5.0 out of 5 stars
AN EXEMPLARY REISSUE, October 31, 2010
This review is from: Black British Swing (Audio CD)
I cannot praise this compilation too highly (to call it a reissue would be only partially accurate, because eight tracks have been transferred from acetate recordings, and two are unissued test pressings). Ken "Snakehips" Johnson is known to collectors through the sixteen titles he recorded for Decca between late 1938 and spring 1940, nine of which are included here, including the two Shakespeare sonnets beloved by Al Bowlly fans. They're augmented by two acetate recordings of the full band, and four of the rhythm section, and confirm that it was an outstanding outfit, not least for the presence of Leslie "Jiver" Hutchinson on trumpet. He features also on the opening track, a 1931 recording by the studio group led by Spike Hughes.
Three of the four live recordings made by Cyril Blake & his Jig's Club Band for Regal Zonophone in December 1941 are included, and guitarist Lauderic Caton's Quartet features on a private acetate. The compilation then jumps to 1944, with a recording by Frank Deniz & his Spirits of Rhythm, and concludes with the two Decca test pressings, and a 1946 acetate, by Leslie "Jiver" Hutchinson & his Coloured Orchestra.
The CD is accompanied by a 40-page liner booklet, which contains a full discography, and an illustrated detailed history of the personalities involved, and their impact on the British jazz scene, together with a reproduction from the Melody Maker of March 15, 1941 which carried the sad news of the death of Ken "Snakehips" Johnson and Dave Williams in the bomb blast at the Café de Paris, and the injuries sustained by four of the other musicians.
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