was already doing well back in the 50s, but given a bit more of a spiritual vibe here at times – thanks in part to the sensitive rhythms of Albert Tootie Heath, and the surprisingly creative bass work of Niels Henning Orsted Pederson – even more compelling here than usual! Titles include "Run Away", "Dark Beauty", "All Blues", and "Summer Nights". LP, Vinyl record album

Great stuff – and a beautiful album of spiritual jazz recorded by this obscure piano player who worked briefly with Jackie McLean in the seventies. Billy Gault had an amazingly soulful way of putting together his work, but never got bogged down in too much sentiment. There's some beautiful stuff on here, including the awesome "Mode for Trane", and "The Time of this World is at Hand", a great track that features vocals by Joe Lee Wilson (some of his best) and Ellen Deleston. Wilson and Deleston also sing on a few others too – in a moody, soulful and spiritual way that's almost a post-Coltrane take on the sound of Andy & The Bey Sisters. Other titles include "Aisha", "When Destiny Calls", "Portrait Of A Joaner", and "Nothing But A Man". This truly is an incredible record – one of our all time favorites of this generation! CD

More greatness than usual for Duke Jordan – thanks to the presence of Charlie Rouse on tenor and Richard Williams on trumpet! Titles include "Truth", "Tall Grass", "Sultry Eye", and "Undecided Lady". LP, Vinyl record album

An album that bursts out beautifully, right from the very first note – then continues to hold us rapt throughout, with that strong sense of surprise we love from a really well-done piano trio album! LeeAnn Ledgerwood's no stranger to the recording studio, but this album really feels like something special and different – a set that has her musical imagination maybe sparked with even more swing than before, all balanced with a warmly lyrical touch – and set up in perfect communication with the bass of Ron McClure and drums of Billy Hart! The album's the sort that someone might be playing, and you'd step over and ask "What's that?" – especially on the more upbeat numbers, which really grab us. Titles include the originals "Renewal" and "I Wish You Knew" – plus "All Blues", "Summernite", "502 Blues", "A Shade Of Jade", and "Autumn Leaves". CD

One of Jackie McLean's most avant recordings of the 70s – a set of duets with percussionist Michael Carvin, handled in a way that feels more like an AACM session than any of his other sides for Steeplechase! In addition to his usual alto, Jackie plays bells, bamboo flute, percussion, piano, and kalimba – and Carvin's not only on drums, but a range of similar instruments as well. The feel is really great, and a good reminder that McLean was still incredibly inventive at the time – nearly a decade after his best Blue Note "new thing" work! Titles include "Gong Go Lye", "Ti Ti", "Down In The Bottom", and the extended "Antiquity" suite. CD

Fantastic work from Gary Smulyan – a baritone saxophonist who may well be one of the few really standout players on his instrument these days – working in a legacy that puts his mighty talents right up there with Pepper Adams, Serge Chaloff, and a rare few others who could really make the baritone swing! Smulyan plays here in just a trio – David Wong on bass and Rodney Green on drums – and the tracks are long, flowing, and open – really illustrating Gary's strength as a soloist, and his deft imagination on an instrument that doesn't easily give itself to some players. The song list is great, too – titles by Ted Curson, Al Cohn, Mal Waldron, and Jimmy Giuffre – plus one tune by Gary too. Titles include "Ahma See Ya", "Vodka", "Deep People", "Cohn Pone", "Tale Of The Fingers", and "Hanid". CD

... CD

A nicely fresh setting for pianist Stanley Cowell – a record that moves past his more frequent trio format, to feature the longstanding genius in a quartet with Bruce Williams on alto and flute! Williams has a laidback, lyrical tone that seems to bring out a different side in Cowell's music – especially as the album mostly features the pianist's own compositions – a way of building up his sound slowly, with a more quiet-burning version of the spiritual energy of Stanley's youth – yet still with end results that are equally redemptive, and very beautiful overall. The rest of the group features Jay Anderson on bass and Billy Drummond on drums – and Cowell also plays a bit of thumb piano and kyma too. Titles include "Celestial Women", "No Illusions", "Miss TE & O", "Sunlight Shifting", "B Minor Folksong", and "Nostalgia For Homelands". CD

A trio set from the mighty Stanley Cowell – yet like so many of his other albums in the format, a record that's got way more to offer than usual! Stanley isn't content to just rework standards with a familiar lineup – and instead really shifts things around a lot, to create the kind of complexity we've always found in his music – and which continues to make Cowell's trio sets some of the best on the Steeplechase label in the past decade or so! The group features Billy Drummond on drums and Jay Anderson on bass – but it's clear from the conception that Stanley's the main man at the helm, an incredibly well-versed player who's able to shift easily between mood and style throughout. Titles include a surprising 10 minute "Xmas Suite" – which includes a few Cowell original Holiday tracks – plus the originals "Reminiscent", "Sweet Song", "Midnight Diversion", "Re-Confirmed", and "Hear With Me" – which features some especially nice kalimba work from Stanley! CD

Damn great work from Ronnie Cuber – one of the greatest baritone saxophonists still working the scene today – and a player who handles the heavy horn with all the dexterity of a tenorist! Ronnie's horn has graced many a session over the years, but he's always at his best on the few dates that offer up his talents as a leader – and the Cuber heard here will really surprise you greatly, if you only know his name from sideman credits. Ronnie blows beautifully throughout, with a depth of imagination and feeling that really stun us – surprising sensitivity on some tracks, but not in any sort of cliched ballad-heavy way. The rhythm section's got a great ear to match Cuber's vibe – and includes Helen Sung on piano, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Jonathan Blake on drums. Titles include "Gloria's Step", "Thermo", "Daahoud", "Watch What Happens", "The Duke", and "All The Things You Are". CD

Fantastic vibes all around – a double set of work from the team of Walt Dickerson and Richard Davis! First up is the album Divine Gemini – a set that has some incredible interplay between the vibes of Walt Dickerson and bass of Richard Davis – both players who've already had a long resume of creative music by the time of this session, yet coming together here in ways that are completely new and fresh! Dickerson's often in the warmer side of his tones – still quite free at points, but never too obtuse – and always with plenty of room for the lovingly soulful sounds of Davis' bass. Titles include "Lucille", "Divine Gemini", "Always Positive", and "Her Intuition". Next up is the album Tenderness – a set recorded during the same space as the previous album from Walt Dickerson and Richard Davis – but sometimes with a slightly different feeling in the sound! There's definitely some of the tenderness promised by the title – especially at those great points when the colors of Dickerson's vibes are flowing beautifully next to Davis' mellow basslines. But there's also other points that are a bit more dynamic, too – bold notes from Walt that have this sense of texture that's really amazing – followed by equally wonderful sounds from Richard. Titles include "Tenderness", "So Thoughtful", "The Road Must End", and "Play Son Play". CD

Guitarist Pierre Dorge has been giving us amazing music for many years – but he sounds especially amazing here in the company of a really great group – the excellent Kirk Knuffke on cornet, plus Stephen Riley on tenor, Conrad Herwig on trombone, Jay Anderson on bass, and Adam Nussbaum on drums – all very dynamic players who seem to make Dorge sound even fresher than ever! There's an especially strong sense of phrasing on the record – no surprise, especially with Knuffke in the mix – and while Pierre can sometimes use his instrument in more abstract ways, that quality is really balanced by all the other members of the lineup. Anderson's bass is great – nicely pointed at the best moments, and a great contrast to Dorge's strings – and all tracks are originals, with titles that include "Lullaby For Sun Ra", "Mingus' Birthday Party", "Afrikaa Mbizo Dyani", "Sim Sim Ba", and "Alligator In Paradise". CD

Kenny Dorham in Scandinavia – playing on a set of extended live numbers that are all a fair bit different than his studio work in the US at the time! The date features twin trumpets, too – those of Dorham and Rolf Ericson, blowing together in a bold frontline, then breaking out for beautiful long solos that each have their own sort of voice – driven on nicely by rhythms from Tete Montoliu on piano, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Alex Riel on drums! The recording quality is excellent, and there's a sharpness here that matches Dorham's hardbop best – but a freewheeling energy that really takes things even further. Titles include "Manha De Carnival", "Scandia Skies", "Solar", and "Woody N You". CD

One of a few great albums cut by vibist Khan Jamal with South African bassist Johnny Dyani! The session has Khan's vibes and Johnny's bass supported by drums from Leroy Lowe – in an open trio format that's filled with lots of rich tonal colors – and which has the players shading each other in nicely, never going for gimmick, and always enriching the overall sound of the set. There's a swirling majesty here that's like small group Bobby Hutcherson at times – but with a lighter touch overall – and titles include "Thelonious", "Unsung Heroes", "Bells Of Joy", "The Traveller" and "Bloom". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the strongest statements ever recorded by bassist Sam Jones – a wickedly soulful session that cooks on all burners! The album's got a rich depth that far surpasses most of Jones' trio sessions – and is a full quintet album, with Terumasa Hino on cornet, Bob Berg on tenor, Ronnie Matthews on piano, and Al Foster on drums. Matthews' strong and soulful lines really push the whole group along – stretching out with modal energy that really seems to set the horns free. All tracks are extremely fresh, and played at a level that brings out the best we'd expect from the players – possibly more in fact – and the record's an under-appreciated gem in the Steeplechase catalog of the 70s! Titles include "Del Sasser", "Visitation", "Occurrence", "Jean Marie", and "Before You". CD also features 3 bonus alternate takes! CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

With Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass and Albert Tootie Heath on drums – on titles that include "Invitation", "Love Man", "Some Other blues", and "Lament". CD

Brilliant work from a great player who never stopped growing! After a 70s career laced with some free and spiritual playing, Foster moves back to basics here by teaming up with pianist Horace Parlan and some European rhythm accompaniment – in a set that concentrates on tone, sound, and color! Foster's tenor solos alone seem to carry the album on some tremendously strong and soulful shoulders – and the set's filled with great original compositions that include "John R & Garfield", "The House That Love Built", "Dunbar's Delight", and "Lightly Stroking". CD features an unissued bonus track – Kenny Dorham's "Scandia Skies". CD

Important early European work by Dexter Gordon – recorded during his successful 60s run at the legendary Cafe Montmartre, where using the new freedoms of that scene, he re-invented himself as a player, and gave a much needed boost to European-American jazz relations! The tracks on the set are all very much in the best spirit of Gordon's Montmartre years – long and open-ended, with a real focus on the tenor solo work, but also some excellent support by a rhythm trio that includes Kenny Drew, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen, and Alex Riel. Titles include "So What", "You've Changed", "Heartaches", and "Devilette". CD

One of the few albums cut by guitarist Monnette Sudler – a quick-paced single-note player with a really soulful feel! The album's got a much more righteous sound than you'd expect from the usual Steeplechase outing of the time – and Monnette's working here with a group that includes Khan Jamal on marimba, Newman Baker on drums, Oliver Collins on piano, and William Duke Wilson on percussion. The tunes have a fresh rhythmic approach that pushes past jazz guitar standards of the time – frenetic at times, but never out of control – and Monnette also sings on the one of the album's gentler moments, a nice tune entitled "Moments Of Love". Other tracks include "Family", "Brighter Days For You", "Natural Accurrance", and "Congo". LP, Vinyl record album

A really compelling mix of talents – just the piano of Paul Bley alongside the trumpet of Chet Baker! Chet sings on one track, but most of the set is instrumental. LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the last recordings ever made by the late tenor great Bill Barron – and some of the best as well! The CD presents previously unheard live recordings from Cobi's nightclub – a late 80s New York club where Barron played often upon his return from the European scene in the years before his death – and an extremely comfortable setting that let Bill stretch out on long tenor solos, in a style that's quite different than a lot of his studio work for other labels. There's still a very modern feel to the work – especially in Barron's tone – but the tunes also have a solidly inventive solo approach, one that rivals that of classic live recordings by Dexter Gordon or Sonny Rollins. The group's a quartet with Fred Simmons on piano, Santi Debriano on bass, and Ben Riley on drums – and most tracks stretch out for quite some length, dominated by Barron's beautiful solos. Titles include Kenny Barron's "Row House" and "Voyage", and Bill's own "Until Further Notice", "This One's For Monk", and "Easy Does It". CD

Wonderful work from Anthony Braxton – an album that has him playing straight ahead jazz – but at a time when he was also making some of his most complex recordings of the 70s! The approach here is sublime – as Braxton's reputation has ears already anticipating some far-out playing, but then marvel at his restraint – his care for keeping alto and bass clarinet work inside a straight jazz tradition, yet always hinting at the modern inflections he can bring to his music! Tunes are almost all jazz standards, blown beautifully – with a tone that's crisp, cool, and very inviting – surprisingly soulful, and never cold at all – matched well with the rhythm trio of Tete Montoliu on piano, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Albert Tootie Heath on drums. Titles include "Goodbye Porkpie Hat", "Ornithology", "Marshmallow", "Body & Soul", "Donna Lee", "My Funny Valentine" and "Half Nelson". CD features both albums, with 13 tracks in all – apparently bonus tracks that weren't on the original records, too! CD

Brian Charette's a contemporary organist who's always out to set himself apart from most of the rest – not by forcing any sort of experimental modes on the Hammond, or by trying to race up and down the keys – but just by relaxing into a tune, and really finding a way to deliver a performance that's clear and crisp, yet undeniably soulful! Whereas other younger Hammondists might be driven to work in the territory of the Jimmys – McGriff and Smith – or Jack McDuff – Charette's almost got more of the understated quality of Shirley Scott, especially on a trio date like this. Brian keeps his tone nicely in check – always playing with these round, fully-formed notes – even on material by artists like Larry Young or Joe Henderson – and he's balanced out here by the piano of Henry Hay and drums of Jochen Rueckert, in a way that uses the piano to almost underscore and echo the lines of the organ. Titles include "The Blessing", "Backup", "A Shade Of Jade", "Tadd's Delight", "These Are Soulful Days", and "Dahoud". CD

A great little live record, and one that shows that pianist Stanley Cowell never had to answer to anyone else – as he's able to handle so much in such a tight setting – from classic bop numbers, to reworked standards, to the kinds of spiritual compositions that made him such a standout from the start – all performed with effortless ease, and a mindblowing level of creativity throughout! The trio's not one of Stanley's most classic, but is still quite strong – with Cheyney Thomas on bass and Wardell Thomas on drums – although Cowell seems to lead the energy at every twist and turn – showing a rhythmic pulse at some times, a lyrical flow at others, and some especially strong angles on the bop numbers. Titles include "Brilliant Circles", "Bright Passion", "Stella By Starlight", "In Walked Bud", "Prayer For Peace", "Anthropology", "Autumn Leaves", and "It Don't Mean A Thing". CD

Great 70s work from one of the most inventive talents on the vibes – the mighty Walt Dickerson! Like some of his other sessions from the time, this album has a beautiful open feel – very sparse and free-ish, but never jumping off the deep end too far into the new thing. There are 2 side-long tracks by the trio, which includes bassist Lyle Atkinson and drummer Andrew Cyrille – and titles include "Universal Peace" and "Chant of Peace", both of which have a wonderful spiritual searching quality throughout! CD also features the bonus track "Warm Up". CD

One of the more African-styled albums recorded by bassist Johnny Dyani – recorded with a septet that includes extra percussion and steel drums, in a groove that recalls Dyani's best work with British jazz players of the early 70s! The added percussion makes for a much greater emphasis on the rhythmic component of the set than on other Dyani albums for Steeplechase – and the group's augmented by some great work by Charles Davis on alto, and Ed Epstein on both tenor and alto. Titles include "Blame It On The Boers", "Funk Dem Dudu", "Grandmother's Teaching", and "Kalahari Lives". CD features a few bonus tracks as well! CD

One of the last great records by legendary South African bassist Johnny Dyani – recorded here in a piano-less quartet with Dudu Pukwana and Ed Epstein on reeds, and Churchill Jolobe on drums. The overall feel of the session is quite "outside" – with some very free solos from the sax players – but there's also some rhythmic elements that hearken back to Dyani's roots, and which nicely ground the set. Titles include "Dedicated To Mingus", "Dorkay House", and "Musician's Musician". CD

Great stuff – and a beautiful album of spiritual jazz recorded by this obscure piano player who worked briefly with Jackie McLean in the seventies. Billy Gault had an amazingly soulful way of putting together his work, but never got bogged down in too much sentiment. There's some beautiful stuff on here, including the awesome "Mode for Trane", and "The Time of this World is at Hand", a great track that features vocals by Joe Lee Wilson (some of his best) and Ellen Deleston. Wilson and Deleston also sing on a few others too – in a moody, soulful and spiritual way that's almost a post-Coltrane take on the sound of Andy & The Bey Sisters. Other titles include "Aisha", "When Destiny Calls", "Portrait Of A Joaner", and "Nothing But A Man". This truly is an incredible record – one of our all time favorites of this generation! CD

Some of the best Billy Harper work of the past decade or two – a 3 volume series of live performances, all recorded in the Far East in 1991! This first volume features Billy recorded in Korea, with a group that includes Eddie Henderson on trumpet, Francesca Tanksley on piano, Louis Spears on bass, and Newman Baker on drums – stretching out on long tunes that recall the brilliance of Harper's incredible Japanese recordings of the 70s – a masterful blend of searching and soulfulness! Titles include "I Do Believe", "If One Could Only See", "Croquet Ballet", and "Insight". CD

Volume 2 in this great series of live work recorded by Harper in 1991 – a set of tracks performed in Taiwan, with a quintet that includes Eddie Henderson on trumpet! The feel here is similar to Harper's best late 70s work – with long tracks that open up in modal fashion, setting the stage for exploratory passages on the tenor – yet never going too far or too freakish to lose their soul. The blowing's in a perfect post-Coltrane mode, and the set features original Harper tunes that include "Destiny Is Yours", "Priestess", and "Trying To Make Heaven My Home". CD

The last and longest of Harper's 3 albums recorded in the Far East in 1991 – a mindblowing set of tracks performed in Malaysia, with a quintet that features Eddie Henderson on trumpet, Francesca Tanksley on piano, Louie Spears on bass, and Newman Baker on drums. The rhythmic component of the group is extremely strong – very well-suited to Harper's free-thinking explorations in sound – urging him onward with long spiralling passages that have one foot firmly planted in the soil, with the other pointed towards the heavens. Titles include "Soran Bushi BH", "Cry Of Hunger", "Call Of The Wild & Peaceful Heart". CD

A great singer in a great group – a vocalist who's really coming into her own, and turning out to be a heck of a writer – as you'll hear on this album that features both original music, and lyrics set to tunes by jazz musicians who include Duke Jordan and Dexter Gordon! Allegra Levy's never going for an easy approach here – not trying crossover ballads or torch material, but also not trying to overdo things with too many tricks and gimmicks – just delivering rock-solid, jazz-based presentation of the tunes – which include some surprisingly poetic lyrics on a few of our favorite numbers. The group's got the right balance to make the music sparkle in all the right ways – with Stephen Riley on tenor, Kirk Knkuffke on cornet, Carmen Staaf on piano, Jay Anderson on bass, and Billy Drummond on drums – and titles include "Lullaby Of The Orient", "Cities Between Us", "Cherry Blossom Song", "I Shouldn't Tell You", "Misery Makes The Music", "Sleepwalk With Me", and "Soy Califa". CD

A double-helping of trio material from the great Tete Montoliu – a pianist with plenty of power to really open up in a setting like this! The album features Tete in clear command of the keyboard – playing with that amazing sense of flow that made him one of the leading European pianists from the 60s onward – really matured here to a point where he's constantly creating, but without any overdone sense that calls attention to itself – the kind of piano work that's initially quite subtle, but then really breathtaking when you sit back and realize how much has happened in such a short space! And on this album, the spaces are surprisingly large – lots of really long tracks that not only give Montoliu room to stretch out plenty, but which also feature great work on bass from John Heard and drums from Albert Tootie Heath. Titles include "Jo Vull Que M'Arcariciis", "Blue Bossa", "El Neu Carrer", "A Child Is Born", "Tune Up", "Doxy", "D&E", "Ladybird", and "My Old Flame". CD

You might recognize the last name of alto saxophonist Zaid Nasser, as his father was Jamil Nasser – the wonderful bassist who made some incredible music with Ahmad Jamal in the 60s and 70s! And while Zaid certainly lives up to the family legacy, his sound here is very nicely different – a sharp-toned alto approach, and one that can come across in these effortless flurries of notes that are really beautiful – sounds that are pointed, but also set out in constellation in a very thoughtful way – as Zaid works alongside Pasquale Grasso on guitar, Ari Roland on bass, and Keith Balla on drums. The deftness of Nasser's playing is very striking, and almost reminds us of Lou Donaldson on his early 60s sides for Blue Note, in the pre-funk years. Not surprisingly, he takes on two Donaldson tunes – "Sputnik" and "The Stroller" – alongside original compositions "Redd's Tune" and "Junior's Soul" – plus a great version of "Naked City", and the tunes "SOS", "Kaqavik", and "Never Let Me Go". CD

Two great later albums from guitar legend Jimmy Raney – back to back in a single set! First up is Stolen Moments – a sweet set that has Jimmy's guitar matched with that of son Doug – both players working rhythm and melody, and skipping around each other in this joyous way that's quite different from some of Jim's earlier work. That sublime Raney tone is still very firmly in place – but it's matched by the youthful energy of Doug, too – and given a gentle swing that's really appreciated, thanks to work from Michael Moore on bass and Billy Hart on drums. Titles include "Jonathan's Waltz", "Stolen Moments", "I Should Care", "Samba Teekens", and "Alone Together". Duets features spare strings – just the guitars of Doug and Jimmy Raney, working together in a set of mostly standards – swinging things surprisingly well, even without any other players helping them out – thanks to a natural sense of rhythm in both musicians! The pairing of the instruments is wonderful here – sensitive collaboration that has each of them shading their sounds, inflecting their tones, and really finding a way to support without overwhelming each other – the kind of father/son relationship that's already quite rare, and just about non-existent in music! The interplay is wonderful – no "two generations" gimmick at all, and instead just some really well-matched players who clearly delight in finding new ways to work together. Titles include "Action", "Invitation", "My One & Only Love", "Have You Met Miss Jones", "Days Of Wine & Roses", "Oleo", and "It Might As Well Be Spring". CD

Beautiful! Just duets between Archie Shepp on tenor and soprano and Horace Parlan on piano – a surprisingly wonderful pairing that really brings out some soulful sides of Shepp's horn! LP, Vinyl record album

Pianist Mark Soskin has played on dozens of records over the decades, yet has given us just a handful as a leader – which is quite a shame, as his work on an album like this is totally great! The pianist has this warmth and flow right from the start – the kind of understated accompaniment he can bring to others, but which really sparkles out in the lead here – in the company of bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Anthony Pinciotti – who both often really let Mark take off, and overwhelm the proceedings with his many charms! Soskin's work on the keys often is so effortless, it might be easy to miss the subtle shadings and personality he brings to the music – but we're guessing that, like us, you'll be grabbed by the album right away. Titles include a great version of Luiz Eca's "The Dolphin", plus the Soskin originals "Hearts & Minds" and "Slider" – plus takes on "If I Should Lose You", "Sometime Ago", "Eiderdown", and "Old Folks". CD

Tenorist Gregory Tardy comes on here with a surprising degree of complexity – a range of expressions on his instrument that run from straightforward, to sharply angular, to dark-toned and sonorous – all in the space of a single session! The sense of individual spirit is stronger than ever with Tardy – as he reaches into so many different areas with his well-developed approach to the music – especially sharp on his own compositions, which make up a good amount of the album here. The group also features well-matched trumpet from Philip Dizack, who seems to shift his mood to match Tardy's – and the rest of the quintet includes John Chin on piano, Sean Conly on bass, and Jaimeo Brown on drums. Titles include "The Law Of Biogenesis", "Lil Patient One", "Ancient Of Days", "Song For Joshua", "The Myth Of Privacy", "The Narrow Door", and "Precious Abby". CD

Pianist Joel Weiskopf has been making records for a number of years – but with each recent release, he seems to be honing his craft even more – able to balance darkness and light with effortless ease, but often in a way that never calls too much attention to itself, or to its maker! There's a subtle sort of brilliance going on here – a way of working things under the surface, which is offset by some of the bolder lines from tenorist Rob Scheps, who also plays a bit of soprano sax on the record – and illuminates the sound nicely, often in contrasting ways with Weiskopf! Joel's not afraid to hit a few more sensitive, lyrical moments, but can shift gears easily too – which he seems to do especially well when urged on by the bass of Joe Fitzgerald and bass of Marcello Pellitteri. Titles include "LML", "The Message", "Song For Karla", "The Original Search", "Temporary Estrangement", "Another Chance Today", and "Victory March". CD

... LP, Vinyl record album