HENRY "RED" ALLEN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1935-1936 | The Chronogical Classics – 575 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third of five Classics CDs that cover Red Allen's recordings of the 1930s has the contents of six complete sessions from a ten-month period. Allen (who has vocals on all but one of the 24 selections) is assisted by such classic players as trombonist J.C. Higginbotham, Cecil Scott (on tenor and clarinet), altoist Tab Smith and several strong rhythm sections. Among the more memorable swing performances are "On Treasure Island," "Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle," "Lost," "Algiers Stomp" and "I'll Sing You a Thousand Love songs." The fairly obscure recordings (cut during an era when the big bands really ruled) have long been underrated. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1931 | The Classics Chronological Series – 555 (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Even with such strong players as trumpeters Bobby Stark and Rex Stewart, trombonist Benny Morton and tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, the fortunes of Fletcher Henderson's orchestra were slipping during 1931. With the departure of Don Redman several years earlier, the group's arrangements were less innovative, and the pressure was on to perform commercial songs for the Depression audience. Even the jazz standards (such as "Tiger Rag" and "After You've Gone") are less interesting than those of their competitors, although this new version of "Sugar Foot Stomp" is a classic and the strong solos by the all-star cast make this CD well worth acquiring. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits : 

FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1931-1932 | The Classics Chronological Series – 546 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

During this period Fletcher Henderson was often stuck recording commercial leftover like "My Sweet Tooth Says I Wanna (But My Wisdom Tooth Says No)," "I Wanna Count Sheep (Till the Cows Come Home)" and "Strangers," but in most cases his all-star orchestra was able to overcome the material. This CD, part of Classics' complete chronological reissue of Henderson's recordings, also finds the orchestra backing Baby Rose Marie on two songs in addition to attempting (with uneven success) to put its stamp on jazz standards made famous by other musicians (such as "12th Street Rag" and "Casa Loma Stomp"). The music is generally quite good if not essential Henderson. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

FLETCHER HENDERSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 519 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Classics chronological reissue of Fletcher Henderson's recordings continues with this disc which traces the decline of his last "permanent" orchestra. With the departure of Roy Eldridge, Henderson for the first time since the early '20s lacked any major trumpet soloists, although he still featured the fine tenor of Chu Berry and a variety of up-and-coming players. Unfortunately the band was far overshadowed by other orchestras influenced by Henderson and since the quality of his recordings was declining, the breakup of his group was hardly noticed. The irony is that the founder of the swing era could not survive when his music (as played by Benny Goodman) caught on. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :