Back catalogue: All genres

Review: American singer Eva Cassidy released Nighbird posthumously in November 2015. It came 19 years after her death and was recorded at the Washington club Plus Alley in 1996. Some of the tunes had already been released as part of a live album the same year but for this album the recordings have been remixed and remastered from the original tape. It has some big jazz standards such as 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' and 'Fever' as well as eight tunes that were previously unheard at the time. An exceptional record from one of the best female jazz singers of all-time.

Review: Miles Davis' The Bootleg Series, Volume 1: Live in Europe 1967 is a monumental release, capturing the essence of one of jazz's most legendary ensembles. This 5xLP box set from Columbia/Legacy, featuring 180-gram audiophile vinyl, showcases previously unreleased live performances by Davis' second great quintetiWayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams. The set documents five concerts from October and November 1967, a transitional period in Davis' career. While this quintet never achieved the pop-cultural impact of Davis' earlier or later groups, their work during this era remains highly influential. The recordings reveal a band pushing the boundaries of bebop with exhilarating spontaneity and creativity. Tony Williams' dynamic drumming is particularly noteworthy, adding intense energy to tracks like 'Footprints,' while Hancock's innovative piano work and Shorter's probing saxophone contribute to the band's distinctive sound. Live in Europe 1967 represents a crucial moment before the group's shift to electric jazz, epitomising the quintet's mastery of live improvisation and interaction.

Review: Craft Recordings' Miles '54: The Prestige Recordings is an excellent retrospective that has Miles Davis at a transformative period in his career. Spanning 20 tracks, this collection highlights the pivotal year of 1954, where Davis honed his signature sound and emerged as a leading figure in jazz. The album features contributions from luminaries like Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, and Art Blakey, who together elevate the sessions to iconic status. The set includes insightful session notes by Dan Morgenstern and a thoughtful essay by Ashley Kahn, providing historical context and depth. The collection is a journey through Davis' evolving artistry, from the melodic 'Four' to the innovative 'Bags' Groove.' Tracks like 'Walkin'' and 'Oleo' reveal a confident, boundary-pushing musician on the brink of greatness, while his use of the cup mute foreshadows the cool, introspective sound that would define much of his later work. Miles '54 is not just a celebration of a milestone year in Davis' career but also a tribute to the enduring legacy of Prestige Records.

Review: The Boston-based band The Post Pop Space Rock Be Bop Gospel Tabernacle Chorus and Orchestra was led by Webster Lewis and this album was recorded live in Oslo, Norway, in 1971. The original album was released in 1972 and this expanded edition includes previously unreleased songs, unseen photos and the full backstory of the historic concert. It is a rather rare recording that showcases spiritual and soul jazz at its finest and blends instrumental and vocal tracks for a unique, eclectic sound that has made it highly sought after. Newly transferred from the master tapes, it offers improved sound quality and is a must-buy for jazz cats.

Review: Industrial noise jazz of the highest order comes reissued by Black Editions, who cast their sights back on the late 1960s, a lesser-known golden era for unbounded experimentation in the genre. Japanese stalwart and bandleading visionary Masayuki Takayanagi was at this time in the twilight years of his life, but that hardly stopped him from scouring new musical frontiers; he formed New Direction as a means to freely upend jazz, in a way that mirrored the rapid societal changes of post-occupation Japan. A raucous 3xLP boxset.

Review: Miles in France is the eighth release in the acclaimed Miles Davis Bootleg Series and one that focuses on the formation of the Second Great Quintet during 1963 and 1964. The music captures both an ending and a new beginning and is spread across five performances on eight 12"s. It features over four hours of unreleased live recordings that highlight Davis' deep connection with France, where he and his band were, he felt, embraced more warmly than in their homeland. The set includes performances with George Coleman, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams. Expanding on Miles in Europe, it presents all three distinct Antibes 1963 performances and two previously unreleased 1964 Paris concerts which chart the Quintet's evolution.

Review: Celebrated jazz man Charles Mingus took Manhattan by storm when he played a series of legendary darts at the world famous Birdland venue in New York between 1961 and 196. Now, in conjunction with the Mingus Estate, the complete collection of those sessions make it to vinyl for the first time ever. Mingus Takes Manhattan - The Complete Birdland Dates: 1961 - 1962 is taken from the original reel-to-reel tapes used for the radio broadcasts at the time. These rare recordings comes with a 44-page book with a foreword from Christian McBride.

Review: The bounty hunter's journey continues, accompanied by a score that has left an indelible mark on cinematic history. This newly expanded edition showcases Ennio Morricone's remarkable work for Sergio Leone's 1965 classic, featuring the original eight-cue soundtrack program first issued by RCA Records, paired with the complete mono film score. The remastering, handled by Claudio Fuiano and Daniel Winkler, enhances every note of Morricone's haunting compositions. The packaging itself is a collector's dream, with front cover art by Renato Casaro and a portrait of Morricone by Fuiano. This vinyl release, presented on transparent white and orange wax, is housed in a gatefold sleeve. Added to this edition are two poster prints and a 24-page booklet written by Daniele de Gemini, adorned with Averardo Ciriello's artwork and a layout by de Gemini, offering deep insight into the music and its context. Morricone's score integrates pre-written themes, including a recurring melody tied to a musical pocket watch that becomes a pivotal element in the film. The music's enduring appeal is evident in covers by Hugo Montenegro and Billy Strange. Often overlooked, this film and its score deserve renewed attention through this meticulously crafted release.

Review: Sonny Rollins' Night At The Village Vanguard: The Complete Masters is a jazz treasure trove capturing the great man's legendary performances at the iconic New York venue. This comprehensive collection showcases him at the peak of his improvisational prowess and delivering electrifying saxophone solos backed by a stellar ensemble. From the pulsating rhythms of 'A Night In Tunisia' to the introspective melodies of 'I've Got You Under My Skin,' each track shows just how unique he was when it came to improvisation and jazz innovation. The remastered recordings offer pristine sound quality, allowing listeners to experience the vibrant energy of Rollins' live performances with unparalleled clarity.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Missing obi-strip***


This triple pack box set from Craft Recordings takes a look at legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins and his run for Lester Koenig's revered Los Angeles label Go West. As well as presenting seminal albums Way Out West and Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders in full, this collection also presents six additional alternative takes from both album sessions, allowing listeners to hear the development of such iconic recordings as 'Come, Gone'. With additional liner notes from noted music historian Ashley Kahn and an interview with Rollins from 2021, this is an authoritative look at a true legend in the legacy of jazz.

Review: This 17xCD set is a sprawling testament to Lalo Schifrin's genius, charting his journey as a composer who brought jazz, Latin rhythms, and classical grandeur into the heart of Hollywood. 'Mission: Impossible' still brims with tension, its taut rhythm as sharp as ever, while 'Bullitt' is all about brooding jazz-fusion cool. Then there's 'Enter the Dragon', where Eastern motifs meet cinematic swagger. Even lesser-known gems like the haunting 'Kelly's Heroes' theme reveal his knack for blending intricate orchestration with emotional pull. A deep dive into these discs is less a passive listen and more a front-row seat to cinematic history being redefined.

Review: This movie from 1997 was, at the time, hailed as one of the greatest LGBT films of its era. That has not diminished in the years since and it is still much-loved flick that rightly solidified Wong Kar-wai's reputation and earned him Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival. It's a classic that explores the sorrow of love-lost and identity struggles amidst Hong Kong's 1997 handover and the film's evocative soundtrack heightens the whole narrative. It features Caetano Veloso's 'Cucurrucucu Paloma' and Astor Piazzolla's 'Tango Apasionado' and perfectly underscores the emotional journey of lovers played by Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung, all set against the backdrop of Argentina. With handpicked live recordings, this beloved soundtrack remains a poignant complement to the film's exploration of heartbreak and self-discovery.