Social Call
Artist: Betty Carter

This LP contains singer Betty Carter's earliest recordings. On one date she is heard performing six standards with a quartet also featuring pianist Ray Bryant ("I Could Write a Book" and "The Way You Look Tonight" are highpoints). The other session, which was only released for the first time in 1980, has five songs on which Carter is joined by a... Read More

Joltin' Joe Roland
Artist: Joe Roland

Other than a Bethlehem album in 1955 and a few obscure titles, all of vibraphonist Joe Roland's recordings as a leader are on this enjoyable CD reissue. Roland, best-known for an early '50s stint with George Shearing's Quintet, was a excellent vibist whose style fell somewhere between Terry Gibbs and Milt Jackson. He is paired in two 1954... Read More

Kai Winding, Jay Jay Johnson and Bennie Green with Strings
Artist: Kai Winding

Two unrelated session are combined on this CD reissue of an LP. Trombonist Bennie Green is heard on four ballads from 1952 while backed by a rhythm section and six strings. However, the more significant selections are eight songs that for the first time matched together trombonists J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding in a quintet. The Johnson and... Read More

Jazz at Massey Hall, Vol. 2
Artist: Bud Powell

This is the less famous half of the 5/15/53 Massey Hall concert. These are the trio (Charles Mingus, bass; Max Roach, drums) sides that were also on a prior Prestige two-fer...On the record as a whole, the brillance comes overwhelmingly from Powell. ~ Bob Rusch, Cadence, All Music Guide Read More

Inner Fires
Artist: Bud Powell

This album features trio performances by pianist Bud Powell, bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Roy Haynes that were recorded live at a Washington D.C. club; they were released for the first time in 1982. Powell is in consistently exciting form (this was one of his good nights) and the musicians sound inspired and creative during the set of... Read More

Twisted: The Best of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
Artist: Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

Good anthology showcasing hits from the premier jazz vocal trio of the '50s and '60s. The title track, "Sing a Song of Basie," and other anthems are included. This is an excellent introductory release and good sampler. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More

The Hottest New Group in Jazz
Artist: Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

The immortal vocal jazz group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross recorded five albums during its career: one apiece for Impulse! and World Pacific and three for Columbia. This two-CD set has all of the music from LH&R's Columbia dates (The Hottest Group in Jazz, Sing Ellington, and High Flying), plus four previously unissued and three very obscure... Read More

Sing a Song of Basie
Artist: Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

The premiere vocal jazz group, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross made their recording debut on this classic album, which has been reissued on CD by GRP. After unsuccessfully searching for a dozen singers in 1957 who could sing vocalese in a re-creation of some famous records by the Count Basie Orchestra, Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks, and Annie Ross... Read More

Al Haig Trio and Quintet
Artist: Al Haig

Trio and quartet sessions from the final period before pianist Al Haig would drop out of the jazz scene for several years. These dates are quite uneven, as would be expected, almost mirroring the difference between when Haig was physically functioning and when he wasn't. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More