Some of the earliest work as a leader from the great
Willis Jackson – a tenorist known to most for his work on Prestige Records in the 60s, but who first began as a key crossover figure between postwar jazz and R&B! The music here definitely captures
Jackson in that mode – great small combo sets recorded for the Apollo label up in Harlem – presented here with cuts that were originally issued as 78rpm singles, plus other unissued titles too – all making for a great overview of these early years! Most numbers were recorded under
Jackson's own name – in a combo with Andrew Ford on trumpet, Bill Doggett on piano, and Booty Wood on trombone – but there's also a few done with vocalist Eddie Mack. The set features 16 tracks in all – and titles include "Blow
Jackson Blow", "More Blues At Midnight", "Later For The Gator", "Chuck's Chuckles", "On My Own", "Dance Of The Lady Bug", and "Call Of The Gators".