Paquito D'Rivera is both as free and as embedded as can be with Volcano Radar, the explosive, expansive, radiant electro-acoustic ensemble, co-led by multi-instrumentalist Elbio Barilari and guitarist/synthesist Julia A. Miller. Keyboardist Darwin Noguera, bassist Rollo Radford and drummer Ernie Adams collaborate in the creation of vivid and mysteriously improvised soundscapes, says jazz critic Howard Mandel. Volcano Radar's soundscapes have been described as: noise-funk, post-jazz, avant-rock, experimental improvisation, jazz-electronica and neo-psychedelia. On their Delmark debut Volcano Radar and Paquito D'Rivera, as you never heard him before, surf together through uncharted waters.

The Metropolitan Jazz Octet and singer extraordinaire Dee Alexander joined forces and talent for "Too Hot For Words", a celebration of Billie Holiday and her songbook also featuring Chicago's own Jim Gailloreto on tenor saxophone.

This is music for the time after. After so many trends and the aftermath of 20th century's aesthetic propositions this is music that reflects into itself and contemplates itself on a historical mirror without recurring to the alibi of the "tribute". This is music that, as poet Ezra Pound said, assumes "the tradition is a beauty we preserve and not a set of fetters to bind us. Some may say Javier Red picks up where Chicago pioneer Lennie Tristano had left his experiences of organized freedom. And it wouldn't be wrong. This is cool and smart music, shamelessly intellectual. It is both highly conceptual and very focused on vindicating the craft, the careful embroidering of the musical tapestry. Not unlike Tristano's, Javier's music is extraordinarily demanding on the musicians because of the level of skills expected from them but also because of the deep commitment that it is required to perform it. Knowing your changes, patterns and scales is not enough to play this music in which the form is reinvented for each composition and where shifting time signatures and bi-tonal or poly-tonal passages bring the complexity of Igor Stravinsky, Bela Bartok, and the Mexican genius Silvestre Revueltas right into the 21st century jazz alchemy.

Uptown: The Fat Babies' fourth album on the Delmark Records label, features the new, expanded, 8-piece version of the the band. The music is a mix of original music written by members of the band, and classic jazz tunes by artists like King Oliver, Tiny Parham, The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Andy Kirk and Eubie Blake. If you enjoy listening or dancing to music from the classic jazz era (20s/30s), but done with a very real and youthful spirit, this is the disc for you.

Classical Music

United Records was the first successful black-owned record company. Operated by Leonard Allen, tailor, retired policeman and obviously one of exceptionally wide taste in music, the 2 labels (United and States) issued some of the best performances in the jazz, blues, gospel, R&B, Doo Wop, even country between 1951 & '57. Delmark is proud to release this important body of masters including many previously unissued, recorded in studios which pioneered high fidelity recording in the '50s. The United Records Story features many obscure & rare tracks: alternate takes by Jr Wells, Roosevelt Sykes, Jimmy Forrest; rarities by Leo Parker, Grant Jones, Tiny Grimes, The Pastels, Johnny Wicks; and more. 22 tracks(Previously deleted:1/1/11. Original release date:7/20/04)

Jazz clarinetist Armin Von Der Heydt passed on February 19, 2013 at age 88. He was a familiar face on the Chicago scene, coached by & playing in a style reminiscent of Darnell Howard. The Classic Jazz Ensemble aims to play jazz of the 20s with the steam & sensitivity that characterized the work of the great originators. This 1991 date features 13 selections including "Once In A While", a song from the 20s, and another song of the same name from the 30s, hence the title Twice In A While. (Previously deleted:6/1/05. Original release date:9/18/93) "The joyous ensembles, excellent solos, and enthusiastic playing makes this a disc that is easily recommended to fans of Dixieland, New Orleans jazz, and early swing." * - Scott Yanow, allmusic

Features Malachi's combo, Freebop, w. Carter Jefferson, Joe Ford, Ron Bridgewater, Sonny Seals, 2 originals, 8 tunes total, 70 minutes.

When Delmark signed Frank Catalano to record this 1997 session he was only 19 years old! In Louie Bellson's descriptive notes he said: "I can honestly say that I feel he is one of the greatest saxophonists on the planet!... Catalano will follow in the footsteps of the masters like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane and push the boundaries of jazz". with Ira Sullivan, flute, trumpet (two songs); Willie Pickens, piano; Brian Sandstorm, bass, Robert Shy or Rusty Jones, drums. (Previously deleted:7/1/05. Original release date:2/10/98)"Just listen to the blues-drenched slow drag of 'Willow Weep for Me', a marvel of emotional swagger and lucid improvisation. Cut It Out!?! is likely to be one of the better mainstream releases of the year". - Cadence.

2nd in the complete United Records sessions, with Tab Smith (alto & tenor saxophone, vocals); Louis Blackwell (vocals); Leon Washington, Charles Wright (tenor saxophone); Irving Woods, Sammy Cohn (trumpet); Lavern Dillon, Teddy Brannon (piano); Wilfred Middlebrooks (bass); Walter Johnson (drums); Lavern Dillon-piano.

Solid bebop standards album from tenor sax man with Ira Sullivan-tenor sax & trumpet.

2nd reunion under direction of leader/pianist John Chapman feat. vocalist Karen Carroll.

Jazz alto saxophonist Tab Smith was the most prolific artist on United, recording nearly 100 sides during the label's seven year existence from 1951-57, including his smash hit "Because of You." of the 24 tracks on "Crazy Walk," 10 are previously unissued while most of the others have been unavailable since the original 78s or the extremely rare United LPs. This fourth and final installment of the complete United recordings by Tab is unique for it's use of the organ as the main keyboard accompaniment. Also available: "Jump Time" (DMK 447), "Ace High" (DMK 455) and "Top 'N' Bottom" (DMK 499).

Trumpeter also plays baritone/alto sax & peck horn in this 1959 session, feat. The best musicians from this era inc. Jodie Christian, Victor Sproles & Wilbur Campbell.

R&B honker and jazz player on a 1947 date, 15 tracks, from the Apollo Series.

Straight ahead swing from Sinatra's altoist since 1988.

W. Willis Jackson, King Curtis.

Award winning blues guitarist is back again with his unique blend of contemporary Chicago blues that has a Delta feel mixed with R&B & soul.

W. Ira Sullivan, Jodie Christian +.

Drummer Al Green played his first job with Willie Dixon in 1955. He has played with Eddie Harris, Wes Montgomery and Nancy Wilson. Co-leader, alto saxophonist Othello Anderson has played with Joe Diorio and at the Downbeat Jazz Festival. Other members are trumpeter Dr. Odies Williams III who appears on Delmark CDs with Jodie Christian, Ed Petersen and Cecil Payne. Bassist John Whitfield recorded on Delmark with Jodie Christian and Malachi Thompson. And pianist Leandro Lopez Varady has worked with Eldee Young and has toured extensively. This is straight ahead bebop in the style of Art Blakey or Max Roach/Clifford Brown groups.

The 2 United sessions on this album were done in the basement digs of producer Al Smith, feat. Pejoe's bouncy, rhythmic guitar playing w. a blasting Texas tinge.

Howlin' Wolf once said of Tail Dragger, "One day this boy gonna take my place" - and this is quite evident on this smokin' album feat. Johnny B. Moore, Rockin' Johnny, Billy Branch, Eddie Shaw & Jimmy Dawkins.

Blues pianist/vocalist steps out as a front man, letting his skills shine through as a master of deep blues, swing & New Orleans gumbo - he paid his dues w. lengthy stints w. Mighty Joe Young & Lonnie Brooks.

Brimming with melodic insight and still able to raise the roof with his intensity, Anderson's sonic vocabulary is now completely his own. * Down Beat from the review of "On the Run, Live at the Velvet Lounge" (DMK #534). This second installment of live recordings made at Fred's own club feature the tenor saxophonist supported by the young, fiery trumpeter Maurice Brown making his first appearance on CD, as well as Chicago Underground's Jeff Parker on guitar and Chad Taylor on drums, and bassists Tatsu Aoki and Harrison Bankhead.

As an improvisor, Rob Mazurek has a knack for making the most unexpected change in a melody sound beautiful. On Silver Spines melodic cornet improvisations flow into densely layered sound constructions and abstract duets with engineer Casey Rice. Like his work in the Chicago Underground, Isotope 217 and various other solo projects, Silver Spines touches on jazz, minimalism and computer music, but finds it's spark in the space between. (Previously deleted:9/1/10. Original release date:8/27/02)