HOT LIPS PAGE — After Hours In Harlem (1973-1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

From a historic standpoint, this is a significant CD reissue (a straight reproduction of a long-out-of-print Onyx Lp from 1973), but the shaky recording quality makes it of primary interest to serious jazz record collectors. The great swing trumpeter and vocalist Hot Lips Page is heard in several live jam sessions during 1940-41 that were saved for history by Jerry Newman, a college student who owned portable disc recording equipment. The first four selections, recorded in Newman's apartment during a party, matches trumpeter Page in a trio with tenor saxophonist Herbie Fields and pianist Donald Lambert. While Lambert, who rarely recorded, was a great stride player, Fields was just a so-so and overly heated tenorman, and he sometimes gets in the way. The other five numbers feature Page jamming in a club (possibly Monroe's Uptown House) with musicians who vary greatly in quality. The young Thelonious Monk is heard at the beginning of his career, but he is only on two numbers, sounding surprisingly influenced by Earl Hines during his short spots. Guitarist Tiny Grimes on "I've Found a New Baby" shows off the strong influence of Charlie Christian, while trumpeter Joe Guy does his best but is overshadowed by Page; other saxophonists pass through without making much of an impression. Actually, the most remarkable moments during this CD are Page's brilliant scat singing on "Konk," sounding like an extension of Leo Watson. Interesting and historic music, but not essential. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.        I Got Rhythm    4:57
 George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin 
2.        I'm In The Mood For Love    3:20
 Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh 
3.        Dinah    7:58
 Harry Akst / Sam M. Lewis / Joe Young 
4.        Tea For Two    6:45
 Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans 
5.        I've Found A New Baby    3:26
 Jack Palmer / Spencer Williams 
6.        Sweet Georgia Brown    5:23
Ben Bernie / Kenneth Casey / Maceo Pinkard
7.        Old Yazoo    5:59
 Fats Waller 
8.        Topsy    6:58
 Edgar Battle / Eddie Durham 
9.        Konk    8:52
 Hot Lips Page 
Credits :  
Alto Saxophone – Rudy Williams (tracks: 7)
Guitar – Tiny Grimes (tracks: 5)
Piano – Donald Lambert (tracks: 1 to 4), Thelonious Monk (tracks: 6, 8)
Tenor Saxophone – Herbie Fields (tracks: 1 to 4)
Trumpet – Hot Lips Page, Joe Guy (tracks: 5 to 8)  

LUCKY MILLINDER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1943-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1026 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Lucky Millinder Orchestra's best-known recordings are from 1941-42, making this Classics CD of great interest due to the many rarities and a lot of variety. First there are four V-discs from 1943 that showcase with Millinder (for the last time) the singing and guitar playing of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who does remakes of four of her hits (including "That's All" and "Rock Daniel"). "Savoy," from the same period, is highlighted by one of trumpeter Joe Guy's best-recorded solos, and "Shipyard Social Junction" was one of the band's final top-notch instrumentals. Of the four numbers from 1944, two songs have the recording debut of singer Wynonie Harris, and on "Hurry, Hurry," the legendary trumpeter Freddy Webster can be heard briefly. There are also two okay numbers from 1945, six from 1946 (including singer Annisteen Allen on "There's Good Blues Tonight" and some good spots for the tenor of Sam "The Man" Taylor) and four vocal cuts from the following year. Many of the very interesting sidemen actually have no real solo space (including tenors Lucky Thompson and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis), but most of the vocals are easy to take and the Millinder Orchestra was adjusting well to the rise of R&B. An interesting and often historic set. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :

BILLIE HOLIDAY – 1945-1948 (1999) The Classics Chronological Series – 1040 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Trading in the loose combo swing of her Columbia recordings for some sophisticated charts by Sy Oliver and Gordon Jenkins, Billie Holiday cut some of her best sides while at Decca during the latter half of the '40s. And even though Decca's own two-disc Complete Recordings set is highly recommended, this single volume still offers a fine overview for those not quite ready to fully commit. The absence of "God Bless the Child" notwithstanding, the mix covers most of Lady Day's Decca highlights, including "Deep Song," "Big Stuff," "Porgy," and her own "Don't Explain." There's also some quality duet work with Louis Armstrong and fine contributions from clarinetist Edmond Hall, trumpeter Billy Butterfield, and guitarist Mundell Lowe. A fine and generous sampling of Holiday at her peak. Stephen Cook
Tracklist :
1 Don't Explain 3:20
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
2 Big Stuff 2:55
Leonard Bernstein
3 You Better Go Now 2:32
Robert Graham / Bickley S. Reichmer
4 What Is This Thing Called Love? 3:03
Cole Porter
5 Good Morning Heartache 3:04
Ervin Drake / Dan Fisher / Irene Higginbotham
6 No Good Man 6:06
Dan Fisher / Sammy Gallop / Irene Higginbotham
7 Big Stuff 2:28
Leonard Bernstein
8 Baby, I Don't Cry Over You 3:07
Morton Krouse
9 I'll Look Around 3:11
George Cory / Douglass Cross
10 The Blues Are Brewin' 2:58
Louis Alter / Eddie DeLange
11 Guilty 3:09
Harry Akst / Gus Kahn / Richard A. Whiting
12 Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans? 6:29
Louis Alter / Eddie DeLange
13 Don't Explain 2:37
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
14 Deep Song 3:08
George Cory / Douglass Cross
15 here Is No Greater Love 2:55
Isham Jones / Marty Symes
16 Easy Living 3:09
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
17 Solitude 3:07
Eddie DeLange / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
18 Weep No More 3:18
Tom Adair / Gordon Jenkins
19 Girls Were Made to Take Care of Boys 3:10
Ralph Blane
20 Porgy 2:53
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
21 My Man 2:54
Jacques Charles / Channing Pollack / Albert Willemetz / Maurice Yvain