A fantastic meeting between pianist Pat Thomas and alto saxophonist Matana Roberts – recorded live in London, and showing an amazing sense of sympathy between the two improvisers – even though they're normally separated by the space of an ocean! Thomas has these really dark, moody tones on the piano at times – almost as if he's playing with a prepared version of the instrument, although we're guessing that he's showing more of a Cecil Taylor-like understanding of the full tonal possibilities of the piano – even though his approach is very different than Cecil. Matana has this crispy soulfulness and depth – almost as if she's bringing the best modern traditions on the alto into play with the richer currents of the tenor – with results that are breathtaking throughout! The set features one long track – "The Truth". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent 2LP set that brings together 28 early 50s recordings by T-Bone Walker – crucial sides that link together jazz and blues traditions, with incredible work on guitar that would go onto influence both genres tremendously. The fact that Walker became a huge influence on soul jazz guitarists like Billy Butler, George Freeman, and Wild Bill Jennings is probably not lost on Blue Note – who included the set here as the only non-jazz set in their 2LP 70s reissue series. Titles include "Blue Mood", "Alimony Blues", "The Sun Went Down", "Cold Cold Feeling", "Strollin With Bones", "Street Walkin Woman", "You Don't Love Me", "Party Girl", "Life is Too Short", and "News For You Baby". LP, Vinyl record album

Soulfully-blown tenor from Bennie Wallace – a record that really brings out the deepest, most heartfelt tones of his work on saxophone – yet also lets Bennie stretch out into somewhat free, unstructured territory too! The approach is one that Wallace forged right from the start of his career – a balance between a modern conception and an older sense of swing – one that seems to link together many traditions of tenor work in a single tune! The piano-less quartet has a great sound – with guitar from Jerry Hahn, bass from Bill Huntington, and drums from the mighty Alvin Queen – on titles that include "Thangs", "I Concentrate On You", "It Has Happened To Me", "The Picayune", and "Blues Velvet". CD

Kamasi Washington opens the door to a bit more collaboration here – while also really managing to stay true to the vision that he's given us on his previous instant-classic albums! In just a short span of time, Kamasi has become a saxophone voice for a generation – linking past traditions with some of the more forward-thinking elements of the west coast underground – and even the presence of some bigger names on the record doesn't knock Washington from his visionary path! The set's grounded with work from drummers Ronald Bruner and Tony Austin, and bass from Stephen Bruner too – a great lineup that also includes trombone from Ryan Porter and piano from Cameron Graves – both artists you'll know and love for their own great records from the LA scene. And since we've mentioned the guests, the most likely partners here are Terrace Martin and Andre 3000 – the latter of whom is at his spiritual, meditative best – the new vibe he released on his own album – and other guests include George Clinton, Patrice Quinn, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Thundercat – on titles that include "Road To Self", "The Garden Path", "Lesnanu", "Asha The First", "The Visionary", "Dream State", "Prologue", and "Interstellar Peace". CD

Kamasi Washington opens the door to a bit more collaboration here – while also really managing to stay true to the vision that he's given us on his previous instant-classic albums! In just a short span of time, Kamasi has become a saxophone voice for a generation – linking past traditions with some of the more forward-thinking elements of the west coast underground – and even the presence of some bigger names on the record doesn't knock Washington from his visionary path! The set's grounded with work from drummers Ronald Bruner and Tony Austin, and bass from Stephen Bruner too – a great lineup that also includes trombone from Ryan Porter and piano from Cameron Graves – both artists you'll know and love for their own great records from the LA scene. And since we've mentioned the guests, the most likely partners here are Terrace Martin and Andre 3000 – the latter of whom is at his spiritual, meditative best – the new vibe he released on his own album – and other guests include George Clinton, Patrice Quinn, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Thundercat – on titles that include "Road To Self", "The Garden Path", "Lesnanu", "Asha The First", "The Visionary", "Dream State", "Prologue", and "Interstellar Peace". LP, Vinyl record album

Kamasi Washington opens the door to a bit more collaboration here – while also really managing to stay true to the vision that he's given us on his previous instant-classic albums! In just a short span of time, Kamasi has become a saxophone voice for a generation – linking past traditions with some of the more forward-thinking elements of the west coast underground – and even the presence of some bigger names on the record doesn't knock Washington from his visionary path! The set's grounded with work from drummers Ronald Bruner and Tony Austin, and bass from Stephen Bruner too – a great lineup that also includes trombone from Ryan Porter and piano from Cameron Graves – both artists you'll know and love for their own great records from the LA scene. And since we've mentioned the guests, the most likely partners here are Terrace Martin and Andre 3000 – the latter of whom is at his spiritual, meditative best – the new vibe he released on his own album – and other guests include George Clinton, Patrice Quinn, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Thundercat – on titles that include "Road To Self", "The Garden Path", "Lesnanu", "Asha The First", "The Visionary", "Dream State", "Prologue", and "Interstellar Peace". LP, Vinyl record album

A very cool assortment of contemporary groups from the Polish scene – served up here in a package that's different than some of the more avant Polish material that seems to get wider circulation – and delivered with a richness that's sure to have us looking for more work from each of the groups in the set! At some level, the material here echoes recent London jazz traditions – as the work often mixes in some electric elements with acoustic instrumentation – never overly mixed or processed, and balanced by some straighter jazz contributions on a few tracks as well – all of which makes for a very vivid palette of sounds, and a surprising amount of richness from these under-discovered acts. Titles include "We Know You" by Rejoin, "Scand" by Quietet, "Thinium" by Immortal Onion, "Pizza" by Klawo, "Triceradiplodocus" by Twoosty Mayonez, and "Koziolek" by Kosmos. LP, Vinyl record album

James Carter's first album as a leader – and a set that helped mark a place for him as one of the strongest saxophone voices of the 90s! The album has Carter's work on alto, tenor, and baritone saxes set center stage – alongside backing by a trio that features pianist Craig Taborn, but which allows plenty of space for Carter to dominate the sound with his deeply soulful tone and often-pyrotechnic approach to his solos. There's some occasional moments that go a bit over the top, in a "hey look at me" sort of mode – but they're nicely offset by a deeper spirit that appreciates the traditions that inform Carter's sound, and which made the record a real standout in the early 90s. Titles include "Lunatic", "Hour Of Parting", "Caravan", "Blues For A Nomadic Princess", "Worried & Blue", and "Baby Girl Blues". CD

Great stuff from Sonny Fortune – emerging here as a strong leader with a spiritual soulful style that was steeped in traditions from labels like Strata East and Muse, but which also worked quite well in the slightly-expanded setting of A&M's Horizon projects. The group here is a well-selected one – with John Hicks and Kenny Barron on piano, Charles Sullivan on trumpet, Wayne Dockery and Reggie Workman on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. Fortune really knows when to sit back and let the group groove – but he also burns away strongly on his own solos. Titles include "Triple Threat", "Nommo", "Sunshower", and "Awakening". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the best material from Gambian psych funk pioneers Guelewar – a double-length collection, pulled from stellar albums of the late 70s and early 80s! Guelewar's got a really great sound here – one that brilliantly blends heavy, hypnotic rhythms, passionate vocals, swirling guitars and psychedelic organ grooves – all to create really unique vibe, and more than worthy of the legendary fame the group's gotten over the years! You might know Guelewar from their earlier work in the Supreme Eagles and Super Alligators – both great groups who prefaced the material here – infusing regional traditions with western funk, soul, and psych – to create a wicked groove that eventually evolved into the Guelewar sound! Titles include "Sama Yaya Demma N'Darr", "Sunu Makaan", "Ya Mom Samaray", "Njarama", "Tasito", "Wollou", and "Kele Fasane". CD

One of Handy's important mind-expanding sets from the late 60s – a classic album with his group that featured a young Michael White on violin and Mike Nock on piano. White's work on the album is especially striking – very different from many other players in jazz, using the instrument in styles that evoke traditions of ancient stringed instruments, while also exploring new possibilities to use the violin as a sonic tool. As always, Nock's dark piano work is always a treat – especially on the beautiful compositions he contributed to the set. Titles include "Dance To The Lady", "Sanpaku", "Song Of Uranus", "Three In One", and "Projections". LP, Vinyl record album

One of our favorite Jemeel Moodoc recordings of recent years – a sublime set of duets with bassist William Parker, and a record that's got a vibe that's even more spiritual than usual from both players! There's a sense of timelessness to the music we really love – a sense of improvisation that encompasses avant traditions in Chicago, Detroit, New York, and St Louis – but which also has a deeply personal spirit, too – as those rare moments when Parker really gets the chance to shape a session with his sense of soul – and here brings out a bold focus in Moondoc's alto that's really breathtaking. Titles include "Huey Sees A Rainbow", "Another Angel Goes Home", "Encore", "Theme For Pelikan", and "New World Pygmies". CD

The classic first album as a solo act from Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez – not the boogaloo artist with the same first and last name, but the singer who'd rose to fame on a series of classic albums with Johnny Pacheco! The style here is rich and soulful – a return to tradition in Latin male vocals, with roots that stretch past Pete's Puerto Rican homeland, and deep into 20th Century Afro-Cuban traditions. Arrangements are by Bobby Valentin, Louie Cruz, and Louie Ramirez – and the instrumentation mixes some 70s salsa brightness with the deeper tones of older years. Titles include "El Conde Negro", "Los Compadres", "Un Toque Pa Yambao", and "Lo Quiso Dios". LP, Vinyl record album

A vital performance by Pete Seeger at a pivotal point in his career – captured at Maine's Bowdoin College in 1960 – the complete performance! You really get a powerful portrait of this good-natured giant of American musical history here. At a time when Seeger was under intense political scrutiny, he delivers a charismatic and inventively musical show for the people of Maine! He tells stories, leads sing-a-longs and plays the heck out of his banjo and acoustic guitar, and it's captured very well by Folkways. He more about honoring American folk songs and traditions here, but he does slyly put forward his beliefs, with subtlety and grace. A pretty amazing set, not only for how well documented it is, but for the wealth of material – a few dozen songs if you count the medleys (and you should!) with avuncular monologues and commentary on 2CDs – plus a generous booklet of notes. Includes "Penny's Farm", "He Lies In The American Land", "Oh, Riley", "D-Day Dodgers", "Al Smith Holds The Bottle", "Goodnight Irene", "Living In The Country", "Water Is Wide", "Big Rock Candy Mountain", "Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream", "Wimoweh", "Bourgeois Blues", "Tzena, Tzena, Tzena", "Cripple Creek/Old Joe Clark/Old Dan Tucker" (in a brilliant banjo medley) and much more!" CD

From bop to swing – and everything in between! The album's a classic performance by Charlie Ventura – recorded in Pasadena in 1949, with his septet that included Benny Green on trombone, Boots Mussuli on alto, and vocalese bits by Jackie & Roy! Ventura was a key link in two jazz traditions of the late 40s, and with help from Green and Mussuli, he really cuts things up on the set. Jackie & Roy sing on "East Of Suez", "Euphoria", and "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" – and other tunes include "If I Had You", "Fine & Dandy", and "How High The Moon". LP, Vinyl record album

Excellent work from one of our favorite young tenor players! When Alexander first started out in Chicago, we'd catch him at southside gigs, either on his own or in Charles Earland's group – and we'd marvel at the richness of his playing, even though he was just an unknown young player in his early 20s! Since those years (not long ago!) Alexander's turned into one of the strongest voices of his generation – with a sound that's steeped in the traditions of tenor giants like Sonny Rollins, Tubby Hayes, and Frank Foster, yet which also has a great deal of youthful creativity. This album's one of his best so far – and it features Alexander in the company of a group that includes Harold Mabern on piano and Pat Martino on guitar, both super-soulful players who are a great match of the playing of the leader. Titles include "The Phineas Trane", "Stand Pat", "Night Song", "First Milestone", and "34 Was Sweetness" (Chicagoans will get that reference!) CD

French journalist/composer Andre Hodier was one of the leading voices of European jazz in the postwar years – a committed modernist, but with a strong understanding of all the traditions of jazz. This classic set features American drummer Kenny Clarke working with a group of French musicians on a set of originals and jazz standards set to arrangements by Hodier. Players include trumpeter Roger Guerin, pianists Marial Solal and Rene Utreger, and saxophonists Armand Migani and Hubert Rostaing. The set's a great batch of angular bop numbers – and it's a great chance to hear what Clarke can really do on the drum kit when he's given a chance to open up. Titles include "Oblique", "On A Riff", "Bemsha Swing", "Cadenza", "Eronel", "The Squirrel", and "Tahiti". CD

A real lost treasure – and an incredible session that offers a real meeting of minds that's far more than you'd expect from the simple cover and title! The set is a later one for Vee Jay, and it brings together half of the Jazz Messengers with a batch of west coast players – in a groove that wonderfully mixes together different traditions and rhythms in jazz – and which steps out with a sound that's far more than the sum of its parts! Art Blakey, Lee Morgan, and Curtis Fuller join a group headed by Buddy De Franco, and featuring Victor Feldman on piano and vibes, plus Victor Sproles on bass and Freddie Hill on trumpet. The sound of the group is quite unusual – and a lot lighter than you'd guess – giving Buddy plenty of room to solo in a breezy style that's grown tremendously since his 50s recordings – pushed along by some heavier soul from Art and the group. Titles include "Rain Dance", "Blues Bag", "Twelve Tone Blues", "Kush", and "Cousin Mary". LP, Vinyl record album

Two LP's on one CD. The first set is a later one for Vee Jay, and it brings together half of the Jazz Messengers with a batch of west coast players – in a groove that wonderfully mixes together different traditions and rhythms in jazz – and which steps out with a sound that's far more than the sum of its parts! Art Blakey, Lee Morgan, and Curtis Fuller join a group headed by Buddy De Franco, and featuring Victor Feldman on piano and vibes, plus Victor Sproles on bass and Freddie Hill on trumpet. The sound of the group is quite unusual – and a lot lighter than you'd guess – giving Buddy plenty of room to solo in a breezy style that's grown tremendously since his 50s recordings – pushed along by some heavier soul from Art and the group. Titles include "Rain Dance", "Blues Bag", "Twelve Tone Blues", "Kush", and "Cousin Mary". The second album's one of the few ever cut as a leader by Louis Hayes – a very soulful talent who's probably best known for his work with Horace Silver and Cannonball Adderley during the late 50s. Hayes' has a wonderful approach to the record – borrowing bits of the exoticism of his work with Silver, and bits of the harder soul jazz from Cannonball's group – all of which is played to perfection by a tight quintet that includes Yusef Lateef, Sam Jones, Barry Harris, and Nat Adderley. Tracks are all originals by the group, and titles include "Hazing", "Rip De Boom", "Teef", and "Sassy Ann". CD

A pair of wonderful albums from the great John Fahey – back to back on a single CD! First up is Rivers & Religion – a really unique album by John Fahey – issued during a short stretch of initial mainstream approval, and a brief time of recording for Warner Brothers! Some of the album's quite different than the spare, solo Fahey you might know – and mixes his legendary guitar work with more elaborate elements than usual – additional instrumentation that includes bass, banjo, clarinet, piano, trombone, and fiddle – but all used at a level that really supports John's presence, not occludes it. Other tracks return to spare acoustic steel string guitar – creating an evocative balance that's mighty nice. Titles include "Funeral Song For Mississippi John Hurt", "Texas & Pacific Blues", "Dixie Pig Bar B Q Blues", "Lord Have Mercy Song", and "Deep River". After The Ball is a set with a disco ball on the cover, but a record that fits right in with the best early 20th century aesthetic in the work of John Fahey – particularly his way of reiimagining older musical traditions! There's a bit of added instrumentation on the record – two tracks that have some slight trad jazz flourishes – but overall, the album's mostly a solo effort with loads of wonderful guitar work from John – still as creative and as complicated as in his best recordings for Takoma! Other added instrumentation sometimes expands the sound with mandolin or banjo, but again in very sensitive ways – and titles include "Bucktown Stomp", "Om Shanthi Norris", "Beverly", and "Horses". CD

Tremendous work from a young Jimmy Scott – a great collection that brings together rare singles for Decca, Coral, and Brunswick – plus a few tracks that were never issued at the time! Although Jimmy's work has become famous in recent years – thanks to much-needed support towards the later stretch of his life – he seems to sound even more compelling on these early sides – hanging in a sublime space between male and female vocal traditions, and often backed by groups that bring a bit of a modern flavor to the music. We'd almost say that we dig these sides more than Jimmy's better-known work for Savoy in the 50s – and backings are by the groups of Lionel Hampton, Billy Taylor, and Lucky Thompson – all artists who really keep jazz at the forefront. Titles include "Wheel Of Fortune", "I Wish I Knew", "I've Been A Fool", "Come What May", "They Say You Cry", "Alone With A Memory", "When You Surrender", "Why Was I Born", and "The Bluest Blues". CD

A very compelling set from Japanese bassist Isao Suzuki – one that draws on the electric traditions being forged at the time by artists like Miles and Joe Henderson – but which is also graced by the warm lyricism that was running through other Japanese jazz sessions of the 70s! Suzuki plays a surprising range of instruments – electric piano, cello, and bass – and his group displays an amazing ability to move into freely flowing numbers, then shift abruptly into sparer, subtler territory. The vibe of the record is quite unique – and group members include Kenji Mori on alto and flute, Kazumi Watanabe on guitar, Samu Kawakami on bass, and Shinji Mori on drums – and one title features vocals from Mari Nakamoto. The tracks are on the longish side – and the titles include "Blue Road", "Where Are You Going?", "My One And Only Love" and "Orang-Utan". Great cover, too! CD

A fantastic bit of vocal jazz, sung by the legendary Swingle Singers in a style that shaped easy listening and soundtrack music for years to come! The French group had roots in vocalese jazz traditions – from groups like Lambert Hendricks & Ross or Les Double Six – but for this groundbreaking album, they moved into a semi-classical vein, and did these great jazzy takes on compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach. The whole thing sounds hokey, but it's plenty groovy – and it was a huuuuge influence on easy and soundtrack work for decades to come, including the wonderful work of I Cantori Moderni and some of the groovier French composers. Titles include "Sinfonia", "Prelude No 9", "Bouree", "Aria", "Choral No 1", and "Fugue In D Major". LP, Vinyl record album

The one and only full LP ever recorded by Harry Taussig – blending folk & blues based solo guitar traditions with his unique style – on this great, private press rarity from 1965, dug up by the folk & roots heroes at Tompkins Square! It's really fine stuff, which should appeal to folks who dig the Fahey & Basho style of primitive guitar, but Taussig brings his own flavor to the pot. The tunes have a bit more rag in them, and a real love of lonely blues guitar, and his playing the right kind of ragged to our ears, giving it a natural and truthful resonance that cuts deeper to our souls than players who go for perfection or prettiness. Very highly recommended! Tracks include Taussig's adaptation of "Baby Let Me Lay It On You/That'll Never Happen No More" by Reverend Gary Davis, plus "Blues For Zone VII", "Rev's Rag", "Sugar Babe, YOur Papa Cares For You", "Rondo To Death", "Dorian Sonata", "Fate Is Only Once" and more. CD

Very very cool 4CD set of classic Latin material, packed inside of a nifty cigar-box cover, with an extra 112-page booklet of notes! The set's perfect if you're just getting into Afro Cuban music – but also pretty darn great even if you're already a fan, as the selection and packaging are exquisite. There's far too much music on the set to mention in this small space – but let us just tell you that the 4 CDs in the package all focus on a different side of Cuban music: Jazz, Vocals, Percussion, and Cuban Traditions. Each track comes with lavish notes and information that's helpful to novices and experts alike – and some of the artists include Cachao, Roberto Faz, Issac Delgado, Tito Gomez, Merceditas Valdes, Arsenio Rodriguez, Sexteto Habenero, Beny More, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Irakere. The jazz CD alone is enough to blow your mind – and that's only the beginning! CD

The world of moogy music first exploded back in the late 60s – when artists like Bruce Haack, Perry-Kingsley, and others were making all these wonderfully weird records that featured heavy analogue electronics and other playful elements! By the 80s, most of that music had gone away – some migrating to the world of new age, others turning more mainstream – yet up in Eugene, Oregon, there was a small scene that continued the electronic experiments of years past – work that sounded very different than most of the darker cold wave and industrial sounds that were popping up at other points on the globe. This collection offers up a long-overdue look at that scene – and features work from a collective of artists who really continue some of the hippest traditions of the genre – from the early records that Bruce Haack made with Miss Nelson, to some of the weird Mort Garson productions, even to some of the more wigged-out French psych/electronics of the 70s. Some of these tracks have vocals, some are instrumental – and they're all nicely "switched on" – providing a great bridge between the world of Walter Carlos and the Stereolab generation to come. Titles include "Energy" by Kim Carter, "Other Playgrounds" by Peter Kardas, "The Seven Rays" by David Stout, "Finale From A Walk Down Serenity Lane" by Joel Horowitz, "Self Regulation 2" by Carl Juarez, "The Ride" by Talve, "New Snow" by Peter Nothnagle, and "Patterns" by Suse Millemann. CD

A great little live set from the Art Ensemble of Chicago – one that showcases the group's quintet lineup with younger players, but which captures some of the energy and imagination of live dates from years past! Older members Don Moye, Roscoe Mitchell, and Joseph Jarman are joined here by bassist Jaribu Shahid and trumpeter Corey Wilkes – both players who are clearly aware of, and respectful towards the AEC traditions – and who almost seem to help the older players get a new sense of focus and presence. As with all Ensemble albums, the instrumentation and moods here vary wildly – but in a way that's still quite coherent, and which is recorded well, even in the quieter moments. Titles include "Odwalla", "Big Red Peaches", "On The Mountain", "Erika", "Malachi", "The J Song", "Red Sand Green Water", "Slow Tenor & Bass", and "The Morning Mist". CD

Massive lost work from the Butterfield Blues Band – recorded in 1964, quite early in the group's career – but a set that already has them hitting hard with a really powerful sound! The recording quality and overall sound is nice and rough – a gritty groove that's more closely linked with the Chicago roots of the group than some of their later recordings – and the harmonica work of Paul Butterfield is really amazing – nicely distorted at times, almost in a fuzzy psych way – and matched by some excellent work on guitar from both Elvin Bishop and Mike Bloomfield – the latter of whom also handles Hammond and piano too. Titles include "Nut Popper 1", "Lovin Cup", "Our Love Is Driftin", "Take Me Back Baby", "Help Me", "Just To Be With You", "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", and "Goin Down Slow". CD

An amazing jam session set – of the sort that was rarely issued in the 60s, and hardly ever on labels like Solid State Records! The album features a small group of all-star players recorded live at the Village Vanguard in 1967 – all blowing on long, unstructured tunes that offer amazing solo space, and the kind of spontaneity that's rarely captured so well in a live jazz setting. Players include Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Chick Corea on piano, Ray Nance on violin, Richard Davis on bass, and either Elvin Jones or Mel Lewis on drums – and the unusual mix of players really comes together beautifully for the record, in a rare spirit that recalls the best of the Norman Granz JATP sessions, but with a hipper sort of 60s feel. Titles include "Birk's Works", "Blues For Max", "Lover Come Back To Me", and "Lullaby At The Leaves" – all presented in very long versions, 2 of which are longer here than ever before! The second disc in this series that captures the fire and spontaneity of the famous late 60s Sunday afternoon sessions at the Village Vanguard – recorded when that club was an important site for criss-crossing of styles and traditions, as you'll hear wonderfully in this set! The album features a sextet that includes Pepper Adams, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Richard Davis, Mel Lewis, and Garnet Brown – playing in an easy, open format that has them really stretching out on 3 long tracks. The focus here is on the solo work of the players, but there's also a surprisingly great sense of cohesiveness and lyrical interplay as well. Titles include "Tour De Force", "On The Trail", and "Sweet Gorgia Brown" – 2 of which are here in tracks that have never been issued in this longer format! CD

Two great albums in the Verve Jam Session tradition – both featuring twin-trumpet leadership from Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge! Diz and Roy come together in a nice blend of two traditions – blowing in a relaxed mode that's less of the "battle" you might expect from the title – and more of a friendly exchange of solos, recorded in the open and laidback style of Verve at the time. The group features Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Louis Bellson on drums – and Dizzy himself even vocalizes a bit on the set! Tracks are mostly longish, with plenty of solo space, and the 10 titles include "Sometimes I'm Happy", "Algo Bueno", "The Heat's On", "The Ballad Medley", "Trumpet Blues", and "Blue Moon". CD

The first full length collaboration between blues, soul and rock slide guitar eclecticist Ben Harper and harmonica master Charlie Musselwhite – and it's win for both – with a vibe that's rooted in many traditions, but feels right at home in both Harper's and Musselwhite's wheelhouses. We expected a blues & soul covers set when we first heard that this project was in the works – and while the prospect of these 2 fellows working together on the classic Americana songbook sounds like a pretty good idea to us – we're actually all the more impressed with this all originals take on classic styled craft. A bit of blues and blues rock, a bit of gospel, and a bit of southern styled folk soul – and a bunch of great songs! It's a full band set up for the most part, too, as opposed to a spare duos set – and the titles include "Don't Look Twice", "I'm In I'm Out And I'm Gone", "We Can't End This Way", "You Found Another Lover (I Lost Another Friend), "I Ride At Dawn", "Get Up!", "She Got Kick", "Blood Side Out" and "All That Matters Now". CD

Long, lean, and later work by Coleman Hawkins – recorded in a beautifully stripped-down and free setting at the Village Gate! The tracks are all pushing the 10 minute mark – and feature Hawk soloing in that open, exploratory way he was using during the time – a mix of older traditions and slight moments of modernism – carried off with gentle accompaniment from a trio led by Tommy Flanagan on piano. The tenor dominates – and dominates beautifully – and titles include "All The Things You Are", "Mack The Knife", and "Talk Of The Town". LP, Vinyl record album

A wonderful set from vocalist Johnny Holiday – recorded in later years, but with a depth that easily matches his classics! The album's got a definite bossa bent – as you'd guess from the title – and Johnny's rich, deep vocals work with the music in ways that are quite similar to Tony Bennett's best bossa-styled recordings of the 60s – surprisingly full of feeling, but with the right sort of careful balance to live up to the best bossa traditions, too! The notes are a bit lacking in detail, but we believe the set was done in collaboration with Sam Most – who plays some great jazzy flute, amidst light rhythms and just a dash of strings. Titles include "Triste", "Wave", "Dindi", "This Happy Madness", "Meditation", and "One Note Samba". CD

One of the most compelling entries so far in the all-great Congotronics series – a set of highly percussive work from this unique ensemble! The Kasai All Stars is a collective of members from six other groups – all working here in Konono-like territory that's heavy on distorted rhythms from electrified thumb piano and xylophones, then topped with some great guitar lines that link the music to older African traditions – all with a sound that's completely hypnotic and downright other-worldly! There's vocals on most of the tracks, but the real appeal of the record is the instrumentation, which is totally great – a mindblowing blend of sounds that shows that there's still plenty of key musical changes taking place in the African scene. Titles include "Quick As White", "Mukuba", "Beyond The 7th Moon", "Analengo", "Mpombo Yetu", "Mbu A Matumba", and "Drowning Goat". CD

London's Kokoroko are a group with roots in many traditions and global modes – but they've also got a cohesive jazz-based sensibility that really makes the whole thing come together – and makes their music feel fresh and new, instead of a contemporary take on older modes! There's definitely strands of West African styles that run through the record, with vocals on a number of cuts – but those are offset by these prominent instrumental passages too – always given lots of different inflections, depending on the tracks – as the group have a lot to draw from in an octet lineup that mixes together trumpet, keyboards, alto, trombone, guitar, and plenty of percussion. Titles include "Age Of Ascent", "Something's Going On", "Blue Robe", "Home", "War Dance", "Those Good Times", "Soul Searching", and "Ewa Inu". LP, Vinyl record album

A strong outing from the Joe Lovano nonet – recorded live at the Village Vanguard, with the feel of other classic work recorded in the legendary club! The album's stepped in traditions of large group work of the 50s and 60s – albums by artists like Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra – with Lovano on tenor, working as a key part of 8 other musicians that include Steve Slagle on alto, Larry Farrell on trombone, and John Hicks on piano. Orchestrations are by Lovano, Slagle, and Willie Smith – and titles include "After The Rain", "Good Bait", "Laura", "On This Day", "At The Vanguard", and "My Little Brown Book". CD

A killer album from one of the most legendary versions of John Mayall's Blues Breakers – a quartet that features drummer Aynsley Dunbar, bassist John McVie, and lead guitarist Peter Green – who's also singing a fair bit on the album as well! The style here is tighter and more focused than before – showing a bit more of a rockish bent, especially on the guitars – but still strongly drenched in American R&B traditions, served up in a way that never waters down the sound for a mainstream audience. While other UK artists were taking American roots and softening them up for the charts, Mayall only seemed to deepen his commitment to more authentic representation of the styles – really only taking a bit more liberties with the strength and length of guitar parts. As before, there's a bit of reed work here that's especially nice – served up by UK jazzers Ray Warleigh, John Almond, and Alan Skidmore – and titles include "A Hard Road", "It's Over", "The Stumble", "Dust My Blues", "There's Always Work", "The Same Way", "The Supernatural", and "Living Alone". CD

A killer album from one of the most legendary versions of John Mayall's Blues Breakers – a quartet that features drummer Aynsley Dunbar, bassist John McVie, and lead guitarist Peter Green – who's also singing a fair bit on the album as well! The style here is tighter and more focused than before – showing a bit more of a rockish bent, especially on the guitars – but still strongly drenched in American R&B traditions, served up in a way that never waters down the sound for a mainstream audience. While other UK artists were taking American roots and softening them up for the charts, Mayall only seemed to deepen his commitment to more authentic representation of the styles – really only taking a bit more liberties with the strength and length of guitar parts. As before, there's a bit of reed work here that's especially nice – served up by UK jazzers Ray Warleigh, John Almond, and Alan Skidmore – and titles include "A Hard Road", "It's Over", "The Stumble", "Dust My Blues", "There's Always Work", "The Same Way", "The Supernatural", and "Living Alone". LP, Vinyl record album

In the early 70s, pianist Chris McGregor was one of the leading lights of the British jazz scene – an expatriot South African living in London, whose work with the legendary group The Blue Notes was steeped in an African rhythmic traditions! This seminal work from 1971 shows how much McGregor's style evolved in the late 60's, and how fiercely it had become intertwined with the British avant styles of the time – in a groove that comes across here with an earthy, rootsy bottom – but also features plenty of far-reaching solos that go out, yet never too far – the best balance of modes from players that include fellow Blue Notes Mongezi Feza, Dudu Pukwana, and Louis Moholo – as well as British jazz luminaries who include Harry Beckett, Alan Skidmore, and John Surman. Titles include "Andromeda", "Union Special", "Night Poem", "MRA", "The Bride", and "Davashe's Dream". CD

An extremely ambitious work by Helen Merrill – an album of tracks recorded to unlock her Croatian heritage, a factor that was always suppressed in her music, but which blossoms here under expansive arrangements that link both jazz and folkloric traditions! The recording is a recent one, but it's got the feel of some of our favorite European projects of this nature from the 70s – taking jazz solo work from players that include Roland Hanna, Gil Goldstein, and Steve Lacy, forging it with arrangements by Torrie Zito, and using it to create worlds of sound for Helen's unique voice. The album's got an incredibly evocative feel, and it's proof that Merrill is far more than just a jazz singer – truly an artist of the voice, with a style that's evolved tremendously over the course of decades! Titles include "Tanac", "La Paloma", "My Father", "Long Long Ago", "Kirje", "Lost In The Stars", "Among My Souvenirs", and "Nobody Knows". CD

A landmark blend of gospel spirit and 70s soul – and one of the greatest moments ever from The Mighty Clouds Of Joy! Like so many other soul artists before them, these guys have voices that are steeped in the best traditions of gospel – but rather than giving up their roots and going secular, they just cut this set with the best Philly soul help of the time – arrangements from Wade Marcus, and a smoking Sigma Sound lineup that includes work from Norman Harris, Vince Montana, Bobby Eli, Ronnie Baker, and Earl Young – all of whom give the record the vibe of the best Philly International material from the time! Dave Crawford produced, but the set almost feels more Gamble & Huff than anything else – as the quintet's vocals really soar on tracks that include "Stoned World", "Time", "Mighty Cloud Of Joy", "The Master Plan", and "Heart Full Of Love". LP, Vinyl record album

The first full album by Miguel Migs – the soulful DJ who's the number one force behind the Naked Music sound! The album's right up there with Miguel's previous collections, remixes, and production work – a smooth, sensuous approach to the groove – steeped in soulful traditions, but with a fresh and futuristic air. Titles include "Messages", "Soul Vibe", "Days Of Color", "Surrender", "The One", "Breakin It Down", "Waiting", and "The Night". CD

A landmark in jazz – easily one of Thelonious Monk's greatest albums ever, and a magical crossroads of talents that brings together a variety of jazz traditions! The work is performed by an ambitious Monk septet that includes both Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane on tenor – and if you've ever doubted the brilliance of Hawk, this is the record to change your mind. The rest of the group is equally great – with Ray Copeland on trumpet, Gigi Gryce on alto, Wilbur Ware on bass, and Art Blakey on drums – all coming together with Monk to craft a perfect set of tunes that are virtually the definition of "modern jazz". Titles include "Abide With Me", "Off Minor", "Crepuscule With Nellie", and "Epistrophy". CD features 2 bonus tracks – alternates of "Off Minor" and "Crepuscule With Nellie". CD

One of David Murray's most ambitious projects ever – and that's saying a lot, given the depth of the 150-plus albums in his recording career! As you'd guess from the title, the set's a tribute to the En Espanol albums by Nat King Cole from the early 60s – and like those gems, Murray's project is a trans-cultural outing that brings together his jazz roots with Cuban musicians, additional strings, and an occasional vocalist – all recorded in studios from Argentina, to Portugal, to France! There's still a nicely unified feel to the whole record, though – and there should be, given how long Murray has kept this musical vision in his heart – and honestly, the whole thing is one of the most impressive things he's recorded in years – not only a great reminder that he's got deep respect for many jazz traditions, but also that he can inflect his horn with rich flavors with effortless ease. Titles include "Quizas Quizas Quizas", "Black Nat", "Piel Canela", "Cachito", "Aqui Se Habla En Amor", and "El Bodeguero". US version features the bonus cut "El Chocolo"! CD

Killer funky work from Pete Rock – a set that's still rooted in the hip hop traditions he helped form over the past few decades, but which also has a strong degree of instrumental funk as well! Pete did the set with the Soul Brothers quartet – a great group with riffing guitars, funky bass, and even some occasional vocal chorus bits – and the tunes are every bit as lean as on the previous Petestrumentals sets, but also maybe sharper, funkier, and more lively too – thanks to excellent work from the group throughout the set. The maestro still gets in plenty of his own touches too – that special sort of ear that we first fell in love with when he was working with CL Smooth – and titles include "Super Soul Brother", "Swag", "Live With Me", "Cool Breeze", "Told Y'All", "Say It Again", "That's The Way", "Heavy", and "So Good". LP, Vinyl record album

A very compelling set from Japanese bassist Isao Suzuki – one that draws on the electric traditions being forged at the time by artists like Miles and Joe Henderson – but which is also graced by the warm lyricism that was running through other Japanese jazz sessions of the 70s! Suzuki plays a surprising range of instruments – electric piano, cello, and bass – and his group displays an amazing ability to move into freely flowing numbers, then shift abruptly into sparer, subtler territory. The vibe of the record is quite unique – and group members include Kenji Mori on alto and flute, Kazumi Watanabe on guitar, Samu Kawakami on bass, and Shinji Mori on drums – and one title features vocals from Mari Nakamoto. The tracks are on the longish side – and the titles include "Blue Road", "Where Are You Going?", "My One And Only Love" and "Orang-Utan". Great cover, too! LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing work from violinist Michael White – one of a few that he cut for the Impulse label in the early 70s, all of which helped to completely redefine the use of his instrument in jazz! Throw away any sleepy connotations you may have about the violin, because in White's hands it's an instrument of soul and spirit – one used to unlock cosmic tones that glide effortlessly next to the session's earthy blend of piano, bass, and percussion! White shapes his sounds beautifully for the session – breaking the violin free of any staid European-bound traditions – and using the instrument as a key part of the new tradition of African American expression explored by Leroy Jenkins, Billy Bang, and others. Side one features the extended "Pneuma" suite – a long, exploratory track that sounds a bit like some of Leroy Jenkins work at the time – and side two tightens things up with some shorter, groovier numbers that often also feature vocals! Our favorite is the anthemic vocal number "Journey Of The Black Star" – a skipping, joyful ode that's really great – and other tunes include soulful tracks "The Blessing Song" and "Ebony Plaza", both of which have that warm post-Shepp Impulse glow to them! LP, Vinyl record album

A great follow-up to the initial News For Lulu project – a late 80s reinvention of the sound of Blue Note, handled by this trio of key modernists from the time! As proven by recordings like this over the years, John Zorn's a player who – despite his own very modern and avant tendencies – has a great respect for older jazz traditions, and a strong ability to bring them into his music – even if the connections aren't always that obvious! Here, the link is explicit – in the album's choice of tunes by Hank Mobley, Sonny Clark, Kenny Dorham, and Freddie Redd – all Blue Note legends from the hardbop generation, providing core elements that are completely reworked into modern showcases for the alto of Zorn, guitar of Bill Frisell, and trombone of George Lewis. Lewis' presence is especially great – a rhythmic pulse and sense of depth that really grounds the session nicely. The CD features material from two live performances – and titles include "Melody For C", "News For Lulu", "Funk In Deep Freeze", "Hank's Other Tune", and "Peckin Time". CD

An amazing collection – and one that really helped completely revise our understanding of Caribbean music! The collection features a fair bit of artists with roots in the West Indies, but who made a huge impact on London's postwar immigrant population – the new rise of non-native residents who were swelling the ranks of the city in the years after the way – bringing with them new cultures, new sounds, and new traditions – with all the requisite ideas and politics that might imply! The work here often has a subtle social agenda – working through themes important to these new Londoners, yet still echoing modes of the homeland as well – often with great musical backings that's heavy on percussion, jazzy instrumentation, and very upbeat rhythms. Titles include "London Is The Place For Me" by Lord Kitchener, "I Was There" by Young Tiger, "Some Girl Something" by The Lion, "No Carnival In Britain" by Mighty Terror, "Jamaica Hurricane" by Lord Beginner, "Birth Of Ghana" by Lord Kitchener, "Victory Test Match" by Lord Beginner, "Spanish Calypso" by The Lion, "Bulldog Don't Bite Me" by Timothy, "My Landlady" by Lord Kitchener, "If You're Not White You're Black" by Lord Kitchener, and "Aguiti" by Lord Invader. LP, Vinyl record album

A really beautiful collection of music – and work from a scene that we've hardly heard from before – given that all these tracks were taken from the 60s catalog of the Caife Records label in Ecuador! The music is often an unusual hybrid of modes – older folkloric styles mixes with more contemporary expressions – often driven by an urban interest in the nation's traditions, which involve many different cultural strains spread out over its diverse terrain. Caife was an imprint that sought to capture music that might have fallen through the cracks otherwise – and in terms of sound and style, most of this work feels much older than what you might have heard coming from Colombia, Mexico, or Cuba in the 60s – with a fair bit of acoustic instrumentation, and often a strong current of sentiment, as is hinted at in the title. The package is a very well-done resurrection of this near-lost legacy – with a beautiful booklet of notes and rare images – including a shot of the hoarder's office in a high rise, where most of the tapes had been sitting for decades. Titles include "Sendero Del Dolor" by Segundo Bautista, "Ingratitud" by Hermanas Mendoza Suasti, "Cotopaxi" by Biluka Y Los Canibales, "Desesperacion" by Bentiez Y Valencia, "Lejos De Ti" by Los Tres Ases, "Vaca Lechera" by Conjunto Caife, "Pasional" by Lucho Munoz, "El Anacu De Mi Guambra" by Biluka Y Los Canibales, and "Ensonacion" by Los Inaquingas. LP, Vinyl record album

Two rare albums from one of the greatest modern pianists ever! Jaki Byard With Strings is a wonderful album – and nothing like any other "with strings" album you've ever heard! Sure, the set does have some stringed instruments in the group – but it's a small combo session with bass, violin, guitar, and cello, not a large overly-orchestral affair. Byard's mad vision uses these strings wonderfully to carve out some oddly arranged tunes that mix together soul jazz grooving and a haunting spiritual approach to jazz that points at later work on labels like Strata East. Includes a sublime remake of "Music To Watch Girls By", "Falling Rains Of Life", "Cat's Cradle Conference Rag", and a long version of "How High The Moon". Solo Piano is an obscure set from 1969, featuring Byard's lonely musings on the keyboard on shorter tracks that reference a huge history of traditions. Titles include "Seasons", "Spanish Tinge 2", "Hollis Stomp", "Top Of The Gate Rag", and "Ray's Blues". CD

Severely funky jazz from trumpeter Russell Gunn – working here in an electrified mode that reminds us a bit of recent work from Nicholas Payton or Roy Hargrove – but which comes off sounding a lot hipper overall! The set's got a bouncing, bass-heavy groove that's clearly rooted in older funk traditions – but it's performed by Russell with a host of cutting edge up and comers, in a style that's pushing lots of new styles and sounds of its own! Gunn himself plays acoustic and electric trumpet, as well as keyboards – and he's joined by Stefon Harris on vibes, Nick Rolfe on Fender Rhodes, and Kebbi Williams on tenor and electric tenor. The set's got lots of extra space for added instrumentation that includes work on alto, percussion, pro tools, turntables, and voice – and the overall sound somehow manages to come off with a lot harder-hitting edge than other recent projects of this sort! Titles include "East St Louis", "John Wicks", "No Separation", "The Critic's Song", "Yesterdays", and "Stranger Fruit". CD

Long, lean, and later work by Coleman Hawkins – recorded in a beautifully stripped-down and free setting at the Village Gate! The tracks are all pushing the 10 minute mark – and feature Hawk soloing in that open, exploratory way he was using during the time – a mix of older traditions and slight moments of modernism – carried off with gentle accompaniment from a trio led by Tommy Flanagan on piano. The tenor dominates – and dominates beautifully – and titles include "All The Things You Are", "Mack The Knife", "Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho" and "Talk Of The Town". CD

That's Loos/Armstrong, not Louis Armstrong – a late 90s Dutch group who improvise freely on both electric and acoustic elements – with a style that makes the record one of the most offbeat albums ever released on the Okka Disk label! In some ways, the combo almost tie together Dutch traditions of free jazz and electronic experimentation – with a lineup that features Gerald Bowhuis on piano, Huib Emmer on guitar, Johan Faber on drums, Patricio Wang on bass and guitar, and Dennis Rudge on voice – plus leader Peter Van Bergen on tenor, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, and some mighty cool electronics! At times, the use of voice adds almost a no wave element to the set – and on the set, Rudge reads from Sun Ra's "Endless Realm" , and "Amooooore", a 1916 text from Volt – on titles that include "FTE 1", "FA5 1", "FA 3", and "FL 1". CD

A landmark in jazz – easily one of Thelonious Monk's greatest albums ever, and a magical crossroads of talents that brings together a variety of jazz traditions! The work is performed by an ambitious Monk septet that includes both Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane on tenor – and if you've ever doubted the brilliance of Hawk, this is the record to change your mind. The rest of the group is equally great – with Ray Copeland on trumpet, Gigi Gryce on alto, Wilbur Ware on bass, and Art Blakey on drums – all coming together with Monk to craft a perfect set of tunes that are virtually the definition of "modern jazz". Titles include "Abide With Me", "Off Minor", "Crepuscule With Nellie", and "Epistrophy". LP, Vinyl record album

A heavenly blend of jazz and spiritual modes – one of the best jazz mass projects of the 70s, presented here with bonus alternate takes as well! Pianist Heikki Sarmanto composed the work, and leads the core instrumental group on piano – often working in a sweet modal style with help from Pekka Poyry and Seppo Paakkunainen on flutes and saxes – bringing some really soulful currents to the larger arrangements, which feature voices conducted by Gregg Smith, with some occasional solos from singer Maija Hapuoja! As with most projects of this nature, the music takes off from an older mass style, but in a mode that bridges to the spiritual jazz traditions of the 70s too – mixing familiar themes with new compositions, on titles that include "Duke & Trane", "Gracious Father", "Northern Dance", "Intercessions", "Hymn For The Day", "Holy Holy Holy", and "Through Him". CD

The midnight sugar here comes from pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto – who's playing with a soulful, bluesy sort of style – one that reminds us a bit of Ray Bryant back in the 60s, but which also comes across here with a fair bit of lighter, lyrical touches as well! As with other Three Blind Mice albums from the time, the tracks here are all longish and open-ended – recorded with a nice sort of brightness that breaks from other jazz traditions, and moving in surprising ways at each new twist and turn. The group also features the great Isao Fukui on bass and Tetsujiro Obara on drums – and titles include "I'm A Fool To Want You", "Midnight Sugar", "The Nearness Of You", and "Sweet Georgia Blues". CD

The first two volumes in this legendary series – back to back in one set! Volume 1 is an amazing collection – and one that really helped completely revise our understanding of Caribbean music! The collection features a fair bit of artists with roots in the West Indies, but who made a huge impact on London's postwar immigrant population – the new rise of non-native residents who were swelling the ranks of the city in the years after the way – bringing with them new cultures, new sounds, and new traditions – with all the requisite ideas and politics that might imply! The work here often has a subtle social agenda – working through themes important to these new Londoners, yet still echoing modes of the homeland as well – often with great musical backings that's heavy on percussion, jazzy instrumentation, and very upbeat rhythms. Titles include "London Is The Place For Me" by Lord Kitchener, "I Was There" by Young Tiger, "Some Girl Something" by The Lion, "No Carnival In Britain" by Mighty Terror, "Jamaica Hurricane" by Lord Beginner, "Birth Of Ghana" by Lord Kitchener, "Victory Test Match" by Lord Beginner, "Spanish Calypso" by The Lion, "Bulldog Don't Bite Me" by Timothy, "My Landlady" by Lord Kitchener, "If You're Not White You're Black" by Lord Kitchener, and "Aguiti" by Lord Invader. Volume 2 compiles the stylistically varied music coming from the emergent West Indian and African communities of 50s and 60s London – far more than just the topical, and often quite whimsical calypso tunes of the era! Calypso is well represented, but the set includes strains of jazz, percussive instrumentals that veer towards native Trinidad and Nigeria, and loads of Caribbean grooves! It's all exceptionally bright – with some lovingly, and knowingly, naive vocals that are as sweet as they are wise. A truly wonderful compilation. Essential! 20 tracks in all: "Calypso Be" by Young Tiger, "Yolanda" by Ambrose Campbell, "Calypso Blues" by Mona Baptiste, "My Wife's Nightie" by Lord Kitchener, "Ominara" by West African Rhythm Brothers, "Gerrard Street" by King Timothy, "ET Mensah's Rolling Ball" by West African Swing Stars, "West Indian Drums" by Russ Henderson, "Gbonimawo" by Rans Boi's Ghana Highlife Band and more! CD