Three great jazz orchestras dominated the black big band scene of the 30s: those of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Jimmie Lunceford (1902-1947). Described as “one of the seven wonders of the Swing Era”, the latter was superior to either in terms of sheer virtuosity. Lunceford’s outfit achieved a standard of orchestral precision unrivalled at the time and probably never bettered in jazz history. Rhythm is Our Business presents 53 superb examples, from his first successful record, coupling Jazznocracy and White Heat in 1934, through all the glory years to his final top 10 hit, The Honeydripper, in 1945, not long before his early death. All the outstanding jazz masterpieces are included, many featuring the supreme alto sax artistry of Willie Smith (Uptown Blues...) or, later, the stirring trombone of Trummy Young (Margie...). A feature of Lunceford’s triumph was the bold and imaginative arranging genius of Sy Oliver, responsible for 26 tracks (My Blue Heaven, Organ Grinder’s Swing, ’Tain’t What You Do...), able fully to exploit the enormous talent on hand. This was a great dance band (For Dancers Only), perhaps the greatest for showmanship... the ultimate big jazz band.

Contents:

CD 1
1. Rhythm is Our Business
2. Flaming Reeds and Screaming Brass
3. Jazznocracy
4. White Heat
5. Swingin’ Uptown
6. Sophisticated Lady
7. Rose Room
8. Black and Tan Fantasy
9. Stratosphere
10. Dream of You
11. Stomp it Off
12. Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down
13. Shake Your Head
14. Sleepy Time Gal
15. Bird of Paradise
16. Four or Five Times
17. Swanee River
18. Avalon
19. Hittin’ the Bottle
20. My Blue Heaven
21. I’m Nuts About Screwy Music
22. The Melody Man
23. Organ Grinder’s Swing
24. Harlem Shout
25. Slumming on Park Avenue
26. The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down

CD 2
1. For Dancers Only
2. Posin’
3. Annie Laurie
4. Pigeon Walk
5. Margie
6. ’Tain’t What You Do
7. Time’s A-Wastin’
8. Le Jazz Hot
9. Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home?
10. The Lonesome Road
11. What is This Thing Called Swing?
12. Blue Blazes
13. Ain’t She Sweet?
14. Well, All Right Then
15. I Want the Waiter with the Water
16. I’m Alone with You
17. Wham (Re-Bop-Boom-Bam)
18. Uptown Blues
19. Lunceford Special
20. I Wanna Hear Swing Songs
21. What’s Your Story, Morning Glory?
22. Monotony in Four Flats
23. Hi, Spook
24. Yard Dog Mazurka
25. Impromptu
26. Blues in the Night
27. The Honeydripper