VA - Jamaica Jazz 1931-1962 (2016)

The best Jamaican musicians brought a substantial and masterful contribution to jazz. Their belated recognition reveals truly original, sophisticated styles. At long last the rare, little known albeit greatest recordings of Jamaican Jazz are gathered here, across 3CDs. They include strong personalities such as Wilton Gaynair, Cecil Lloyd, Billy Cooke, the ground-breaking Rastafarian Afro-Jazz of Count Ossie s Drum Orchestra, the distinctive guitar of Ernest Ranglin, as well as legendary names Joe Harriott, Harold McNair, Roland Alphonso, Tommy McCook, Don Drummond and Rico Rodriguez. These musicians, who were shortly to be instrumental in ushering in the Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae eras, breathe energy and life into Swing, Mento, Hard Bop and Soul-Jazz.

Tracks:

CD1
01. Spike Hughes Orchestra - Tap Your Feet (2:56)
02. Benny Carter Orchestra - Blue Light Blues (3:08)
03. Ken "Snakehips" Johnson & His West Indian Dance Band - Snakehips Swing (2:52)
04. Leslie "Jiver" Hutchinson And His Coloured Orchestra - Big Top Boogie (2:58)
05. Leslie "Jiver" Hutchinson And His Coloured Orchestra - Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (2:56)
06. Lord Fly - Donkey City (2:40)
07. Lord Fly - Swine Lane Gal - Iron Bar (2:47)
08. The Tower Islanders - Brown Skin Gal (2:34)
09. The Jamaican Calypsonians - Wheel And Tun Me (3:07)
10. Harold Richardson With Ticklers - Parish Gal (2:58)
11. Hubert Porter - Dry Weather House (2:50)
12. Chin's Calypso Sextet - Industrial Fair (3:02)
13. Buddy Pipp's Highlifers - Akee Blues (3:02)
14. Joe Harriott - Cherokee (3:05)
15. Joe Harriott - April In Paris (3:01)
16. Tony Kinsey With Joe Harriott - How Deep Is The Ocean (2:54)
17. Dizzy Reece - Bang! (3:08)
18. Tony Kinsey With Joe Harriott - Fascinating Rhythm (2:46)
19. Joe Harriott - Just Goofin' (2:03)
20. Joe Harriott - Everything Happens To Me (4:46)
21. Wilton Gaynair - Blues For Tony (7:12)
22. Dizzy Reece - Eb Pob (7:28)

CD2
01. Joe Harriott - Blues Original (3:39)
02. Dizzy Reece - Chorous (2:59)
03. Dizzy Reece - The Gypsy (3:35)
04. Cecil Lloyd - Reserved (2:16)
05. Cecil Lloyd - Cumana (2:52)
06. Cecil Lloyd - Manhattan (2:39)
07. Totlyn Jackson With Lance Hayward - Old Devil Moon (2:59)
08. Dizzy Reece - The Escape And Chase (2:49)
09. Dizzy Reece - I Had The Craziest Dream (3:06)
10. Cecil Lloyd - Foggy Day (2:09)
11. Cecil Lloyd - Lullaby Of The Birdland (2:39)
12. Cecil Lloyd - Volare (2:28)
13. Wilton Gaynair - Deborah (4:06)
14. Wilton Gaynair - Rhythm (5:22)
15. Joe Harriott - Caravan (5:40)
16. Joe Harriott - Abstract (3:38)
17. Joe Harriott - Impression (5:30)
18. Joe Harriott - Calypso Sketches (4:44)
19. Joe Harriott - Air Horn Shuffle (3:01)
20. Count Ossie & The Wareikas - Fire Escape (2:40)
21. Count Ossie & The Wareikas - What Is This Thing Called Love? (3:12)

CD3
01. Count Ossie & The Wareikas - Swing For Joy (3:11)
02. Cecil Lloyd Group - I'll Remember April (6:02)
03. Don Drummond - Green Eyes (2:37)
04. Roland Alphonso - I Cover The Waterfront (4:37)
05. Cecil Lloyd - Softly As In The Morning Sunrise (3:45)
06. Cecil Lloyd - Sometimes I Am Happy (3:14)
07. Cecil Lloyd - Grooving With The Beat (5:29)
08. Cecil Lloyd Group With Billy Cooke, Roland Alphonso, Ernest Ranglin & Don Drummond - Exodus (3:00)
09. Cecil Lloyd Group With Billy Cooke, Roland Alphonso, Ernest Ranglin & Don Drummond - Calypso Jazz (3:18)
10. Cecil Lloyd Group With Billy Cooke, Roland Alphonso, Ernest Ranglin & Don Drummond - Serenade In Sound (4:21)
11. Cecil Lloyd Group With Billy Cooke, Roland Alphonso, Ernest Ranglin & Don Drummond - Never On Sunday (3:07)
12. Cecil Lloyd Group With Billy Cooke, Roland Alphonso, Ernest Ranglin & Don Drummond - Away From You (4:25)
13. Cecil Lloyd Group With Billy Cooke, Roland Alphonso, Ernest Ranglin & Don Drummond - Mr. Propman (2:31)
14. Cecil Lloyd Group With Billy Cooke, Roland Alphonso, Ernest Ranglin & Don Drummond - It Happens (6:29)
15. Tommy McCook - The Answer (7:45)
16. Harold McNair - Tangerine (6:08)
17. Harold McNair - Harry Flicks (5:26)