The fine trumpeter in 1963 — fronting a cor-blimey line-up of Joe Henderson, Duke Pearson and Pete La Roca — when he was with Gil Evans, years before stints with Mingus, Herbie, the Duke, Blakey.
‘Classic Vinyl Series’.

Nine killer selections from his first four LPs, stuffed with smash hits. Proper salsa; loads of trombone. Featuring the brilliant, legendary singer Hector Lavoe.
‘Crime Pays’ is Colon being ironic about the successful marketing of his archly bad-boy persona during this period.

‘Classic Vinyl series.’

‘Classic Vinyl series.’

Thrilling, stylish Afro-Cuban jazz — heavy on horns and percussion — featuring interpretations of Lush Life, Take Five, and Lullaby of Birdland (with composer George Shearing sitting in).

Newly remastered (by way of last year’s Reprise Albums box set).

Her third, 1970 album, the brilliant summation of her folky start — with favourites like Woodstock, Big Yellow Taxi and The Circle Game.
The LP is newly remastered by Bernie Grundman under the supervision of Joni Mitchell.

From 1960; ostensibly before Mingus heard Charlie Parker.
A host of stellar players — including Eric Dolphy, Booker Ervin, Max Roach, Marcus Belgrave, Slide Hampton, Yusef Lateef — in variously large ensembles, reading mostly tight, post-Duke scores.
Kicks off startlingly with a mash-up of Take the A Train, in the left channel, and Exactly Like You in the right. ( On the flip, Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me is likewise bundled with I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart.)
The great Mingus art songs Eclipse — hymning black-white relationships — and Weird Nightmare are here. Apparently vocalist Lorraine Cusson fluffed the last line of Nightmare — singing ‘Bring me a heart with a love of gold’ instead of ‘Bring me a love with a heart of gold’ — but Mingus was so happy with the take, he let it go.

Good old-fashioned bopping out at Van Gelder’s in 1989 with chums Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins from early Ornette days; and sensationally bringing back Texas Tenorman James Clay, DC’s spar in late-50s California, and avowedly a key musical influence. It’s a celebratory, self-affirming set: three OCs, Bemsha Swing, a rootical solo Haden and a sparkling solo Cherry, Body And Soul, I’ve Grown Accustomed To Your Face… Look back in love. Everyone plays masterfully.
‘Verve By Request’.

‘Classic Vinyl’ series.