BESSIE SMITH – 1925-1927 | The Classics Chronological Series – 843 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Empress of the Blues is heard here in all her prime from 1925-1927. While also touring the country in the Harlem Frolics tent show during this time, Smith laid down hundreds of tracks in New York studios. These 24 performances feature such jazz luminaries of the day as pianist Fletcher Henderson, trumpeter Joe Smith, trombonist Charlie Green, and clarinetist Buster Bailey (the latter three men all played in Henderson's groundbreaking band of the day). Also on hand are Gotham legend and pianist James P. Johnson and songwriter extraordinaire Clarence Williams (along with such '20s classics as "Royal Garden Blues," "'Taint Nobobdy's Business if I Do," and "Everybody Loves My Baby," Williams penned a handful of the tracks covered here, including his collaboration with Fats Waller, "Just Squeeze Me"). Smith is powerful and in total command throughout, churning out her jazz-tinged blues on such standouts as "Backwater Blues," "The Gin House Blues," and "Hard Driving Papa." A must for all Smith devotees. Stephen Cook  
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EDGAR HAYES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 730 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Whatever happened to Orlando Roberson? He recorded with Fats Waller & His Buddies in December of 1929 and with Claude Hopkins in 1933 and 1934, then resurfaced in March 1937 crooning away in practically the same voice in front of a band led by Edgar Hayes -- but billed this one time as Orlando Roberson & His Orchestra. Many jazz fans would cringe at these two sentimental pop songs, but aside from serving as a fascinating circumstantial footnote to the Fats Waller story they form the first steps in the chronological recordings of Waller's exact contemporary, Edgar Hayes (1904-1979). The real springboard for this story is "Manhattan Jam," recorded at the same session as Roberson's sleepy confections. This lively stomp has a melody similar to Cab Calloway's notorious 1932 hit, "Reefer Man." Trombonist Robert Horton sounds a bit like Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton -- next to him stands the great Clyde Bernhardt -- and that's young Kenny "Klook" Clarke knocking the stuffing out of his drums. This in fact was where Clarke's recording career began. The arrangements are wonderful, particularly Hayes' version of Ellington and Tizol's "Caravan." Each instrumental is a delight to behold. "Edgar Steps Out" has an irresistible rhythm that may very well result in toe-tapping or improvised dancing. During "Laughing at Life," the band sings back at Ralph Sawyer in a stylized routine known to have been developed by Steve Washington and stolen by Tommy Dorsey. "Stompin' at the Renny" was composed by tenor saxophonist Joe Garland, who during his solo uses a riff that would later surface as the theme of Lionel Hampton's smash hit "Flyin' Home." A second version of "Laughing at Life" has a considerably cooler vocal by trumpeter Bernie Flood. "Satan Takes a Holiday" contains a couple of lively vibraphone solos by Kenny Clarke. He sticks with the vibes on the following session, a quintet date with vocals by Bill Darnell. Present in this little band was clarinetist Rudy Powell, famous for his earlier recordings with Thomas "Fats" Waller. Fortunately, Darnell sings tolerably well, allowing the listener to stick with this band long enough to marvel at Clarke's vibraphone work and the sympathetic intonations of Powell's clarinet. Hayes himself was a capable pianist, with a surefooted swing style comparable to that of Count Basie. "Queen Isabella" is a solid instrumental, a valuable commodity nestled among no less than nine vocals by the ubiquitous Darnell. Somebody, presumably the dexterous Robert Horton, manages to emit "ya-ya" syllables from his trombone during "Old King Cole," making the Joe Nanton comparison even more accurate. Clarke trundles out the vibraphone from time to time, and Darnell won't stop singing. On January 14, 1938, the Edgar Hayes band made history by recording without any vocals by Bill Darnell. The band swings marvelously on the instrumental Joe Garland composition appropriately entitled "Meet the Band." What makes these 1938 sides work so well is the arranging -- and baritone sax work -- of Garland. "Fugitive from a Harem" and "Swingin' in the Promised Land" are big-band swing records suitable for jitterbugging and cutting the rug. arwulf arwulf  
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MILLS BLUE RHYTHM BAND – 1931 | The Classics Chronological Series – 660 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of five CDs that reissue all of the recordings (other than a few alternate takes) by the Mills Blue Rhythm Band features spirited ensembles, some swinging moments, a few dated vocalists (including Chick Bullock, Dick Robertson and Charlie Lawman), and a no-name orchestra. Trombonist Harry White and pianist Edgar Hayes were the co-leaders, although the orchestra was actually organized by impresario Irving Mills. Since the group's best recordings tended to be in its later years, this CD is not essential, but fans of pre-swing big bands will want all five CDs. Scott Yanow  
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MILLS BLUE RHYTHM BAND – 1931-1932 | The Classics Chronological Series – 676 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although somewhat forgotten, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band was one of the better jazz orchestras of the early 1930s. Classics has reissued all of the big band's recordings over five CDs. In its early days, the band did not have an excess of famous soloists (altoist Charlie Holmes, from the Luis Russell, band was the first "name" to join), but the band improved with time and always featured excellent ensembles (with fine arrangements from trombonist Harry White), along with worthwhile solo statements. The second Classics Blue Rhythm CD is highlighted by "The Scat Song," "Doin' the Shake," "The Growl," "Rhythm Spasm" and "White Lightning." Scott Yanow  
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