Larry Koones

This is one of the most spectacular collections of high-quality, virtuoso acoustic guitar playing ever released. With Larry Coryell, the soul of the music NEVER gets lost in the technique and there is no better demonstration of Coryell at his best than this record. Coryell's musicianship, at this point in his career, was at an extremely high level and some of these tunes may take some extra listening to fully appreciate; but once you get used to them, you can't get enough.

Originally broadcast on radio in France more than five decades ago, these long-lost tracks were unearthed in the vaults of the ORTF (Office of French Radio and Television, now Maison de Radio France) and are available for the first time on this album. The iconic jazz organist is joined on 1964 and 1965 studio and live recordings by Woody Shaw on trumpet, bandleader Nathan Davis on saxophone and drummer Billy Brooks, plus guest musicians from France, Italy and other countries. Among the many highlights is an over 20 minute version of “"Zoltan"” that would reappear on Young's classic "Unity" LP.

Silk Road Blues represents the first fusion of Afghan music and jazz. The project is built around the combination of piano and the 18-stringed Afghan rebab, both played by Larry Porter, in different settings which include bass, drums, tabla, and sax.

This smoking organ trio recording is a first for guitarist Larry Coryell and a return to his roots. With the innovative young Hammond B-3 organist Sam Yahel and the versatile, reliably swinging drummer Paul Wertico, the guitar great breathes new life into six familiar jazz pieces, such as "Impressions", "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Embraceable You" while also showcasing his inimitable fleet-fingered facility on three original compositions.