Legendary South African bassist Johnny “Mbizo” Dyani (1947 – 1986) left a significant musical/political legacy in spite of his short life of 39 years. While still a teenager Johnny exiled himself from South Africa where an interracial band The Blue Notes was banned under apartheid rule. Regrettably he could not live to see the end of apartheid but remained an active component of anti-apartheid movement throughout his life. Johnny Dyani left a number of superb recordings on SteepleChase during the 70s and this is his most ambitious project with colourful instrumentation including steel drums. 180g Audiophile Vinyl

Sheila Jordan who turned 90 on November 18, 2018 recorded this celebrated album Sheila 40 years ago in Oslo, Norway in a duo setting with Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen. Sheila has propelled Jordan’s career into most deserved recognition. On “Sheila” SCS 1083 the world’s press wrote: “Sheila Jordan is one of the foremost of contemporary jazz vocalists.” (Bill Henderson – Black Music & Jazz Review) “Jordan makes these tunes all her own, with personal, almost prayer-like readings on tales of personal devotion…Listening to this record may make you wonder where this honest, sensitive yet powerful vocalist has been all these years…” (Bouchard – Downbeat *****) “This album is a welcome addition to Jordan’s sparse discography, and it further establishes her as a vocalist of considerable accomplishment” (Benjamin Franklin V – Coda) “Detroit singer courageously performs a dozen standards with only Andersen’s acoustic bass behind her. But Jordan pulls it off…Her talent is unquestionable.” (Billboard – Recommended LP) 180g Audiophile Vinyl

The indisputable tenor giant Ben Webster spent his last years in Copenhagen. His appearances at the famed Jazzhus Montmartre in those days greeted by faithful and appreciative audience were the historical moments filled with unique quality of beauty ignited by the last spark of a truly great man. Canadian Coda magazine wrote reviewing this recording in 1975: “ Webster, as always, plays with passion throughout the album. But one title goes well beyond that. Old Folks is an exquisitely deep performance, the kind that even a great artist gets to play only once in his lifetime.” SteepleChase had the privilege of taping most of Webster’s performances during the last year of his life. And this recording (originally released on LP in 1974) is taken from those masters. 180g Audiophile Vinyl

Spanish master on keyboard Tete Montoliu passed away at age 64 on August 24, 1997 in Barcelona. In this celebrated series of live recordings from Zeleste, earlier volumes (SCCD 31148 and 31241) were enthused by the critics and audience alike.Here’s the last set from the same recordings which “capture at the peak of his powers, in inspirational company and among a warmly sympathetic audience….Thanks to tracks like these we can continue to celebrate his diamond bright lines of compelling logic and vivid beauty.” (Mark Gardner)

One of the best assets of the Count Basie Big Band in the 50s, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis was a frequent guest player in Europe in the 70s. In the Spring of 76 Lockjaw went into a studio in Copenhagen with “the excellent Danish rhythm section” which “manage to coax some of the best playing from the tenor saxophonist since his days with Basie” (Gramophone). “...The mood, as always with Davis, is a happy one. With the help of the fine, supportive rhythm section it becomes contagious, and ...it is an awful lot of fun to listen to.” (Fanfare) “Thankfully, the girls haven’t come home yet, so this rhythmic set of eight tunes (11 on this CD) swings out nicely...” (Billboard)