Includes liner notes by Orrin Keepnews. Jazzland Records was a subsidiary of Riverside and began in 1960 as a reissue label, recycling Riverside titles. Their first new release was the 1960 record from organist Mel Rhyne. "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" from that record is included here as are 13 other songs from the Jazzland archives. The label's mission was to spotlight new artists or artists they felt were worthy of wider recognition. Guys like Chuck Mangione and Don Elliott got their start on Jazzland. Blue Mitchell, Paul Gonsalves, and Junior Mance are players they recorded who had a pretty good name already. Jazzland also did a couple of one-off records with big-name artists. Tracks by Dexter Gordon and Red Garland certainly fit this bill. The collection flows very well;... Less

Meowbaby takes its retro-cool title from a line uttered by Telly Savalas in an episode of the '70s television series Kojak. It's saxophonist Danny Lerman's way of giving a playful salute on a contemporary jazz recording that is fun, funky, and full of top-flight musicians. Lerman aggressively pursues his rhythms and grooves with the kind of musicality that has been championed by the like of Dave Koz,Jimmy Sommers. and Eric Marienthal. Lerman co-wrote a dozen songs for this second album, recorded two covers including Sade's mega hit "No Ordinary Love" and the John Lennon peace anthem "Imagine," which is soulfully sung by Howard Hewett. A reissued version of "You Take My Breath Away" from his Top 20 debut disc, Danny's Island also makes the cut. Drummer Tal Bergman, who worked on Lerman's... Less

The first annual Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards ceremony was held in January 2000 in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, home of the Oasis smooth-jazz radio station. This 14-song compilation showcases previously released tracks that are representative of the artists who performed at the show--folks like Dave Koz and Russ Freeman & the Rippingtons. This collection also boasts up-and-coming acts with brand new music not yet heard on radio. The best of the latter class includes a Stanley Clarke-sounding bassist, Brian Bromberg, doing a highly charged duet with smooth jazz superstar Richard Elliot. Newcomer Grady Nichols may have the best instrumental track on the sampler with "Alone with You," which was co-written and produced by Jeff Lorber. The producers here did a pretty good job of creating the... Less

This is an album of radio transcriptions by Russ Morgan and His Orchestra. The performances are good, the sound quality is fine, and the disc has a reasonable running time of over an hour. But the album's title is deceptive: the word "original" suggests that these are studio recordings, which they are not, and the word "hits" suggests that they were among Morgan's popular records of the period, also untrue. In fact, none of his hits are here, even as re-recordings, though it could be argued that some of the songs were hits -- for other artists. Docked one diamond for dishonesty. ~ William Ruhlmann

This session recorded in 2004 features alto sax great Phil Woods and his Little Big Band performing memorable jazz songs written by legendary composer/arranger Quincy Jones. Phil is joined by 8 other jazz musicians including Bill Charlap on piano and Brian Lynch on trumpet. "As this marvelous record so eloquently bears out, Phil Woods today is at the very top of his form—and that, my friends, is a claim based on nearly fifty years (help!) of listening to this extraordinary artist, live and on record. Here Phil pays homage to another dear friend, happily very much alive, and Phil’s junior by about 16 months, the one and only Quincy Jones. The title is derived from a l956 LP—Quincy’s first as a leader—called "This Is How I Feel About Jazz". This is not the place for even a brief resume... Less

Personnel: Delfeayo Marsalis (trombone), Wessel Anderson (sopranino & alto saxophones), Branford Marsalis (soprano saxophone), Mark Gross (alto saxophone), Joshua Redman, Nat Turner (tenor saxophones), Wynton Marsalis, Scotty Barnhart (trumpet), Red Atkins, Kenny Kirkland, Marthaniel Roberts (piano), Chris Thomas, Bob Hurst, Reginald Veal (bass), Jason Marsalis, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Herlin Riley (drums), Kimati (percussion). Producers: Delfeayo Marsalis, Patrick Smith.All songs written by Delfeayo Marsalis. Personnel: Delfeayo Marsalis (trombone). Delfeayo Marsalis' long-delayed debut as a leader on record features the young trombonist on ten of his originals. One should ignore the religious titles and the drawings in the liner notes and enjoy the music for what it is: advanced hard bop... Less

Personnel includes: Joe Sample (piano); Howard Hewett, Lizz Wright (vocals); Peter Wolf (synthesizer); Dean Parks (guitar); Jay Anderson (bass); Larry Aberman, James Gadson (drums); Lenny Castro, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion). Recorded at Schnee, Universal City, California; Oceanway, Tyrell Studios, Hollywood, California. Includes liner notes by Joe Sample. Personnel: Joe Sample (piano); Dean Parks (guitar); Peter Wolf (synthesizer); Jay Anderson (bass instrument); Larry Aberman (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion). Although pianist Joe Sample is perhaps best known for his adventurous fusion work in the 1970s with the Crusaders, as a solo artist he has favored a somewhat mellower yet no less artful brand of jazz that draws from post bop as well as Latin, gospel, and R&B. THE PECAN TREE... Less

Includes liner notes by Sam Graham.This is part of Vanguard's Sessions series.Liner Note Author: Sam Graham.What do Larry Coryell, Oregon, Sandy Bull, John Fahey, and Mimi & Richard Farina all have in common? Aside from playing stringed instruments and sharing a certain "eclecticism," not an enormous amount. They did all record for Vanguard Records between 1963 and 1996, the time span covered by this anthology, though. So this 68-minute, 18-song compilation -- which also has tracks by the more obscure Peter Walker and John McEuen -- is really an excuse to gather some instrumental odds and ends from the Vanguard catalog together. The premise is slight, and even the title is kind of a faux pas in that just one of the numbers (Coryell's "You Don't Know What Love Is") is completely electric... Less

Each Essential Limited Edition 3.0 expanded 3-CD set features the biggest hits and best-loved songs from superstar artists, including material not previously available in an Essential package. Definitive, career-spanning and comprehensive, The Essential 3.0 series features all of the must-have selections from the biggest names in music history--now with a 3rd disc! Now available for the first time in eco-friendly cardboard packaging. The Essential Series has sold more than 18 million units worldwide across 60+ titles!

For their latest, a possibly most accesibile album from Thirsty Ear, SHJ have conituded their distinctive and visionary methods brining forth a truly unique set of pieces. Recorded at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, and amassing an impressive group of musicians. SHJ have succeeded in crafting jazz-ambient music of the highest level. From the beginning to the end, the musicianship is stunning and crosses many boundaries, from future music, to electronic, to jazz, to chamber music, all the while presenting beauty and sensitivity in a manner that has rarely been explored in this manner

The first annual Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards ceremony was held in January 2000 in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, home of the Oasis smooth-jazz radio station. This 14-song compilation showcases previously released tracks that are representative of the artists who performed at the show--folks like Dave Koz and Russ Freeman & the Rippingtons. This collection also boasts up-and-coming acts with brand new music not yet heard on radio. The best of the latter class includes a Stanley Clarke-sounding bassist, Brian Bromberg, doing a highly charged duet with smooth jazz superstar Richard Elliot. Newcomer Grady Nichols may have the best instrumental track on the sampler with "Alone with You," which was co-written and produced by Jeff Lorber. The producers here did a pretty good job of creating the... Less

Personnel includes: George Wein (vocals, piano); Sammy Margolis (tenor saxophone); Ruby Braff, Bobby Hackett, Warren Vache, Jr. (trumpet); Howard Alden (guitar). Recording information: Atlantic Record, New York, NY; Clinton Studios, New York, NY.George Wein is best known as the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival in 1954 and an enthusiastic impresario who became instrumental in jump-starting jazz festivals in New York City in the early '70s, but Wein has also recorded as a pianist and singer from time to time. The Atlantic LP Wein, Women and Song features Wein in fine form; his friendly sounding vocals are rather soft and mellow, with a bit of vibrato on the end of nearly every phrase, though the trumpet solos by either Ruby Braff (trading licks with tenor saxophonist Sammy Margolis on a... Less

Personnel includes: Matthew Fries (piano); Vincent Herring (soprano & alto saxophones); Bill Mobley (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gregory Ryan (bass); Vinson Valdega (drums).Recorded at Acoustic Studios, Brooklyn, New York on December 15 & 16, 1998. Includes liner notes by Kurt S. Weil.European jazz indies are valuable not only because of their willingness to document European artists who are being ignored by American labels -- they also know how to find talented American improvisers. Although Song for Today is a Swiss release, Matthew Fries is very much an American. The acoustic pianist is also one of the many Young Lions who became active on the New York jazz scene in the 1990s: Young Lions, as jazz critics call them, are Generation X musicians who have chosen straight-ahead bop and/or... Less

Personnel: Marcus Printup (trumpet); Walter Blanding (tenor saxophone); Eric Reed (piano); Reuben Rogers (bass); Brian Blade (drums).Recorded at The Power Station, New York, New York on December 6 & 7, 1994. Includes liner notes by Tom Moon.Personnel: Marcus Printup (trumpet); Walter Blanding (tenor saxophone); Eric Reed (piano); Brian Blade (drums). Recording information: New York, NY (12/06/1994/12/07 /1994).Trumpeter Marcus Printup's debut as a leader in 1994 followed recordings as a part of the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Accompanied by four other promising musicians in the early days of their careers, including pianist Eric Reed, alto saxophonist Walter Blanding, bassist Reuben Rogers. and drummer Brian Blade, Printup puts together... Less

This session recorded in 2004 features alto sax great Phil Woods and his Little Big Band performing memorable jazz songs written by legendary composer/arranger Quincy Jones. Phil is joined by 8 other jazz musicians including Bill Charlap on piano and Brian Lynch on trumpet. "As this marvelous record so eloquently bears out, Phil Woods today is at the very top of his form—and that, my friends, is a claim based on nearly fifty years (help!) of listening to this extraordinary artist, live and on record. Here Phil pays homage to another dear friend, happily very much alive, and Phil’s junior by about 16 months, the one and only Quincy Jones. The title is derived from a l956 LP—Quincy’s first as a leader—called "This Is How I Feel About Jazz". This is not the place for even a brief resume... Less

Personnel: Fred Hersch (piano); Norma Winstone (vocals); Gary Burton (vibraphone). Producers: A.T. Michael MacDonald, Norma Winstone, Fred Hersch.Recorded at Ambient Studios, Stamford, Connecticut. Personnel: Fred Hersch (piano); Gary Burton (vibraphone). Audio Mixer: A.T. Michael MacDonald. Recording information: Ambient Recording Company, Stamford, CT (07/2002).This is a deeply romantic CD, but not the fluffy kind: its music and words are powerful and introspective, rather than syrupy or sentimental. Fred Hersch has recorded with many fine vocalists -- Janis Siegel, Meredith d'Ambrosio, Barbara Sfraga, and Luciana Souza among them -- but this is the first time these 11 compositions are all his own, with lyrics and vocals by Azimuth co-founder Norma Winstone. Her words are intelligent... Less

Each Essential Limited Edition 3.0 expanded 3-CD set features the biggest hits and best-loved songs from superstar artists, including material not previously available in an Essential package. Definitive, career-spanning and comprehensive, The Essential 3.0 series features all of the must-have selections from the biggest names in music history--now with a 3rd disc! Now available for the first time in eco-friendly cardboard packaging. The Essential Series has sold more than 18 million units worldwide across 60+ titles!

"When Your Life Was Low," one of this album's four writing collaborations between former Crusaders keyboardist Joe Sample and pop's hack-for-hire Will Jennings, is typical of this CD's low aim and artistic laziness. The vague expression of friendship in "Life," voiced listlessly by the technically adept but boring Lalah Hathaway, is perfect for the office-ready smooth-jazz radio format and little else. Hathaway's appearances on 7 of The Song Lives On's 11 cuts are a blessing only in that they break up the monotony of Sample's in-one-ear-and-out -the-other noodlings; her extremely unnecessary version of "Fever" and a dull-edged remake of the Crusaders/Randy Crawford classic "Street Life" are résumé fodder and little else. --Rickey Wright

Personnel: McCoy Tyner (piano, percussion); Sonny Fortune (soprano & alto saxophones, flute); Charles Tolliver (flugelhorn); Michael White (violin); Calvin Hill (bass); Alphonse Mouzon (drums); Mtume (congas, percussion). Recorded at Mercury Sound Studios, New York, New York on September 6 & November 27, 1972. Originally released on Milestone (9044).Digitally remastered by Phil De Lancie (1987, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley California).The early '70s were an exciting recording period for this artist, whose initial forays outside the classic quartet of John Coltrane were just a bit too mellow, as if he was thinking, "Whew! Now I can relax." This was one of several for the Milestone label that burned energetically, although in terms of the pianist's overall career this concentrated thrust of... Less

Smooth Jazz Christmas features a variety of smooth jazz artists performing holiday songs. Featured artists include Spyro Gyra ("Feliz Navidad"), Etta James ("Please Come Home for Christmas"), Jeffrey Osborne ("This Christmas"), and Tom Scott ("Gift of Your Love"), along with six others. This is a rather adventurous holiday collection, featuring somewhat obscure songs like "This Christmas" and self-penned songs like Chieli Minucci's "Magic." Furthermore, the artists take liberties when performing the songs, exploring the possibilities of the jazz idiom. Smooth Jazz Christmas should please anyone who can appreciate the more sedate and refined side of jazz. ~ Jason Birchmeier

1. Danny Boy2. Rosetta3. Merlin4. Only Trust Your Heart5. First Song6. Up Jumped Spring7. I Skovens Dype, Stille Ro8. Funk in the Deep Freeze9. Lotus Blossom10. To You Dear One11. Vuggevise for Benedicte12. Mood

For their latest, a possibly most accesibile album from Thirsty Ear, SHJ have conituded their distinctive and visionary methods brining forth a truly unique set of pieces. Recorded at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, and amassing an impressive group of musicians. SHJ have succeeded in crafting jazz-ambient music of the highest level. From the beginning to the end, the musicianship is stunning and crosses many boundaries, from future music, to electronic, to jazz, to chamber music, all the while presenting beauty and sensitivity in a manner that has rarely been explored in this manner

There's no question that Marcus Printup is a gifted jazz trumpeter. Already a veteran of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Marcus Roberts' band, the young Georgian boasts a brash tone and a rare ear for melodic improvisation. Nonetheless, Printup's debut solo album, Song for the Beautiful Woman, sounds too little like a personal statement and too much like one more hard-bop exercise from another member of the "Marsalis Mafia." Printup produced the album himself and composed six of the nine pieces, but the results still sound like recycled Lee Morgan and Kenny Dorham. You can hear Morgan's punchy riff playing on Printup's "Minor Ordeal" and Dorham's languid ballad phrasing in Printup's title track. Printup's mentor, Wynton Marsalis, could get away with such recycling because he... Less

This kind of album can only result from the interplay of seasoned yet tirelessly inventive musicians who would rather lay out than revert to cliché. Trumpeter Lew Soloff, whose daunting résumé charts a trajectory from Blood, Sweat & Tears to the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, displays his interpretive prowess on classics such as the title cut, "Come Rain or Come Shine," and "The Way You Look Tonight." He is backed by a rhythm section to die for: Mulgrew Miller on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. Soloff's wife, Emily Mitchell, plays the harp on two cuts, one of which is a movement from a Tchaikovsky symphony. The CD consists of nine tunes, which are nicely sequenced and balanced and, not incidentally, suffused with feeling. The music commands attentive listening, and... Less

If spending 10 years with the Rippingtons, then going solo with one of the most played singles in the history of smooth-jazz radio (2000's "Hyde Park (The 'Ah, Ooh' Song") didn't prove that Kashiwa has learned the formula for airplay success, his fourth album will. He's the everyman smooth saxer throughout Simple Truth, sounding like Dave Koz overdubbing his horns on the Steely Dan-influenced "The Good Life," and Marion Meadows on the title track. Meanwhile, "A Quiet Goodbye" is very reminiscent of the David Sanborn/Bob James chestnut "Moon Tune" from Double Vision. Of course, it's natural that he sounds like "that guy from the Ripps" on "Voices" and "Something About You," plus he's aided by former band mates keyboardist Dave Kochanski and the great percussionist Steve Reid. It would be... Less

Tributee: Antonio Carlos Jobim.Tributee: Antonio Carlos Jobim.Although released under Antonio Carlos Jobim's name, Tom Pra Dois (which is Portuguese for Tom for Two) is really a various-artists compilation; Jobim himself appears on some selections that were recorded in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, although other selections were recorded after his death (Jobim died of heart failure in 1994 at the age of 67). But all of the songs were written or co-written by Jobim, and everything on this 46-minute CD illustrates, in some fashion, the importance of his contributions to Brazilian music. Jobim's influence is all over Tom Pra Dois regardless of whether something was recorded during his lifetime or whether it was recorded posthumously. Jobim teams up with Elis Regina on "Fotografia," with... Less

Ever since he burst on the scene in the 90s, the award winning, Chicago-born, tenor-alto-soprano saxophonist/bass clarinetist/fluti st Chris Potter has blazed an impressive musical trail with his stellar sideman gigs with everybody from Red Rodney, Dave Holland, and Paul Motian, to Steely Dan, and by his critically- acclaimed fourteen recordings as a leader. Now, Sunnyside simultaneously releases two new CDs by Potter that showcase the ever-evolving genius of this saxophone colossus in the making.Songs For Anyone features Potter fronting a ten-piece ensemble with woodwinds and strings, with his longtime partner, bassist Scott Colley, drummer Adam Cruz, guitarist Steve Cardenas, Greg Tardy on clarinet, cellist David Eggar, violinist Mark Feldman, Michael Rabinowitz on bassoon, flutist... Less

Personnel: Percy Heath (cello, bass); Jeb Patton (piano); Peter Washington (bass); Tootie Heath (drums).Recorded in New York, New York on May 1, 2002.Personnel: Percy Heath (cello); Jeb Patton (piano); Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums, percussion). Recording information: New York, NY (05/01/2002). Photographer: Carol Friedman. Arrangers: Percy Heath; Jeb Patton.One of the most respected bassists active at the beginning of the 21st century, Percy Heath was 79 years old when he finally made his first recording as a leader in 2002 and it was long overdue. With a band that includes his brother Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums, bassist Peter Washington, and a fine young pianist, Jeb Patton, the leader has a few surprises in store. His first track is a poignant original ballad, "A Love Song," which... Less

Perhaps the title is a bit off the mark: This set, recorded at Donte's in Los Angeles in 1972, isn't some sort of comprehensive catalog of the greatest American songs. After all, it's possible to find more enduring standards than "Close to You" (Bacharach/David) or "A Song for You" (Leon Russell) or "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" (Legrand/Bergman/ Bergman). And while Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and Johnny Mercer are represented (by "Satin Doll," "At Long Last Love," and "I Thought About You," respectively), there's no Gershwin or Berlin or Kern. But that's not really the point, is it? The great McRae make's 'em all sound like classic American songs in a recording that's as close as you'll ever get to seeing her in the intimacy of a small club. The laughter,... Less

Bobby Broom has been turning heads ever since the release of his 1981 GRP Records debut. 25-years and a lifetime of experience later, including stints with Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Kenny Burrell, Stanley Turrentine, and Dr. John, the 45-year-old guitarist is at the peak of his powers, swinging with authority and ingenuity. Along with bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins, the Chicago-based trio reinvents familiar pop and R&B staples from the 60's and 70's on this lively set while also contributing three affecting originals.