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 :
