Ashby Material

Bill Withers: The Complete Sussex and Columbia Albums celebrates the timeless artistry of an American master. The set includes the nine albums that Bill released between 1971 through 1985…

For those needing a reminder of Cole's very original and expert piano playing, this 18-track roundup of some of his best instrumentals should fit the bill. Part of Capitol's three-volume series of Cole's classic trio sides (the other two cover the vocals), The Best of the Nat King Cole Trio includes gem after gem from the group's 1943-1949 prime and features the classic lineup that included guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Johnny Miller. With Cole and Moore seamlessly blending lines throughout, the group forged the standard for many a piano trio to follow by way of classics like "Jumpin' at Capitol," "Sweet Georgia Brown," and "These Foolish Things."

Paquito D'Rivera's second recording as leader of the United Nation Orchestra features a live concert from 1997. By then the ensemble (which was Dizzy Gillespie's last big band) did not display that distinctive a personality and was clearly missing the late trumpeter. However, it still had plenty to offer including such players as trombonists Conrad Herwig and William Cepeda, guitarist Fareed Haque, trumpeter Diego Urcola, and, of course, its leader. Most of the material on the CD is from bandmembers but the three most memorable selections originated elsewhere: Emiliano Salvador's "Puerto Padre," Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia," and Ernesto Lecuona's "Andalucia Medley," which is taken as a clarinet-bass duet.