A die-hard bopper, alto saxophonist Phil Woods nonetheless manages to push the boundaries of straight-ahead hard bop on Souvenirs. As far as the '90s go, this is one of Woods' best. This version of Woods' quintet, most notably featuring trumpeter Brian Lynch, is a solid entity with much forward momentum. Lynch, a member of Art Blakey's last Jazz Messengers lineup, is easily one the best trumpeters around, displaying a knack for interesting note choices and lines that border on the progressive. Woods sounds thoroughly engaged throughout, attacking each tune with his characteristic fire.

One of the best living alto saxophone players, Phil Woods returned to Venus Records for the first time in six years with his star-studded quintet which includes Brian Lynch and Bill Charlap. Recorded in 2008, Ballads & Blues also represents Woods' first composer's songbook dedicated to Billy Strayhorn. Choosing predominantly slow and medium tempos, Woods shines with his big, warm and expressive tone, soulful blues feel and wailing melancholy. The supporting cast is also superb. This album will be remembered as one of Woods' best.

Lee Konitz's Chesky Records debut, now available in this Multi-Channel SACD format, demonstrates in full surround sound that Konitz continues to maintain his role as a true icon and legend of innovation within the Jazz community. Lee proves once again his unique improvisational ability by infusing his alto sax lines into the solid framework constructed by his quintet. This recording marks the manifestation of Lee's desire to represent the "possibilities to be creative" in the organic, improvisational nature of Jazz by combining it with the parallel basis of Chesky's recording philosophy - recreating a live, spontaneous event with the greatest accuracy possible, now dramatically improved via the SACD format.