"Blackjack" was originally released in 1967 and features performances by Byrd with Sonny Red, Hank Mobley, Cedar Walton, Walter Booker, and Billy Higgins. It was produced by Alfred Lion and recorded at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

During his long career, Cedar Walton has been one of hard bop's most lyrical pianists. His funky touch and cogent melodic sense graced the recordings of many of jazz's greatest players. He was also one of the music's more underrated composers; although he was always a first-rate interpreter of standards, Walton wrote a number of excellent tunes ("Mosaic," "Ugetsu," and "Bolivia," to name a few) that found their way into Art Blakey's book during the pianist's early-'60s stint with the Jazz Messengers. On this album, Walton and his musician friends Buster Williams and Willie Jones II, have compiled an album of songs dedicated to the works of American composer Victor Young.

"Alternate Takes" is a collection of Coltrane’s greatest works for Atlantic Records. The legendary jazz saxophonist provides new and refreshing renditions of his most familiar and endearing numbers for the label including “Syeeda’s Song Flute”, “Naima”, and “Cousin Mary”. Compiled from his sessions for "Coltrane Jazz", "Giant Steps", and "Coltrane’s Sound", this hi-res remastering has never sounded better and is a vital addition for any jazz lover.

Giant Steps is the fifth studio album by jazz musician John Coltrane as leader, released in January 1960 on Atlantic Records. This was his first album as leader for his new label Atlantic Records. Many of its tracks have become practice templates for jazz saxophonists. In 2004, it was one of fifty recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.

"Free for All" is the 1964 masterpiece by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. The album features a stellar lineup, which includes Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton and Reggie Workman. The musicians display their undeniable chemistry and unmatched artistic powers. This seminal classical features the stellar tunes “The Core”, “Free for All” and “Pensativa”. "Free for All" is a historic outing that is essential for any collection.

A celebrated 1961 session recorded by drummer Art Blakey accompanied by one of the most impressive versions of his Jazz Messengers: Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Cedar Walton on piano and Jymie Merritt on bass. The band members contribute all the material here: Hubbard gets two songs; Fuller, Shorter and Walton a song each.

"New York Time" offers jazz fans a wonderful opportunity to hear two rising stars of the genre (McBride, Jackson) performing with two respected elders (Cobb, Walton). The past also meets the present in other exciting ways on this recording. The set is highlighted by several of Walton’s original compositions and a cover of the legendary John Coltrane's "Naima". Meanwhile, McBride's acoustic bass talents are spotlighted on his self-written composition "Grove" (for trumpeter Roy Hargrove) and Jackson represents the new vanguard of jazz with his own tune titled "Notes in Three".

One of the 60’s greatest live jazz recordings, "Ugetsu" documents a blistering 1963 live set by the legendary Jazz Messengers at Birdland. Blakey is joined by an allstar team of jazz legends: Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton, Curtis Fuller, Freddie Hubbard, and Reggie Workman.

The title of this reissue LP is a bit ironic for jazz was really struggling commercially in 1967 and the "hits" were few and far between. In fact flugelhornist Art Farmer, who leads the notable hard bop quintet, would be moving to Europe the following year where he would work much more often than he had in the U.S.

"Mode For Joe" is the influential saxophonist’s 1966 gem. It was his final Blue Note studio recording as a bandleader. Henderson is joined by trumpeter Lee Morgan, trombonist Curtis Fuller, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, pianist Cedar Walton, double bassist Ron Carter and drummer Joe Chambers. The challenging repertoire showcases the unmatched talents of the ensemble. It features the standouts “Mode For Joe” and “Caribbean Fire Dance”.

The second of trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's two Impulse albums features the 25-year old in three separate settings. He is heard along with a tenor-saxophonist backed by strings ("Skylark," "I Got It Bad" and "Chocolate Shake" are all given beautiful treatments), with a 16-piece band and in a septet with Eric Dolphy and Wayne Shorter. This well-rounded and highly recommended showcase shows why Freddie Hubbard was considered the top trumpeter to emerge during the early '60s.