's two-disc collection of 's 1929-1930 work, recorded in New York for , is not exhaustive, nor does it focus on his greatest era (which would be the early-'20s recordings including the great ). However, the end of the '20s was the time of 's last burst of creativity, and while these recordings may be less startlingly fabulous than what and his band were doing earlier in the decade, they're still potent examples of early . Listening to these recordings, it's clear that has been paying attention to the meteoric rise of his former star pupil . is using a larger combo than (featuring the great on clarinet on several tracks), but the same sort of sprightly syncopation, along with a much fuller sound than on 's earlier records, is apparent on tracks like the swinging Purists should be aware that was in increasingly poor health by this time, and he does not always play cornet on these sides. ~ Stewart Mason