Nat Adderley led a double creative life at Riverside: featured on the highly successful working-group albums led by his brother Cannonball, and also devising several intriguingly different projects under his own name. Very possibly the most interesting was Work Song, which took its title from one of Nat's most widely known soulful compositions, and took its instrumentation from the younger Adderley's fertile imagination. Cornet, cello, and guitar make up a front line that will probably never be duplicated. The guitarist was his friend Wes Montgomery, just emerging towards jazz stardom; the cellist was the longtime bassist of Cannonball's band, Sam Jones.

Sonny Rollins made his debut for the Riverside label with this album, recorded and released in 1957, the same year he was named New Star of the tenor saxophone by the critics of DownBeat. Rollins is surrounded by top names, including pianist Sonny Clark, bassists Percy Heath and Paul Chambers and drummer Roy Haynes on a programme of covers and standards, with one original Rollins song.

"Afro-Cuban" is the 1955 masterpiece by Kenny Dorham. The recording is one of the first well-respected blends of jazz and Afro-Cuban. The legendary jazz trumpeter is joined by J.J. Johnson, Hank Mobley, Cecil Payne, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Art Blakey, Carlos Valdes and Richie Goldberg. This is a vital addition for any music connoisseur’s collection. Standouts include “Afrodisia”, “Lotus Flower” and “Minors Holiday”.

Sonny Rollins made his debut for the Riverside label with this album, recorded and released in 1957, the same year he was named New Star of the tenor saxophone by the critics of DownBeat. Rollins is surrounded by top names, including pianist Sonny Clark, bassists Percy Heath and Paul Chambers and drummer Roy Haynes on a programme of covers and standards, with one original Rollins song.

"European Concert, Vol.1" is an essential document to the quartet’s entrancing live energy. The celebrated work is a seamless blend of refined arrangements and masterful improvisation. The quartet comprised of John Lewis, Percy Heath, Connie Kay and Milt Jackson are in extraordinary form delivering unforgettable performances of “Django”, “I Should Care” and “Bluesology”. Captured with the pristine sonic depth of a hi-res recording, this definitive performance by the quartet is simply breathtaking.

"European Concert, Vol.2" captures the Modern Jazz Quartet’s awe-inspiring live synergy. The quartet redefined the jazz genre with their unmatched improvisations. Comprised of jazz virtuosos John Lewis, Connie Kay, Percy Heath, and Milt Jackson, the album is full of exuberant playing and raw emotions. Included in the set are scintillating renditions of "’Round Midnight" and "Bags’ Groove". The quartet’s performance will send shivers down your spine.

The Modern Jazz Quartet plays a selection of original compositions and riveting standards on their release, "The Sheriff". The album is infused with Latin and bossa nova rhythms. The work features four pieces by pianist John Lewis, including the blues-driven title track and the hauntingly beautiful “In a Crowd”. The quartet also performs works by Heitor Villa-Lobos (“Bachianas Brasileiras”) and Luiz Bonfa (“Carnival”). The quartet’s rich melodies and harmonious playing are strong and compelling.

"New Faces New Sounds" is a 1953 date featuring saxophonist Lou Donaldson and trumpeter Clifford Brown leading a quartet. Backing them here are pianist Elmo Hope, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Philly Joe Jones. This is superb, highly influential hard bop jazz.

"Moving Out" is an album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, his second for the Prestige label. Recorded in the summer of 1954 but not issued until 1956, most of the songs on this album feature Sonny Rollins and trumpeter Kenny Dorham on the front line, with pianist Elmo Hope, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Art Blakey. The final track, More Than You Know, comes from a different session a few months later with Rollins as the only horn player, backed by Thelonious Monk on piano, bassist Tommy Potter and drummer Art Taylor.

This album, not released until 1956, contains the first recordings Sonny Rollins made for Prestige as leader in 1951 and 1953. Rollins is backed on four songs by the Modern Jazz Quartet (John Lewis, Milt Jackson, Percy Heath and Kenny Clarke), eight other tracks feature Heath with Kenny Drew and Art Blakey, while Miles Davis plays piano on the closing number I Know. Several of these songs appeared in 1952 on 10 inch vinyl entitled Sonny Rollins Quartet.

"New Star On The Horizon" was recorded in August of 1953 and represents some of the first tracks that Clifford Brown recorded as a band leader. It was produced by Alfred Lion and was originally released in 1954.

"Live at the Lighthouse" is an emotionally-charged live set featuring bold improvisations and new material from the historic quartet. The album bursts with vibraphonic innovations, rousing piano runs and bluesy moods. The seasoned players perform deeply moving renditions of “The Shadow Of Your Smile” and “What’s New”. Wonderfully spaced and perfectly timed, it is impossible not to be intrigued by this remarkable album.

The position of legendary figure is usually reserved for a deceased musician who has played two decades before. It usually requires this posthumous status and span of time, for the various stories concerning him to grow into a legend but it took a very much alive Thelonious Monk only five years to surround himself with an air of mystery and receive the title “High Priest of Bebop” in the Forties.

Thelonious Monk’s years as a Prestige recording artist were tough times for the legendary composer/pianist. Unable to work in New York clubs due to the unjust loss of his cabaret card, and misunderstood when not ignored by listeners as well as many musicians. The present collection, which samples three of those sessions, appeared as critics and fans were beginning to catch up to Monk’s singular genius and remains one of the best introductions to his iconoclastic brilliance. Three tracks feature leading Monk disciple Sonny Rollins, hitting early peaks on two standards and stretching out on “Friday the 13th,” plus a pair of tracks in which Monk’s greatest studio trio (with Percy Heath on bass and Art Blakey on drums) introduce the classic “Work” and “Nutty”.

"Wizard of the Vibes" was recorded in several sessions between 1948 and 1952, and is a compilation of performances by vibraphonist Milt Jackson. It features performances of his playing with The Thelonious Monk Quintet and The Modern Jazz Quartet plus Lou Donaldson.