Jerry Riopelle
Artist: Jerry Riopelle
Community Score: 7.00

A gem of an album from this unknown singer, it is direct, honest, and bluesy rock & roll. Both happy and brutally sad music. ~ Hank Davis, All Music Guide Read More

Light Airy and Swinging
Artist: George Shearing

George Shearing, after over two decades as leader of his popular Quintet, was largely taken for granted as a pianist. His trio recordings for MPS in the mid-'70s did a lot to salvage and restore his former reputation as a virtuoso and a distinctive player. On this trio set with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Stix Hooper, Shearing fully... Read More

Age of Steam
Artist: Gerry Mulligan

During the 1952-65 period baritonist Gerry Mulligan was one of the most famous musicians in jazz but he spent the following five years at a lower profile, recording relatively little and not leading any significant bands. Age of Steam was a comeback record of sorts (although he had never declined), giving Jeru the opportunity to lead a big band... Read More

The Last Concert
Artist: The Modern Jazz Quartet

The Modern Jazz Quartet broke up after the concert documented on this double CD. It would be nearly seven years before the group got back together again but it certainly went out on top. Mostly revisiting their greatest hits, the MJQ is heard on this two-fer playing inspired versions of such songs as "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise," "Bags'... Read More

The Complete Last Concert
Artist: The Modern Jazz Quartet

At the time, this two-record set was viewed as the end of an era. Now it only represents the climax of phase one. It's an excellent set, though -- among their best live efforts. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More

Alone Together
Artist: Jim Hall

Long considered a classic and a revelation to listeners who had taken guitarist Jim Hall for granted, this set of duets with bassist Ron Carter (reissued on CD) has near-telepathic communication between the two musicians and quiet music full of inner tension and fire. Hall and Carter brought in an original apiece and also collaborated on six... Read More

Captain Marvel
Artist: Stan Getz

One of the more remarkable aspects of Stan Getz's 1972 masterpiece is just how organic he was able to keep the sound. The band surrounding Getz on this Columbia date was led by Chick Corea with his Return to Forever (electric) bassist Stanley Clarke, drummer Tony Williams, and Brazilian master percussionist Airto. With the exception of Clarke,... Read More

Skylark
Artist: Paul Desmond
Community Score: 8.00

Moving over to the CTI label with Creed Taylor, Paul Desmond injects a bit of the 1970s into his sound, obtaining agreeable if not totally simpatico results. Here, the cool altoist is teamed with the progressive-slanted drumming of Jack DeJohnette (who might have been too busy a drummer for his taste), and Bob James' electric and acoustic... Read More

Pure Desmond
Artist: Paul Desmond

With the Skylark "experiment" behind him, Desmond reverted back to the relaxed quartet format that suited him well in the past. The reason? Through Jim Hall, he found a little-known, splendid guitarist in Toronto named Ed Bickert who became his new gigmate in 1974, and this album was meant to show his discovery off. In fact, it sparked a Desmond... Read More

The Best of Paul Desmond
Artist: Paul Desmond

Since Paul Desmond only recorded two albums for CTI, this best-of accumulation from that label stretches the definition a bit by including Desmond appearances on other CTI albums by Jim Hall, Chet Baker, Don Sebesky, and Jackie & Roy, along with extensive samplings from the solo albums. Of course, a more sweeping idea would have been to raid... Read More

Body and Soul - 32 JAZZ
Artist: Al Cohn

With Zoot Sims. Immortal tenor pair with Jaki Byard (p), plus George Duvivier (b) and Mel Lewis (d). Can't miss. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide Read More

Diamonds Are Forever
Artist: John Barry

John Barry made his reputation with highly enjoyable and sophisticated soundtracks for early James Bond pictures, including From Russian With Love, Thunderball, and 1971's Diamonds Are Forever. Like many Bond soundtracks, Diamonds Are Forever features a dynamic mix of brass-heavy orchestral numbers, reconfigurations of the original Bond theme,... Read More

The Concord Jazz Heritage Series
Artist: The L.A. 4

Back in the mid-1950s, altoist-flutist Bud Shank and acoustic guitarist Laurindo Almeida collaborated and recorded music that anticipated bossa nova. In the early 1970s, they came back together as co-leaders of the L.A. Four, a group also including bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne. After two albums, Jeff Hamilton succeeded Manne. The... Read More