Although by 1946
Erskine Hawkins
no longer had any hit records in the future (1945's
Tippin' In
was his last one), his orchestra was still one of the best in jazz. Most of the 22 selections on this 1998 CD (the sixth in
Classics
' complete
Hawkins
series) are obscure but quite worthwhile. There are vocals on 13 of the songs (four by
Jimmy Mitchelle
, one from
Ruth Christian
,
Ace Harris
sounding spirited on
"Well Natch,"
and seven easy-to-take vocals by
Laura Washington
) but it is the nine instrumentals that take honors. Although there are hints of bebop in the later records from 1947, most of the music on this CD is still very much in the swing vein. Taken as a whole, there is ample evidence here for
the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra
to be rated as one of the finest (and most underrated) big bands of the 1946-47 period. The key soloists in the orchestra are
and
Sammy Lowe
on trumpets,
Matthew Gee
on trombone, altoist
Bobby Smith
Julian Dash
on tenor, and baritonist
Haywood Henry
who is often heard on clarinet. Highlights include
"Sneakin' Out,"
"Feelin' Low,"
"Needle Points,"
"Lazy Blues."
Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow