Jimmy McGriff’s B-3 sound was always rooted in blues and gospel, and his soloing could be very smooth and polished. But every once in a while, he had to break out of his own soul box and tear it up on a session. The Worm, issued on Solid State…

The title of Electric Funk may lead you to believe that it’s a set of unrepentant, rampaging hard funk, but that’s not quite the case. The record is laid-back but undeniably funky, with Jimmy McGriff and electric pianist Horace Ott leading an unnamed group through a set of soul…

Love Bug was an attempt to establish Reuben Wilson as an organist with either the vision of Larry Young or the fiery style of John Patton, and while it comes up short on both accounts, it nevertheless remains quite enjoyable. Working with an impressive backing band of guitarist Grant…

Set Us Free, Reuben Wilson’s final album for Blue Note, was issued in 1971. Since that time it has become an immortal and much sought classic by beatheads for a single track: “We’re in Love.” DJ Premier sampled it liberally — for its Hammond B-3 vamps, backing vocals, and…

This long-anticipated date by drummer Chambers, his first domestic production since the mid-’70s, is the personification of what modern jazz in the ’90s can be. Immaculately played and programmed, collectively inspired by brilliant musicianship, and triggered by the creative juices of its fearless leader, the date commands interest throughout,…

In 1998, Blue Note released Sal Salvador Quintet/Kenton Presents Jazz: Sal Salvador, which contained two complete albums — Sal Salvador Quintet (1954, originally released on Blue Note) and Kenton Presents Jazz: Sal Salvador (1954, originally released on Capitol) — by Sal Salvador on one compact disc. ~ Jason Birchmeier

  Originally released in 1968, Introducing Kenny Cox and the Contemporary Jazz Quintet is the first recording by the storied and somewhat lesser known Detroit ensemble. Led by pianist Cox, the Contemporary Jazz Quintet featured saxophonist Leon Henderson (brother of Joe Henderson), trumpeter Charles Moore, bassist Ron Brooks, and drummer Danny Spencer. Interestingly, this group is perhaps best known for…

Max Roach has long been one of the most adventurous and stimulating improvisers in music. For this unusual CD, the drummer is featured on the 50-minute “Festival Journey,” an episodic and sometimes dramatic piece by Fred Tillis that falls closer to the realm of Western classical music than to…

“Howlin’ for Judy” is flutist Jeremy Steig’s best-known track, thanks to the Beastie Boys’ use of a sample from it in “Sure Shot.” As the title track for this collection, it marks new chapter in Blue Note’s Rare Groove series. This seven-track set is compiled from two different albums:…

The Complete “Is” Sessions were recorded during Chick Corea’s tenure with Miles Davis, along with bassist Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette. Recorded over three days in New York, the final product came out as two albums on different labels — “Is,” “This,” “Jamala,” and “I,” were issued as Is…