One of the challenges of being a mega-successful producer and artist whose talents run deeper and more diverse than what you're known for is trying to find a few spots to showcase that deeper soul in the midst of the ...

The 1963 Impulse! Records LP John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman helped to redefine the renowned jazz saxophonist by pairing him with a singer on a collection of standards, showing that Coltrane wasn't (or wasn't only) an avant-gardist bent on playing ...

When Jeff Lorber reignited the Jeff Lorber Fusion in 2010 with Now Is the Time, he sought to re-examine the very music he'd helped to establish: contemporary jazz. Its instrumental tracks were solid and satisfying, but the vocal cuts lacked, ...

Bassist Christian McBride was already turning heads as a teenaged sideman with Benny Green during the early '90s, showcasing formidable technique and imagination in his solos. Over the two decades since then, McBride has demonstrated his skills as a bandleader, ...

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is among contemporary jazz's busiest talents. On the day that It's Love was released, Marienthal also played a starring role on the Jeff Lorber Fusion entry Galaxy. The two albums reflect Marienthal's varied talents, as both a ...

This 34-track collection features a quality sampling of Herb Alpert's most sought-after tracks from the '60s to the '80s. Highlights include the original versions of "What Now My Love," "This Guys in Love with You," "Spanish Flea," and "Rise." Recommended ...

When guitarist Al DiMeola left Return to Forever (again) after their 2008 reunion tour, Chick Corea solicited the help of the band's original axeman, Bill Connors, to rejoin the band for another tour. He did. While he rehearsed with Corea, ...

On her 19th album, Cassandra Wilson, ever the musical chameleon, changes directions once more. She is arguably the greatest living female jazz singer. Well known for her blues, soul, pop covers, and jazz standards, her smoky alto bends almost everything ...

Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval's 2012 tribute to legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, Dear Diz (Every Day I Think of You) is a big-band Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz tour de force. Showcasing Sandoval's long-storied titan bop trumpet chops, Dear Diz frames the ...

Digitally remastered four CD set containing eight albums from the Jazz greats: Sonny Rollins With The Modern Jazz Quartet, An Exceptional Encounter (with Ben Webster), Django, Concorde, Fontessa, Third Stream Music, Odds Against Tomorrow, and Pyramid.

The Ink Spots were the first modern black vocal group, and although chiefly known for their wonderful harmonies, which bridged the gap between 1940s pop styles and the street corner doo wop styles of the 1950s, they were also a ...

Despite the metaphysical suggestion in Spirit Fiction's title, this is Ravi Coltrane's most cerebral, process-oriented recording to date. This does not mean, however, that his debut offering for Blue Note Records is dry or academic. There is an abundance of ...

Digitally remastered by Joe Tarantino (1988, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California). This 1958 debut recording by the Ornette Coleman Quintet, which featured Coleman on his trademark white plastic alto, Don Cherry on trumpet, Billy Higgins on drums, Walter Norris on piano, and ...

Her best work ever on one CD Track Listing: It Had to Be You; At Last; Sentimental Journey; As Time Goes By; Moon River; Kiss To Build A Dream On, A; Love Is A Many Splendored Thing; Laura; Moonlight Serenade; ...

Recording information: Henson Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA (04/02/2012-04/04/2012). Photographers: Bob Wolfenson; Alex Calleros. Personnel: Larry Koonse (guitar); David Piltch (acoustic bass); Jay Bellerose (drums, percussion). Audio Mixer: Helik Hadar.

Jus' Sangin is 2011 solo album from Tower of Power singer, Larry Braggs, features interpretations of Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready", Marvin Gaye's "I Want You", Delfonic's "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)", Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle", Stylistics' "You ...

2012 album from the Canadian Electric Jazz outfit. Off Duty is the sixth release from the Toronto-based groove-chill-jazz group, Four80East. Don t let the title of their latest album fool you after over 20 years, veteran composers and remix producers ...

Music for Lovers Only was first released in 1952 as a 10" LP with only eight songs. In 1953 it was released as an expanded 12" with eight more tracks. The Collectors Choice's Music for Lovers Only/Music to Make You ...

Audio Mixer: Marc Antoine . Recording information: Estudio Monteprincipe, Madrid; Frogland Studio, Madrid; London; Los Angeles; New York; Paris.

Track Listing: Sentimental Journey; Don't Get Around Much Anymore; Route 66; Georgia On My Mind; Come Fly With Me; Theme From New York, New York; On A Clear Day; Caravan; Road To Ponta Pora, The; Chicago; Take The A Train; What A Wonderful World;

Recording information: Ben-Jamin' Studios, Murfreesboro, TN. Arranger: Ben Tankard. Personnel: Ben Tankard (vocals, keyboards). Audio Mixer: Ben Tankard.

EU five CD anthology from the Smooth Jazz/Pop singer/songwriter. Together with Steely Dan, James Taylor and Christopher Cross, Michael Franks is one of the original sculptors of the West Coast/California sound. His musical alchemy is unique: Jazz, Pop, Funk, Bossa, ...

Leaving behind the downtempo electronic approach of 2010's Earthglow, pianist David Benoit returns to a more traditional contemporary jazz vibe on 2012's Conversation. Once again working with producer Clark Germain, Benoit has put together a more organic, swinging sound this ...

Digitally remastered by Phil De Lancie (1990, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California). Digitally remastered by JVC using XRCD (Extended Resolution Compact Disc) technology. This is a Hybrid Super Audio CD playable on Super Audio CD players and regular CD players. Bassist Scott LaFaro's death ...

As of this recording, three out of four members of Oregon have been playing together in the group for 42 years. Drummer and percussionist Mark Walker has been on board since 1996, making them among the longest-running small groups in ...