MAXINE SULLIVAN – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 963 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The basic and pleasing vocals of Maxine Sullivan are quite enjoyable. This CD has her first 23 recordings, including three songs originally released under pianist Claude Thornhill's name; Thornhill (who helped discover the singer) is on all of the selections. The original version of "Loch Lomond" is among the highlights and became a huge hit, leading to Sullivan's lightly swinging renditions of other folk songs such as "Darling Nellie Gray" and "Dark Eyes." Joined by such fine musicians as trumpeters Manny Klein, Frank Newton, Charlie Shavers and Bobby Hackett (all of whom are heard from briefly), along with the future members of the John Kirby Sextet, Maxine Sullivan is heard throughout in her early prime (she was 26-27 years old during this period). Recommended. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits : 

MAXINE SULLIVAN – 1938-1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 991 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second Classics CD in their Maxine Sullivan series has all of the subtle singer's recordings from a 2½-year period. Since "Loch Lomond" had been such a big hit, Sullivan was persuaded to record quite a few Scottish folk songs in a similar light swing style. Included on this CD from that idiom are such numbers as "I Dream of Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair," "Drink to Me With Thine Eyes," "Turtle Dove," "If I Had a Ribbon Bow," "Molly Malone," and "Barbara Allen." Although those performances are enjoyable, the actual high points of this release are such tunes as "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Ill Wind," "The Hour of Parting" and "What a Difference a Day Made." Sullivan, who was in her early prime during this era, is accompanied by five different units, including the John Kirby Sextet, Benny Carter's big band (for two numbers), such players as Bobby Hackett and Bud Freeman, and an octet that includes two clarinets, a bass clarinet, bassoon and Mitch Miller on oboe. Recommended, if not as essential as Sullivan's previous 1937-38 Classics CD. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :

MAXINE SULLIVAN – 1941-1946 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1020 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although not as essential as the first Classics Maxine Sullivan CD, this set has its strong moments too. Sullivan was always a simple and subtle singer who swung lightly and mostly stuck to the melody while uplifting the themes with her intelligent expressiveness. The first eight selections on this disc find her joined by the John Kirby Sextet on such numbers as a remake of "Loch Lomond," "St. Louis Blues" and "My Ideal." The two numbers from March 19, 1942 ("Beside the River Clyde" and "How Do I Know It's Real") list the singer as again being joined by Kirby's Sextet but the backup group is clearly larger and using slightly different instrumentation. Sullivan is also heard backed by a rhythm section and strings on four selections, on two numbers apiece with the Teddy Wilson Quintet and Benny Carter's Orchestra (the young tenor Dexter Gordon has a solo on "Looking for a Boy"), and performing six tunes (including several remakes) with strings, the prominent harp of Laura Newell, a rhythm section, and clarinetist Hank D'Amico. The 1944-46 titles have also been reissued by Tono, although the 1941-42 selections with Kirby have long been scarce. In her early to mid-'30s at the time, Maxine Sullivan sounds both youthful and mature during her interpretations, very much in prime form. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :

TEDDY WILSON – 1942-1945 | The Classics Chronological Series – 908 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Teddy Wilson was the epitome of style in jazz. He stuck to his pristine brand of swing throughout a long career, never really seeming out of place in the process. After working with the likes of Billie Holiday, Roy Eldridge, and Benny Goodman, Wilson formed his own big band in 1939, only to have to fold it in 1940. Thankfully, Wilson returned to combo settings, which seemed to suit him best. This Classics disc features a mix of those small-group dates from the mid-'40s, along with some solo piano sides and a few vocal cuts featuring Helen Ward and Maxine Sullivan. Also on hand to contribute top-notch work are trumpeter Charlie Shavers, clarinetist Edmond Hall, tenor great Ben Webster, and trombonist Benny Morton. An optimal and highly enjoyable disc to start your Wilson collection. Stephen Cook
Tracklist + Credits :

BENNY CARTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1940-1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 631 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Most of the selections on the sixth and final Classics' CD to reissue all of Benny Carter's pre-war recordings as a leader feature the altoist's commercially unsuccessful big band. With such major soloists as the leader, trumpeter Jonah Jones and Sidney DeParis, trombonists Benny Morton and Jimmy Archey and pianist Sonny White, it is surprising that this orchestra did not make it. The October 23, 1940 recording session (which has three vocals by Roy Felton including one in which he is joined by the Mills Brothers) is quite rare while the opening set from eight days earlier is a small group date with Bill Coleman and Benny Morton that features a pair of W.C. Handy blues sung by Big Joe Turner. Excellent swing music overall. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me 4:05
Clarence Gaskill / Jimmy McHugh   
2     Joe Turner Blues 2:42
W.C. Handy   
3     Beale Street Blues 2:34
W.C. Handy   
4     By the Watermelon Vine, Lindy Lou 3:13
5     The Last Kiss You Gave Me 3:12
Harry Ruby   
6     Boogie Woogie Sugar Blues 3:04
7     I've Been in Love Before 3:08
Frederick Hollander / Frank Loesser   
8     All of Me 3:18
Gerald Marks / Seymour Simons   
9     The Very Thought of You 3:05
Ray Noble   
10     Cocktails for Two 3:03
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston   
11     Takin' My Time 3:21
Benny Carter   
12     Cuddle up, Huddle Up 2:44
Benny Carter   
13     Ev'ry Goodbye Ain't Gone 3:13
Benny Carter   
14     Babalu 3:04
Margarita Lecuona   
15     There! I've Said It Again 3:03
Redd Evans / Dave Mann   
16     Midnight 3:16
Johnny Gomez / Charlie Parker   
17     My Favorite Blues 3:06
Benny Carter   
18     Lullaby to a Dream 3:07
Benny Carter / Johnny Gomez   
19     What a Diff'rence a Day Made 3:02
Stanley Adams / María Mendez Grever   
20     Sunday 2:41
Chester Conn / Benny Krueger / Ned Miller / Jule Styne
21     Ill Wind 3:00
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler   
22     Back Bay Boogie 2:52
Benny Carter   
23     Tree of Hope 2:49
Benny Carter       
Credits :   
Alto Saxophone – Bill White (tracks: 12 to 15), Chauncey Haughton (tracks: 4 to 11), Eddie Barefield (tracks: 16 to 19), Ernie Purce (tracks: 16 to 23)
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – George James (tracks: 4 to 11, 20 to 23)
Alto Saxophone, Piano, Clarinet, Trumpet, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Bass – Charles Drayton (tracks: 16 to 23), Hayes Alvis (tracks: 4 to 11), John Kirby (tracks: 1), Ted Sturgis (tracks: 12 to 15), Wilson Myers (tracks: 2, 3)
Drums – Al Taylor (tracks: 16 to 19), J.C. Heard (tracks: 12 to 15), William "Keg" Purnell (tracks: 4 to 11), Berisford Shepherd (tracks: 20 to 23), Sidney Catlett (tracks: 1), Yank Porter (tracks: 2, 3)
Electric Guitar – William Lewis (tracks: 20 to 23)
Guitar – Bernard Addison (tracks: 1), Everett Barksdale (tracks: 4 to 11), Herb Thomas (tracks: 12 to 19), Ulysses Livingston (tracks: 2, 3)
Piano – Sonny White (tracks: 2 to 23)
Tenor Saxophone – Alfred Gibson (tracks: 20 to 23), Coleman Hawkins (tracks: 1), Ernie Powell (tracks: 16 to 23), Fred Williams (tracks: 16 to 19), Fred Mitchell (tracks: 12 to 15), George Irish (tracks: 4 to 15), George Auld (tracks: 2, 3), Stafford Simon (tracks: 4 to 11)
Trombone – Benny Morton (tracks: 2, 3, 8 to 11, 20 to 23), Jimmy Archey (tracks: 12 to 23), Joe Britton (tracks: 12 to 19), John McConnell (tracks: 20 to 23), Madison Vaughan (tracks: 4 to 11), Milton Robinson (tracks: 4 to 11), Vic Dickenson (tracks: 12 to 19)
Trumpet – Bill Coleman (tracks: 2, 3), Bobby Williams (tracks: 4 to 11), Doc Cheatham (tracks: 16 to 19), Emmett Berry (tracks: 20 to 23), Jonah Jones (tracks: 4 to 7, 12 to 15), Lincoln Mills (tracks: 16 to 19), Nathaniel Williams (2) (tracks: 20 to 23), Rostelle Reese (tracks: 20 to 23), Roy Eldridge (tracks: 1), Russell Smith (tracks: 4 to 15), Sidney De Paris (tracks: 8 to 19)
Vocals – Joe Turner (tracks: 2, 3), Maxine Sullivan (tracks: 19), Roy Felton (tracks: 15)

BENNY CARTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1943-1946 | The Classics Chronological Series – 923 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pursuing a similar path to one taken by Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter followed up a bountiful start during the early jazz and nascent big band years with an ex-pat stay in Europe. In addition to heading up the BBC Dance Orchestra, Carter recorded several big band and combo sides throughout the continent. Upon his return to the U.S. in 1938, he formed another big band in New York, eventually moved to the West Coast, and continued leading both large and small groups. This Classics disc takes up the story upon Carter's L.A. arrival in 1943 and covers the first three years of his still-ongoing residency in the south land. Standing out amongst some enjoyable vocals from Maxine Sullivan and a clutch of Carter originals, the collection's high point comes with the many tracks Carter cut with a bebop-heavy band featuring the likes of Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Don Byas, Max Roach, Gerald Wilson, and J.J. Johnson (his recording debut), among many others. And while Davis is not actually heard here (check out Classics' 1946-1948 title), these performances are still chock full of energy and wit, with notably fine contributions coming from Gordon and Johnson. All of Carter's Classics discs are highly recommended, but this mid-'40s sampler should especially please those bebop lovers wanting to explore the world of swing. Stephen Cook
Tracklist :
1     Poinciana 3:00
Buddy Bernier / Nat Simon    
2     Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight 3:01
Sam M. Lewis / Joe Young
3     Hurry, Hurry! 2:49
Richard Larkin    
4     Love for Sale 3:01
Cole Porter    
5     I Can't Escape from You 3:20
Leo Robin / Richard A. Whiting    
6     I'm Lost 3:08
Otis Rene    
7     I Can't Get Started 2:50
Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin    
8     I Surrender, Dear 3:02
Harry Barris / Gordon Clifford    
9     Daddy-O 2:53
Gene DePaul / Don Raye    
10     A Good Deal 3:14
Irving Berlin    
11     All Alone 2:57
Irving Berlin    
12     Daddy Daddy 2:42
Richard Berry / Joe Josea    
13     Malibu 3:03
Benny Carter    
14     Forever Blue 2:36
Benny Carter    
15     Prelude to a Kiss 3:15
Duke Ellington / Irving Gordon / Irving Mills    
16     Just You, Just Me 2:54
Jesse Greer / Raymond Klages    
17     Jump Call 2:56
Benny Carter    
18     Patience and Fortitude 2:39
Billy Moore / Blackie Warren    
19     Diga Diga Doo 2:51
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh    
20     Who's Sorry Now? 2:56
Bert Kalmar / Harry Ruby / Ted Snyder    
21     Some of These Days 2:45
Shelton Brooks    
22     I'm the Caring Kind 2:45
Benny Carter
23     Looking for a Boy 2:51
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
24     Rose Room 2:54
Art Hickman / Harry Williams