With Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), Larry Gales (bass), Ben Riley (drums). And Jon Hendricks with a great vocal version of In Walked Bud.

From 1961, featuring Charlie Rouse… though the stand-out is Just A Gigolo, by Monk solo.

Released to celebrate his centennial, here is the great jazz guitarist live in performance in Berkeley, California, in 1962; with Johnny Griffin, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb.
All the recordings from these sessions — our absolute favourite Wes Montgomery — including two previously unreleased performances.
‘Montgomery seems never to have played anything lacking his innate mirth and happiness. In that he had an amiable Midas Touch that made his performances uplifting and immediately identifiable. Montgomery had a tangible simpatico with Kelly, both being superb blues and ballads players. When unison playing, the two are of one mind, that of swing and propulsion. Griffin’s presence adds a woody organicness that is both fecund and free (AllAboutJazz)’.

Originally relelased on the Moondog label in 1955.

Originally released by Epic in 1953.

From the 1950s, when Moondog was homeless and busking in NYC. ‘His later records may be better known, but this is the real shit’ (Byron Coley, The Wire).
Startlingly remastered at Abbey Road.

Aged just 19, with Pepper Adams, Bobby Timmons, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. Though so early, this is a crucial set, kicking off with a scorching, fresh A Night in Tunisia.
Timmons plays a blinder.

Lee Morgan (trumpet), Joe Henderson (tenor sax), Ronnie Mathews (piano), Victor Sproles (bass), Billy Higgins (drums).
Japanese one-off CD. The LP is in the Blue Note Classics series.

‘Classic Vinyl Series.’

At the fountainhead of soul jazz and boogaloo, the stinging opener is an all-time, humungous, utterly irresistible jazz hit.
Joe Henderson and Barry Harris are superb throughout. Don’t miss Hocus-Pocus.

‘Classic Vinyl Series.’