Max Roach Plus Four
Artist: Max Roach

After the tragic deaths of trumpeter Clifford Brown and pianist Richie Powell in a car accident a few months earlier, drummer Max Roach regrouped with trumpeter Kenny Dorham and pianist Ray Bryant filling in the unfillable holes; tenor great Sonny Rollins and bassist George Morrow remained from the earlier band. This EmArcy CD finds Roach taking... Read More

The Modern Jazz Sextet
Artist: Modern Jazz Sextet
Community Score: 4.00
The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 1
Artist: J.J. Johnson

The CD reissue of the two volumes titled The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson straighten out his three Blue Note sessions of 1953-55 and add alternate takes. This particular CD concentrates exclusively on the trombonist's 1953 sextet date with the great trumpeter Clifford Brown, Jimmy Heath (who doubles on tenor and baritone), pianist John Lewis, bassist... Read More

Introducing Joe Gordon
Artist: Joe Gordon

Trumpeter Joe Gordon only led two sessions during his short life (he died at age 35). For his debut set, the fine hard bop trumpeter was matched with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Junior Mance, bassist Jimmy Schenck and drummer Art Blakey. Most of the tunes are originals based on the chord changes of standards, and Gordon sounds in... Read More

Coltrane Jazz
Artist: John Coltrane
Community Score: 8.00

The first album to hit the shelves after Giant Steps, Coltrane Jazz was largely recorded in late 1959, although one of the eight songs ("Village Blues") was done in late 1960. On everything save the aforementioned "Village Blues," Coltrane used the Miles Davis rhythm section of pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb.... Read More

At Basin Street
Artist: Clifford Brown
Community Score: 10.00

The last official album by the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet is the only one that featured the great Sonny Rollins on tenor. With pianist Richie Powell and bassist George Morrow completing the group, this CD reissue is a hard bop classic. Brownie and Rollins fit together perfectly on memorable versions of "What Is This Thing Called Love,"... Read More

A Night at the Village Vanguard, Vol. 2
Artist: Sonny Rollins

An excellent follow to a legendary album. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More

A Night at the Village Vanguard, Vol. 1
Artist: Sonny Rollins

One of two incendiary live dates from Vanguard in the late 50s. The pianoless trio steps forth and claims its fame. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More

Jazz in 3/4 Time
Artist: Max Roach

The post-Clifford Brown quintet that drummer Max Roach led tends to get overlooked, but it actually ranked up there with the Jazz Messengers and the Horace Silver Quintet in the late '50s. With tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins becoming a stronger soloist month-by-month (he was arguably the top tenor in jazz at the time) and veteran trumpeter... Read More

Deeds, Not Words
Artist: Max Roach

This CD reissue of a Max Roach Riverside date is notable for featuring the great young trumpeter Booker Little and for utilizing Ray Draper's tuba as a melody instrument; tenor saxophonist George Coleman and bassist Art Davis complete the excellent quintet. Highlights include "It's You or No One," "You Stepped out of a Dream" and Roach's... Read More

Jazz Contrasts
Artist: Kenny Dorham

Some of trumpeter Kenny Dorham's finest recordings were his sessions as a leader for Riverside in the 1950s and fortunately all of that music has been reissued on CD. This album is a bit brief in time (41 minutes) but contains many memorable selections. Three of the songs ("Falling in Love with Love" a 12-minute version of "I'll Remember April"... Read More

Afro-Cuban
Artist: Kenny Dorham
Community Score: 10.00

This is a particularly strong set from trumpeter Kenny Dorham, for it has the debut versions of "Lotus Flower," "Minor Holiday," and "La Villa," three of his most rewarding compositions. The first half of the set is Afro-Cuban in nature due to the inclusion of Carlos "Potato" Valdes' conga; also on the four songs (plus a previously unreleased... Read More

Soultrane
Artist: John Coltrane
Community Score: 8.00

In addition to being bandmates within Miles Davis' mid-'50s quintet, John Coltrane (tenor sax) and Red Garland (piano) head up a session featuring members from a concurrent version of the Red Garland Trio: Paul Chambers (bass) and Art Taylor (drums). This was the second date to feature the core of this band. A month earlier, several sides were... Read More

Lush Life
Artist: John Coltrane

To say that John Coltrane is one of the greatest jazz musicians in the history of the genre is to utter a banal truism, but amid all of the (well-deserved) hubbub over Giant Steps and A Love Supreme, it is extremely edifying to pick up this 1958 effort and hear how well the man could play standards and especially ballads. Assisting him in this... Read More

Settin' the Pace
Artist: John Coltrane

Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane recorded quite a few records with the rhythm section of pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor during 1957-58. On this particular CD reissue, Coltrane performs "Rise and Shine," "I See Your Face Before Me," "If There Is Someone Lovelier than You" and "Little Melonae." But more... Read More