Previous issues of this coffe-table style label have managed to get the quintessence of Jelly Roll Morton onto one CD, but here we have two (though not particularly well-filled ones). We seem to be moving towards my own position, which is that everything he recorde was quintessential. Ironically, however, the two tracks which, in extremis, could be left out of his essential oevre have been included here, as in other such selections. I refer, of course, to the two 1927 animal impersonations which, if nothing else, prove that Jelly had a sense of humour. How anyone could put those and leave out such a masterpiece as Deep Creek confounds my sense of logic ; but then I do not believe in this sort of thing anyway. Another thing that irritates me is the sort of CD which has no discernable proprietory label or identity. Frémeaux & Associés sounds more like a drug company, but I cannot find anything better on the packaging to put at the head of this review. It seems to relate to RCA Black & White by way of the now, apparently, sadly defunct Hot & Sweet organisation – now there was a label I could relate to. Sound quality is of the highest class, so if you want a slice of the quintessence of Jelly Roll Morton with the earliest track at the end and with a not very informative booklet, this may be for you.
Christopher HILLMAN – JAZZ JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
Christopher HILLMAN – JAZZ JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
