Germany-based MPS Records somehow has access to a plethora of vintage jazz from the 60s to the 80s and are in the process of churning out some delectable sounds. Here is the first foray, and there is something for everyone here.
This 1969 session of Count Basie’s Orchestra is chock full of all stars including Eddie “Lockjaw” 
Davis/ts, 
Oscar Brashear/tp, Eric Dixon/ts, Marshal Royal/as as well as hip arrangements by Chico O’Farrell. The sax section is as smooth as silk on the toe tapping “Blues In My Heart” while cutting a sharp shark skin suit on hip material such as “M-Squad” and “Idaho.” The rhythm team of Freddie Green/g, Harold Jones/dr, Norman Keenan/b and The Count have the groove down pat on 
“Moonglow” and “Sweet Lorraine” while Davis’ tenor is palpable on each solo. Grab on and hold tight!
Tenor sax icon Joe Henderson is found here leading an all star team of Chick Corea/p, Ron Carter/b and Billy Higgins/dr through a mix of originals and a standard. Henderson is wonderfully lyrical with his icy cool tone on “Mirror, Mirror” and is light and delicious on “What’s New.” The rhythm team is snapping like peas on Corea’s “Blues for Liebestraum” and Higgins is as nimble as a high jumper on “Keystone.” Corea chimes on “Candlelight” and lays down a deep groove on the suave “ Joe’s Bolero.” This 1980 set is a doozy!
Pianist Hank Jones leads a trio with Isla Eckinger/b and Kurt Bong/dr through a collection of originals and bop standards with elan and style on this 1978 recording. Bong is assertive underneath Jones’ ivories on”There’s a Small Hotel” and the whole team revs up to a nifty samba on “The Oregon Grinder.” The team drives like a Mack Truck on “Now’s the Time” and slinks like a boa on “Robbins Nest.” All throughout, as displayed on “I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good,” Jones is the epitome of elegance, taste and gentlemanly grace. Timeless.
Accordion player Art Van Damme fronts a team of Sigi Schwab/g, Heribert Thuyske/vib, Eberhard Weber/b and Charly Antolini/dr along with The Singers Unlimited through a collection of standards on this 1974 session. The band at times sounds like vintage wedding or bar mitzvah music; light and unoffensive, and the vocals range from Lawrence Welkish renditions of “But Beautiful” to doo wopping “Ecstasy.” Sometimes you get some female solo voices as on “We Could Be flying” but for the most part its muzaky readings of “Wave” and “Goodbye.” For the elderly smooth jazz set.
Composer Patrick Williams made a living with some great tunes for films and TV. Here, familiar themes are played with wit and style by Lew Soloff/tp, Ron Cuber/bs, Dave Grusin/key, Tony Levin/b, Grady Tate/dr, Steve Khan/g and Toots Thielman/harm on this 1978 collection Some wacka wooka guitar ges funky on a soulful “Barrio” while a theme similar to David Bowie’s “Fame” is heard on “The Late Night Wizzard.” Disco pops up on “Blue Light” while CTI-inspired keyboards and horns are found on “And We Will Love Again” and “ One For My Three.” Lots of joyful sounds and funky grooves are felt here.
MPS Records