NDR (North German Radio) Big Band "Lend Me Your Ears", "Live at Moer's Festival - Frank Zappa's Hot Licks (and Funny Smells)" and Norma Winstone with the NDR Big Band "It's Later Than You Think".
These guys are red hot and tight and the arrangements by Colin Towns are wonderfully avant garde and refreshing. I was lucky enough to hear one of their concerts whilst in the UK. I met and spoke with three of the trumpeters - Ingolf Burkhardt, Thorsten Benkenstein and Claus Stotter. They are all incredible players with range and improv chops for days. Ingolf did some of the best plunger work I have ever heard. Just phenomenal talent and a joy to hear. If you ever have an opportunity to hear these guys, please do. I am sure you can find their CDs through the NDR site, but since it is all in German, I thought this site would be friendlier for those of you who are interested.
http://www.colintowns.com/index2.html http://www1.ndr.de/ndr_pages_std/0,2570,SPM1128,00.html German page