Count Basie Orchestra - "Count Plays Duke"
RealAudio Sample	This is the real deal, the full time touring 19-piece Count Basie Jazz Orchestra under the direction of trombonist Grover Mitchell. Allyn Ferguson, the son of Red Nichols, arranges all the songs in the Basie style. Frank Wess is the special guest on flute and alto sax. Thirteen tracks include "Take the 'A' Train", "It Don't Mean a Thing", I Got it Bad And That Ain't Good", "Just Squeeze Me", "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me", "In a Sentimental Mood", "Cottontail", "Paris Blues" and "Mood Indigo". Superb sound, arrangements plus generous flute, sax, trombone and trumpet solos. Destined to become a classic. A must own for big band fans. (D.W.) MAMA MMF 1024 to order
Ed Calle - "Sunset Harbor"
RealAudio Sample	Ed's biography informs us that he has been playing tenor since the age of 16; he is now 39 and holds a Masters Degree in jazz performance and a Bachelor's in Math. Strongly influenced by his father it was not rare for him to practice 12 to 14 hours in a day to master the instrument ' until it smokes! ' Twenty three years ago he started playing and touring with Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, Julio Iglesias and Bob James. He is also heard on Grammy Award winning recordings by Arturo Sandoval and Jon Secada. "Sunset Harbor" provides us with a lush mixture of smooth jazz, Latin jazz, salsa and funky-fusion. Calle has his own personal style of fiery tenor playing; he has mastered the instrument and brings a great deal of soul to his performances. He wrote 9 of the 11 featured songs heard here; "San Sebastian" starts off as a Spanish song that quickly develops into a flaming style featuring Rene Luis Toleda on guitar and a red hot Sandoval on trumpet. Chicago's "Color My World" is done as a dreamy smooth ballad. "Rum and Coke" (Cuba Libre) is an outstanding Afro-Cuban Latin jazz original, features an electrifying 16 piece ensemble, using 4 trumpets and 4 trombones. This recording is destined to become a popular favourite with Latin fusion fans. (D.W.) Concord CCD-4856-2 to order
Freddy Cole - "Love Makes the Changes"
RealAudio Sample	Freddy will touch your heart with his warm, polished romantic story telling. His voice belongs right up there with Tony Bennett, Billy Eckstine, Frank Sinatra and Joe Williams. He has impeccable phrasing and exquisite delivery throughout this outstanding CD. The title track composed by Michel Legrand with lyrics by Marilyn and Alan Bergman features Grover Washington Jr on tenor, Cedar Walton - piano, George Mraz - bass and Ben Riley - drums. Freddy is featured in trio to sextet settings that flow from mid-tempo to ballads plus 2 Brazilian flavoured songs sung clearly with intelligence and soul. After listening to this recording for the first time you will probably do one of two things or better yet, both. You may rush out to purchase a copy for someone you love and/or treat yourself to "To the Ends of the Earth". (D.W.) Fantasy FCD 9681-2 to order
George Gallus - "Solfeggio; Live at the Montreal Bistro"
RealAudio Sample	The set begins with a blistering mainstream jazz rendition of C.P.E.Bach's "Solfeggio" featuring a drum solo by Kevin Dempsey. "Small Little Girl" follows as a jazz waltz, based on a Hungarian folk song with featured solos by Steve Wallace on bass, Gallus and Dempsey. "Sound of Music" a blues ballad with exquisite bass and piano interplay reminds us of what a genius George Gallus has become. He is a two fisted player, very much in the style of Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum, and is an amazing musician who, has been in Toronto for some time, and has yet to be discovered. Liner notes are by noted pianist, vibist, bassist Don Thompson. (D.W.) Perfect Pitch CCD 001 to order Note: If you cannot find this in your favourite record store call (905) 686-4436 to order.
Irakere - "Yemaya"
RealAudio Sample	Yemaya is the African mother of all deities, who represents fertility, creation, wealth and mystery. "Yemaya" features Mayra Caridad Valdes - vocals in this mid-tempo, Latin jazz arrangement with searing percussion and piano playing by the master Chucho Valdes. The remaining 6 compositions are all instrumental with twists and turns ranging from ballad, mid-tempo to red hot funky Latin jazz, afro Cuban traditional rhythms, funk and various syncopated styles from the pen of Chucho Valdes. The tentet provides us with a superb recording of the finest in Cuban and Latin jazz and Valdes is simply one of the most important creative pianists in the world today; he never ceases to amaze. This CD closely follows his self titled "Bele Bele En La Habana" (Blue Note 23082), also released in 1998. Yemaya is an outstanding recording worthy of a place in your collection. (D.W.) Blue Note 98239 to order
Poncho Sanchez - "Afro-Cuban Fantasy"
RealAudio Sample	This "Fantasy" is a merry dance festival! Fiery Cha Cha Cha, Samba, mambo and Latin jazz from start to finish. Poncho leads a stellar cast of musicians including Dianne Reeves who drops in for three stunning vocals. She is featured on two Clare Fischer compositions "Morning" and "I Remember Spring" as well as Jimmy Van Heusen's lush ballad "Darn that Dream". "Willow Weep for Me" features a gorgeous trombone solo followed by flute all done in a cha cha cha rhythm. The title track is a monumental achievement done in 6/8 introduction and jazz harmonies reminiscent of Shorty Rogers and Stan Kenton. Sizzling seamless Cuban jazz. A must own. (D.W.) Concord CCD-4847-2 to order
Duke Ellington - "16 Most Requested Songs"
	This CD, released in 1994, is one of a lengthy series by Columbia featuring highlights by their various artists over the years. Drawn from an extensive catalogue by Ellingtonia between the years 1932-1960, this sampler affords the listener the opportunity to discover the reasons for the Duke's longevity as a leader - the continuity of personnel, his own compositional skills, the establishment of a distinctive "sound", the careful deployment of key soloists (Hodges, Bigard, Carney, Strayhorn, Williams). Nearly all of the 16 selections have become familiar standards. Ellington collectors need not apply. For dabblers only! (J.S.) Columbia/Legacy CK 57901 to order
Preservation Hall Jazz Band: New Orleans (Vol.11)
	Built in 1861, Preservation Hall (726 St.Peter St.) became a dance hall where most of the jazz greats played at one time or another - Punch Miller, Jim Robinson, George Lewis, Kid Thomas Valentine (to name a few). Willie and Percy Humphrey (both have since passed away in their 90's) were among the frequenters, and they appear on this 1981 CD, clarinet and trumpet respectively, recorded in a New Orleans studio. The seven-piece band also includes Josiah Frazier (drums), Narvin Kimball (banjo), James Miller (piano), and two "youngsters", Allan Jaffe (tuba), Frank Demond (trombone). The fare is what you might expect - "Shake It and Break It", "Bucket's Got a Hole in It", or "St. Louis Blues", with Percy Humphrey taking most of the vocals. And the Hall has changed very little over the years, catering chiefly to tourists who yearn to recapture the ambience and music that heralded the jazz age. The disc runs about 45 minutes and bears the 'Nice Price' sticker. Its still toe-tapping stuff! (J.S.) Columbia MK 37780 to order

Highly recommended CD's without reviews, star rated as follows:

***** Excellent
**** Good

Rating	Artist	Title	Label & Cat.No.
****	Gato Barbieri	Che Corazon	Columbia CK 69690
****	Various	Jazz on the Half Note	Platinum 111
*****	Roy Haynes	Praise	Dreyfus FDM 36598-2
*****	Kevin Mahogany	My Romance	Warner Bros CDW 47025
*****	Cassandra Wilson	Traveling Miles	Blue Note 7243 8 54123 2 5
*****	Stanley Jordan	Live in New York	Blue Note 7243 4 97810 2 3
*****	Guido Basso/Dave Turner	Midnight Martini	Justin Time JTR 8471-2
*****	Kirk MacDonald	The Atlantic Sessions	Koch Jazz KOC-CD-8600
*****	Joe Chambers	Mirrors	Blue Note 7243 4 96685 2 2-V
*****	Jack McDuff	Bringin’ it Home	Concord CCD-4855
*****	Keith Ingham	A Mellow Bit of Rhythm	Sackville SKCD2-3063
*****	Bob Barnard/Jim Galloway	What’s New	Sackville SKCD2-3064