NO ONE ASKED MY OPINON, BUT….

Best Mosaic Sets-

Mosaic Records is considered the gold standard for reissues; the fact that they are limited editions just adds to their mystique. I’ve got almost every set, and the ones listed below are the ones that Iisten to most often. Some are still available through www.mosaicrecords.com, but others are going to have to be found through auctions. Good luck!

1) Duke Ellington-single cd; Space Men. It’s an obscure set, but a rare opportunity to see him in a small group setting. Great work!
2) Jimmy Witherspoon-single cd; Going To Kansas City. Possibly his best disc, and it’s a Bunsen burner!
3) Johnny Smith-Multi cd set. Subtle, effective and wondrous. It’s still available, but going fast. Don’t miss out.
4) Tal Farlow-Multi cd set. Another overlooked set that is one of the best guitar workshops around.
5) Oscar Peterson-Multi cd. His first trio sessions, and enjoyable on a plethora of levels
6) Curtis Amy-Mosaic Select; An overlooked tenor player who’s got a tone that will make you swoon.
7) Cohn/Newman/Green-Mosaic Select-3 Basie alumni make timeless small group music. Swings harder than ANYTHING out there today.
8) Peggy Lee/June Christie-Multi cd set; these two cool toned vocalists are at their best in these casual post WWII sessions that will stump your friends on a Blindfold test.
9) Akiyoshi/Tabackin Big Band-Mosaic Select; an overlooked but highly influential big band from the 70s. Still available, and fantastic.
10) Woody Herman-Columbia Recordings/Multi cd set; The definition and apotheosis of big band sing to bop.