Music on CD

Duke Ellington: Complete Columbia Studio Albums [9 CD]

Every song is a beautiful display of technique, lyricism, and enthusiasm. This is modern jazz at its finest. All of the musicians are just amazing, Charnett Moffett (bass), Ron Carter (bass), Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums), Branford Marsalis (tenor and soprano saxophone), and Kenny Kirkland (piano). Each musician plays with a deep passion and understanding for Wynton's musical vision. This was one of the releases at the time that carried the torch for jazz, blending both a straight-ahead, classic sound with more progressive, experimental parts. 'Black Codes' exemplifies Wynton Marsalis' mastery of both composition and performance. The rhythm section is sickeningly tight, and the two Marsalises play beautifully.

Her concert debut, a classical recital, was given when she was 12. An upcoming talent. Her parents, who had taken seats in the front row, were forced to move to the back of the hall to make way for white people. An emerging civil rights activist was formed. In 1958 she recorded her first studio album for Bethlehem Records, followed by Colpix and Philips and in 1967 RCA Victor. 'Nuff Said! spawned the hit-singles "Ain't Got No - I Got Life" and the Bee Gees cover "To Love Somebody". After "Mississippi Goddam", from the same album, a civil rights message was the norm in Simone's recordings and became part of her concerts. In 1969 Simone recorded "To Be Young, Gifted And Black". Renditions of the song have been recorded by Aretha Franklin and Donny Hathaway.

BOX SET<br/>CLAMSHELL BOX

Monk Thelonious: Monk Alone/Complete Columbia... [2 CD]

The Columbia Albums 1976-1982 anthologizes the Jaco Pastorius era of Weather Report. Black Market (1976), Heavy Weather (1977), Mr. Gone (1978), 8:30 (1979), Night Passage (1980), and Weather Report (1982) are packaged in Clamshell Box with wallets. Each disc features reproduced front and back artwork. As detailed by liner notes author Richard Seidel, the box contains 12 bonus tracks, including all the cuts from the 2002 compilation Live and Unreleased that feature Pastorius, as well as material from the 1979 Havana Jam. The 20-page booklet also features full track-by-track credits and session data.

Hancock Herbie: Mwandishi [CD]