Dave Brubeck Trio,”Live From Vienna 1967” (Wienerworld)- California born Dave Brubeck was one of the great jazz innovators of the fifties and sixties, attracting a sizeable audience for his effortlessly inventive approach to the genre.The pianist and his gifted cohorts were also responsible for the highest selling jazz single of all time in the shape of saxist Paul Desmond’s 1959 composition, “Take Five.” Desmond had apparently thrown a sizeable spanner in the works when he missed his flight to Austria prior to the concert featured here, but the contents of this stylish live set still repay closer investigation nonetheless, with Brubeck and his long standing rhythm section of bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Joe Morello rising to the challenge presented by his absence as they applied their distinctive musical imprint to classic tunes such as “St.Louis Blues,” “Swanee River” and Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the A Train.”

Quicksilver Messenger Service,”Live:Carousel Ballroom, 1968” (Floating World)- This fascinating historical document extends over 2 CDs as it supplies discerning punters with an audio souvenir of Quicksilver’s gig at San Francisco’s Carousel Ballroom in April 1968, a few short weeks after the release of the group’s self titled debut album. These relatively unsung heroes of the burgeoning West Coast psychedelic scene during those far off days built their reputation on the intense instrumental interplay between guitarists Gary Duncan and John Cippolina as they launched into extended versions of classic rock and blues creations during their often memorable live sets. This uncompromising offering is thankfully no exception to the rule, serving up supercharged revamps of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Back Door Man” and Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love” for your listening pleasure,although the epic closing track, “Silver and Gold” does come perilously close to outstaying its welcome at times.

Morton Valence, “Morton Valence” (Cow Pie Recordings)- If there was any justice in this benighted world Morton Valence, the highly literate alt.country outfit fronted by Robert “Hacker” Jessett and Anne Gilpin would have been hailed as potential megastars long ago. The group’s eighth long player must rank as their most accomplished offering to date, and it’s to be fervently hoped that “Morton Valence” will be the album that finally translates all the critical acclaim that they’ve received over the years into solid record sales. Production duties here are handled by legendary pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole, whose distinctive instrumental contribution also lends added lustre to “Together Through The Rain” and “Summertime in London,” two of the stand-out tracks alongside a fine vehicle for the talents of Flamenco guitar ace Amir John Haddad in the shape of “Me & My Old Guitar.”