This seven-CD limited-edition box set from Mosaic is another mind-boggling collection. The masterful trombonist J.J. Johnson recorded steadily for Columbia during the 1956-61 period, heading groups that ranged from quartets to sextets that performed solid hard bop. Johnson is joined on various selections by tenors Bobby Jaspar (doubling on flute) and Clifford Jordan; cornetist Nat Adderley; the young trumpeter Freddie Hubbard; pianists Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Cedar Walton, and Victor Feldman; bassists Percy Heath, Wilbur Little, Paul Chambers, Spanky DeBrest, Arthur Harper, and Sam Jones; and drummers Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Albert "Tootie" Heath, and Louis Hayes. The music was originally issued on nine LPs; plus, there are 21 previously unreleased selections. Johnson's high-quality and consistently inventive playing is quite impressive, making this box a true must for his greatest fans.
CD 1
01. I Should Care (3:23)
02. Overdrive (3:25)
03. Undecided (4:07)
04. Joey, Joey, Joey (3:09)
05. Angel Eyes (3:37)
06. Tumbling Tumbleweeds (4:16)
07. Cube Steak (3:44)
08. Never Let Me Go (3:44)
09. Solar (5:17)
10. Chasin' The Bird (4:46)
11. Naptown U.S.A. (5:03)
12. It Might As Well Be Spring (4:50)
13. Bird Song (5:40)
14. It Could Happen To You (3:50)
15. Our Love Is Here To Stay (2:45)
16. Blue Haze (5:12)
17. I Should Care (3:54)
CD 2
01. Barbados (4:36)
02. In A Little Provincial Town (4:21)
03. Cette Chose (3:18)
04. Joey, Joey, Joey (3:30)
05. I've Got You Under My Skin (3:29)
06. Harvey's House (3:01)
07. Nickels And Dimes (4:56)
08. That Tired Routine Called Love (5:14)
09. For Heaven's Sake (3:05)
10. Paul's Pal (4:07)
11. It's Only A Paper Moon (5:03)
12. Out Of My Dreams (2:22)
13. Commutation (5:17)
14. God Bless The Child (3:05)
15. Be My Love (3:01)
CD 3
01. Cry Me A River (5:54)
02. Hello Young Lovers (5:25)
03. 100 Proof (7:24)
04. What's New? (4:49)
05. Kev (8:44)
06. Gone With The Wind (5:38)
07. Blue Trombone (9:20)
08. Come Rain Or Come Shine (4:14)
09. Tea Pot (5:29)
10. So Sorry Please (4:17)
11. Old Devil Moon (6:39)
CD 4
01. Now's The Time (7:47)
02. What Is This Thing Called Love? (5:56)
03. Misterioso (6:35)
04. Tune Up (5:24)
05. My Old Flame (4:36)
06. Walkin' (6:41)
07. Laura (3:50)
08. Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup (6:07)
09. Almost Like Being In Love (5:01)
10. Love Letters (2:17)
11. Decision (8:21)
CD 5
01. Star Dust (6:18)
02. Sidewinder (6:17)
03. Bags' Groove (6:34)
04. Pennies From Heaven (7:26)
05. Alone Together (4:24)
06. Really Livin' (5:55)
07. Alone Together (3:16)
08. Speak Low (6:28)
09. Decision (4:29)
10. God Bless The Child (5:20)
11. Red Cross (2:48)
12. The Nearness Of You (4:10)
13. Almost Like Being In Love (3:30)
14. Star Dust (4:02)
CD 6
01. Sidewinder (6:51)
02. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good (3:55)
03. Mohawk (9:26)
04. Shutterbug (7:28)
05. Aquarius (7:20)
06. Blue 'N Boogie (5:55)
07. Fatback (Long Version) (11:45)
08. Fatback (Short Version) (6:39)
09. In Walked Horace (5:16)
10. Minor Mist (5:09)
CD 7
01. Turnpike (13:08)
02. Aquarius (5:59)
03. Mohawk (8:18)
04. Satin Doll (4:32)
05. Flat Rock (4:21)
06. Gigi (3:23)
07. Bloozineff (3:43)
08. Bloozineff (Organ Version) (4:02)
09. How Long Has This Been Going? (3:50)
10. Goodbye (2:12)
11. When The Saints Go Marching In (6:12)
12. I Waited For You (2:28)
13. Jackie-ing (4:22)
14. Sophisticated Lady (2:36)
15. Full Moon And Empty Arms (4:31)
