BEST OF

SILVER'S SERENADE

Don Byron digs into a Lester Young classic and much more on IVERY-DIVEY, the follow up to the critically acclaimed YOU ARE #6. IVERY-DIVEY balances eclectic and esoteric tastes of the most avant-garde fan with the accessibility and openess that lends itself to anyone who simply loves creative music-making.

Lee Morgan's once-shelved record is a highlight of his short-lived career as an influential trumpeter and hard bop pioneer. His prowling trumpet emulates it's titular tom cat, stepping out at night nocturnal and alert.

CHET BAKER BIG BAND

STREAMS OF EXPRESSION reunites Joe Lovano with the great composer, conducter and musicologist Gunther Schuller and draws upon everything from the cool school to late era Coltrane, offering a holistic take on jazz, present and future.

SOPHISTICATED APPROACH

Silky and urbane, George Shearing's distinctive sound made this blind British-born pianist one of the most popular stars in the world. Here's the best from his '50s and '60s recordings for Capitol.

CODES

It has been three years since Gonzalo Rubalcaba's last release, SUPERNOVA. Artists usually don't risk remaining out of the limelight for so long, but Rubalcaba is no ordinary jazz musician, and the inspired performances on PASEO, his latest as a leader for Blue Note, prove that the wait has ben well worth it.

Silver is known for his distinctive playing style and pioneering compositional contributions to hard bop. He was influenced by a wide range of musical styles, notably gospel music, African music, and Latin American music, and sometimes ventured into the soul jazz genre.

The Hammond organ received it's day in the sun thanks to virtuoso Jimmy Smith. The Blue Note label alumnus found instant success by making the unusual instrument the focal point of his work in jazz and blues. Collected are his most formidable works as a bandleader and instrumentalist.

CHET BAKER SEXTET

Saxophonist and dynamic improviser Joe Lovano has assembled and incredible line up comprised of legendary pianist Hank Jones, longtime bandmate/ drummer Paul Motian, and the great bassist George Mraz. Collectively they have produced an album of beautiful standards and ballads, though this release is anything but standard.

Gonzalo Rubalcaba returns to center stage with the release of his first major label solo recording, simply entitled, SOLO. His ninth recording for Blue Note Records, SOLO, solidifies his position as one of the finest pianists of his, or any, generation.

Features such classics as "My Funny Valentine," "Love Nest," and "The Thrill Is Gone."

VERY BEST

ROCKIN THE BOAT

This collection, selected by Zawinul and Bob Belden, represents the cream of Zawinul's time with Adderley and ranging the supremely soulful "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" to pieces like "Ndo Lima" and "Dr. Honours Causa" which previewed the later developemts that Zawinul made with Weather Report. Five of these 10 performances make their first appearances on CD.

Stefon Harris is one of today's brightest young jazz stars evolving from one project to the next. Stefon has gathered a new group of musicians, known as "Blackout," to help document the music of today. From the Sting Cover "Until" to the Latin-infused original "Red-Bone, Netti-Bone," Stefon and Blackout has delivered one of the year's best and highly-anticipated releases of 2004.

Jazz musician Gary Bartz seeks to make an artistic statement with MUSIC IS MY SANCTUARY, a six-track endeavor that exquisitely melds jazz and soul.

VERY BEST

FREE FORM

VERY BEST

Organist Lonnie Smith is as explosive as he is soulful. After building a reputation with Lou Donaldson and George Benson, he made his Blue Note debut in 1968 with this groove-drenched date that features Lee Morgan and David 'Fathead' Newman. A trio of percussionists intensify the rhythm on Lonnie's two originals. Rudy Van Gelder re-mastered edition. Blue Note. 2005.