Collecting two very different albums by the late Cuban trombonist Juan Pablo Torres, this twofer begins with a 1975 exploration of stylized romanticism recorded with the Cuban state orchestra. String-laden and sultry, it's greatly enhanced by the contribution of the pianist Pedro Coton, who lends focus to the after-hours feel. The final eight tracks are characterized by Torres's freewheeling experimentalism, whether fusing Cuban and Andalucian rhythms on "Malaguena" or combining "Para Vigo Me Voy," "Frenesi," and "El Bodeguero" in a feast of Afro-Cuban jazz.

Dream Life is the potent follow-up to 1999's Lines and Ballads, again featuring tenor saxophonist Matt Renzi, drummer Jimmy Weinstein, and bassist Masa Kamaguchi. The trio returns with another charged and unusual assortment of tunes, beginning with an ethereal, pedal-point treatment of Ornette Coleman's "Blues Connotation," the fast bop line becoming more of a pensive incantation in Renzi's hands. Coleman surfaces again with the hymn-like "All My Life" (with an extended Kamaguchi intro), as well as the reprise of "Blues Connotation" that closes the record. Other highlights include Tony Scott's rubato "Israel" (not to be confused with the well-known John Carisi tune), the Denny Zeitlin gem "Quiet Now," and a roughened-up reading of Carla Bley's "Ida Lupino." Weinstein provides the one original, a bluesy free bop line that gives the album its title. (The comparatively dry sound of "If I Should Lose You" is explained by the fact that it's a home recording from a different day. Some may like it even better.) ~ David R. Adler

The new JAZZ CLUB series is an attractive addition to the Verve catalogue. With its modern design and popular choice of repertoire, the JAZZ CLUB is not only opened for Jazz fans, but for everyone that loves good music. This collection by the elegant Ella Fitzgerald features 18 tracks including 'A-Tisket A-Tasket', 'Lullaby Of Birdland', 'The Lady Is A Tramp' and more. 2006.