Taking in some prime hard bop real estate, Blue 45s: Ultimate Jukebox finds its theme in the low-profile yet potent singles sideline Blue Note pursued while making its name mostly off of their LPs. With incredible artwork and photography, not to mention superb sound by Rudy Van Gelder, the Blue Note catalog of LPs forms a cornerstone of jazz history. But the '60s were also a time when the rise of rock & roll and soul made 45s a lucrative business. And doing their best to keep up with the kids, even Blue Note cashed in to a small extent with several soul-jazz releases, many of which are included here. Along with popular sides by Lee Morgan ("The Rumproller"), Horace Silver ("The Jody Grind, Pt. 1"), and Lou Donaldson ("Alligator Boogaloo"), this 21-track import boasts equally ripe boogaloo from the relatively obscure likes of tenor saxophonist Don Wilkerson, organist Freddie Roach, and flutist Bobbi Humphrey. A generous and tasty slice of hard-boppin' grooves.