Various The Art of the Saxophone (Justin Time/ Fusion III) & The Art of the Guitar (Justin Time/Fusion III) & The Art of the Piano (Justin Time/Fusion III) & The Art of the Bass (Justin Time/Fusion III)

Perfect for the neophyte, these contain a cross-section of artists. The Saxophone includes Pepper Adams and Joe Henderson, Guitar has Nelson Symonds and Russell Malone, Piano spotlights Paul Bley and Oscar Peterson and Bass has talents like Red Mitchell, Ray Brown and Milt Hinton. All 8/10 (Len Dobbin)

Various Justin Time for Christmas Two (Justin Time / Fusion III) & Various A Traditional Jazz Christmas (GRP/MCA)

The first has Christmas selections by such singers as Jeri Brown, Diana Krall and Ranee Lee, plus instrumentalists like Paul Bley, Oliver Jones and Dave Young. The second contains vintage reissue material, the highlights being Mel Torme ("Christmas Song"), Ahmad Jamal ("Snowfall") and a delightful pair by Louis Armstrong. Justin Time 8.5/10; Traditional... 7/10 (Len Dobbin)

Kenny Wheeler Siren's Song (Justin Time/Fusion III) & Kenny And Sonny Live at the Montreal Bistro (Justin Time / Fusion III)

The Canadian-born trumpeter shows up on two excellent releases, the first with fellow Azimuth members John Taylor and Norma Winstone, guesting with the Maritime Jazz Orchestra; the second, as co-leader of a quintet with Sonny Greenwich, captured live in Toronto in 1993 and 1997. Music of the highest order. Siren's Song 9/10; Kenny and Sonny... 10/10 (Len Dobbin)

Jane Bunnett Chamalongo (Blue Note / EMI) & Ry Cooder Buena Vista Social Club (Nonesuch /WEA) & Quartango Compadres (Justin Time /Fusion III)

Three excellent ways to spice up your Christmas giving. Bunnett continues her love of all things Cuban with her latest, featuring exciting players like Hilario Duran and Merceditas Valdes. The marvellous Cooder opus, also done in Havana, features a cross-section of the country's singers and instrumentalists. Our own Quartango, recorded in August, is heavy on neuvo tango material by Astor Piazzolla. All 9/10 (Len Dobbin)