The Magic Touch of Tadd Dameron
Artist: Tadd Dameron & His Orchestra

Tadd Dameron's final session as a leader (he died in 1965) is a definitive set that sums up much of his career. Some of Dameron's best-known originals are here (including "On a Misty Night," "Fontainebleau," "If You Could See Me Now," and "Our Delight"), and this CD reissue has three previously unreleased alternate takes. For once, Dameron had a... Read More

Letter from Home
Artist: Eddie Jefferson

This CD (which augments the original LP program with two alternate takes) is a fine showcase for vocalese master Eddie Jefferson. Backed by either a tentet or a quintet that gives solo space to altoist James Moody and the tenor of Johnny Griffin, Jefferson sings his lyrics to such numbers as "Take the 'A' Train," "Billie's Bounce," "I Cover the... Read More

Recuerdo
Artist: Chuck Mangione Quintet

After three recordings co-leading the Jazz Brothers with pianist Gap Mangione, trumpeter Chuck Mangione headed his first solo record date. The CD reissue adds alternate takes of "Solar" and "The Little Prince" to the original LP program. Joined by an all-star rhythm section (pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes) plus... Read More

Pony's Express
Artist: Pony Poindexter

Pony Poindexter was a sporadically recorded bop saxophonist who played on sessions by Lambert, Hendricks and Ross as well as Wes Montgomery; his long unavailable 1962 debut as a leader, originally on Epic, finally was reissued as a Koch CD in 2001. With arrangements by Gene Kee, Poindexter leads several all-star ensembles, which include Phil... Read More

Either Way
Artist: Zoot Sims

This formerly obscure set (reissued on CD by Evidence) matches together the always complementary (and sometimes identical-sounding) tenors of Zoot Sims and Al Cohn. A special treat to the spirited quintet date (with Mose Allison on piano, bassist Bill Crow and drummer Gus Johnson) are the three excellent vocals from the long-forgotten singer... Read More

The Best of Joe Pass: Pacific Jazz Years
Artist: Joe Pass

Although this CD sticks to Joe Pass' early period and cannot be accurately called "The Best," it does feature the guitarist in prime form. Rarest among the selections are three numbers from Pass' debut, Sounds of Synanon. In addition, the guitarist is heard on four selections from his classic For Django date; he performs "More" from a movie... Read More