LOUIS JORDAN AND HIS TYMPANY FIVE – 1945-1946 | The Chronogical Classics – 921 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Louis Jordan was at the top of his fame when the 23 recordings reissued on this Classics CD were cut. The influential altoist/singer/entertainer during this era led a version of his Tympany Five that also featured trumpeter Aaron Izenhall, Josh Jackson on tenor and pianist Wild Bill Davis (years before he switched to organ). Among the hits included on the set are "Beware," "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'," "Choo-Choo Ch'Boogie," "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens," "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Jack You're Dead," but even the lesser-known tracks are entertaining. In addition, a couple of unlikely duets with Ella Fitzgerald ("Stone Cold Dead In the Market" and "Petootie Pie") are quite fun. Recommended to listeners not satisfied with owning only Louis Jordan's hits. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

FATS WALLER – 1934-1935 | The Classics Chronological Series – 732 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Looking for the perfect Fats Waller album? This just might be it. With the exception of eight titles recorded in May and August of 1934, these are the earliest recordings to be issued under the banner of Fats Waller & His Rhythm. By now, Waller had begun to settle into his role as pianist, vocalist, and bandleader, using his own vigorous presentational formula that was still fresh and stimulating. The band he used on the 28th of September was slightly expanded by the inclusion of trombonist Floyd O'Brien and clarinetist Mezz Mezzrow. On November 7th, Eugene Sedric was back playing tenor and Bill Coleman had replaced Herman Autrey as trumpeter. It is fascinating to ponder which numbers Waller sang relatively straight -- "Let's Pretend There's a Moon" comes out as a delightful love song -- and which were instead subjected to his mischievous manhandling, like "If It Isn't Love," a tune he initially refused to record. The material recorded on January 5, 1935, includes instrumental flip sides to complement the vocal versions of "Baby Brown" and "I'm a Hundred Per Cent for You." The lovely "Night Wind" was Waller's recording debut on the Hammond organ, an instrument he pioneered after making a number of jazz pipe organ recordings between the years 1926 and 1929. He was in fact the very first jazz organist. This part of the Fats Waller chronology just happens to contain some of the greatest records he ever made. Every single song is perfectly presented by his excellent little ensemble. When combined with four of his very best piano solos from November of 1934, the results constitute an even better choice for both Fats Waller initiates and longtime fans than any number of "greatest-hits" collections. This rewarding package of essential Waller performances is strongly recommended. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

FATS WALLER – 1935 | The Classics Chronological Series – 746 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of several Classics discs chronicling Waller's vast amount of Bluebird combo sides from the '30s and '40s, this roundup of some of the pianist's 1935 offerings includes many fine cuts but doesn't quite rank with the maestro's best work. Featuring Waller's longstanding Fats Waller & His Rhythm band, the 22 numbers may not include any original material, but there is still more than enough in the way of indelible performances. This is especially true for a wonderful "Lulu's Back in Town," the Coots and Gillespie rarity "Whose Honey Are You?," and "Rosetta." An enjoyable if non-essential Waller collection. Stephen Cook
Tracklist + Credits :

LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1932-1933 | The Classics Chronological Series – 529 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The European Classics label may or may not be a "legitimate" record label but it currently has the best reissue series for those listeners wanting the complete output of vintage jazz artists. These 24 selections, as with the less complete Laughin' Louie set, find Armstrong mostly overcoming an inferior big band to play some pacesetting trumpet. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You Rascal You/When It's Sleepy Time Down South/Nobody's Sweetheart 4:19
Ernie Erdman / Gus Kahn / Clarence Muse / Elmer Schoebel / Sam Theard
2     I've Got the World on a String 3:14
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
3     I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues 3:00
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
4     Hustlin' and Bustlin' for Baby 3:07
Harry Woods
5     Sittin' in the Dark 3:00
Harold Adamson / Jesse Greer
6     High Society 3:23
Armand Piron / Clarence Williams
7     He's a Son of the South 2:37
Joe Davis / Reginald Foresythe / Andy Razaf
8     Some Sweet Day 2:59
Tony Jackson / Abe Olman / Ed Rose
9     Basin Street Blues 3:24
Spencer Williams
10     Honey, Do! 2:25
James P. Johnson / Andy Razaf
11     Snowball 3:11
Hoagy Carmichael
12     Mahogany Hall Stomp 2:34
Spencer Williams
13     Swing, You Cats 2:36
Zilner Randolph
14     Honey, Don't You Love Me Anymore? 3:00
Fred Meadows / Tony Shand
15     Mississippi Basin 3:05
Reginald Foresythe / Andy Razaf
16     Laughin' Louie 3:25
Clarence Gaskill
17     Tomorrow Night 3:16
Louis Armstrong / Ralph Mathews / Clarence Williams
18     Dusky Stevedore 2:54
J.C. Johnson / Andy Razaf
19     There's a Cabin in the Pines 3:16
Billy Hill
20     Mighty River 2:42
Billy Baskette
21     Sweet Sue, Just You 2:43
Will J. Harris / Victor Young
22     I Wonder Who 3:07
Louis Armstrong
23     St. Louis Blues 2:39
W.C. Handy
24     Don't Play Me Cheap 2:54
Harry Dial / Zilner Randolph