Ahmad Jamal Live at Bubba's (1997)

It is a pity that this LP is long out of print (and that the Catalyst label went out of business quite awhile ago), for it gives listeners an excellent example of the playing of pianist Ahmad Jamal in the mid-1970s. His group (comprised of guitarist Calvin Keys, bassist John Heard, drummer Frank Gant and Seldon Newton on conga) was temporarily larger than usual, and Jamal stretches out on three originals (including "Effendi") and a lengthy remake of his biggest hit, "Poinciana."

With a beautifully economical piano style full of grace, depth, tone, and plenty of swing, Ahmad Jamal is simply one of the greatest pianists in the history of jazz, but he has been woefully underexposed, even as he has been a giant influence in the genre, on Miles Davis, for one, and Gil Evans, who flirted with Jamal's chamber jazz style. This set collects eight of Jamal's seminal albums, 1955's Chamber Music of the New Jazz, 1956's Count 'Em 88, 1958's Ahmad Jamal Trio at the Spotlight Café and Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not for Me, 1959's Jamal at the Penthouse, 1960's Happy Moods, and 1961's All of You and Standard Eyes, all in one package. Together they form perhaps Jamal's richest creative stretch, making this set a welcome delight.

After a break in the eighties Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer reunited in the early nineties and took to the road once more. In 1997 they made their debut at the Montreux Jazz Festival with a performance that included all their trademark virtuosity and showmanship. The concert includes classic tracks from across their career including "Karn Evil 9", "Hoedown", "Take A Pebble", "Lucky Man", "Tiger In A Spotlight", "Tarkus" and "Fanfare For The Common Man".

Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse (1965-1966) brings forth a collection of previously unreleased recordings of the iconic pianist Ahmad Jamal captured live at the hallowed Seattle jazz club. Featuring trios with bassist Jamil Nasser, and drummers Chuck Lampkin, Vernel Fournier and Frank Gant.