‘Verve Vault.’

Cornerstone, fully-matured Ubiquity runnings from 1976, with classics like the killer Searching, The Memory, One Sweet Love to Remember, and the laid-back, atmospheric title track. Beloved by the hip hop nation; flipped by luminaries like A Tribe Called Quest, Dilla, Dre, and Common.

With McCoy Tyner, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, in 1963.
‘Classic Vinyl.’

A 1965 trio led by Ayler’s great bassist, with drummer Tom Price, and an early opportunity to hear the under-appreciated clarinettist Perry Robinson in full flight.

The pioneering Arkestra bassist — that’s him playing arco on Rocket No. 9. in 1959 — leading his own 1975 session, evenly grooving and improvisatory, with great tunes. Check the Middle Eastern vibes of the opener.

With Joe Lovano, Larry Grenadier, Thomas Morgan, AC, Jorge Rossy & Joey Baron.

‘You’re never too old to learn something new. Reed credits bebop with keeping him and his friends out of reform school because they were too busy listening to records to get into trouble. Finding fame as a writer, he returned to music circuitously, eventually taking the plunge at aged 60 to study jazz piano. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006 he hastily assembled a quintet to fulfil a lifelong ambition of recording an album. He made the record (and recovered). Cash-strapped during COVID, he became a composer to generate funds money for his plays, enlisting his daughter Tennessee as narrator. 
‘These humble origins and a genuine love and natural talent for music are what underpins The Hands Of Grace.  Consisting of works written for Reed’s play The Slave Who Loved Caviar alongside new original compositions, it brings in close friends and family to accompany his casual, unvarnished playing style that’s so genuinely heartfelt it feels as if you could be sat alongside in their living room. The music carries a lived-in simplicity yet it also holds something ambiguous that draws it away from the predictable. Music papers rustle, a living room chair is dragged up to the keys whilst Reed’s wife Carla contributes violin and daughter Tennessee recites her poetry on standout How High The Moon.  This is a poignant family affair with no-one left out, ending on a touching tribute and voicemail from their late daughter Timothy.’