Search - Various Artists :: The Golden Age Of American Popular Music: The Jazz Hits From The Hot 100 1958-1966

Leave It To Ace

08/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

It's on ACE, UK, so it is as good as it gets.

Etoy Filpots | Norcross, Georgia United States | 09/10/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As usual Ace does a superior job of collecting the best versions, jazz this time, that made the cut to the pop charts,I would have given it five stars if it wasn't for the fact that I already have most of these songs on CD.Many times I buy a CD for one or two cuts, songs that I have been searching for for 20 years or more. The mind blower on this compilation is the never before on CD, A Taste of Honey by Victor Feldman. This was a minor hit in August of 1962 and in my opinion, the best version of the song which is saying a lot because the version by Martin Denny was incredible also.



Most the other songs are also great, the original recordings and the cleanest versions available. That is what ACE does, all of the time.

I own over 200 Ace CDs, not one loser among them.



Paul Goddard

Former bass player for ARS"

Superior jazz & swing

Albert E. Martin | Iselin, NJ | 09/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a jazz or swing fan, this album is superior. You will play it over and over again. The quality of these 4 CD's and the skill of the artists will give you many hours of listening pleasure."