CD-Charts Position 51
Average Rating:

Oscillatin' Rhythm: Great Swing Hits in Hi-Fi

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date November 18, 1997
This album is one of the few historical "Swing Compilations" I have found that has excellent sound quality. The tunes seem largely to have been recorded in the late 1950's at Capitol Records. That is probably why the sound quality is so good.

Capitol is know for breaking ground in audio quality. This company was one of the first to record using the early multi-track recorders (three tracks--stereo background and separate vocal track). This company had an underground chamber designed for reverb.

The music on the recording is also of the highest quality and largely "up-tempo", danceable tunes. There is plenty of Basie and Ellington, Goodman, James and special recreations by the Glen Gray Casa ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 52
Average Rating:

The Duke: The Columbia Years 1927-1962

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Duke Ellington

Release Date September 14, 2004
I'm pleasantly surprised to see that this "centennial" selection from those parts of Duke's Gesamtwerk that were in the hands of Sony is still available. It covers the historical labels Okeh, Columbia, the later Brunswicks (the earlier ones belong to Decca (MCA), Master and maybe a few I'm forgetting. This corresponds, roughly, to the years 1927 -1939, 1947 - 1951, and 1956 - 1962. The three discs contain a remarkably fine and representative extract from those periods, in my view.
The sound is excellent throughout, a real improvement over previous Sony re-issues. There appears to have been real re-mastering (from 78's and studio masters both), and, though some might describe it as "brittle", the music itself comes through clearly and sharply, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 53
Average Rating:

1920's Flapper Party

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: California Ramblers

Release Date August 15, 2006
I just received my copy of "Flapper Party" by the California Ramblers -- and I loved it! Regarding the previous reviewer's negative review of this album, this 'Flapper Party' cd has fewer tracks. True. And, yes, the California Ramblers cd has additional songs. But despite that, "Flapper Party" is still a good album. This is the tenth, and last, 1920's music cd I've added to my Jazz Age music collection. All my selected cds make great background music when I'm reading whichever book from my personal library on the Roaring Twenties, mentally transporting me to that era.

Anyway, for those who are interested in this album, give it a shot!

CD-Charts Position 54
Average Rating:

All That Strauss

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: The Vienna Art Orchestra

Release Date June 13, 2000
El tratamiento a las obras de los clásicos sin duda alguna representa un desafío. En este caso, el tratamiento orquestal ha sido muy bien concebido para distinguirse del concepto sinfónico.
La cohesión de la Vienna Art Orchestra queda de manifiesto en este trabajo. Hasta el mismo Strauss se alegraría del tratamiento que ha recibido su música.
Jazzmaniaqro desde México.

CD-Charts Position 55
Average Rating:

The Stan Kenton Story

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Stan Kenton

Release Date May 28, 2001
Excellent for those who enjoy the music of Stan Kenton. This collection clearly illustrates that 'the Kenton Sound' evolved over the years, with the help of a fantastic group of musicians!
I remember talking with Stan Kenton at a college concert in the '50s. He said that he played 'music for the people', and he also enjoyed talking about his music as well. A unique and talented gentleman!!
Thanks to this collection, the mellow sounds of Kenton will remain alive in my memory.

CD-Charts Position 56
Average Rating:

The OKeh Ellington

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Duke Ellington

Release Date March 26, 1991
If like me your preference is for early Ellington, then this 2-CD set, covering Ellington's Okeh (Columbia) output between March 1927 and November 1930, should merit serious consideration. From the weird introduction of East St. Louis Toodle-oo to the restrained finale of Rocking In Rhythm it's apparent that this is a band with a difference, not just for the virtuosity of the individual players (particularly Bubber Miley, Cootie Williams, Tricky Sam Nanton, Barney Bigard, and Johnny Hodges) but for Sonny Greer's peculiar shuffling rhythm which seems to have been the Duke's trademark during this period.

When these 50 tracks (49 on the international release) were issued in the late twenties (many in England on laminated Columbia and Parlophone ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 57
Average Rating:

Biggest Little Band in the Land

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: John Kirby Sextet

Release Date April 20, 1999
If like me your preference is for early Ellington, then this 2-CD set, covering Ellington's Okeh (Columbia) output between March 1927 and November 1930, should merit serious consideration. From the weird introduction of East St. Louis Toodle-oo to the restrained finale of Rocking In Rhythm it's apparent that this is a band with a difference, not just for the virtuosity of the individual players (particularly Bubber Miley, Cootie Williams, Tricky Sam Nanton, Barney Bigard, and Johnny Hodges) but for Sonny Greer's peculiar shuffling rhythm which seems to have been the Duke's trademark during this period.

When these 50 tracks (49 on the international release) were issued in the late twenties (many in England on laminated Columbia and Parlophone ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 58
Average Rating:

The Best of the Duke Ellington Centennial Edition

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Duke Ellington, Duke Ellington

Release Date April 27, 1999
Duke Ellington's life and music is vital. A box set was issued years ago, and it was titled 'The Complete RCA Victor Recordings: The Centennial Editon.' It's very pricy, often ranging in the $500 range. So RCA was smart enough to issue this "best of the box" single disc CD, which is a sampler and is designed for people (I'm definitely included) who want to hear some of the box, but definitely don't want to empty their wallets to get it.

And this serves it's purpose very well. 'Take The A Train,' 'Raincheck' and 'Sophisticated Lady' are all here, and these are vital parts of Sir Duke's career.

And, RCA gets extra points for remastering this. The sound quality is superb!

Overall, the Ellington fan that doesn't need or want to ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 59
Average Rating:

Reflections

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Stan Getz

Release Date June 24, 2003
This was a demonstration that Stan Getz refused to be boxed into any one area of music and for that he deserves tons of credit. Whether it was lilting bossa-nova or unique classically-infused outings like the brilliant "Focus", Stan was indeed taking risks. On "Reflections", he goes for a more commercial pop angle and succeeds about half the time, not because of his playing so much as Claus Ogerman's arrangements which can range to very thoughtful and colorful to outright schlock that gets DANGEROUSLY close to Ray Conniff Singers territory.

The real gems include "Moonlight In Vermont" with its sweeping arrangement, "Love" with its fiery percolating Latin rhythms and Stan just letting loose, "Spring Can Hang You Up The Most" and "Nite Street" are real ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 60
Average Rating:

Giants of the Big Band Era

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Various Artists

Release Date November 10, 1998
This should be a must for owners who want to hear excellent music from some of the world's foremost musicians. All of these Band leaders gave music the continued feelings and needed sound that was called for then and is needed now. This box set should be used as a teaching aid for all music students and youngsters so that they can feel and get a taste of the good music from the swing era!