Cover art by llustrator, animator and graphic artist Gene Deitch. Two singles from Australia of Dixieland jazz from the 1920’s. On the Swaggie label. Johnny Dodds, King Oliver, etc.   Among many accomplishments, including an Oscar for Best Animated Film, Deitch, in the 1940’s and 50’s, was a frequent contributor to Record Changer magazine, a magazine for jazz record collectors.

(16 votes, average: 3.56 out of 5)

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Kenny Burrell / Prestige 7088 Includes the song “Don’t Cry Baby” among others.

Cecil Payne (brs) Tommy Flanagan (pf) Kenny Burrell (g) Doug Watkins (b) Elvin Jones (ds)   Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, February 1, 1957

(23 votes, average: 4.70 out of 5)

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Vi Redd “Bird Call” Vi Redd is a passionate bop-based altoist and an exciting singer. She made this album for United Artists (1962) and another for Atco (1962-63).

(19 votes, average: 4.32 out of 5)

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The Ruby Braff (Trumpet)/ Marshall Brown (Trombone) Sextet on United Artists Records. (1961)

(16 votes, average: 4.19 out of 5)

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“Hop On the Skyliner!!!” with Charlie Barnet and his Orchestra.   This one includes the indelible “Oh! Miss Jaxson” (“…you sure make some FINE Bar-Bee-Q!”)

(15 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)

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Illustration by Arnold Roth. Fantasy Records.

(21 votes, average: 4.14 out of 5)

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“Basie Plays Hefti” Roulette Records (1958)

Thoughout the 50’s, Count Basie and composer/arranger Neal Hefti were an incredible team together.   This album is one of their best and it’s overflowing with Hefti gems that include “Cute”, “Pensive Miss”, “Sloo Foot”, “Scoot”, “A Little Tempo Please”, “Count Down”, and “Pony Tail”.   Of course, Hefti later gave us other classics like the themes to “Batman” and “The Odd Couple”.

(15 votes, average: 3.13 out of 5)

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Freedom Now Suite on Candid. Recorded in 1960.

Track listing: Driva’ Man; Freedom Day; Triptych (Prayer, Protest, Peace); All Africa; Tears For Johannesburg.

Personnel: Max Roach: drums; Booker Little: trumpet; Julian Priester: trombone; Coleman Hawkins: tenor saxophone (1); Walter Benton: tenor saxophone; James Schenck: bass; Michael Olatunji: congas; Ray Mantilla: percussion; Tomas DuVall: percussion; Abbey Lincoln: vocals.

(21 votes, average: 4.05 out of 5)

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The Junior Mance Trio “In a Superb Performance”   “That’s Where It is!” Capitol Records (1964)

(15 votes, average: 3.07 out of 5)

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Clifford Coulter “East Side San Jose” on Impulse ABC Records (1971)   Check out these cats!: Mel Brown, Guitar; Cornelious Bumpus (that’s right!), Saxophone; Jimmy Calhaun, Bass; Billy Ingram, Drums; etc.   Side One opens with a funky, jazzy take on Steely Dan’s “Do It Again,” then the title cut “East Side San Jose” which is great.   For me the stand out track though is “Big Fat Funky Shirley” on side two.

(19 votes, average: 3.32 out of 5)

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