Jazz Showcase Introducing the Mastersounds
Artist: The Mastersounds

This is the debut of the lightly swinging quartet distinguished by vibist Buddy Montgomery. It appeals to fans of The Modern Jazz Quartet. ~ David Szatmary, All Music Guide Read More

Boston
Artist: Chet Baker

Released for the first time in the early '90s, this CD consists of three radio broadcasts by the Chet Baker Quartet from the Storyville Club in Boston. In each case the trumpeter/leader is joined by pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Carson Smith and drummer Bob Neel. Baker, who takes a vocal on "Time After Time," is in excellent form performing his... Read More

The Best of Chet Baker Sings
Artist: Chet Baker
Community Score: 8.25

To much of the pop (as opposed to the jazz) audience, Chet Baker was known not as an able cool jazz trumpeter, but as a romantic balladeer. The two classifications were not mutually exclusive; Baker's vocal numbers would also feature his trumpet playing, as well as fine instrumental support from West Coast cool jazzers. For those who prefer the... Read More

Helen Merrill With Clifford Brown
Artist: Helen Merrill

Every recording by the short-lived trumpeter Clifford Brown is worth exploring, including his three dates with singers Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and this CD reissue with Helen Merrill. Reissued as part of box sets headed by Brown and Merrill, the highly enjoyable Brown/Merrill sessions are also available as this single CD. Trumpeter Brown... Read More

Lennie Tristano Quartet
Artist: Lennie Tristano Quartet

These are previously unreleased performances from the Sing Song Room date...Here pianist Tristano presented his music in more refined terms with alto saxophonist Lee Konitz' interplay both in the Tristano tradition and on his own personal terms. This was a set of excellent vintage which remains remarkably stimulating. ~ Bob Rusch, Cadence, All... Read More

Leroy Walks!
Artist: Leroy Vinnegar Sextet

On this reissue CD of a Contemporary set (bassist Leroy Vinnegar's first as a leader), six of the seven songs have the word "walk" in their title, including "Would You Like to Take a Walk," "Walkin' My Baby Back Home," "I'll Walk Alone," and Vinnegar's original "Walk On." Vinnegar actually does not take much solo space and generously features... Read More

Kismet
Artist: The Mastersounds

Recorded in the late '50s and released in 1966 when the name Wes Montgomery became well known, this reading of Borodin's evergreen classic "Kismet" is a wondrous platter. The Mastersounds were the Montgomery brothers' group before Wes stepped out on his own. Monk and Buddy Montgomery were excellent musicians in their own right. Buddy's vibe work... Read More

Ballads and Blues
Artist: The Mastersounds

For a few years in the late 1950s, the Mastersounds were a popular band. Consisting of vibraphonist Buddy Montgomery, electric bassist Monk Montgomery, pianist Richie Crabtree and drummer Benny Barth, the group was essentially an easy-listening and less classical-oriented version of the Modern Jazz Quartet. On this out-of-print LP, the band... Read More

The Three and "The Two"
Artist: Shelly Manne

These two sets for the Contemporary label (reissued on CD in the OJC label) are two of the more unusual sessions led by drummer Shelly Manne in the 1950s. "The Three" features trumpeter Shorty Rogers, Jimmy Giuffre alternating on clarinet, tenor and baritone, and Manne; no piano or bass. Some of the six performances (particularly the four... Read More

The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker
Artist: Gerry Mulligan

Baritonist Gerry Mulligan's pianoless quartet of 1952-1953 with trumpeter Chet Baker was one of the most popular groups of the period and an influential force on West Coast Jazz. Mulligan's interplay with Baker looked back toward the collective improvisation of Dixieland but utilized up-to-date harmonies. This four-CD set overlaps with a... Read More