EARL HINES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 567 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

At the time of these recordings, Hines was in the process of re-igniting his once potent and inventive big band of the mid-'30s. And while he and his cohorts hadn't completely dropped off the quality scale -- Hines' solos, of course, always remained hot -- the group's material was beginning to dip in caliber. Then came the twin powers of arranger/tenor saxophonist Budd Johnson and singer Billy Eckstine. Picking up from his fine work on Classics' earlier 1937-1939 disc, Johnson delivers standout charts here, like "Number 19" and the novelty number "Tantalizing a Cuban." One of Hines' top arrangers from the past, Jimmy Mundy, also does his part with solid if somewhat slick cuts like "You Can Depend on Me" and "Easy Rhythm." And with Eckstine in the mix, the band finally found a genuine star vocalist. Showing the kind of swarthy tone and incredible facility that would bring him fame over the next three decades, Eckstine lights up the proceedings on classics like "Jelly, Jelly," "I'm Falling for You," and "Ann." Keeping up with the Young Turk, Hines displays his seasoned soloing chops on numbers like "Rosetta," "Body and Soul," and "Child of a Disordered Brain." Check out the mighty Hines band finding its groove again before unwittingly morphing into an incubator for bebop talent. Stephen Cook     Tracklist :