Jon Batiste - "Monk Movements" On the fourth volume of the Batiste Piano Series, multi-Grammy® and Oscar® winner Jon Batiste returns to some of the music that first shaped his voice at the piano, expanding upon the majestic, contemplative beauty at the heart of some of Thelonious Monk's most iconic works. Verve; Jazz.
Released in 1962 on Verve, Big Band Bossa Nova continued Stan Getz's early-1960s engagement with Brazilian music in a large-ensemble format. Produced by Creed Taylor and arranged/conducted by Gary McFarland, the album places Getz's tenor saxophone within orchestrated settings that combine brass and woodwind writing with the rhythmic qualities of samba and bossa nova. Recorded in August 1962 at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York, the session featured studio musicians including guitarist Jim Hall, trumpeter Doc Severinsen, bassist Tommy Williams, and drummer Johnny Rae. Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes remastered on 180g vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.
Giblet Gravy, released in 1968 on Verve Records, documents guitarist George Benson during his early period with the label. Produced by Esmond Edwards and featuring arrangements by Tom McIntosh, the sessions draw on a range of jazz and studio musicians, including pianist Herbie Hancock, bassists Ron Carter and Bob Cranshaw, drummer Billy Cobham, percussionist Johnny Pacheco, and baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, alongside a brass and rhythm section assembled for selected tracks. Across these varied settings, Benson's fluid articulation, blues-inflected phrasing, and rhythmic dexterity remain the music's central focus. The repertoire blends contemporary popular material, standards, and original compositions, illustrating the stylistic breadth that would inform his later crossover success while remaining grounded in the late-1960s jazz ensemble format. The Verve Vault series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
Meditations, released in 1966 on Impulse! Records, captures John Coltrane's late-period quartet in transition, expanding into new sonic territory while retaining the core intensity of his classic lineup. Recorded in 1965 at Rudy Van Gelder's Englewood Cliffs studio with producer Bob Thiele, the session features pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, drummer Elvin Jones, tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, and drummer Rashied Ali. Across the suite-like program, the music flows as a continuous meditation on transcendence and collective expression, pushing Coltrane's spiritual jazz into heightened realms of energy and abstraction. It marks one of the final appearances of his "classic quartet" members Tyner and Jones before they departed, leaving Coltrane to pursue new directions with Sanders and Ali. The Verve Vault series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
Jon Batiste - "Monk Movements" [LP] On the fourth volume of the Batiste Piano Series, multi-Grammy® and Oscar® winner Jon Batiste returns to some of the music that first shaped his voice at the piano, expanding upon the majestic, contemplative beauty at the heart of some of Thelonious Monk's most iconic works. Verve; Jazz
Recorded and released in 1958, just over a year before his death, Laughin' to Keep from Cryin' captures saxophonist Lester Young in one of his final studio sessions. Though his tone had softened, Young's phrasing remains fluid and expressive, favoring subtlety over force. Produced by Norman Granz, the date brings together Roy Eldridge and Harry "Sweets" Edison on trumpet, whose contrasting styles (fiery drive and relaxed, bluesy restraint) create a compelling musical contrast. Backed by Hank Jones (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), George Duvivier (bass), and Mickey Sheen (drums), the session blends small-group swing with a polished studio feel. Highlights include "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and "Salute to Benny," a tribute to Benny Goodman, who gave Young his first clarinet. Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes remastered on 180g vinyl.
Recorded in 1962 and released the following year, Listen to Art Farmer and the Orchestra stands as one of his most ambitious statements as a leader. The album places Farmer at the forefront of a large ensemble arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson. The personnel bridges New York's hard-bop scene with leading studio and jazz musicians, with Farmer featured as the principal solo voice against Nelson's full complement of brass, reeds, and rhythm. Guitarists Jim Hall & Barry Galbraith, bassist George Duvivier, drummer Charlie Persip, and pianist Tommy Flanagan support Farmer alongside an expanded orchestra. Nelson's orchestrations give him space to showcase his lyricism and poised tone, balancing tightly arranged ensemble passages with luminous solo statements. This program draws on beloved standards, including "Street of Dreams" and "Naima." The Verve Vault series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
Lee Morgan's magnum opus", The Sidewinder", recorded in 1963 and released in 1964", was both a comeback and a coronation. The prodigious trumpeter had debuted on Blue Note in 1956 at the age of 18", but personal problems in the early-60s forced him off the scene temporarily. His rebound recording turned out to be The Sidewinder", an assured and energetic set of 5 indelible Morgan originals featuring tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson", pianist Barry Harris", bassist Bob Cranshaw", and drummer Billy Higgins. The album became his biggest commercial success fueled by the irrepressible title track. Blue Note Essential Series is mastered from hi-resolution digital masters on 140g vinyl.
In Pas(s)ing was Mick Goodrick's recording debut as leader, after some years with Gary Burton and before that, a spell with Woody Herman. Never very tigerish about self-promotion, Goodrick has spent most of his life teaching in Boston. Jazz Times has called him "perhaps the most influential mentor in the history of jazz guitar." This 1978 production emphasizes what a creative player he is in his own right, inspired by the great team of players assembled for the session. The playful album title alludes to ECM's first office address, which was, yes, in Pasing. An ECM Luminessence Series release.
Michel Petrucciani's 2nd Blue Note release, Power of Three, featured the miraculous French pianist in a duo with guitarist Jim Hall and a trio that added saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Recorded live at the 1986 Montreux Jazz Festival, the album captured a magical night of music-making by three virtuosos. This stereo Blue Note Tone Poet Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.
Released on Polydor in 1972, He's Coming captures vibraphonist Roy Ayers at a creative apex, as Ubiquity's sound settled into the blend of jazz improvisation, funk rhythm, soul harmony, and spiritual import that would define his work throughout the decade. The album reflects Ayers's deepening move toward a groove-centered musical language rooted in soul-jazz and early jazz-funk. Ayers is supported by a core ensemble that includes Harry Whitaker on electric piano, organ, and vocals; John Williams on bass, with Ron Carter featured on "We Live in Brooklyn, Baby"; David Lee Jr. And Billy Cobham on drums and percussion; guitarists Sam Brown and Bob Fusco; saxophonist Sonny Fortune; and percussionist Juma Santos. Tracks like "He's a Superstar," "Sweet Butterfly of Love," and "Fire Weaver," embody the record's mix of urban narrative, spiritual reflection, and deep rhythmic. The Verve Vault series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
Released in 1964 on Verve, The Individualism of Gil Evans stands as one of arranger-composer Gil Evans' most compelling works, showcasing some of the finest music of his career. The album blends Evans' originals and Miles Davis collaborations with inspired interpretations, all rendered through his distinctive big band lens. A core group of musicians, including Johnny Coles, Steve Lacy, Jimmy Cleveland, Tony Studd, Bill Barber, Elvin Jones, and Paul Chambers, lend a remarkable consistency of texture and mood. Evans himself plays piano throughout, his touch especially poignant on "The Barbara Song," where a sense of deep pathos is underscored by Shorter's expressive tenor. From the brooding atmosphere of "Time of the Barracudas" to the one-chord intensity of "El Toreador," the album highlights Evans' mastery of tone, space, and orchestral nuance. The Verve Vault series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
Organist Big John Patton's 1966 soul jazz manifesto Got A Good Thing Goin' was a showcase for the dynamic duo of Patton and guitarist Grant Green, whose deep rapport elevate this set of Patton-Green originals and covers of hits by Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke. They're backed by Hugh Walker on drums and Richard Landrum on congas. This stereo Blue Note Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe tip-on gatefold jacket.
Stella Cole's first live album captures the magic of her sold-out engagement at New York's iconic Cafe Carlyle. Featuring Great American Songbook favorites - many inspired by the classic films she grew up with - she delivers warm", heartfelt takes on standards like "It's Magic"," "Moon River"," and "Singin' in the Rain"," joined by pianist Michael Kanan", bassist Michael Migliore", and drummer Hank Allen-Barfield.
With scores of #1 Billboard Contemporary Jazz radio hits and over a million sales, Euge Groove has reached iconic status in the world of Smooth Contemporary jazz. Having shared the stage with artists ranging from Elton John to Dave Koz, Euge's high energy shows continue to thrill audiences from coast to coast. Euge Groove's artistry is in full flight with the release of The Phoenix. The album kicks off the heart-warming "Heart Of Gold" then launches into high gear with the hard driving title tune "The Phoenix." Other highlights include the deeply emotional ballad "Those Nights Alone," the loving "Odysseus," and much more!
No, we're not yelling at you. That's the answer. WHO ASKED? is the long-awaited sophomore album from the French-born Domi Louna and Texas native JD Beck. Following two GRAMMY nominations, including Best New Artist for a debut album (2022's NOT TiGHT), WHO ASKED? is unlike anything they've done before. Bringing together a small sinfonietta of seasoned classical players, WHO ASKED? showcases the duo's incredibly singular, super maximalist, and strikingly beautiful orchestral vision.
