This two-CD set is an unusually successful sampler. Although there are a few hits among the 40 selections, many obscurities are also included, and not all of the big bands represented are major names, such as
Tiny Bradshaw,
Noble Sissle,
Spud Murphy,
Teddy Powell and
Jan Savitt. The emphasis is very much on jazz, and this worthy reissue is overflowing with forgotten classics. The music is programmed in chronological order, so one can experience the evolution of big bands from
Duke Ellington,
Fletcher Henderson and
Luis Russell to postwar recordings from
Artie Shaw,
Tommy Dorsey and
Benny Goodman.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi