Search - Luis Russell :: Saratoga Shout

FEELIN' THE SPIRIT OF JAZZ

Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 10/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Luis Russell led one of the hottest black bands in New York. I first heard these tracks on 78, almost all being issued in England on the Parlophone Rhythm Style Series, and was impressed then at the sheer vitality of them. The sound leapt out of the grooves, and to hear the band in the flesh must have been an awe-inspiring experience. At the heart lay the rhythm section, particularly Pops Foster on bass, who could almost have been standing in front for the recording, so well was his slap bass style of playing captured. The other two mainstays on most of the tracks were Henry "Red" Allen on trumpet and J.C. Higginbotham on trombone, both with highly individual styles, Allen's fiery playing contrasting with the abrasive but accomplished trombone. With some bands you can identify a particular player who underpins the ensemble, but Luis Russell's Orchestra drove itself forward as an entity.



The quality of remastering of this reissue is quite superb, it comprises 25 tracks giving over 79 minutes playing time, and comes with an informative liner note and discography. Now that the Living Era label has been axed you should grab a copy while you still can."