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This is an interesting title in the wake of the notion that Stefano Battaglia composed most of these pieces and has performed them on earlier recordings – both solo and with various groups – and that Tony Oxley is such a renowned improviser…

Recorded over two days in 2002, Bop Boy was previously only available in Japan on the Cheetah label. Thanks to Explore and their excellent catalog of diverse jazz and classical recordings, it is now available in the United States as well. Unlike Bob Mintzer's '80s offerings on Cheetah (Source and Papa Lips), the band used on this session is a quartet made up of star talent: bassist Eddie Gomez, the elegant pianist Steve Kuhn, and drummer Steve Gadd.

Sixun is French jazz-rock and fusion band founded in 1984, who celebrated worldwide a variety of performances over 14 years. The band name is derived from "six" (fr: six): together, and "un" (one fr). This refers to the six band members from around the world, playing as a band together. The main cast (Paco Séry (drums, percussion), Jean-Pierre Como (keyboard), Alain Debiossat (saxophone), Louis Winsberg (guitar) and Michel Alibo (Bass) remained over the years unchanged, but the percussionist changed steadily. These musicians have solo projects and bring their different musical focus in the band.

The Harlem Art Ensemble ft. Dr. Lonnie Smith - Live In New York (2007) {Explore Records EXP0027 rec 1990}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 302 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 119 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 130 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1990, 2004 Explore Records / The Cheetah Company | EXP0027
Jazz / Post Bop / Soul Jazz / Guitar / Organ Hammond B-3

A hot, swinging soul-jazz date featuring some of the unsung heroes of the genre! Lead by drummer Bruno Carr, a veteran of Herbie Mann’s group (also those of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and David “Fathead” Newman), the Harlem Art Ensemble also features top soul-jazz players Jimmy Ponder (guitar), Dr Lonnie Smith (organ) and Harold Ousley (sax). The players groove and shine on this previously unreleased recording, that features great versions of Miles Davis’ “Four”, and Stevie Wonder’s “All in Love is Fair”.

Jimmy Ponder - Live at The Other End (1982) {Explore Records EXP0026 rel 2007}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 216 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 131 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 5 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1982, 2007 Explore Records / Cheetah Company | EXP0026
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Bop / Guitar

Let's face it, solo jazz guitar records – by most guitar masters anyway – would become rather ho hum unless of course you are a student of the instrument or a die-hard fanatic. There are exceptions: Jim Hall, Bola Sete, Tal Farlow, as well as others purposely omitted for brevity here. Live at the Other End by Jimmy Ponder is not only engaging for its entire 55 minutes' running time, it's downright dazzling, and not only in technical acumen – which it certainly is – but in its pure singing musicality. Given that the Other End – formerly the legendary Bitter End – was, in 1982, a pop-oriented room, a solo gig by a jazz guitarist was risky for the club to be sure, but more so for the guitarist.