The Golden Age Of American Popular Music is fast-becoming as successful series as Ace Records' Golden Age of American Rock 'N' Roll. This spin-off from the main series is a collection of Jazz Hits from the core years of 1958-66. Although some of the titles will be familiar to pop fans such as Dave Brubeck's 'Take Five' or 'The Girl From Ipanema' by Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto, as ever these are leavened by the much less familiar and sometimes quite rare. We've also insisted on the single versions of the tracks, which haven't been available elsewhere, such as 'Watermelon Man' by Herbie Hancock and 'The Sidewinder' by Lee Morgan.![jazz-hits-Golden-Age-1.jpg]()
Jazz, in all its forms, was never a genre to have a selection routinely make an appearance in the Billboard Pop Hot 100, unlike Country and R&B which boasted frequent cross-overs. But every now and then a pure jazz tune would not only enter the Hot 100, but in a few instances climb well up those charts. As a collector of hit singles I always wondered why no distributor had ever tried to gather a bunch together in one compilation.
Jazz, in all its forms, was never a genre to have a selection routinely make an appearance in the Billboard Pop Hot 100, unlike Country and R&B which boasted frequent cross-overs. But every now and then a pure jazz tune would not only enter the Hot 100, but in a few instances climb well up those charts. As a collector of hit singles I always wondered why no distributor had ever tried to gather a bunch together in one compilation.I need wonder no longer as Ace of London has come up with this entry in their Golden Age Of American Popular Music spin-off series from the excellent Golden Age Of American Rock 'N' Roll volumes. As usual, the sound is immaculate and the volume accompanied by the most comprehensive liner notes you will ever see, some 23 pages written by Rob Finnis. Sprinkled throughout are photos of the actual 45's from Verve, Blue Note, London Atlantic, MGM, Chess, Vocalion, Coral, Pacific Jazz, King, Tuba and Josie, as well as many vintage posters.
Artist pictures include Mongo Santamaria, Herbie Hancock, André Previn, Jimmy Smith. Moe Koffman, Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto, "Groove" Holmes, Les McCann, Jimmy McGriff, Cozy Cole and, on the last oage, a nice shot of Cal Tjader. The reverse of the CD provides a complete discography of the contents.
If there's a criticism (and it's a minor one) it was the inclusion of tunes that fell outside the sub-title "The Jazz Hits From The Hot 100 1958-1966." These, instead, only managed to creep into the adjunct Hot 100 "Bubble Under" charts: Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock (although Herbie wrote it and recorded it first, the hit versions belonged to The Mongo Santamaria Band in 1963 and Gloria Lynne in 1965); African Waltz by alto saxophonist Johnny Dankworth & His Orchestra (the hit version was by "Cannonball" Adderley in 1961); Shake A Lady by jazz pianist Ray Bryant; The Shampoo by keyboardist Les McCann; and The Greasy Spoon by organist Hank Marr.
Better options might have been Petite Fleur by The Chris Barber Jazz Band (# 5 in early 1959), Cloud Nine by The Mongo Santamaria Band (# 32 in 1969) and, had they extended the scope to include 1956, these jazz gems: April In Paris by Count Basie (# 28), Main Title - Golden Arm by Les Elgart & His Orchestra (# 56), and Experiments With Mice by Johnny Dankworth & His Orchestra (# 61). But, as I say, that's a minor quibble, for what is here not only includes some of the very best jazz tunes to make the Hot 100, but several lower-range hits previously impossible to find in a quality CD.
In this category I would include: Dawn by organist David Rockingham & His Trio (# 62 Dec 1963); A Taste Of Honey by pianist David Feldman & His Quintet (# 88 Sept 1962); The Loop by vibraphonist Johnny Lytle (# 80 Feb 1966); Misty by organist Richard "Groove" Holmes (# 44 July 1966); The Sidewinder Part 1 by trumpeter Lee Morgan (# 81 Dec 1964/Jan 1965); and Soul Sauce (Guacha Guaro) by Latin jazz vibraphonist Cal Tjader (# 88 summer 1965).
The rest really need no introduction to fans and collectors, but rest assured, if you are unfamiliar with the titles but remain curious as to why they might have been so popular, a listen will resolve that and the liner notes not only fill you in on pertinent details, but also provide numerous vintage photos as only Ace can do it. Another jewel in their vast collection of material. Here's hoping for a volume 2. - By AvidOldiesCollector
trax:
1. Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock 7. Walk On The Wild Side (Parts 1 & 2) - Jimmy Smith And The Big Band 2. Yeh! Yeh! - Mongo Santamaria 3. Comin' Home Baby - Mel Torme 8. Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet 5. Soul Sauce (Guachi Guaro) - Cal Tjader 9. The Sidewinder (Part 1) - Lee Morgan 6. Like Young - Andre Previn With David Rose 4. Desafinado - Stan Getz And Charlie Byrd 10. The Swingin' Shepherd Blues - The Moe Koffman Quartette, The 11. The 'In' Crowd - The Ramsey Lewis Trio 12. Cast Your Fate To The Wind - The Vince Guaraldi Trio 13. African Waltz - Johnny Dankworth 16. Shake A Lady - Ray Bryant 14. The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz With Astrud Gilberto 15. Misty - Richard 'Groove' Holmes 18. Wack Wack - The Young Holt Trio 17. Exodus - Eddie Harris 19. The Shampoo - Les McCann 21. The Loop - Johnny Lytle 20. The Greasy Spoon - Hank Marr 24. A Taste Of Honey - The Victor Feldman Quartet 23. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy - Cannonball Adderley 22. I've Got A Woman (Part 1) - Jimmy McGriff 26. El Watusi - Ray Barretto Y Su Charanga Moderna 25. Dawn - The David Rockingham Trio 27. Topsy II - Cozy Cole 28. Route 66 Theme - Nelson Riddle