#4 in a cool series of jazz compilations put out by the Dawn label. All with great covers, this is the best though. What style! The classic Lambretta, the babe, the tight pants and low cut top! The music is equally good and deserving of the hip sleeve. The roster includes Paul Quinichette, Nat Pierce, Gene Roland, Ed Thigpen and Earl May.

(42 votes, average: 3.90 out of 5)

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With Ellis Larkins at the Piano and Joe Benjamin on Bass.   Decca Records (1958)

(28 votes, average: 3.57 out of 5)

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“The Freedom Book” Booker Ervin Prestige Records 1963

Booker Ervin, tenor sax; Jaki Byard, piano; Richard Davis, bass; Alan Dawson, drums

Track List: A Lunar Tune, Cry Me Not (by Randy Weston), Grant’s Stand, A Day to Mourn, Al’s In.

Rudy Van Gelder produced.

Booker Ervin was an artist who bridged the gap in post-bop 1960s between straight ahead hard bop and the avantgarde movement that spawned mid-decade. He could play in a soulful Texas tradition yet could creep into edgy material. He seemed to keep his hard bop for his Blue Note sessions and bring his avant leanings to sessions with pianist Jaki Byard for Prestige. He made a series of “Book” sessions for Prestige with titles like Freedom, Space, Song, and Blues Book. The common denominator for all the “Book” sessions was that they paired Booker with bassist Richard Davis and drummer Alan Dawson. Ervin’s career was on the short side as he died of cancer in mid-1970, just shy of his 40th birthday. But thankfully, he left a large amount of recordings for us to remember him by.

(18 votes, average: 4.11 out of 5)

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“Roy and Diz”   Clef. Original recording produced by Norman Granz.   Recorded October 29, 1954 at Radio Recorder Studios, Los Angeles.   The Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis and Louis Bellson.

(18 votes, average: 4.72 out of 5)

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“When I found your website I thought I’d died and gone to my own personal heaven, which is an endless street of charity shops full of the most amazing record covers.   I have to share one of my own collection with you which I purchased in Swansea Town, South Wales and is an equally good record as the cover suggests.   All the best, Major Lloyd (retired)”

(13 votes, average: 1.77 out of 5)

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Benny Golson on ARGO (1961). “take a number from 1 to 10” An interesting concept here as Benny plays the first number solo and adds one sideman with each song. Players include Cedar Walton, Curtis Fuller, Freddy Hubbard, and Albert Heath — among ohters — and titles include the Golson originals “Little Karin”, “Swing It”, “The Touch”, “Impromptune”, and “Time”, plus versions of “You’re My Thrill”, “Out Of This World”, and “I Fall In Love Too Easily”.

(16 votes, average: 3.06 out of 5)

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Two rare Lee Wiley 78’s on Schirmer from Vintage Vanguard. Wiley was the first singer to do songbook albums. I’ve always liked her version of “Careless Love,” but she’s was always good. A later Lp “West of the Moon” (1956) is worth finding.

(22 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

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THE RHYTHM SECTION. Epic LN 3271. (1956)

Featuring Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, Barry Galbraith, and Osie Johnson.

TRACKS:

Hallelujah

Mona’s Feeling Lonely

Out of Braith

The Legal Nod

Polka Dots & Moonbeams

Minor’s Club

They Look Alike

Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

Kookin’ In The Kitchen

Walk Chicken Walk…

Ruby My Dear

Koolin’ on the Settee

(16 votes, average: 4.13 out of 5)

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