Arious Artists Jazz Dispensary Night Lights

In the days when recording artists did not write their own material, it was not unusual for them to record more material than actually fit into record companies' release schedules. As this album makes abundantly clear, that was the case with Nat "King" Cole. Between December 20, 1955, and January 21, 1955, Cole held a series of recording sessions with arranger/conductor Nelson Riddle. Cole was near the peak of his commercial appeal, but this was also a transitional period in the record business, with rock & roll coming in and claiming a big chunk of the pop singles charts. Though a Capitol Records press release refers to this material as "an unissued studio album," it's more likely that the recording dates were intended as singles sessions rather than constituting an album project…

Let's face it: so many, perhaps too many, piano trio jazz CDs are released every month, and it's not every day when you find something special. But this CD - originally released in the Czech Republic and became a huge hit in Japan - has that special quality, the one that lets you know that it's a good record within the first 10 seconds. Pianist Jan Knop (b. 1972), who began to spell his name backwards as Najponk, is one of the greatest stars of his generation. He was connected to George Mraz (b. 1944), the most famous Czech bassist in the world, through drummer and jazz impressario Martin Sulc (b. 1961). The representatives of three different generations are connected by the strong unifying force of the post-bop mainstream…

We’re delighted to announce the return of our beloved Record Store Day compilations with Super Skunk: a brand-new blend that’s hard on the drums and horns…and easy on the ears. Featuring tracks by Cannonball Adderley, the Bar-Kays, and Gary Bartz, among others, Super Skunk will take listeners on the ultimate groove trip—zigzagging between hard-bop soul jams and rhythmic meditations.

This is a rather relaxed recording featuring baritonist Gerry Mulligan and some of his top alumni (trumpeter Art Farmer, trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Bill Crow, and drummer Dave Bailey) exploring three of his own songs (including "Festive Minor"), Chopin's Prelude in E minor, "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," and "Morning of the Carnival" (from Black Orpheus). The emphasis is on ballads and nothing too innovative occurs, but the results are pleasing and laid-back.

Prelusion is the debut album from iconic recording artist Patrice Rushen, originally released on Prestige Records in 1974. The album effortlessly zigzags between Post-Bop and Jazz Fusion, and features contributions from legendary saxophonist Joe Henderson. Reissued on vinyl for the first time in 50 years as part of Jazz Dispensary’s Top Shelf series, the album was cut from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray, pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a gatefold tip-on jacket. Also availavle in 24/192 hi-res.