Here's a look at sets that we are currently working on at Mosaic.

Each of our sets is a time-consuming affair to assemble from securing rights to tape research to studio mastering to the photographic, historical and discographical research for our booklets. Each step is fraught with surprises and therefore it is possible that the Future Projects may not see the light of day. These are not yet available for preorder.

MOSAIC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SETS:

The Complete Clef/Mercury Recordings of the Oscar Peterson Trio (1951-1953) (7 CDs)

(Release Date - Aug./Sept.)

This collection captures this remarkable pianist during his early years on Norman Granz' Clef label. Granz' aim for these sessions was to showcase the Peterson touch in a series of songbook albums which included interpretations of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers and Vincent Youmans. Peterson and his trio (mostly backed by Barney Kessel's guitar and Ray Brown's bass), execute these classics superlatively and have long been out of print.

Not only are the complete songbooks from those early years present but a number of other highlights include: rare singles only issued on 78 and 45; 8 previously unissued performances of which only 2 are alternate takes; the "Oscar Peterson Sings" album; the "Oscar Peterson Plays Pretty" album where Irving Ashby substitutes for Kessel; and an OP Quartet date with Alvin Stoller on drums that includes a swinging "The Astaire Blues" and "Tea For Two". Most of the set came from the original master tapes and rare photos from the Institute of Jazz Studies decorate the insights of jazz historian John McDonough's wonderful notes.

The Complete Arista Recordings Of Anthony Braxton (8 CDs)

(Release Date - October)

Anthony Braxton is the sort of artist who triggers those heated "Is it jazz?"debates; whatever his music is, it is brilliant. By the time he signed with Arista Records in 1974 at the age of 29, he had emerged as one of the major figures in Chicago's AACM, formed Circle with Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Barry Altchul and lived the expatriate life in Paris and moved freely in jazz and contemporary classical circles.

What made his output at Arista (1974-80) so unique was the range of projects he was able to realize thanks to the supportive budgets of a major label. This 8-CD set rescues his entire 14-LP Arista output from forgotten vaults. From live and studio recordings with his quartet (with Kenny Wheeler or George Lewis, Dave Holland and Barry Altschul) to solo alto excursions to a duet with Muhal Richard Abrams to Creative Orchestra Music to trios with Roscoe Mitchell/Joseph Jarman and Henry Threadgill/Douglas Ewert to his thoroughly composed pieces for two pianos and for four orchestras, Braxton explored every aspect of modern music through his own creative vision with astonishing results.

Classic Columbia Benny Goodman Orchestra Sessions (1939-1958) (7 CDs)

(Release Date - November)

Seven discs from a neglected period of Benny's big band career which focuses mainly on his instrumental recordings for Columbia records during the 1940s. Also included are the bands he gathered at the Columbia studios during the 1950s which recreated some of the great Fletcher Henderson arrangements of the 1930s in addition to the lush and creative Benny with strings album titled "Let's Hear The Melody". Of particular importance are the breathtaking arrangements of the far-thinking Eddie Sauter. Over twenty previously unissued alternate takes are much welcome additions as Goodman was a master of solo creativity and spontaneity. He was the King of Swing and everyone wanted to be in his band as proven by the soloists and sidemen who pepper this set.

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MOSAIC SELECT:

Toshiko Akiyoshi -Lew Tabackin Big Band (3 CDs)

(Release Date - October)

With the formation of their 16-piece orchestra in 1973, Toshiko's image shifted from being a great bop-inspired pianist to being a composer-arranger of great invention. Her scores are varied and rich in tonal colors, often drawing on traditional Japanese music as well as jazz. The band, loaded with the cream of the LA scene and led by Lew, swings the hell out of her inventive, intricate arrangements. Their five studio albums (1974-77) form the great initial opus by this distinctive orchestra; they are Kogun, Long Yellow Road, Tales Of A Courtesan, Insights and March Of The Tadpoles.