After Midnight: The Complete Session
Artist: King Cole Trio

After several years of hearing criticism from the jazz press about his decision to break up his trio and become a pop singer, Nat "King" Cole was persuaded to record this jazz set. Joined by a strong rhythm section (including guitarist John Collins), Cole welcomed four guests for several selections apiece: altoist Willie Smith, trumpeter Harry... Read More

Swingin' & Jumpin'
Artist: Roomful of Blues

32 Jazz's Swingin' & Jumpin' is an excellent 12-track compilation of highlights from Roomful of Blues' early recordings, concentrating on their eponymous debut. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Read More

The MacGregor Years, 1941-1945
Artist: Nat King Cole

On this four-CD set are included the bulk of Nat King Cole's radio transcriptions of 1941 and 1944-45. Although the programming could be a little better (the complete sessions are not compiled strictly in chronological order), the music has a strong unity and is consistently enjoyable. Pianist-vocalist Cole and his trio (which also includes... Read More

Live at the 1993 Floating Jazz Festival
Artist: Flip Phillips

Flip Phillips was 79 at the time of this live performance but proves to still be very much in his musical prime. Joined by a rhythm section comprised of fellow veterans (pianist Derek Smith, guitarist Bucky Pizz arelli, bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Ray Mosca), Phillips gives standards and riff tunes warm and often hard-swinging treatment.... Read More

WWII Transcriptions
Artist: Nat King Cole

With the exception of a couple of Anita Boyer vocals from 1941, this CD (which contains 30 broadcast transcriptions by Nat King Cole's Trio) dates from 1944. Two numbers apiece feature vocals from a young Anita O'Day and Ida James, but otherwise, Cole and his Trio only sing four other songs. The emphasis is on instrumentals (including two... Read More

1929-1933
Artist: Benny Carter

The European Classics series has been reissuing on CD the complete output of many top jazz artists of the '20s and '30s. Benny Carter's music at last receives the treatment it deserves in this program. His first volume features the great altoist with a pickup group (the Chocolate Dandies) from 1929-30 that showcases sidemen from Fletcher... Read More

Helen Humes and the Muse All Stars
Artist: Helen Humes

Helen Humes's return to an active singing career was one of the happier events in jazz of the late '70s. Able to give great feeling and sensitivity to ballads but also a superb lowdown blues singer, Humes flourished musically during her last years. On this excellent release (the CD reissue adds two alternate takes to the original program), Humes... Read More

Penthouse Serenade
Artist: Nat King Cole

The year after he had formally disbanded his trio to turn his attention to vocal pop music, Nat "King" Cole reversed himself and went into the studio with guitarist John Collins, bassist Charlie Harris, and drummer Bunny Shawker and recorded the eight-song 10" LP Penthouse Serenade, a quiet, reflective set of standards like "Somebody Loves Me"... Read More

Big Joe Turner's Greatest Hits
Artist: Big Joe Turner

Big Joe Turner's music is the aural equivalent of a rare Porterhouse steak -- oversized, juicy, and a glorious overload for the senses, and if isn't always good for you, that's just part of the fun. Whether what he was singing was billed as jazz, swing, rhythm & blues, or rock & roll, Turner pretty much always did things the same way, rolling... Read More

Anatomy of a Jam Session
Artist: Nat King Cole

Cole is heard on this quintet session purely as a pianist, co-starring with trumpeter Charlie Shavers and tenor saxophonist Herbie Haymer; bassist John Simmons and drummer Buddy Rich play mainly in support. The quintet only actually performs five songs but seven alternate takes fill in the program and it is very interesting hearing the musicians... Read More

Straighten Up and Fly Right - VINTAGE JAZZ
Artist: King Cole Trio

This CD consists of some of the Nat King Cole Trio's radio appearances, including guest shots on shows hosted by Bing Crosby, Perry Como and Frank Sinatra; Ol' Blue Eyes sits in with the trio on "I've Found a New Baby" and "Exactly like You." Considering that 12 of these 25 songs were never recorded commercially by the Trio, this set is quite... Read More

Live at the Circle Room
Artist: King Cole Trio

A number of live broadcasts by the Nat King Cole Trio have turned up on European independent labels, but this is the first to appear on Capitol. In spite of the usual background noise from a night club, including a cash register, rattling glasses, and the inevitable audience conversations, the sound of these newly discovered performances is far... Read More