A sublime and transcendent memorial to one of Zorn's earliest mentors-Ennio Morricone. Featuring the soulful guitar of Bill Frisell set within the magical sonorities of vibraphone, harp and bells the music takes on an epic orchestral sweep with the added presence of special guest keyboard wizard John Medeski on organ and piano. Filled with beautiful harmonies, a driving rhythmic pulse and stunning lyri-cism, this is some of the most lush and spiritual music Zorn has ever written. Truly music of the Angels-intimate chamber music to heal an aching heart performed by one of the world's most ethereal ensembles.

“This album is a true sleeper. The date is beautifully planned and recorded...”, commented Thomas Conrad of JazzTimes on the first “Oatts & Perry” (SCCD 31588) released in 2006. Following the equally highly acclaimed sequel “Oatts & Perry II” (SCCD 31689) of 2010 this latest addition to Harold Danko’s favourite project proves again the pianist/leader Danko’s endless ideas to keep the perfect conversation going between Dick Oatts (alto) and Rich Perry (tenor), arguably the two best on the scene today.

The decade long collaboration between pianist Stanley Cowell and guitarist Vic Juris as fellow faculty members at the renowned Rutgers-Mason Gross School of the Arts produced here a fantastic “new world” of sounds of contemporary jazz. The latest and most powerful version of sound design soft wear called KYMA in the hand of creative artists dazzles us with the unique real-time music with no after-production touch-ups but expanded horizon of improvisation. The rhythm section of the quartet is two enormously talented former students of Cowell: bassist Tom DiCarlo and drummer Chris Brown.

One of the few exponents of that most unrelenting instrument, baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber has spent for more than a half century performing, composing, arranging and leading his own groups. His robust, no-nonsense playing has been acknowledged to be one of the greats among jazz instrumentalists. “…Best of all, there’s Cuber himself, whose playing has, incredibly, grown more authoritative with each passing year. His sound, huge and affable, brims with personality, and it’s hard not to be awed by the freshness…” (J. D. Considine – JazzTimes on Ronnie’s Trio SCCD 31848)

Pianist/composer Stanley Cowell at age 75 is having an on-going renaissance as a performer since his retirement from Rutgers University in 2013. The group presented here is scheduled to have a three-night stint at New York City’s renowned live jazz spot Smokes in May. This is Cowell’s 15th release from SteepleChase. “…Cowell’s recording career now spans more than thirty years….an impressive consistency of purpose and the highest level of musical thought.” (Richard Cook & Brian Morton – The Penguin Guide to Jazz)

For this latest and the fifth album on SteepleChase Ronnie Cuber brought his working band to the studio to appraise the classic BeBop repertoire, “proving in the process the viability of material that has weathered more than 60 years and still sounds super hip and contemporary” (Mark Gardner). On Cuber’s previous release “RONNIE (SCCD 31680) Ken Drydon of AllAboutJazz wrote, “This is his fourth CD for Steeplechase and one of his best sessions.” and London’s Sunday Express commented, “it is the intelligence and subtlety of his playing that shines through …An astonishingly lyrical player on that most unforgiving of instruments…” “Ronnie Cuber is a baritone sax player strong enough to bring out the lyricism of the weighty instrument.” (Aaron Cohen – Downbeat)

The legendary baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber is, as Bill Milkowski of JazzTimes observes, “ still very much on top of his game at age 70”. One summer night of the famed Berlin JazzFest of 2008 finds Ronnie and his group in a relaxed and joyous mood backed by the responsive and enthusiastic audience. “An astonishingly lyrical player on that most unforgiving of instruments … It is the intelligence and subtlety of his playing that shines through…” (Sunday Express UK on Ronnie SCCD 31680) “…while Cuber’s ability to blow over the changes remains unquestioned, it’s his restrained approach and melodic penchant…… that come as a welcome surprise. We all knew Cuber could wail with unparalleled authority, we just didn’t know he could sing so pretty on his big horn.” (Bill Milkowski – JazzTimes on Boplicity SCCD 31734)

The Messengers expanded to a sextet with the addition of Curtis Fuller in 1961 and went into their most fruitful period. This Copenhagen live concert from 1962 could be arguably “the best edition of the Jazz Messengers ever” as liner-note author Neil Tesser suggests. Hubbart, Shorter and Fuller on the front line flexing their young muscles were all on their way to stardom. Recorded during their 1962’s European tour this album with all unissued recordings will be a valuable addition to Messengers’ legacy.

Dexter Gordon’s European period (1962–1976) was mostly based in his beloved Denmark, where he led an active professional career and enjoyed a harmonious private life. Arriving in Europe after some turbulent times in the States he found new energy in performing and recording to build a large part of his discography at the top of his artistic strength. The recording output, however, during 1962 and 1964 was scarse and this album recorded in 1962 and 63 will be an adept document of the fresh start by the Towering Master of Tenor Sax. “The star billing, as always, goes to one of jazz’s master storytellers, Dexter Gordon; the performances contained here, which set the scene for the dramatic renaissance of his career, fill in one of the long missing chapters.” (from the liner notes by Neil Tesser - SCCD 36039 Soul Sister)

Still active at 81 venerable bassist McClure calls this quartet “another Dream Team”. The highly acclaimed original Dream Team also featuring Rich Perry was released in 1997. The group made the first outing in NYC after the two-year Covid induced hiatus. The CD recaptures the magic of their live performance the night before. “McClure presents Lucky Sunday, pleasingly intelligent, subtly swinging, polished and intimate, designed for anytime-listening” (Howard Mandel – Downbeat on SCCD 31877 ****)

The most requested Miles Davis reissue arrives for his centennial in spectacular style. What began as a holiday residency at Chicago's Plugged Nickel Cafe became the crucible where the Second Great Quintet forged it's identity. Miles, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams delivered a masterclass in risk and invention, dismantling familiar tunes and rebuilding them on the fly. Producer Teo Macero captured every note across seven sets on December 22 and 23, 1965. Portions trickled out in the '70s and '80s, but only in the early '90s did Legacy reveal the full scope across seven and half hours of revelatory music-instantly hailed as one of the greatest live jazz recordings ever and earning the Penguin Jazz Guide's coveted "Crown." Now, 30 years later and six decades after the shows themselves, veteran fans finally get the reissue they've demanded, and new fans get a chance to own one of the most mythologized live engagements in jazz history. This new 8CD edition mirrors the original sequence. Each CD comes in it's own newly designed mini-gatefold jacket, housed in a gold foil-embossed slipcase box. The 44-page perfect bound book includes rare Plugged Nickel photos and extensive new liner notes and track-by-track commentary by Syd Schwartz alongside Bob Blumenthal's original essay.

Another culmination of Harold Danko’s half a century-long fascination and study of Igor Stravinsky’s groundbreaking ballet music The Rite of Spring (world-premiered in 1913 in Paris causing a riot among the audience). Danko’s previous release SCCD 31909 Spring Garden, his first attempt of exploring and adapting Stravinsky’s material with Danko’s original quartet of the 90’s drew a slew of applaud from critics and public alike. This new album shares with us his interpretation in a solo setting. “Each excerpt on Spring Garden is expanded into often unexpected directions, building upon the late maestro’s genius, with Danko taking rhythmic and melodic liberties, transforming this century-old music into compelling jazz.” (Ken Dryden – New York City Jazz Records on SCCD 31909)

The late journalist/author Chris Sheridan’s liner notes for Sheila Jordan’s first album for SteepleChase “Sheila” SCCD 31081 declares, “This recording is an acutely personal statement. Only rarely in the history of jazz have a singer‘s feelings been so affectingly bared ... only a few vocalists have had the grit to subordinate technique and »style« to expressiveness ... And the experience is breathtaking.” Mr. Sheridan’s assertion from 1977 still rings true and even more so. Sheila Jordan at the age 92 does not show any sign of slowing down or taking it easy. Her intensely creative power is evident throughout this album presented in a cross-generational collaboration with trioTrio consisting of three young elite instrumentalists of the New York scene. “...a spiritual experience and heart-to-heart communion ... Jordan makes these tunes all her own, with personal, almost prayer-like readings...” (Down Beat - *****) “... Sheila Jordan personifies a song like no one has since Billie Holiday.” (Unicorn Times)

Billy Harper (b. 1943) is one of the most prominent figures in today’s jazz scene. He rose to his stardom through his stints with Gil Evans’ Orchestra, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and the Thad Jones- Mel Lewis Orchestra. Harper started leading his own group in the late 70s and has been touring all over the world with his group since. Of this New York studio recording Chinyére Nealé wrote in the linernotes, “Nils Winther of SteepleChase has wanted to record Billy for fifteen years. Finally, destiny has made this recording possible.” French magazine COMPACT described this CD as “a real treasure which will bring you pleasure till the last day of your life.” 180g Audiophile Vinyl

Doug Raney was 22 years old when this highly acclaimed debut leader album was recorded in Copenhagen with veteran Duke Jordan on piano, Danish Hugo Rasmussen (bass) and the one and only Billy Hart on drums. During his relatively short life (1956 – 2016) Doug followed his legendary guitarist father Jimmy Raney’s footsteps but established himself as a definitely unique artist on his own at the early stage of his life. He called Denmark his home and resided in Copenhagen until his untimely death at the age of 59. “That talent, in some cases, can be transmitted intact from father to son is a proposition that Introducing Doug Raney seems to prove...a lovely album...” (Larry Kart, Chicago Tribune) “...What a dashing, gallant debut! ...Young Raney is blessed with extraordinary talent. Highly recommended.” (Yoshio Maki, Swing Journal) “...Doug Raney possède une très belle technique, une musicalité suprême, un goût exquis, une extraorinaire intuition harmonique....” (Maurice Cullaz, Jazz Hot) 180g Audiophile Vinyl