In 1992, Latin music producer & promoter Ralph Mercado founded TropiJazz, a record company dedicated exclusively to Latin jazz.

Seeking t showcase & preserve the music of the world's finest Latin jazz musicians, Mercado recruited a combination of old-school legends like percussionist Tito Puente & pianist Eddie Palmieri as well as young stars like trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda & flautist Dave Valentin.

Together, this international cast of Latin all-stars - some from the U.S, others from Cuba, Puerto Rico & the Dominican Republic, recorded a series of albums that combined the improvisational brilliance of jazz with the rhythmic excitement of Latin dance music.

This is the sound of vintage rhythm & blues, bump-&-grind exotica & hipster jazz. Something for the woman who longs to feel a little more sexy, a little more exciting & a lot more powerful. Something for the man who isn't afraid to indulge in his fantasies. Hard-honking horns, slinky rhythms, heart-throbbing beats...discover your hidden desires with the new burlesque.

Truly an "old soul" in a young man's frame, this brilliant singer, songwriter, guitarist, harpist & pianist is a musical craftsman & lyricist of astonishing maturity. Comparisons to the early works of Bob Dylan & Tom Waits are frequent & will deserved.

The passing of the greatest jazz organist in the world earlier in the year was a giant blow to jazz fans everywhere. Fortunately, Jimmy Smith recorded frequently since his professional debut in the early fifties & left behind an outstanding body of work. He provided the blueprint for modern organ jazz & his popularity over the years has never waned. In fact, in the years leading up to his death his popularity was at an all time high. The vintage recordings presented here were originally released sporadically on the Bruce Records label & its affiliate Power Records as 7 inch singles in the early fifties & have been out of print for over 40 years. Historically speaking, these are the "long lost" Jimmy Smith sessions & his first known recordings as a band leader. Ten of these sides were first presented on LP in1962 on the small independent Upfront Records label& disappeared from the market shortly thereafter. We have unearthed all the master tracks (16 in all) & present this body of work for the first time in its entirety. At long last, the missing chapter in the recording career of Jimmy Smith is no longer a mystery.

Although he played on literally thousands of sessions & was possibly the most influential drummer of the 20 th Century, the rock of the early Count Basie Band & the father of modern drumming recorded only a few solo albums in his 60 year career. His Two recordings as a leader for the eclectic Everest label in the late 50's are the stuff of legend. The two previous LP's (Jo Jones Trio & Vamp 'Til Ready) trade hands among collectors for hundreds of dollars apiece & until now, have not made it on to CD as originally recorded in their entirety. The recordings should be a revelation to jazz fans everywhere as they capture Papa Jo in both trio setting with the great Ray Byant on piano & brother Tom on bass, as well as with a small group consisting of jazz luminaries Harry "Sweets" Edison, Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Forest, Bennie Green & Tommy Potter. At long last & to the delight of real jazz fans everywhere we present - Jo Jones, The Everest Years"

Digitally remastered from the original stereo mixes.