LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1942-1944 | The Chronogical Classics – 803 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Lionel Hampton Big Band made it big during the period covered by this CD. "Flying Home," which Hampton had recorded at least twice earlier with combos, became a sensation thanks to Illinois Jacquet's honking tenor (which largely launched R&B) and the excitement generated by Hampton and his band (including the screaming trumpet section). This disc covers most of the war years, has a few V-discs (including the hit version of "Flying Home" and a two-part remake), and such numbers as "Loose Wig," "Hamp's Boogie-Woogie," "Overtime," and "Tempo's Boogie." Jacquet was actually with Hampton for a relatively brief period of time, but Arnett Cobb proved to be a perfect replacement. Also quite notable in the band is pianist Milt Buckner (whose block chords became influential) and such high-note trumpeters as Ernie Royal, Cat Anderson, and Snooky Young. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

HELEN HUMES – 1948-1950 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1333 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The last two years of the '40s saw Helen Humes growing considerably as a performer. While still showing her mastery of classic blues ("Married Man Blues") and high-octane swing (a frenetic live version of her previous hit, "Be-Baba-Leba"), she continued refining the type of blue-and-sentimental ballads she'd made famous during her Count Basie years (also the type of song that would carry her through the '50s). "Time Out for Tears" and "Don't Fall in Love With Me" find Humes reaching out to the trad-pop audience, and her version of "Somebody Loves Me" shows her finding the blues even in a Gershwin standard. As if her range wasn't stunning already, 1948-1950 also includes a splendid one-shot, a title called "I Ain't in the Mood" that sounds like it came straight from the Sun studio. John Bush
Tracklist + Credits :

CHARLES BROWN – 1949-1951 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1272 (2000) FLAC (tracks), lossless

With an elegant piano style and a smooth voice that made him sound a little bit like a gruffer Nat King Cole, Charles Brown's jazz-tinged blues is the perfect music for a late-night wind-down. Unfortunately, as this disc of late sides cut for Aladdin Records shows, much of his material worked from the same template, an unhurried tempo that, although effective in small doses, just sort of blends together over the long haul, so much so that when the midtempo "Gee!" hits here at the middle of the set, it almost feels like speed metal. Still, this is a worthwhile compilation, because what Brown did well, he did very well, and underneath everything was that wonderful, jazzy piano style, which was central to the sound of West Coast blues. Steve Leggett
Tracklist + Credits :

LUCKY THOMPSON – 1944-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1113 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tenor saxophonist Eli "Lucky" Thompson came up in Detroit but made all of his earliest recordings in the Los Angeles area during the 1940s. This fascinating album of rare jazz opens with a mind-blowing Timme Rosenkrantz-sponsored jam session recorded on December 26, 1944. Thompson leads an ensemble combining violinist Stuff Smith, trombonist Bobby Pratt, pianist Erroll Garner, and drummer George Wettling. "Test Pilots" appears to be a collective improvisation during which, like many Stuff Smith dates, the mood is wonderfully relaxed and informal. Recording for the Excelsior label in September of 1945, Lucky Thompson's All-Stars consisted of trumpeter Karl George, trombonist J.J. Johnson, bop clarinetist Rudy Rutherford and a tough rhythm section in Bill Doggett, Freddie Green, Rodney Richardson, and Shadow Wilson. In August, 1946, Thompson appeared in a live performance with fellow tenor Jack McVea and trumpeter Howard McGhee, along with pianist Jimmy Bunn, guitarist Irving Ashby, bassist Red Callender and drummer Jackie Mills. The proceedings were recorded and issued on the Black and White label under the heading of "Ralph Bass' Junior Jazz Series." The five-minute "Oodle Coo Bop" is really "Ornithology." It is followed by a gutsy jam titled "Bopin' Bop," and a 12-minute blowout simply called "Big Noise." This begins with a detailed introduction by producer Ralph Bass, who speaks like a 1940s high school principal or camp counselor. "Body and Soul," a feature for Hilton Jefferson-styled alto saxophonist Les Robinson, was included for the sake of completeness even though Thompson is not heard on this track. His next date as a leader occurred on September 13, 1946 and is noteworthy for the presence of piano genius Dodo Marmarosa. Red Callender and Jackie Mills acted as the perfect "other half" of this smart little quartet. Dodo and Red were present at the "Lucky Moments" session on April 22, 1947, where Thompson delivered a masterpiece in tenor sax ballad artistry, "Just One More Chance." This inventive octet included Benny Carter, Neal Hefti, baritone saxophonist Bob Lawson, guitarist Barney Kessel, and Lester Young's brother Lee on the drums. It forms one rousing conclusion for this excellent collection of Lucky Thompson's earliest recordings. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

WYNONIE HARRIS – 1944-1945 | The Classics Chronological Series – 885 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Blues shouter Wynonie Harris made his biggest impact while on the King label between 1948-1952. Alongside contemporary jump blues singer Roy Brown, Harris helped lay the foundations of rock & roll at the Cincinnati-based company, scoring such smashes as "Good Rockin' Tonight" (a Brown composition), "Bloodshot Eyes," and "All She Wants to Do Is Rock." Although Harris' beginnings were less auspicious, his talent was certainly in full view from the start; this first of three Classics discs makes the case with 22 of the finest slices of early R&B from the mid-'40s. In addition to such early hits as "Playful Baby" and "Wynonie's Blues," the mix contains lower-profile gems like the bop-infused "Everybody's Boogie" and the sonorous "Papa Tree Top." Harris' first recordings with bandleader Lucky Millinder, "Hurry, Hurry" and "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well," are also included. And besides Millinder, the collection features the likes of Illinois Jacquet, a young Charles Mingus, and a combo comprised of drummer Johnny Otis, trumpeter Howard McGhee, and tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards. A perfect disc for fans wanting to dig deeper into the Harris catalog. Stephen Cook
All Tracks & Credits :

SLIM GAILLARD – 1945, Vol. 2 | The Classics Chronological Series – 911 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The nucleus of Slim Gaillard's professional activity during December of 1945 was a trio consisting of himself, singing bassist Tiny "Bam" Brown, and shuffle drummer Zutty Singleton. The addition of pianist Dodo Marmarosa created a modern-sounding quartet that hinted at stylistic changes very much in the air at that time. Sixteen sides originally issued on the Atomic and Cadet labels document this group's evolution over the course of three weeks. By 1945 Gaillard had become extremely popular in the Los Angeles area, and his music was beginning to sound quite different from that of his pre-war period. His collaborations with Slam Stewart between the years 1938 and 1942 were peppered with Stewart's inspired singing over the bowed bass. Bam Brown had a much different approach, which was to echo Gaillard's every utterance in a silly little voice almost like that of a cartoon character. This was essentially a bop-era vaudeville routine and it caught on quickly with West Coast audiences eager for "hip" entertainment but largely distrustful of the less accessible face of modern music as represented by serious, innovative young musicians from New York. Gaillard's topical humor made fun of everything in sight. During "Jumpin' at the Record Shop" he drops the names of famous DJs and popular entertainers, from Carmen Miranda and Xavier Cugat to Spade Cooley, Bob Wills, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope in addition to a solid roster of jazz luminaries including of course his own bad self. On the "Novachord Boogie" Gaillard rocks away on what seems to have been a rudimentary electric piano, sounding almost like a premonition of Sun Ra's Farfisa organ. But Gaillard's main axe was the electrically amplified guitar, the main force behind "The Hop," which has a ferocious, explosive drum solo by Zutty Singleton. This chronology builds up marvelously to the famous "Slim's Jam" session recorded for the Bel-Tone label on December 29, 1945, with an added front line of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Jack McVea, who Gaillard insists on introducing as "McVouty." These superb performances are greatly enhanced and contextualized by this compilation's unprecedented inclusion of all the records made by Gaillard's groups during December of 1945. "Dizzy Boogie" features Gaillard at the piano and a cool bass solo with vocal accompaniment by Bam Brown, who sounds more dignified than ever. "Flat Foot Floogie" and "Popity Pop" are outstanding novelty jump tunes suffused with the leader's infectious sense of humor. As a prime example of the intersection of innovative modern jazz and immaculately hip shenanigans, "Slim's Jam," with Gaillard introducing each participant in a smooth, laid-back voice, belongs among the very greatest three-minute episodes in the entire history of recorded jazz. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist :
1    Slim Gaillard Trio–    Scotchin' With Soda    2:44
2    Slim Gaillard Trio–    Cuban Rhumbarini    2:47
3    Slim Gaillard Trio–    As Long As I Have Your Love    3:20
4    Slim Gaillard Trio–    Cement Mixer    3:16
5    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Atomic Cocktail    2:39
6    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Yep-Roc-Heresay    3:03
7    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Penicillin Boogie    2:29
8    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Jumpin' At The Record Shop    3:08
9    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Drei Six Cents    2:40
10    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Minuet In Vout    2:56
11    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Tee Say Malee    2:49
12    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Novachord Boogie    2:58
13    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Baby, Won't You Please Come Home    3:17
14    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Groovy Juice Jive    3:03
15    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    The Hop    2:46
16    Slim Gaillard Quartette–    Three Handed Boogie    2:58
17    Slim Gaillard And His Orchestra–    Dizzy Boogie    3:09
18    Slim Gaillard And His Orchestra–    Flat Foot Floogie    2:31
19    Slim Gaillard And His Orchestra–    Popity Pop    2:57
20    Slim Gaillard And His Orchestra–    Slim's Jam    3:14
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Charlie Parker (tracks: 17 to 20)
Bass – Tiny "Bam" Brown
Drums – Zutty Singleton
Guitar – Slim Gaillard (tracks: 2, 5 to 8, 13 to 16, 18 to 20)
Piano – Dodo Marmarosa (tracks: 5 to 8, 13 to 20), Slim Gaillard (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 17)
Synthesizer [Novachord] – Slim Gaillard (tracks: 9 to 12)
Tenor Saxophone – Jack McVea (tracks: 17 to 20)
Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie (tracks: 17 to 20)
Vibraphone – Slim Gaillard (tracks: 17 to 20)
Vocals – Slim Gaillard, Tiny "Bam" Brown (tracks: 1 to 16)

JOE TURNER – 1946-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1034 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This fine collection captures Turner in his early prime, out on the West Coast and cutting some of the tightest jump blues of the '40s. Part of Classics' chronological series, the disc features such fine support players as pianists Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons, guitarist Teddy Bunn, and alto saxophonist Tab Smith. Among the 23 tracks are fine remakes of earlier Turner gems like "Roll 'em Pete," "Nobody in Mind," and "Ice Man Blues." Other highlights include Turner's initial R&B chart topper "My Gal's a Jockey" and the salaciously swingin' "Around the Clock Blues." A solid bet for fans of vintage jump blues. Stephen Cook
Tracklist :
1     My Gal's a Jockey
Joe Turner
2     I'm Still in the Dark 3:20
Joe Turner
3     I Got Love for Sale 2:32
Joe Turner
4     Sunday Morning Blues 2:52
Big Joe Turner
5     Mad Blues 2:25
Joe Turner
6     It's a Low Down Dirty Shame 2:38
Joe Turner
7     I'm Still in the Dark 3:04
Joe Turner
8     Miss Brown Blues 2:52
Joe Turner
9     Sally Zu-Zazz 2:53
Big Joe Turner
10     Rock O' Gibralter 2:36
Joe Turner
11     Milk and Butter Blues 3:06
Joe Turner
12     That's What Really Hurts 2:48
Joe Turner
13     I'm in Sharp When I Hit the Coast 2:54
Joe Turner
14     New Ooh Wee Baby Blues 3:03
Joe Turner
15     Around the Clock Blues, Pt. 1 1:46
Wynonie Harris
16     Around the Clock Blues, Pt. 2 1:39
Wynonie Harris
17     Morning Glory 2:29
Traditional
18     Nobody in Mind 3:09
Big Joe Turner
19     Low Down Dog 2:31
Leroy Carr / Big Joe Turner
20     Back Breaking Blues 3:04
Joe Turner
21     Empty Pocket Blues 2:40
Joe Turner
22     Roll 'Em Pete 2:51
Pete Johnson / Big Joe Turner
23     Ice Man Blues 2:31
Louis Jordan