This is the entirety of our (and in fact THE) first “Mod Jazz” CD, issued in 1996, and now on 180g coloured vinyl as a double LP packed in a heavyweight gatefold sleeve. Though all the tracks originated from plastic, this is the first time they have been assembled together in one hip vinyl package. Primarily a collection of the east coast Prestige label, “Mod Jazz” added tracks from Riverside and Battle as well as the west coast Galaxy and Fantasy imprints. Having had first dibs on those great sources, not surprisingly the music is of the highest quality. It has not only stood the test of time, but has added followers over the years, many of whom were too young to dig those crazy beats first time around. Whenever a new Mod Jazz CD is issued under a banner such as “Mod Jazz Rides Again” (watch this space), the back catalogue gets a boost, but this first collection still tops the sales chart.

Featured are indispensible dance tracks such as Mongo Santamaria’s ‘Yeh Yeh’, Shirley Scott’s ‘Soul Shoutin’’, Mose Allison’s ‘The Seventh Son’ and Billy Hawks’ ‘Whip It On Me’. There are laid-back, cool vocals from Mark Murphy’s ‘Why Don’t You Do Right’, Jimmy Witherspoon’s ‘Money’s Getting’ Cheaper’ and Pat Bowie’s ‘I’ve Got Your Number’. Other high spots include an Otis Spann blues ‘I’m Ready’, Cal Tjader’s super-fine ‘Evil Ways’ and the everlovin’ ‘Theme From The Pink Panther’ by Brother Jack McDuff. This album will be a boon to vinyl DJs who now don’t need to carry a boxful of LPs around when this one will do the job on its own. It will act as a comfort to those of us who love the visual accompaniment of a revolving turntable and hovering stylus with our vintage jazz grooves.