Johnny Lytle remains a relatively unheralded figure in the jazz vibraphone pantheon but on the strength of these two fine albums he more than deserves pride of place. The Ohio native had an eloquent timbre, and moved seamlessly between darting rhythmic drive and melodic finesse. He also had killer tunes.

1966’s The Loop shows how well Lytle could use sprightly Latin grooves, blues riffs and standards in an acoustic setting that benefits decisively from Willie Rodriguez’s congas, above all on the infectious title track.

From 1972, People & Love is an altogether funkier, heavier affair that has a distinctly spaced-out, pyschedelic flavour at times, thanks to a band that is well anchored by Bob Cranshaw’s brawny electric bass.

While the originals such as ‘Libra’ have a winning blend of fraught themes and moody harmony thanks to the striking blend of Dahoud Aadi’s Fender Rhodes and Betty Glamann’s spooky harp glissandos it is the magnificent version of ‘People Make The World Go Round’ that steals the show. Another vibes star, Milt Jackson, also covered the tune excellently, but Lytle takes the piece to dizzy creative heights by way of a central vamp section built on an ominous march beat and some wonderfully tasty licks from all members of the rhythm section.

Not for nothing was Lytle known as the ‘soulful rebel.’ His music had a lot of feeling as well as a hard edge that would make the hip-hop generation reach for its samplers and drum machines if they were lucky enough to find his vinyl nuggets. With that in mind, these handsomely packaged reissues are most welcome.