As the virtuoso bass man for Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten has become a hero to four- (and five-) stringers everywhere. On his own, he creates a sound that largely rejects the rootsier side of Fleck's sound, embracing instead the funk and jazz-fusion flavors that have already been flowing through him for many years. Wooten's been making solo albums since the mid-'90s, but PALMYSTERY is one of his most wide-ranging efforts yet, incorporating soul/R&B, gospel, bluesy guitar licks (courtesy of Keb' Mo'), and of course the death-defying thumb acrobatics for which the world-class bassist is best known.

Drummer Billy Cobham was fresh from his success with the Mahavishnu Orchestra when he recorded his debut album, which is still his best. Most of the selections showcase Cobham in a quartet with keyboardist Jan Hammer, guitarist Tommy Bolin, and electric bassist Lee Sklar. Two other numbers include Joe Farrell on flute and soprano and trumpeter Jimmy Owens with guitarist John Tropea, Hammer, bassist Ron Carter, and Ray Barretto on congas. The generally high-quality compositions (which include "Red Baron") make this fusion set a standout, a strong mixture of rock-ish rhythms and jazz improvising.

Some key lineup changes: Lenny Pickett came on as first sax (replacing Skip Mesquite), Chester Thompson joined on keyboards, Lenny Williams replaced Stevens on vocals. (Bruce Conte replaced Willy Fulton on guitar, to less effect.) Not coincidentally, this was their first album to have a national impact. The tunes are split between top-notch propulsive funk ("What Is Hip?," "Soul Vaccination," "Get Yo' Feet Back On The Ground") and soppy pseudo-soul ballads ("Will I Ever Find A Love?," the Otis Redding homage "Both Sorry Over Nothin'"). The ballads get more album space, making the disc something of a wearying listen, and the horn section isn't nearly as inventive as the Horny Horns. But the funk tunes are so damn good nothing else matters.

The name of this collection is as applicable to Elliot's real life piloting skills as it is to his flourishing solo career. As with his three prior releases, his tenor and alto saxes give you everything – soul, passion, heat – Elliot established himself with releases like these as the James Brown of contemporary jazz. Elliot is not as rambunctious as he was on the previous year's The Power of Suggestion, but he made strides toward finding that unique "Elliot sound." He succeeds most of the time here, most noticeably with a soaring, heart-searing rendition of Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman," which became a trademark concert tune and one of his legacies on smooth jazz radio. He starts to let loose on the perky "The Grip," then turns on the smooth for "4:00 a.m.," "In Your Arms," and the tropical flavored "Down to the Keys." In place of rockers, Elliot goes for that midtempo groove, but you can't argue with success.

Even if Boyz II Men's third album Evolution didn't rival II in terms of commercial clout, the group was still inescapable. Every male urban vocal group that reached the pop and R&B charts were clearly indebted to the quartet's stylish blend of old-school harmony, post-Aretha hyper-vocalizing, and lite hip-hop beats. The group returned to action in the fall of 2000 with Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya, a nearly eponymous title for their first full-fledged adult album.

Out of the fertile musical soil of southern Sweden comes A Secret River, a band intent on exploring and creating innovative sounds, while still keeping the song in focus. From its humble inception as a duo some ten years ago to the four-piece it is today, A Secret River is steadily building a following around the world, with songs that are undoubtedly progressive and intricate, yet remain easily accessible to listeners from all walks of life. Lush vocal harmonies, unusual song structures and multilayered sounds are just a few of the things that make A Secret River stand out from the crowd. Prog magazine compared the band’s sound to that of artists like Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel, and a number of radio shows have been giving the bands debut EP steady airplay. On june 25th, 2014 release date of their first full-length album, entitled "Colours of Solitude".

This is a rather unusual tribute to Herbie Hancock on a couple different levels. There is no piano on the date, so obviously no one is heard trying to sound like Hancock; the intimate all-star trio (bassist Christian McBride, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and guitarist Mark Whitfield) avoids such typical Hancock hits as "Watermelon Man" and "Maiden Voyage," and several of the songs are real obscurities. The 14 Hancock compositions date from 1962-79, with one tune from 1985, so they do not cover his later output. Among the lesser-known tunes are the title track (first played by V.S.O.P.), "Sly" (from the Headhunters LP), and two melodies taken from the 1965 soundtrack of Blow-Up. Several of the songs (most notably "Driftin'") deserve to be revived more widely…

Bennie Green - Glidin' Along (1961) {Jazzland OJCCD-1869-2 rel 1995}
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© 1961, 1995 Jazzland Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-1869-2
Jazz / Bop / Bebop / Trombone

Re-released in 1995, Bennie Green's album "Glidin' Along" was originally recorded in 1961 and produced by Orrin Keepnews better known for his work at Riverside Records. Bennie is supported by Johnny Griffin, tenor, Junior Mance, piano, Ben Riley on drums and either Paul Chambers or Larry Gales on bass. Bennie - now known as Benny - Green is by no means as well-known as his contemporaries, J.J Johnson and Curtis Fuller, but he has a distinctive tone and style which, although capable of functioning in a hard bop setting, is reminiscent of some the earlier work of the swing players. The choice of numbers favours originals including two by Green himself but also features a very pretty version of "Stardust".

The Ozzman Cometh is a compilation album by British heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne released in 1997. It is his third greatest hits collection. Its initial, limited-edition 2-CD pressing contained five previously unreleased songs.

Alan James Eastwood - Seeds (1971) {President–Cherry Tree CRTREE015 rel 2014}
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© 1971, 2014 President Records / Cherry Tree | CRTREE015
Rock / Country / Folk / World Music

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1971 album. Alan James 'Bugsy' Eastwood was a renowned musician and singer who came to prominence in the late 1960s with rock band the Exception. He sadly passed away in 2007 but his music continues to attract cult status. SEEDS - his debut solo album - was issued on President in 1971 and has never been on CD. a prized artifact among fans of Acid Folk, original vinyl copies have sold for up to £1500. This welcome reissue boasts numerous bonus tracks new to CD, culled from various non-album singles on President, including folk-funk rarities 'Moonchild' and 'Closer to the Truth'. SEEDS was produced by Mike Cooper and includes bonus tracks by Eastwood & Powell (Powell being Mike Cooper's partner and noted '60s singer Marilyn Powell).