Jackie Dallas Lorraine

New Soil wasn't the first session Jackie McLean recorded for Blue Note, but it was the first one released, and as the title suggests, the first glimmerings of McLean's desire to push beyond the limits of bop are already apparent. They're subtle, of course, and nowhere near as pronounced as they would be in just a few years' time, but – as with the 1959 material later issued on Jackie's Bag – hints of Ornette Coleman's stream-of-consciousness melodic freedom are beginning to find their way into McLean's improvisations. His playing is just a touch more angular than the ear expects, especially given the very bluesy nature of pieces like McLean's 11-minute vamp "Hip Strut," and pianist Walter Davis, Jr.'s infectious boogie-woogie "Greasy."

"Jackie Gleason presents 'Riff Jazz' / 'Lazy Lively Love', two "mood music" albums taking their stand-alone place on CD in carefully-remastered, full dimensional sound and with original cover art. As bonus tracks, a rare 1955 single, Capri in May (Je Me Sens Si Bien), which has never been reissued until now, plus two of Gleason's famous themes, You're My Greatest Love (from "The Honeymooners") and Melancholy Serenade (from "The Jackie Gleason Show"), are included. The 12-page booklet includes archival photos and images, a newly-written essay about Gleason's music, and a chronological sessionography with primary releases for these recordings."

Esoteric Recordings are proud to release the debut album by Jackie Mcauley on CD in the UK for the first time. A former member of legendary band Them, Jackie teamed up with original Fairport Convention singer Judy Dyble in the acclaimed duo Trader Horne. In 1970 he recorded this stunning debut album for Pye Records Progressive imprint, Dawn. An acclaimed work, it failed to sell in large quantities but has since become a much sought-after album. This Esoteric reissue has been re-mastered from the original master tapes and adds both sides of his 1970 single as bonus tracks.

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.

Jackie's Bag is split between two different recording sessions: the first, from January 1959, was the first session Jackie McLean ever led for Blue Note, and the second was a sextet date from September 1960 that featured tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks as a co-leader in all but name. According to the liner notes, McLean's first date produced only three songs of releasable quality, which are included here. Six tunes were cut at the Brooks session, which were all issued in Japan as Street Singer, and half appeared on the original Jackie's Bag LP. Given the transitional time period of the first and Brooks' musical taste on the second, the music on Jackie's Bag finds McLean in a staunchly hard bop mode, with occasional hints of adventurousness…