Kaoru Akimoto You And The Night And The Tenor Sax Mood 1966

For guitarist Tal Farlow's second album as a leader (following a very obscure effort for Blue Note), he is joined by rhythm guitarist Barry Galbraith, bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Joe Morello on eight numbers, and pianist Claude Williamson and bassist Red Mitchell for the remaining four. Farlow is heard in his early prime. Thirty-two at the time, he was a brilliant technician who could play extremely fast, yet clean and with a light touch. His solos on the 11 standards (which include Pettiford's "Blues in the Closet," "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "You and the Night and the Music"), plus his own "Gibson Boy," are hard-swinging and creative, yet thoughtful.

Lorraine Geller recorded this album for the Dot label in Los Angeles in 1954, but it was not released until 1959 - a year after her passing. She was alto saxophonist Herb Geller's wife, and this is one of the few albums that she recorded as a leader. You can hear echoes of Dodo Marmarosa, Al Haig and Bud Powell in her playing, but for the most part her sound is her own. There is a definite bebop vibe, but a lot of power as well in her playing. On this album she is backed by Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Eldridge "Bruz" Freeman on drums.