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Don Ellis Orchestra--Live at Monterey (Pacific Jazz, German pressing) Earl Hines--Once Upon a Time (Impulse, black and red) The Excitement of Trudy Pitts (Prestige, blue label)

Ernie Wilkins, Jerome Richardson, Frank Wess--Flutes & Reeds (Savoy, maroon mono) Miriam Makeba (RCA Living Stereo)

Red Garland--The Quota (MPS)

Bad Bossa Nova was the reissue title, presumably handled by the record label. The original had a title like "Jungle Soul" or something, which is much closer to the spirit of the music. Willis' Jackson's Bossa Nova Plus is not as good as Gene Ammons' Bad Bossa Nova (well, I would say that about Willis Jackson v. Gene Ammons generally, but notwithstanding this general predisposition, it's still a lesser album in comparison). I found the album to be pleasing, in a light sort of way, with some nice solos from Willis Jackson and Kenny Burrell; I would probably prefer a CD version, so as to skip the two songs on the album that I dislike (I Left My Heart in San Francisco and What Kind of Fool Am I?). There are no "bossa nova" songs on the record, only a Brazilian guitarist added as a rhythm guitarist and two percussionists along with Roy Haynes on drums.

Yes, I'm a fan of James Blood Ulmer. I especially like the Odyssey band, his recordings with George Adams, and the more recent blues recordings with Vernon Reid. I also had the opportunity to see him live four or five times at the Caravan of Dreams in the 1980s--I recall seeing three versions of the Odyssey band with Charlie Burnham on violin--the original trio, a quartet version (with Amin Ali added on bass guitar), and a quintet version (with a keyboard player added).

I like Jef Lee Johnson's sideman work with Ronald Shannon Jackson quite a bit. I saw him live with the Decoding Society at the Caravan of Dreams in Fort Worth, around 1988 or '89 I think, and he impressed me. I bought a couple of his early solo albums but could never connect with the style of his leader dates though--I've kind of lost track; the last recording I recall with him on it was James Carter's Layin' In the Cut.

The same concert is available on DVD. http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Reunion-Band-V...8081&sr=1-3

I like this recording also and need to pull it out again for some more spins.

I have a laserdisc of the Paris Reunion Band: Live at Theaterhaus, Stuttgart, W. Germany. the group is Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, Nathan Davis, Curtis Fuller, Nat Adderley, Walter Bishop, Jr., Idris Muhammed, and Jimmy Woode. The concert is from the summer of 1988.

Willis Jackson--Bossa Nova Plus (Prestige mono, yellow and black N.J.)

Guitar Shorty--Poor David's Pub. The 74 year old blues guitar giant puts on another incredible show.

Stanley Turrentine--Rough 'N Tumble (Blue Note mono, Liberty cover, New York USA label, 1966 Blue Note inner sleeve, Van Gelder but no deep groove or ear).

I'm not familiar with those anthologies but I bet the tracks are from his album "Embalo". It's a Bossa classic, a Jazz classic. Do a search over at Dusty Groove for Tenorio Jr and a bunch of stuff with him will come up. Also do a search at Loronix and you'll get a lot of info. You're right--all four tracks from the anthologies appear to be from Embalo.

Shirley Scott--Queen of the Organ (Impulse, orange and black) John LaPorta--The Most Minor (Everest)

I've recently enjoyed two anthologies on faroutrecords, Viagem and Viagem 2--collections of pretty obscure '60s bossa nova recordings selected by Nicola Conte. I'm most intrigued by a Brazilian jazz pianist named Tenorio, Jr., who has four tracks on the two anthologies. I only see one album of his available from amazon. Is he a well-known and prolific Brazilian jazz musician? Or someone who made just a few recordings in the 60s?

I believe Mr. Nessa posted this recommendation previously, but if you don't have Earl Hines at Home on Delmark, you should.

I found both blue and purple labels on Steeplechase licensed LPs.

I just listened to this over the weekend and I must say I enjoyed a good part of it. It's a pretty introspective album, with very refined and subtle drumming accompaniment by the great Chico Hamilton. The Hill composition, Watch That Dream, seems like the centerpiece of the album.

Gene Ammons--Bad Bossa Nova (Prestige, silver and black label)

I clicked on the link and many prices have been lowered to $5.99.

Dizzy Gillespie--Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac (Impulse, orange and black)

Arnett Cobb/Eddie Lockjaw Davis--Blow Arnett Blow (Prestige, yellow and black label) Chico O'Farrill--Nine Flags (Impulse, red and black label)

Azar Lawrence, with Nate Morgan, Henry Franklin and Alphonse Mouzon--Prayer for My Ancestors (Furthermore)--Strong saxophone playing, with a fine group. The Jazz Tribe (Bobby Watson, Jack Walrath, Ray Mantilla, Victor Lewis, Curtis Lundy, Xavier Davis)--Everlasting (Red)--The third fine album by this excellent group organized for Italian jazz festival performances, featuring a very strong and distinctive front-line pairing.

Monetary penalties for violation of U.S. copyright law are quite draconian--Congress has responded to "lobbying" (campaign contributions) by the recording industry. Maybe those Spanish pirates aren't so bad after all.

Mingus Ah Um (Columbia six eyes promo, stereo)