Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: Jazz could bait controversy with a sense of mischief even back in the 50s, as Chet Baker and Art Pepper demonstrated when they released the pin-up sporting Playboys in 1957 with tracks like 'For Minors Only'. Of course, Hugh Hefner had something to say about that and so the album was reissued as Picture Of Heath in 1961, and it remains a marvellous entry in the discographies of these two jazz masters. As such, Blue Note turned back to this record for their Tone Poet series, as Baker's trumpet and Pepper's alto sax interact with Phil Urso's tenor sax, Curtis Counce's bass, Carl Perkins' piano and Lawrence Marable's drums. It's an all-time great sounding better than ever on this edition.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record has light surface marks/scratches, otherwise in excellent working condition***


Jazz could bait controversy with a sense of mischief even back in the 50s, as Chet Baker and Art Pepper demonstrated when they released the pin-up sporting Playboys in 1957 with tracks like 'For Minors Only'. Of course, Hugh Hefner had something to say about that and so the album was reissued as Picture Of Heath in 1961, and it remains a marvellous entry in the discographies of these two jazz masters. As such, Blue Note turned back to this record for their Tone Poet series, as Baker's trumpet and Pepper's alto sax interact with Phil Urso's tenor sax, Curtis Counce's bass, Carl Perkins' piano and Lawrence Marable's drums. It's an all-time great sounding better than ever on this edition.

Review: Originally released in 1965, Oh Baby! was the third studio album by jazz organist Big John Patton on Blue Note. Landing right in the hard bop era, the six pieces hold down a sharp focus as Patton freewheels up and down his scales backed up by a tight ensemble. With Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Harold Vick on tenor sax, Ben Dixon on drums and the legendary Grant Green on guitar, Oh Baby! Is bursting with catchy grooves and recognisable licks, not least the familiar chord chops that punctuate 'Fat Judy'. It's a classic slab of jazz on one of the genre's most important labels - need we say more?

Review: Blue Note's focus reissue series Tone Poet is bringing back to life and remastering some of its most classic jazz albums. Next up is Big John Patton who is one of the many Hammond B3 organ greats signed to the label back int he day. The Kansas City born dynamo is known for bring soul to his take on jazz and he had a funk run of work during the 60s after first appearing as a sideman on Lou Donaldson's The Natural Soul and Good Gracious LPs. His solo work first came in 1963 then two years later he released his most unique work, Let 'Em Roll, a session with Grant Green and drummer Otis Finch also joined by vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. Originals like 'Let Em Roll' and 'Latona'' really standout.

Review: Ella Fitzgerald has a spotless discography that is packed with many a classic tunes but for plenty of fans and critics alike, Let No Man Write My Epitaph is one of her ultimate standouts. She recorded the album back in 1960 with backing from the pianist Paul Smith. The album takes its name from the movie in which Fitzgerald starred and hits some truly rare depth of emotional understanding. It helped secure Ella's status as one of the finest translators of the Great American Songbook and now Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series transfers the originals from analog tapes and has remastered them on to 180-gram vinyl complete with deluxe gatefold packaging.

Review: Bebop piano genius Bud Powell made his most enduring recordings as a leader for Blue Note, and was a catalyst for moving the label from the hot jazz on which it was founded, into the modern music made by Powell, Thelonious Monk, Fats Navarro, and others. Powell's 1949 and 1951 quintet & trio sessions were first released in 1952, in the form of the 10" LP The Amazing Bud Powell, and later expanded as The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1, when Blue Note moved to the 12" LP and launched the 1500 series in 1955. The quintet date featured the pianist with the likes of trumpeter Fats Navarro, tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, bassist Tommy Potter, and drummer Roy Haynes performing Powell originals such as 'Dance of the Infidels,' 'Wail,' and 'Bouncing with Bud.' The trio date featured bassist Curly Russell and drummer Max Roach joining Powell on the jaunty classic 'Un Poco Loco,' presented here in three evolving takes, along with timeless versions of Powell's 'Parisian Thoroughfare' and Dizzy Gillespie's 'A Night In Tunisia,' as well as showstopping solo piano performance of 'It Could Happen To You.'