... CD

... CD

The cover here should tip you off that you're in very classic territory for Yes – as the group spin out some fantastic long live tracks, in a performance from 1972 that was done for their tour for the Close To The Edge album! The classic lineup is firmly in place – Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, and Alan White – razor-sharp and completely unified in their perfection, serving up concert magic on tunes that include "Roundabout", "Heart Of The Sunrise", "Mood For A Day/Clap", "And You & I", "I've Seen All Good People", "Siberian Khatru", and a side-long reading of "Yours Is No Disgrace". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

Pure brilliance by the young Yes – with tracks that include "Time & A Word", "The Prophet", "No Opportunity Necessary No Experience Needed", "Everydays", "Then", and "Astral Traveller". CD

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

The group's first album – with tracks that include "Harold Land", "Beyond & Before", "I See You", "Looking Around", "Sweetness", "Survival", and "Every Little Thing". CD

Stellar live Yes – recorded during their 1972 tour, when the group was at the height of their jamming powers! Sweet Roger Dean cover, too! CD

Stellar live Yes – recorded during their 1972 tour, when the group was at the height of their jamming powers! Sweet Roger Dean cover, too! CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

Jacke McMurchie on saxophones and gong, Pete Judge on trumpet and glockenspiel, Jim Barr on bass and vibes, and Clive Deamer on drums and percussion. CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

A great collection of material from Sammy D – including a number of cuts you can't get elsewhere! CD

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

A slightly more-grooving record than some of Smokey's others from the time – done in a style that rolls around in a mostly-midtempo mode. There's almost a gentle 80s groove approach at times, although some of the tunes on the set are definitely in that stone mellow love song style that was Smokey's biggest trademark of the time. Titles include "Are You Still Here", "Tell Me Tomorrow", "Yes It's You Lady", "The Only Game In Town", "International Baby", and "Merry Go Ride". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

2 great sessions pulled from the Swingville catalog of Prestige Records – both of which feature heavy tenor sax from the great Buddy Tate! Yes Indeed was issued under the leadership of pianist Claude Hopkins – and although it's a showcase for his skills on the keys, Buddy Tate also gets in plenty of space as well – blowing with a deep-toned tenor style that's made even better by the slight echo used in the recording! Other players include Emmett Berry on trumpet, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Osie Johnson on drums – and tracks include "Is It So", "Yes Indeed", "Willow Weep For Me", "Empty Bed Blues", and "It Don't Mean A Thing". Tate A Tate is a tightly swinging set that makes wonderful use of the tenor sax of Buddy Tate – recorded in a swing-based mode that's very much in the same spirit Verve was using with players of his vintage, but in a style that's slightly rougher around the edges! The whole thing's got a nicely echoing sound that lets Tate's tenor ring out nicely amidst small group backing from Clark Terry on trumpet, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Larry Gales on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. Tracks are a mix of shorter numbers and a few especially nice long ones – and titles include "Groun Hog", "#20 Ladbroke Square", "All Too Soon", and "Snatchin It Back". CD

Yes indeed – a mighty early classic from the great Ray Charles – one of his first full length albums, and a set that brings together the searing sort of work he was doing for Atlantic Records in the 50s! Ray's completely confident and at the top of his game here – and a lot more raw than if you only know him from his later country-tinged material. Tracks include "What Would I Do Without You", "It's All Right", "Get On The Right Track", "Blackjack", "I Want A Little Girl", and "Heartbreaker". LP, Vinyl record album

... 78 RPM, Vinyl record

Yes indeed – a mighty early classic from the great Ray Charles – one of his first full length albums, and a set that brings together the searing sort of work he was doing for Atlantic Records in the 50s! Ray's completely confident and at the top of his game here – and a lot more raw than if you only know him from his later country-tinged material. Tracks include "What Would I Do Without You", "It's All Right", "Get On The Right Track", "Blackjack", "I Want A Little Girl", and "Heartbreaker". LP, Vinyl record album

A seedy, noirish, vintage R&B-fueled 90s alt rock classic from Morphine – their third straight great album in a hell of a strong run! If they hit their peak on Good, they're still riding it out here for sure – yes, indeed. They always had a way of pairing primitivist R&B influences with compelling songcraft, but there's a confidence level here that's above and beyond, and Sandman is bringing some surprisingly tender melodies into into the grimey rhythms, bleating sax and sly humor at this point. Includes "Honey White", "Scratch", "Radar", "Yes", "Super Sex", "Gone For Good", "Free Love" and more. CD

Johnny Varro on solo piano. CD

A positive spirit pervades this post-Obama election recording by the World Sax Quartet – just the sort of upbeat, forward thinking energy that first made us love their music back at the start of the 80s! The group's changed slightly since then, but the format is still very much the same – jazz made entirely from saxophones, with no other instrumentation at all – an amazing achievement in both rhythm and melody, not to mention improvisation as well! The lineup features Hamiet Bluiett on baritone and clarinet, Kidd Jordan on alto, David Murray on tenor and bass clarinet, and James Carter on tenor and soprano sax – on cuts that include "Hattie Wall", "Yes We Can", "The River Niger", "Long March To Freedom", and "The God Of Pain". CD

... CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

The Delmark debut of saxophonist Geoff Bradfield – and a set that only furthers the range of color and tonal expression we've loved in his other recent work! As the title implies, the album's based around Geoff's own compositions – songs that are wonderfully fluid, with more than enough space for individual expression from the strong lineup – but also really cohesive, with this beautiful feeling from the ensemble as a whole – this majestic sensibility, but one that's never stiff at all – really coming together in a way that might make this the best Bradfield outing to date. Players include Marquis Hill and Russ Johnson on trumpet and flugelhorn, Anna Webber on flute and tenor, Greg Ward on alto, Scott Hesse on guitar, Clark Sommers on bass, Dana Hall on drums, Joel Adams on trombone, and Bradfield on tenor, soprano, and bass clarinet. Titles include "In Flux", "Impossible Charms", "Ostinato", "Anamneses", "Chaconne", and "Forro Hermeto". CD

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Of all the various pieces of the Paisley Park empire, this is probably the one we most fondly return to. A great mid tempo groover, that could be a standout single on one of Prince's album from the time. 7-inch, Vinyl record

With Redman & Busta Rhymes. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Edits of cuts by Jorge Santana and Mass Production. 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 7-inch, Vinyl record

The first rumblings of the pop genius in Yello's music – a record that still has all the best quirky electronics of their first two sets, but which also focuses that energy into a sound that's often more direct and oddly hook-oriented on the best numbers! There's a really percussive vibe going on here – a quality that makes the album almost more darkly rhythmic than other efforts, but which also pushes some tunes ahead with quite a sense of drive – mixing early samples, analogue electronics, and Dieter Meier's always-great vocals into a sound that's still better than many of the countless groups who sprung up in Yello's wake. Titles include "I Love You", "Swing", "Heavy Whispers", "Crash Dance", "Lost Again", "Smile On You", "Pumping Velvet", and "Salut Mayoumba". LP, Vinyl record album

Original mono recordings from Eddie Cantor, Paul Whiteman & his Orchestra, Ted Lewis & his Band, Tito Schipa, Gene Austin, Al Jolson, Ruth Etting, Maurice Chevalier, Annette Hanshaw, the Boswell Sisters, Billie Holiday, and more. CD

A beautiful turn in direction from the legendary jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater – a return to some of the soul-based modes she used in the 70s, but served up here as a tribute to Memphis soul of an earlier generation! The set was recorded in that fine southern city, at the Royal Studios where Willie Mitchell crafted so much magic for Hi Records back in the day – and production chores are handled by Mitchell's son, with a warmth that certainly befits the strong soul legacy of both his family and Memphis! Most tracks are remakes of older soul tunes, but handled by Dee Dee in a very personal way – and the group is nice and lean, with a very soulful vibe – thanks to some arrangements and saxophone work by Kirk Whalum. Titles include "Why Am I Treated So Bad", "BABY", "Yes I'm Ready", "I Can't Get Next To You", "The Sweeter He Is", "Try A Little Tenderness", and a great remake of "I Can't Stand The Rain". CD

With Cam'ron and Sizzla on "Shottas". 12-inch, Vinyl record

... CD

NSI stands for "new sounds from the islands" – and that's definitely what you'll get here from this combo who serve up a fantastic blend of Antilles rhythms and contemporary club funk – all very much in the best spirit of the early zouk movement at the time! There's lots of great bass on the record – often used as the key core element of the tunes, with keyboards, guitar lines, and vocals layered alongside – almost with a quality that seems to echo the way that American groups were borrowing bits from the Caribbean and using it to inflect funk and soul up in the New York scene of the early 80s. The music is plenty playful, and very groovy – and titles include "Turn Your Face On Me", "Steel Ka Dance", "Oui Ce Yes Roger A Ti Wawa", and "Moin Epi Vou". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Jim Hall's most compelling albums from the 70s – a mix of lightly swinging tunes and more complicated numbers, recorded with some of his best partners from earlier years! Chet Baker is on trumpet, Paul Desmond is on alto sax – and the rest of the group includes Ron Carter bass, Roland Hanna piano, and Steve Gadd on drums. Hall's style is as airy and free-floating as ever – and the spacious arrangements on the album by Don Sebesky only support his work even more. The centerpiece of the album is the 19 minute long "Concierto De Aranjuez", and other tracks include "The Answer Is Yes", "Two's Blues", and "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To". CD version features 3 bonus tracks – alternate takes of "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" and "Rock Skippin", and the track "Unfinished Business". CD

An overlooked little gem in Herbie Hancock's 70s catalog – and a sweet set of funky tunes that adds an R&B edge to the Headhunters sound! Herbie's playing a heck of a lot of keys on the set – from Arp to moog to Rhodes, and everything in between – but the album never gets too crazy, and has a really nice laidback soulful approach that grooves along wonderfully on a small number of very extended tunes! Other players include Headhunters stalwarts Paul Jackson on bass, Bennie Maupin on reeds, Patrick Gleeson on electronics, and Bill Summers on drums – and Herbie does some cool singing through the keyboards in a spacey voice that's really great! Titles include "Good Question", "Sunlight", "Come Running To Me", "I Thought It Was You", and "No Means Yes". LP, Vinyl record album

Killer harmonies from this great 70s group – on titles that include "The Best Of Your Service", "Everybody Will Be Happy Over There", "Yes God Is Real", "Let Jesus Fix It For You", "God Said Call Him", and "Sunshine In The Shadow". LP, Vinyl record album

Three albums from pianist Klaus Ignatek – all served up in a single set! First up is Jacaranda, a set that shows that Klaus is a great player on his own, but also a really great leader – one who always has a special ear for putting a group together, and bringing out the best in the musicians on his sessions! This record is a great example of that talent – as it really seems to bring out the best in trumpeter Claudio Roditi, driven on strongly by Mario Gonzi on drums and Paulo Cardoso on bass – all stretching out on long tracks that move easily between lyrical moments and harder-burning numbers – with more than a few great originals to remind us of the compositional talents of Klaus! Titles include "Blues For Lee", "Day For Night", "Jacaranda", "Let's Take A Break", and "Monster Mood" – plus nice takes on "Eu E Brisa" and "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise". Don't Stop It Is an overlooked 80s cooker from pianist Klaus Ignatzek – a set that's full of imagination, right from the very first note – thanks to a string of all original material that matches the strong performances on the set! Trumpeter Claudio Roditi is a key part of the quartet – and maybe gets a showcase here that's as strong as some of his better-known albums from the decade – really finding his groove with the material that Ignatzek brings to the record, in ways that are also nicely distinct, and show just how much Claudio can add to a session. Other players include Paulo Cardoso on bass and Mario Gonzi on drums – and the record's a gem through and through, with titles that include "Summer & Spring", "Move It", "Ballad For Ulli", "Whisper Yes", "That's It", and "Blue Energy". New Surprise is a record with a really joyous groove, and maybe one of the tightest sets we've ever heard from pianist Klaus Ignatzek – and that's saying a lot, as all of his records are pretty darn sharp! The groove is great – rock-solid basslines from Paulo Cardoso and drums from Mario Gonzi – with sparkling solos over the top from Claudio Roditi on trumpet and Tim Armacost on tenor – plays who spark all sorts of color and light on the great material that Klaus brought to the session! Titles include "Monster Mood", "Horace Gold", "For Sure", "Black Humour", and "New Surprise". CD

Produced by George Clinton and Bootsy Collins. nTitles include "Body Jackin'", "Storyteller", "Still Tight", "Androgynous View", "Jack Of All Trades", "I'll Do Anything For You", "What If The Girl Says Yes?", and "44-22-38". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the best soul groups to come out of Chicago in the early 70s – a quartet that was overflowing with great talent, and who also went on to influence a lot of other 70s soul as well! The group features one gal singer, and three guys – the former the great Helen Curry, who'd recorded a few solo singles before joining up – the latter the team of Charles Jackson and Marvin Yancy, who'd go onto some crucial production work with Natalie Cole and other singers, plus the great Maurice Jackson, who issued some amazing work on his own! The four come together in a style that really sums up all the sophisticated soul currents taking place in the Windy City at the time – a bit of Brunswick group modes, touched with some of the loftier production styles of Curtom, given some of the fuller, warmer touches that you'd hear from The Emotions or Jerry Butler. The group only spent a few years together, and recorded for the Wand/Scepter label in New York – who often repackaged albums with a lot of overlapping tracks – which makes this collection the first true representation of everything they recorded at the time – served up with the usual stellar Kent Records notes and production. Titles include the Independents' amazing version of Leroy Hutson's "Lucky Fellow" – plus "I Just Want To Be There", "Baby I've Been Missing You", "Our Love Has Got To Come Together", "Leaving Me", "Just As Long As You Need Me (parts 1 & 2)", "Here I Am", "It's All Over", "One Woman Do Right Man", "The Same Old Way", "No Wind No Rain", and "I Love You Yes I Do (Tom Moulton rmx)". CD

A set that's nicely different than the "best of" you might expect – as the record features all new material – both songs that appear here for the first time, and new recordings of older gems – which all come together with the laidback, easygoing vibe that makes Gregory Isaacs one of the most soulful singers on the Jamaican scene at the time! And yes, the man certainly saw plenty of international fame over the years – but we love him best in these more homegrown modes – working with producer Alvin Ranglin, on slow-stepping grooves that let that magical voice really slide in and find its groove. Titles include "A Riot", "Once Ago", "Jailer", "No Footstool", "Village Of The Under Privilege", "Payroll", "Border", and "Tumbling Tears". LP, Vinyl record album

Arguably the last true moment of genius in Michael Jackson's career – a record that sold a bazillion copies around the world – and for plenty good reason! Michael's still working here with Quincy Jones – in territory that steps nicely from the Off The Wall groove, into territory that's somewhat more poppy, but still quite soulful overall. And yes, the success of the album meant that cuts like "Billie Jean", "Thriller", and "Beat It" got plenty of play – thanks to both heavy radio and video rotation – but a few decades later, there's still a tremendous amount of depth here – on great cuts like "Human Nature", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin", and "PYT" – which all hold up nicely! LP, Vinyl record album

Arguably the last true moment of genius in Michael Jackson's career – a record that sold a bazillion copies around the world – and for plenty good reason! Michael's still working here with Quincy Jones – in territory that steps nicely from the Off The Wall groove, into territory that's somewhat more poppy, but still quite soulful overall. And yes, the success of the album meant that cuts like "Billie Jean", "Thriller", and "Beat It" got plenty of play – thanks to both heavy radio and video rotation – but a few decades later, there's still a tremendous amount of depth here – on great cuts like "Human Nature", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin", and "PYT" – which all hold up nicely! LP, Vinyl record album

The title's a great one for this post-Coltrane cooker from Elvin Jones – as the set really has Elvin exploring some really fresh currents in jazz, with a range of complicated rhythms that really pull the whole session along strongly! Rhythm is really set free on the record – as Elvin works to unlock some tremendous new possibilities in jazz, but all at a level that's quite different than his previous work with his famous leader – a rich tapestry of new spiritual expression that's carried off wonderfully by Joe Farrell on flute, tenor, and English horn – plus George Coleman on tenor, Pepper Adams on baritone, and a bit more flute from Fred Tompkins. There's no piano on the album at all – and Wilbur Little plays some tremendous bass, with some occasional conga work from Candido as well. Titles are all originals by group members – or Mrs Jones – and titles include "Whew", "Agenda", "Agappe Love", "Mr Jones", and "Yes". CD

A true masterpiece of late 60s pop – music originally recorded for a TV special in 1969 – and one of the Kinks' greatest albums ever! The semi-concept album traces the woes, worries, and hopes of a British family, as one half is on the verge of emigration to Australia. The work comes out of the sort of songwriting that Ray Davies had been perfecting on albums like Village Green and Something Else – but the overall style is more sophisticated, yet not nearly as self-indulgent as some of the 70s concept clunkers. Instead, the songs are brilliantly tight, and stand on their own well past the concept of the original album. Titles include "Victoria", "Brainwashed", "Australia", "Shangri-La", "Mr Churchill Says", and "Yes Sir No Sir". LP, Vinyl record album

An incredibly righteous album from the Detroit scene of the early 70s – nothing like anything you'd expect with "Bagdad" in the name – even more obscure than some of the city's spiritual jazz treasures on the Tribe and Strata labels from the time – and done for a very unusual theatrical presentation that had a very limited run! The overall vibe is hard to peg – the album's got that very special mix of music and knowledge that you'd get on Chicago gems like the work of Paris Smith or Haki R Madhubuti, or the Black Fairy album – with sounds that encompass jazz, funk, soul, and gospel – but come out with a result that's completely unique and individual! There's a small group on the set – using strong organ, flute, trumpet, and tenor over percussion – and the singers shift between a cool female group called The Intimates Of Soul, other soloists, and leader EJ Garrison, who handled arrangements and production. Titles include the funky "Thoughs Were The Days", plus "Happy & Blessed", "Two Sisters From Bagdad", "Good-By Suzy", "Fantasy", "Mr Devil", and "Yes I Do". LP, Vinyl record album

Damon Locks and Rob Mazurek are no musical strangers to each other – their paths have crossed often on the Chicago and global scenes over many years of creative activity. Yet this project is also the first they've co-led, and it's an incredible document of how much both artists have grown in recent years – especially when they let their talents flow together on a project like this! At some level, the core of the work is the voice that both artists have discovered – Locks, his own more focused message and ability to find other voices to sample in with his own – Mazurek, a way of using his own voice more directly, in addition to his well-known work on trumpets and electronics. Both Rob and Damon are in the forefront here, criss-crossing electric and acoustic elements with voices live and sampled – mixed with guest voices from others, in a swirlingly creative project that not only lives up to the current legacy of International Anthem and the Chicago scene, but also advances it a few notches too. Titles include "Breeze Of Time", "New Future", "Yes", "The Sun Returns", "Future City", "Las Ninas Estan Escuchando", "Support The Youth", "10 Mins Past The Hour", and "Polaris Radio". CD

Damon Locks and Rob Mazurek are no musical strangers to each other – their paths have crossed often on the Chicago and global scenes over many years of creative activity. Yet this project is also the first they've co-led, and it's an incredible document of how much both artists have grown in recent years – especially when they let their talents flow together on a project like this! At some level, the core of the work is the voice that both artists have discovered – Locks, his own more focused message and ability to find other voices to sample in with his own – Mazurek, a way of using his own voice more directly, in addition to his well-known work on trumpets and electronics. Both Rob and Damon are in the forefront here, criss-crossing electric and acoustic elements with voices live and sampled – mixed with guest voices from others, in a swirlingly creative project that not only lives up to the current legacy of International Anthem and the Chicago scene, but also advances it a few notches too. Titles include "Breeze Of Time", "New Future", "Yes", "The Sun Returns", "Future City", "Las Ninas Estan Escuchando", "Support The Youth", "10 Mins Past The Hour", and "Polaris Radio". LP, Vinyl record album

Crucial cuts in the development of New Orleans soul – served up here by a singer who was instrumental in setting up the new sound of the city in the 60s! Bobby Marchan's a singer who really got his start during the soul years, unlike some of the R&B contemporaries that moved into New Orleans soul – and right from the start, he had a lean, raw style that was perfect for the new groove that was setting the world on fire – presented here on rare recordings for the Ace label in Mississippi, where he worked with Huey Smith as well – and on tracks recorded up in New York for the legendary Fire Records label of Bobby Robinson – but which were every bit as crucial as material recorded in the Crescent City to the legacy of the Nola groove! The package features 36 tracks in all, including some rare alternate takes – and titles include "Booty Green", "Snoopin & Accusin", "You're Still My Baby (parts 1 & 2)", "I Need Some One", "Yes It's Written All Over Your Face", "Things I Used To Do (parts 1 & 2)", "Look At My Heart", "Give A Helping Hand", "Chickee Wah Wah", "Quit My Job", "Loberta", "Tiddley Wink", "Rockin Behind The Iron Curtain", "I'll Never Let You Go", "Little Girl Of Mine", and "Hush Your Mouth". CD

A new record by the legendary Sergio Mendes – bursting into the 21st century on a catchy wave of Will I Am production – reworking gems from the Brazilian songbook and more with guest appearances by Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, India Arie, Black Thought, Chali 2Na, Marcelo D2, John Legend and others! Will I Am has been annoying hip hop purists for years thanks to the relentless candy-coated pop gloss of recent Black Eyed Peas records – but he brings an intelligent, reverent and educated approach to the Brazilian keys legend Sergio Mendes – whose familiar grooves are a lovely accomplice to the sparkling hip hop/pop background. The guest stars seem to be here out of genuine love of the music – and provide far more graceful appearances than we would have expected! A very sweet surprise with bright, warm, and lovely moments – almost good enough for us to forgive Will I Am for "My Humps"! Tracks include "Mas Que Nada" feat Black Eyed Peas, "Berimbau/Consolacao" feat Stevie Wonder & Gracinha Leporace, "That Heat" feat Erykah Badu & Will I Am, "Let Me" feat Jill Scott & Will I Am, "Please Baby Don't" feat John Legend, "Samba Da Bencao" feat Marcelo D2, "Yes, Yes, Y'All" feat Black Thought, Chali 2Na & others and much more! CD

An amazing debut from Mighty Baby – a group that grew out of 60s mod rockers The Action – but who have a very different sound overall! In a way, the shift here is a more vivid step forward than some of the other British acts who slowly evolved from mod to prog – as the group work here in a freewheeling blend of guitars, drums, and some specially nice sax and organ lines – with with this swirling vibe that really moves past some of the straighter American jazz and soul elements that got them going! Ian Whiteman handles the vocals, saxes, and keyboards – and there's this soaring quality that's maybe somewhere between early Yes and some of the Brian Auger shifts at the start of the 70s – with a touch of the vocal warmth of CSNY – all held down by some great drumming from Roger Powell, in a group that also features Martin Stone on some mighty nice lead guitar. Titles include "Egyptian Tomb", "Trials Of A City", "Same Way From The Sun", "I've Been Down So Long", and "A Friend You Know But Never See". LP, Vinyl record album

No filters here, as Hank Mobley's sound is clean, lean, and right on the money – hitting that newly-sophisticated groove of the Caddy For Daddy years in this sweet unissued set! The date was recorded in the 60s, but unissued by Blue Note for many years – another one of those head-scratching mysteries from the label, yet also a real treat to 80s jazz fans who finally got their hands on the sides – a whole new discovery of Hank Mobley's genius, further appreciated at a time when we weren't hearing more from him. The players are top-shelf all the way through – and include Freddie Hubbard or Donald Byrd on trumpet, Herbie Hancock or Barry Harris on piano, Paul Chambers or Butch Warren on bass, and Philly Joe Jones or Billy Higgins on drums. CD version really expands from the original LP – with 9 titles that include "Chain Reaction", "Third Time Around", "Hank's Waltz", "Yes Indeed", "Straight No Filter", "Syrup & Biscuits", and "The Feelin's Good". CD

A great date from the later revival years of altoist Frank Morgan – thanks to a warm performance from the Cedar Walton trio! One of the great things about late Morgan is the way in which he's able to really fit himself into different settings – still holding onto his soulful roots, but also fluidly picking up the best elements of the groups he works with – such as the rich tones and soaring styles that Walton brings to this session! Cedar's piano always sounds great with a horn, and the warmth in Morgan's alto is quite a different match than some of Walton's tenor-driven sessions – and bassist Tony Dumas and drummer Billy Higgins keep things in just the right subtle side of the spectrum to fit the mood. Titles include "The Rubber Man", "Yes & No", "Manha De Carnaval", "Now's The Time", "Three Flowers", and "Third Street Blues". CD

Tremendous work by Lee Morgan – easily one of his greatest albums, and a soaring session of modal energy that easily rivals the best work of the Impulse era! The album's got a slightly different feel than usual for Blue Note – a sense of freedom, joy, and soaring energy that's totally great – explored by a crack group that features Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, Harold Mabern on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – all coming together with a unique sense of creativity! The rhythm section is one of the key factors here – as Mabern, Cranshaw, and Higgins have a fluid groove that really sets the tone for the record – letting Morgan and Shorter stretch out to the height of their powers, and explore some incredible modal and soulful themes. Titles include the seminal 11 minute reading of "The Gigolo", plus "Yes I Can No You Can't", "Speedball", and "Trapped" – as well as an excellent reading of "You Go To My Head" that completely opens up the old standard! Plus, this CD reissue's got a bonus alternate take of "The Gigolo", for an extra 10 minutes of music! CD

Tremendous work by Lee Morgan – easily one of his greatest albums, and a soaring session of modal energy that easily rivals the best work of the Impulse era! The album's got a slightly different feel than usual for Blue Note – a sense of freedom, joy, and soaring energy that's totally great – explored by a crack group that features Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, Harold Mabern on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – all coming together with a unique sense of creativity! The rhythm section is one of the key factors here – as Mabern, Cranshaw, and Higgins have a fluid groove that really sets the tone for the record – letting Morgan and Shorter stretch out to the height of their powers, and explore some incredible modal and soulful themes. Titles include the seminal 11 minute reading of "The Gigolo", plus "Yes I Can No You Can't", "Speedball", and "Trapped" – as well as an excellent reading of "You Go To My Head" that completely opens up the old standard! Plus, this CD reissue's got a bonus alternate take of "The Gigolo", for an extra 10 minutes of music! CD

Tremendous work by Lee Morgan – easily one of his greatest albums, and a soaring session of modal energy that easily rivals the best work of the Impulse era! The album's got a slightly different feel than usual for Blue Note – a sense of freedom, joy, and soaring energy that's totally great – explored by a crack group that features Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor, Harold Mabern on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – all coming together with a unique sense of creativity! The rhythm section is one of the key factors here – as Mabern, Cranshaw, and Higgins have a fluid groove that really sets the tone for the record – letting Morgan and Shorter stretch out to the height of their powers, and explore some incredible modal and soulful themes. Titles include the seminal 11 minute reading of "The Gigolo", plus "Yes I Can No You Can't", "Speedball", and "Trapped" – as well as an excellent reading of "You Go To My Head" that completely opens up the old standard! CD