Big Pacific

This superior three-LP box set reissues all of altoist Art Pepper's small-group dates for the Pacific Jazz label. Virtually all of the music has since been reissued on CD (part of it as The Artistry of Pepper and part of it under trumpeter Chet Baker's name), but the Mosaic box, which has an attractive booklet, is the definitive treatment of this chapter in Pepper's musical story. The great altoist is heard in a sextet with Baker and tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca, on a version of "Tenderly" with Chet Baker's big band, with Baker and tenor Phil Urso in a different sextet, sharing the spotlight with tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins in a quintet, and heading a nonet playing arrangements by Shorty Rogers. The music is very much in the cool/bop tradition, but Pepper is instantly recognizable (he never sounded that much like Charlie Parker) and even at this early stage, he was at the top of his form. All 26 performances are quite enjoyable and swinging, making this hard-to-find set worth the search.

40th anniversary reissue of the classic Young Fresh Fellow debut, remixed from the original 8-track tapes by Scott McCaughey. The original LP with 15 tracks is available on limited edition turquoise vinyl, the double CD has been expanded with 14 bonus tracks. on tour in 2024, including a performance at Wilco's Solid Sound Festival

Adventure junkies, come to New Texas and seek your fortune on its plastic shores! The sci-fi saga of a young man's quest to turn an island of trash into sovereign land continues, as the settlers grapple with confounding new threats including addiction, mysterious and cruel interlopers, and all-out civil war. Collects GREAT PACIFIC #13-18.

40th anniversary reissue of the classic Young Fresh Fellow debut, remixed from the original 8-track tapes by Scott McCaughey. The original LP with 15 tracks is available on limited edition turquoise vinyl, the double CD has been expanded with 14 bonus tracks. on tour in 2024, including a performance at Wilco's Solid Sound Festival