Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson - Blue Guitars Vols I & II

Two great guitarists, the first man to transform the guitar into a jazz solo instrument, Eddie Lang (1902 - 1933) whose influence over generations of guitarists cannot be overstated meets jazz/blues legend Lonnie Johnson in this set of virtuoso recordings -- timeless and priceless...

Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones - Mindbender/My Fire (1968)

Ladies and gentlemen, pls meet Mr Ivan "Boogaloo Joe" Jones, the king of acid jazz guitar for my money - with Harold Mabern on piano and Ron Carter on bass.

Milt Jackson / Ray Brown Jam - Montreux '77

An unstoppable swinging affair organized by famous producer Norman Granz who took his Jazz At The Philharmonic troupe across the Atlantic in Montreux, Switzerland to give us this gem. With Mess Milt Jackson on vibes, Ray Brown on bass, Clark Terry on trumpet, Monty Alexander on piano and Jimmie Smith on drums.

Joe Zawinul - Faces & Places (2002)

Joe Zawinul, at the age of 70, has brought forth an album that continues to celebrate his endless delight in exploring music from around the world.

Faces & Places mixes vocalists and instrumentalists with daring grace. “Rooftops of Vienna” is a wistful ode that’s tinged with the sweetly sad backward glances of a man growing older and finding his boyhood home darting through his dreams. It uses singers as part of the musical stew, rather than as a narrative component. With its blend of exotic acoustic instruments and contemporary electronics, this set is very much in keeping with the direction of Weather Report from the time of Black Market and beyond.

Zawinul Syndicate - Rooftops Of Vienna
Uploaded by Delta_Mike

Joe Zawinul + The Zawinul Syndicate: World Tour 1997

Another tribute to this giant of contemporary music who played world music some decades before the term was even coined. An amazing and truly international band, featuring the talents of some of the world's greatest musicians in the likes of Paco Sery, Manolo Badrena, Victor Bailey, Richard Bona et al. The music is beautiful, uplifting and transcendental at times, definitely not for the faint of heart.

Shelly Manne And His Men At The Blackhwak (1959)

Now, what can be said about this great hipster, club owner and breeder of horses? His musicality was unparalleled, always unassuming, always serving the music. He almost singlehandedly defined West Coast Jazz, he played behind everyone who was someone and his music graced tons of TV programs and movies we still love today. These recordings, maybe the finest, most relaxed live recordings I've heard with his Men Joe Gordon, Richie Camuca Monty Budwig and Victor Feldman at his now defunct club serve as a fine testament to the man's genius.

Dave Pike - Charles McPherson : Bluebird (1989)

A classic straight ahead bop set from two real jazz veterans. Dave Pike’s vibes and Charles McPherson’s horn have been gracing our ears since the 60’s and this Bird - inspired set displays their magnificent skills to great effect - timeless indeed…

1. Scrapple From The Apple
2. Embraceable You
3. Visa
4. Old Folks
5. Bluebird
6. Anthropology
7. Ornithology
8. Bluebird

as a bonus, a McPherson clip from my channel on Dailymotion with the great Kenny Barron on piano, enjoy.

Charles McPherson Quartet - Tenor Madness - Club Date
Uploaded by Delta_Mike

Dave Pike - Manhattan Latin (1964)

A great Latin - tinged album as the title suggests from 1964, with loungey artwork to die for to boot, featuring the combined talents of Messrs Dave Pike on vibes, the great Hungarian Attila Zoller on guitar, Joseph Grimaldi on flute, Hubert Laws on piccolo and tenor saxophones, Dave Burns on trumpet, Ray Copeland on flugelhorn, a young Chick Corea and Don Friedman sharing piano duties, Israel "Cachao" Lopez and Jack Six on bass and last but not least legend Willie Bobo on drums.

Pat Martino - Live At Yoshi's (2001)

Lovers of the lush Hammond B3 - guitar sound have ample reason to rejoice with this tour de force of a live set that took place at San Francisco's famed Yoshi's jazz club in 2001. Martino is accompanied by wunderkind Joey DeFrancesco on B3 organ and Billy Hart on drums, a power trio then and the closest you can get to Cream in a jazz context to my ears at least -- amazing interplay throughout.

Pat Martino - Remember : A Tribute to Wes Montgomery (2006)

It is always touching to witness a jazz giant pay service to another. In this case, guitarist extraordinaire Pat Martino does a fitting tribute to his primary influence and the love of his youth, Wes Montgomery.

A little overproduced perhaps compared to his earlier offerings, but essential nonetheless.