Sam Payne

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Second Edition (1957) {RCA–Bluebird 66661-2 rel 1995}
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© 1957, 1995 RCA / Bluebird / BMG | 07863 66661-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Straight-ahead jazz / Drums

1957's Second Edition is rare material from the second version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. The first six selections are the full contents of a long out of print Vik LP that find the Messengers (with tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, trumpeter Bill Hardman, pianist Sam Dockery, bassist Spanky DeBrest, and the drummer/leader) playing six songs by Lerner & Loewe including "Almost Like Being in Love," "On the Street Where You Live," and "I Could Have Danced All Night." In addition, the same group is heard on two previously unreleased alternate takes with altoist Jackie McLean (who was actually Griffin's predecessor) making the band a sextet, and there are three numbers (including two "new" takes) from an expanded unit (called "The Jazz Messengers Plus Two") which features such players as a very young Lee Morgan (making his debut with Blakey a year before he joined the group), Hardman, trombonist Melba Liston, Griffin, and pianist Wynton Kelly. But rarity aside, the performances should please straight-ahead jazz fans.

Chu Berry - Classic Chu Berry Columbia and Victor Sessions (2007) {7CD Set Mosaic MD7-236 rec 1933-1941}
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© 1933-41, 2007 Columbia / Victor / Sony BMG / Mosaic Records / BMG | MD7-236
Jazz / Swing / Tenor Saxophone

This is a comprehensive collection with countless pivotal sessions. It features 203 separate recordings on seven CDs and collects both the sessions led by Chu Berry and other sessions where he contributed significantly as a sideman. You can study his remarkable surefootedness as a soloist; remember an era where evolution in the music was running rampant and Chu Berry's tenor saxophone was one of the things making it run.

At the end of November the time has come again, completely in line with tradition, the Hitzone annual review will be published, 538 Hitzone - Best Of 2019. A double CD with only the biggest hits of 2019. Not just for the fans of the popular hits, 2019 was a good year. There was also a lot to enjoy for the true music lover. In addition to hits from Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Marco Borsato, Davina Michelle and Mabel, 2019 is also the year of singer-songwriters such as Dermot Kennedy, Lewis Capaldi and Guy Sebastian. In addition to these new stars, we also saw many trusted names in the charts, such as Tiësto, P! Nk and Sam Smith.

Number 1's The Ultimate Collection features 100 hits that reached the much-coveted top UK chart top spot. Each of the 5 CDs features a carefully sequenced selection from one of 5 decades from the 60s right up to the noughties. Featuring a stunning array of rock, pop and soul anthems this is the very best of the UK chart in one poptastic box set.

Charlie Ventura & Flip Phillips - The Complete Verve/Clef Studio Sessions (1998) {6CD Box Set Mosaic MD6-182 rec 1947-1957}
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© 1947-57, 1998 Verve / Clef / Mosaic Records / PolyGram | MD6-182
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

Although they were never major influences, both Flip Phillips and Charlie Ventura had their moments of fame and were entertaining and hard-swinging tenor saxophonists. This 1998 limited-edition six-CD box set from Mosaic is typically wondrous with quite a few little-heard gems included among the 116 selections (five previously unreleased, three of which are alternate takes). The first two CDs feature Charlie Ventura during 1951-1954, right after his "Bop for the People" band broke up.

Chico Hamilton - The Master (1973) {2016 Stax-Culture Factory USA Vinyl Replica Collectors Limited Edition 24/96 remastering}
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© 1973, 2016 Stax / Concord / Culture Factory USA | CFU01119 | Vinyl Replica
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Fusion / Drums

A totally excellent bit of funk from Chico Hamilton – working with a great group that more than helps their leader live up to the album's title! The record's a real lost gem – and it's got Chico working in much funkier territory than before, grooving with complicated rhythms, and a heavy sound that features lots of work on organ and guitar. Lowell George (of Little Feat fame) is playing slide guitar in the group, giving the sound a great, muddy propellant – which only gets stronger with the help of Simon Nava and Sam Clayton on congas, plus heavy organ and piano by Stu Garner, Jerry Aiello and Bill Payne. Includes the killer Latin groover "Conquistadores 74", plus "Stu", "Feels Good", "Fancy", "Stacy", Gengis" and "I Can Hear The Grass Grow".