Back catalogue: All genres

Review: The Alternate Blues presents a standout gathering of three iconic trumpeters - Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, and Clark Terry - alongside jazz luminaries like Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Ray Brown, and Bobby Durham. Recorded in 1980, this album captures the essence of a classic jam session, showcasing the musicians' virtuosity and camaraderie. The slow blues jams on this album, each exceeding eight minutes, allow the players ample space to explore and express themselves. Despite the relaxed pace, the performances are emotionally charged, drawing listeners into the heart of the blues tradition. Granz's decision to release alternate takes adds a layer of authenticity, capturing the spontaneity and energy of the sessions. Highlights include Hubbard's soulful rendition of 'Here's That Rainy Day' and the stellar ballad medley featuring all three trumpeters. The interaction between the musicians is seamless, resulting in a cohesive and stunning recording. In sum, The Alternate Blues is a bookmark for jazz aficionados, offering a rare glimpse into the creative process of three legendary trumpeters.

Review: Ben Webster, a titan of tenor saxophone, solidified his legacy through indelible collaborations, notably in Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson. This album showcases Webster's affinity for Peterson, his preferred partner at the piano. Part of Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series, it features meticulously remastered analogue tape transfers on high-quality 180-gram vinyl, presented in deluxe gatefold packaging. With tunes like 'Bye Bye Blackbird' and 'How Deep Is The Ocean,' each note resonates with heartfelt emotion, capturing the intimate interplay between two legends of jazz. A definitive collection for any serious audiophile.

Review: This remarkable live jazz workshop brings together the talents of Yosuke Yamashita, Itaru Oki, Yuji Ohno and Kimiko Kasai for an unforgettable listen. Recorded in 1970 as part of Victor's "Japanese Jazz" series, this album showcases three powerful trios-Yamashita, Oki, and Ohno-with vocalist Kasai and each artist contributes their own unique style. Yamashita led the scene with his vibrant playing, Oki brought fresh perspectives from Osaka, Ohno's versatility spanned modern to new jazz and Kasai's vocal prowess was just beginning to bloom at this time. Together, the seven artists create a dynamic two-disc trip that is full of the famous originality and intensity of Japanese jazz.

Review: With roots that date back to 1967, when Weekly Manga Action magazine decided to take a punt on a new character, master thief Lupin III, grandson of gentleman robber Arsene Lupin, and his criminal gang, Takeo Yamashita and Otomo Yoshihide's collaborative soundtrack has cult status written all over it. While not made to accompany the core Lupin III series, the music here featured on the critically acclaimed Lupin Zero, a saga that takes us back to the early years of the protagonist - a young boy opening the door on a life of crime in mid-1960s Japan. On record, that sounds like a flamboyant and intoxicatingly heady brew of jazz, psychedelic rock, electronic experimentation and pure groove. As vivid as both the original printed cartoons and the subsequent screen adaptations that continued the legacy.