DJANGO REINHARDT – 1934-1935 | The Classics Chronological Series – 703 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This first installment in Classics' multi-volume Reinhardt series is a fine place to start your Django collection. Recorded between 1934-1935, the 23 tracks include many of first sides from the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, which Reinhardt formed with frequent cohort and violinist Stephane Grappelli. Cut for the French Ultraphone label, the material includes such top-notch QHCF sides as "I Saw Stars," "I'm Confessin'," and "Dinah." There's also a few numbers Reinhardt cut with the Michel Warlop Orchestra before teaming up with QHCF. And while JSP's Reinhardt discs often beat out many of the Classics titles for sound quality, this early offering ranks as one that stands up just fine. Stephen Cook       Tracklist :

DJANGO REINHARDT – 1935 | The Classics Chronological Series – 727 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Gathered here are many of the first sides cut by the Quintette du Hot Club de France. Better known maybe as Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli's band, this very original Parisian combo took the energy of early jazz classics sides by Armstrong, Beiderbecke, et al., and infused it with elements from the French chanson tradition and Reinhardt's own gypsy heritage. Beyond their unique guitar and violin repartee, though, Reinhardt and Grappelli could match -- and even surpass -- the improvised swing forged by their stateside contemporaries, a feat rarely achieved in the early days of European jazz. With the quality of these maiden QHCF sides, then, the pickings are plentiful. Alongside other finely remastered collections on JSP and Affinity, this and many other Classics volumes in the label's strict chronological series will probably be best appreciated by completists rather than survey-seeking newcomers. That said, the 22 tracks here contain some top performances, including such QHCF standouts as "You and the Night and the Music," "Ultrafox," and "Avalon." Also to be found are a some innocuous vocals by Jerry Mengo, a few cuts manned by New Orleans native and multi-instrumentalist Frank "Big Boy" Goudie, and plenty of Reinhardt and Grappelli's incredible playing. A nice addition to an already healthy catalog. Stephen Cook       Tracklist :

DJANGO REINHARDT – 1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 748 (1994) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Django Reinhardt's legacy of great jazz records is so vast that some may feel intimidated by the sheer volume of material. Where to begin? What's the best? Did he ever make "bad" recordings? All of these questions quickly dissipate when the music itself starts to roll. Most of Django's music is delightful, which explains his continued popularity many years after his untimely death. It just so happens that this volume in the Reinhardt chronology is an excellent place to dive in. The year 1937 was a great one for jazz, both in the U.S. and in Europe, where this music was flourishing in a collective atmosphere of ethnic diversity not unlike that which had fueled its birth and development in the social cauldrons of Chicago, New Orleans, St. Louis, Kansas City and New York. The Parisian jazz scene positively thrived during the 1930s, with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France quickly establishing itself as the definitive Continental swing unit. By April of 1937 this group had been making records together for more than two years. Their style had fully jelled into an exacting formula suitable for interpreting jazz standards and pop songs with impeccable ease. Within a few days 20 outstanding performances were waxed, and every single side is astonishing in its freshness and lyrical invention. In addition to defining the sound of the Quintet in its prime, this volume includes two unaccompanied guitar solos -- the stunningly virtuosic "Parfum" is one of Django's all-time greatest recorded achievements -- and a pair of guitar/alto saxophone duets featuring the great Andre Ekyan. arwulf arwulf     Tracklist + Credits :

DJANGO REINHARDT – 1939-1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 813 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In addition to providing a wonderful photograph of Django Reinhardt having his palm read by Edith Piaf, this segment of the guitarist's chronology documents the recordings he participated in during the months leading up to the outbreak of the Second World War. On May 17, 1939, the famous Quintet of the Hot Club of France scrubbed, jogged, and trotted their way around two Tin Pan Alley standards and the Reinhardt/Grappelli original "Hungaria." They also tiptoed delicately through "Japanese Sandman" and took their time relishing the verse section of "Tea for Two." One week later, alto saxophonist Andre Ekyan assembled a jam band involving three seasoned U.S. musicians: Louisiana's Frank "Big Boy" Goudie (usually a reed player, heard here on trumpet), Baltimore piano legend Joe Turner, and world-class drummer Tommy Benford of Charleston, WV. Ekyan, who played a whole lot of funky clarinet during this blowing session, struck gold when he blended the artistry of six men from such diverse backgrounds. Two of the five tunes recorded that day feature the French half of this band in a more intimate setting. On June 30, 1939, the Quintet made another landmark recording, Django's harmonically intriguing "Stockholm," fascinating in its eccentric gait and wistful changes. After recording a sunny version of Noël Coward's "Younger Generation" for the flip side, Django reduced the group to a trio for "I'll See You in My Dreams" and finished the session all by himself. "Echoes of Spain" recalls the magical mind of Enriqué Granados, the landscape of Andalusia, and almost certainly the tragic political realities of Spain during the late '30s. "Naguine," a softly rendered daydream, sounds as if it were improvised on the spot. Four sides waxed in London on August 25, 1939, include a pair of vocals by Beryl Davis. Hearing an American female vocalist singing with the Quintet is an unusual experience, and not at all unpleasant. The instrumental "The Man I Love" is a profound example of the group's collective creativity. This would be the final session involving the original Quintet, and the last Reinhardt/Grappelli collaboration to occur for more than five years. Although they were planning to tour Australia and India, Hitler's invasion of Poland on the first of September caused them to cancel this promising mission and Django hotfooted it back to Paris while Stéphane remained in London. Reinhardt's next adventure in a recording studio took place on February 22, 1940, as an honored member of trumpeter Philippe Brun's Jam Band, an exciting ensemble including trombonist Guy Paquinet, the great Alix Combelle playing both tenor sax and clarinet, American pianist Charlie Lewis, and H.P. Chadel on drums. Any questions regarding this group's attitude toward the Axis powers are resolved by their recording of a "Stomp" bristling with quotes from John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever." arwulf arwulf          Tracklist :

DJANGO REINHARDT – 1940 | The Classics Chronological Series – 831 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For fans mostly enamored with Reinhardt and Grappelli's vintage Quintet of the Hot Club of France (QHCF) sides from the '30s, this collection of 1940 recordings might not the best disc to get. Reinhardt completists, however, will certainly find plenty here to admire. The start of The War had broken up the original QHCF, as Grappelli opted to pursue a career on England's relatively safe shores and Reinhardt went solo in Paris. This Classics disc finds a Grappelli-less Reinhardt with a new incarnation of the Quintet, plus several cuts where the guitarist is featured in groups led by such other French musical luminaries as trumpeter Hubert Rostaing and tenor saxophonist Noel Chiboust. Reinhardt regulars like trumpeter Philippe Brun and reed player Alix Combelle also make fine solo contributions to this set of both hot swingers and dance band smoothies. Unessential, but enjoyable all the same. Stephen Cook         Tracklist :

DJANGO REINHARDT – 1941-1942 | The Classics Chronological Series – 877 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There's no danger of this volume sounding too much like any of the previous installments in the Classics Django Reinhardt chronology, as the guitarist conducted unprecedented experiments with different instrumentation and participated in an unusual number of big-band sessions. Five sides waxed in Paris on September 11, 1941, feature the Benny Carter-inspired alto saxophonist Andre Ekyan and clarinetist supreme Hubert Rostaing. These reconstituted Hot Club Quintets were expertly driven by premier percussionist Pierre Fouad. Later that month another monstrous get-together involving an enormous number of top-notch European jazz musicians yielded something called "Festival Swing 1942." Note that it was common practice to name these jam numbers for the year that was yet to come, implying that progressive musicians are always looking ahead. Other soloists in addition to Django were violinist Michel Warlop, vibraphonist Willy Kett, and Dany Kane, who played harmonica in a manner similar to Larry Adler. Django's next appearance in front of the recording microphones was as part of Hubert Rostaing's septet with Aimé Barelli playing trumpet and Noel Chiboust on tenor sax. "Première Idée d'Eddie," dated March 31, 1942, is the only known recording featuring Django Reinhardt playing the string bass! His bowed solo is worth the cost of the whole package. Four more titles from the same session cover the usual wide spectrum of tones, textures, and moods. Flutist Maurice Cizeron is featured on the beautiful reverie "Nymphéas" and "Féerie" is a frantic, driving big-band stomp. Hubert Rostaing is featured on the friendly bounce "Belleville" and a sort of guitar/clarinet sonata entitled "Lentement, Mademoiselle." In April and May of 1942, Django toured Belgium and made a fascinating series of great recordings in Brussels for the Rhythme label. First came four exquisite duets with pianist Ivon de Bie. Two of these, "Blues en Mineur" and "Vous et Moi," featured Django playing the violin. The seven remaining tracks find Django leading his own "Grand Orchestre" or sitting in with equally large bands led either by reedman Fud Candrix or Stan Brenders, who seems to have been trying for an Artie Shaw sound with a string quartet added to the congregation. Everything heard here is guaranteed to satisfy, even the sweet big-band sides, for there's no resisting any band with Django Reinhardt soloing right down in front. arwulf arwulf        Tracklist :

COLEMAN HAWKINS | BENNY CARTER – Coleman Hawkins & Benny Carter (1985) APE (image+.cue), lossless

This attractive LP (which contains quite a few photos in its gateway liners) is drawn from four separate recording sessions. Hawkins is heard as the main soloist with Michel Warlop's orchestra in 1935, and he teams up with Benny Carter, two of Europe's best saxophonists (Alix Combelle on tenor and altoist Andre Ekyan), and Django Reinhardt for the famous "Crazy Rhythm" all-star session of 1937. In addition, Benny Carter is heard in Europe in 1938 and with his Chocolate Dandies (featuring trumpeter Buck Clayton and Ben Webster on tenor) in 1946. Superb music, all of which has since been reissued. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Coleman Hawkins–    Blue Moon    3:12
2    Coleman Hawkins–    Avalon    3:02
3    Coleman Hawkins–    What A Difference A Day Made    3:15
4    Coleman Hawkins–    Stardust    3:11
5    Coleman Hawkins–    Honeysuckle Rose    2:42
6    Coleman Hawkins–    Crazy Rhythm    2:58
7    Coleman Hawkins–    Out Of Nowhere    3:14
8    Coleman Hawkins–    Sweet Georgia Brown    2:56
9    Benny Carter–    I'm Coming, Virginia    3:00
10    Benny Carter–    Farewell Blues    3:12
11    Benny Carter–    Blue Light Blues    3:03
12    Benny Carter–    Sweet Georgia Brown    2:35
13    Benny Carter–    Out Of My Way    3:00
14    Benny Carter–    What'll It Be    3:14
15    Benny Carter–    Cadillac Slim    3:02

COLEMAN HAWKINS – 1934-1937 | The Classics Chronological Series – 602 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Coleman Hawkins was already well on his way to becoming the first master of the tenor saxophone when these sides were recorded. With his ten-year incubation with the heralded Fletcher Henderson band in the past (not to mention fine stints with McKinney's Cotton Pickers and various session outfits), Hawkins moved to Europe in 1934 and proceeded to hone his tough yet romantic sound with a variety of overseas groups. This Classics disc covers the first half of his eventual five-year sojourn. In addition to the four sides with pianist Stanley Black that kick things off, the 22 cuts find Hawkins in the adequate, yet somewhat stiff, company of continental contingents from The Hague, Paris, and various other locales. Hawkins is impressive throughout, though, in spite of the less than swinging environs; thankfully, the ensemble playing heats up quite nicely on the cuts with Django Reinhardt. A few reservations having been aired, this disc's good overall sound and sufficient enough supply of quality solos and cuts make it a title Hawkins fans should seek out. Stephen Cook
Tracklist :
1     Lullaby 2:55
Stanley Black    
2     Oh, Lady Be Good 2:43
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
3     Lost in a Fog 3:03
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh    
4     Honeysuckle Rose 3:04
Andy Razaf / Fats Waller    
5     Some of These Days 2:31
Shelton Brooks    
6     After You've Gone 2:36
Henry Creamer / Turner Layton    
7     I Only Have Eyes for You 2:42
Al Dubin / Harry Warren    
8     I Wish I Were Twins 2:31
Eddie DeLange / Frank Loesser / Joseph Meyer    
9     Hands Across the Table 3:04
Jean Delettre / Mitchell Parish    
10     Blue Moon 3:12
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
11     Avalon 3:01
Buddy DeSylva / Al Jolson / Vincent Rose
12     What a Diff'rence a Day Made 3:15
Stanley Adams / María Mendez Grever
13     Stardust 3:11
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish    
14     Chicago 3:00
Fred Fisher    
15     Meditation 3:00
Jack Bulterman    
16     What Harlem Is to Me 2:44
Paul Denniker / Andy Razaf / Sam Wooding    
17     Netcha's Dream 2:34
Coleman Hawkins    
18     Love Cries 3:05
Coleman Hawkins
19     Sorrow 3:05
Shelton Brooks    
20     Tiger Rag 2:18
Harry Da Costa / Eddie Edwards / Nick LaRocca / Henry W. Ragas / Tony Sbarbaro / Larry Shields
21     It May Not Be True 3:07
Coleman Hawkins    
22     I'm in the Mood for Love 3:09
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh