"Black Widow" is an album by Argentine composer, pianist and conductor Lalo Schifrin recorded in 1976 and released on the CTI label. The Allmusic review called it "one of the peak albums in Lalo Schifrin's lengthy catalogue and a necessity for anyone interested in his jazz work".

Multi-instrumentalist Yusef Lateef mesmerizes with his 1972 release, "The Gentle Giant". His innovative style revolutionized the jazz scene. A mix of jazz with soul, the album showcases Lateef’s unmatched musicianship. Lateef performs numerous wind instruments on the album but the true highlight is his funky use of the flute. The stunning album includes an upbeat “Nubian Lady”, a groovy “Jungle Plum” and an inspired rendition of “Hey Jude”.

1975 was a hell of a year for Creed Taylor's Kudu Records. Not only was the mighty, mighty "Feels So Good" album by Grover Washington, Jr. released, but so was saxophonist Hank Crawford's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing". It was one of two recordings issued by Crawford for the label in that calendar year. But perhaps the most deeply satisfying and out of character album from that year was the absolute soul-jazz masterpiece Upchurch/Tennyson by Chicago guitar god Phil Upchurch and pianist/vocalist Tennyson Stephens.

Firefly is an album by American flautist Jeremy Steig recorded in 1977 and released on the CTI label. The Allmusic review stated "Jeremy Steig's jazz-funk throwdown, Firefly, is one of the great forgotten masterpieces of the genre… Firefly was designed for the purpose of being a hit in the dance clubs, and it should have been, because it kicks ass on that level as well as on the jazz-funk beam… This is burning".

David Matthews is a keyboardist, pianist, and arranger. Matthews has composed television soundtracks as well as albums with the Manhattan Jazz Orchestra. In 1970, he began working as both an arranger and bandleader for James Brown. Matthews has worked with many musicians, including Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Rich, Idris Muhammad, and the Starland Vocal Band. He was staff arranger for Creed Taylor's CTI Records label in the mid-1970s, working on albums for artists such as George Benson, Esther Phillips, Grover Washington Jr., Hank Crawford, and Idris Muhammad. "Dune" is based on the Hugo award-winning novel, Dune, by Frank Herbert. Matthews has already had plenty of CTI arranging experience by the time of this set – but he really moves into some unusual space with the record – open, evocative tunes that really live up to their inspiration, but also have some of Dave's funky touches too. Matthews gets help from an all-star lineup of CTI players – including Grover Washington on reeds and Eric Gale on guitar.

Originally issued in 1976, "End Of A Rainbow" was Patti Austin's solo debut album for CTI Records. Although less commercial success, this album was one of the first ever to be exclusively devoted to the Quiet Storm "sound" that was just-then blossoming. Patti's soulful, tender and at times wistful and melancholic vocals are nothing short of exquisite. Patti wrote eight tracks herself and CTI boss Creed Taylor obviously spared no expenses in getting the best session players for this cult classic.

"Towering Toccata" is an album by Argentine composer, pianist and conductor Lalo Schifrin recorded in 1976 and released on the CTI label. The Allmusic review states "it isn't the ideal follow-up to Black Widow that Schifrin fans might have hoped for. That said, the album has enough strong tunes and enough of a consistent sound to please hardcore Lalo Schifrin fans and anyone who loved Black Widow". The song "Roller Coaster" would be re-recorded and released on Schifrin's soundtrack to the 1977 film "Rollercoaster".

"The Chicago Theme" is an album by flautist Hubert Laws recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's Studio in New Jersey in 1974 and released in 1975 on the CTI label. The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow state "Rather than performing with a small group, as he did on his best sessions, Laws is joined by strings and funky rhythm sections playing now-dated commercial grooves… The only reason to acquire this out of print LP is for Laws' still-superb flute playing".

After an uncharacteristic (for her) four-year hiatus from recording, Nina Simone returned to the fringes of the pop world with "Baltimore", the only album she recorded for the CTI label. While it bears some of the musical stylings of the period - light reggae inflections that hint of Steely Dan's "Haitian Divorce" - the vocals are unmistakably Simone's.

"Good King Bad" is a studio album by American guitarist George Benson featuring performances recorded in 1975 and released by CTI Records in 1976. The Allmusic review states "The R&B elements get stronger, the sound and mix are more attuned to the dancefloor, yet this brings out the best in George Benson's funky side. Thanks in part to the more rigid beat, Benson pares down his style to its rhythmic essentials, refusing to spray notes all over the place at random, and as a result, the record cooks and dances".

"I Hear a Symphony" is the sixteenth album led by saxophonist Hank Crawford and his fifth released on the Kudu (CTI) label in 1973. AllMusic states, "This set is a cooker. Certainly the production is a bit dated, but the funky-butt moves in Crawford's soulful playing and the tough riffing of Gale more than transcend it".

"Winelight" is a smooth, well produced groove, that flows together nicely. It is an album good for waking up to on a Sunday morning, or playing while enjoying a bottle of wine late Saturday night. The songs feature enough tempo changes to keep things interesting, and Grover extends several of his solos, often playing beyond the context of the song. Ralph MacDonald’s percussion is particularly effective throughout the album.

Sadao Watanabe is a Japanese jazz musician who plays alto saxophone, sopranino saxophone, and flute. He is known for his bossa nova recordings, although his work encompasses many styles with collaborations from musicians all over the world.

"Macho" is an album by Hungarian guitarist Gábor Szabó featuring performances recorded in 1975 and released on the Salvation (CTI) label. The Allmusic review states "This is a tough, streetwise, commercial jazz album that has plenty to offer to anyone with an open mind. In the pocket, groove-soaked, and flawlessly executed".

"Breakout" is an album by jazz organist Johnny Hammond recorded for the Kudu label in 1971. The album was the first release on Creed Taylor's Kudu label, a subsidiary of CTI Records and is the first album that dropped Johnny "Hammond" Smith's surname.