As requested, here is the first of the Mendoza trilogy, with a flamenco flavour, featuring Al Di Meola and the overlooked Steve Khan on guitars, Michael Brecker on sax and Peter Erskine, drums. Apologies in advance, I only have a 256 version.

I recently posted Mendoza's "Sketches". That is in fact number 2 in a trilogy and this is the third and last. Nguyen Le and Peter Erskine return to assist Mendoza perform his seriously good compositions. It is almost immediately evident that this really is the product of a major talent, no wonder the list of artists to whom he has provided his services as arranger is so distinguished (see the post for "Sketches" for some of them). If there is any interest, I can also post the first album in the trilogy, "Jazzpaña". This album was nominated for a Grammy. Despite that, it really is excellent.

Arranger / composer has a remarkable list of credits, including Bjork, John Abercrombie, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello and Joe Zawinul, but few albums in his own name. Here he assembles a fantastic group of soloist for his own composition, Sketches, including David Leibman, Charlie Mariano, Peter Erskine & Nguyen Le.

The second great Miles Davis Quintet complete studio recordings featuring Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter and, of course, Miles. This covers the period from after Kind of Blue to the the next major shift in Miles music, In A Silent way . With the complete book that accompanies the box. Essential

Another wonderful Philip Catherine album featuring trumpeter Tom Harrell

Early Lee Morgan with Lee Morgan Clifford Jordan, Eddie Higgins, Art Davis & Art Blakey

Debut album from longtime Miles Davis saxophonist, featuring Woody Shaw. Pardon the appalling cover!!

Amazon.com
Sonny Stitt's gifts lie in his fire and athleticism, not in his innovation or craftiness. The year 1972 was a particularly triumphant one for the prolific sax veteran. Though one of the most astonishingly agile and frighteningly feral players of the 30 previous years, Stitt never became the sax star of any day, mostly because critics always seemed to give disproportionate value to innovation and craftiness.

Listeners familiar with the Charlie Haden's celebrated career may not know of the legendary jazz bassist's early
years in country music performing with his family. Charlie Haden Family & Friends: Rambling Boy brings the artist's personal history full circle and presents a new generation of the Haden Family - a legendary Midwest music institution in the 1930s and 1940s, now reborn in the 21st century. Rambling Boy includes songs made famous by the Stanley Brothers, the Carter Family, and Hank Williams alongside fabled traditional tunes and some striking original compositions. The performing cast includes Haden, his wife and co-producer Ruth Cameron, all four of his children (the triplets Petra, Rachel and Tanya Haden, their brother Josh Haden), and his son-in-law Jack Black– each of whom has his or her own career in music. In addition, Rambling Boy features guest appearances by some of the most illustrious names in contemporary Americana and popular music: Roseanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Vince Gill, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs & the Whites, and Dan Tyminski and also includes such illustrious musicians as Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton and more.

Joe's Pub is a really intimate place. A small area of tables and a two-level bar area make an el-shape around a tiny stage. Every concert I've been to there has been incredible (highlights besides this one include Ursula Rucker, Meredith Monk, Rickie Lee Jones, Julian Fleischman). You're very close to the musicians and the sound is warm and right there: Watching Alice Coltrane's hands move across the keys of the piano like an organ was an unforgettable treat.

Master hardbop pianist Cedar Walton is joined here by his regular rhythm mates, bassist David Williams and drummer Billy Higgins. Sharing the frontline are trumpeter Terence Blanchard and alto saxophonist Jesse Davis,both of whom were fairly new to the scene at this point. Blanchard's muted solo on Thelonius Monk's "Pannonica" is a pleasure, and Walton's piano dazzles.

The opening number is by the quintet - with Hadley Caliman and the rhythm section of Billy Childs, Larry Klein and Carl Burnett Then for most of disc one, guest Leon Thomas takes over the spotlight, mostly just accompanied by the rhythm section. On some songs, Caliman and/or Hubbard join in. On disc two, we get to hear the quintet again.