Personnel: Morris Pejoe, Robert Nighthawk (vocals, guitar); Alfred Harris, Junior Wells (vocals, harmonica); Dennis Binder, Memphis Slim, Roosevelt Sykes (vocals, piano); Elyse Yancey, Della Reese, Tommy Braden, Norman Palm, Ora Lee Hopkins, Nellie Grace Daniels, Grant "Mr. Blues" Jones, Charles Williams , Albertina Walker (vocals); Floyd McDaniel, William "Shorty" Hill, Earl Dranes, Louis Myers, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Tiny Grimes (guitar); Chris Woods, Frank Porter, Oett "Sax" Mallard, Porter Kilbert, Tommy Waters, Tab Smith (alto saxophone); Jimmy Conley, Eddie Chamblee, Neil Green, Scott Johnson , J.T. Brown, Jimmy Coe, Jimmy Forrest, Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Bascomb, Raymond Hill, Red Holloway, Red Prysock, Bobby Fields (tenor saxophone); McKinley Easton, Harold Wallace, Leo Parker (baritone saxophone); Clark Terry, Eddie Lewis, Chauncey Locke, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Curtis Jones, Duke Jordan, Earl Washington, Horace Palm, Freddie Redd, Edward David Robinson, Henry Gray, Bunky Parker, Johnny Jones & the King Casuals, Bob Call (piano); Armand Jump Jackson, Earl Phillips, Otho Allen, James Bannister, Fred Below, Earl Fox Walker, Oscar Oldham, Jerry Potter, Paul Linsley "Jelly" Holt, Red Saunders , Vernel Fournier, Jack Parker , George DeHart (drums); Bob Reagan (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Jim O'Neal.
A pioneering black-owned record label, United Records featured many obscure (and a few famous, such as Jimmy Forrest's "Night Train") and rewarding recordings during the 1951-57 period. This excellent sampler features jumping jazz, blues, R&B and gospel performances. Two of the selections are previously unreleased alternate takes and there are also ten numbers that are appearing on CD for the first time. One comes away from this program impressed by both the high quality of the music and the wide range recorded for United. Jazz is represented by baritonist Leo Parker, altoists Chris Woods and Tab Smith, the tenors of Jimmy Coe and Paul Bascomb, and Jimmy Forrest and guitarist Tiny Grimes with some of those performances crossing over into R&B. Also featured in excellent form are Roosevelt Sykes (an exciting alternate version of "Fine and Brown"), Junior Wells, Robert Nighthawk, the multi-instrumental Ray McKinstry (heard on all of the instruments during "Dinah"), the Four Blazes and the Pastels. In reality, all 22 numbers have their exciting moments. In time all of these recordings will certainly be reissued by Delmark on more complete CDs but this is a superior sampler, perfect as an introduction to this vintage music. ~ Scott Yanow
Professional Reviews
Mojo (Publisher) (p.112) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[T]his all-American collection swings and soars."
