Jimmy Rushing reprises a nice batch of blues classics from the 20s, all of which were sung by early recording artists like Bessie or Clara Smith. The group that backs him is a nice one, and features Buck Clayton on trumpet, Buster Bailey on clarinet, and Coleman Hawkins on tenor. As with many of Columbia's late 50's sessions in this style, the sound is excellent, and has an intimacy and warmth that works extremely well with the material – including titles like "Arkansas Blues", "Gulf Coast Blues", "Muddy Waters", "Squeeze Me", and "Crazy Blues". LP, Vinyl record album

Includes recordings with Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra and Her Down Home Syncopaters. LP, Vinyl record album

A gem of a record from this pair of Basie-ites – one that allows Joe Williams to hit some different modes than on his fuller records with the Count – set up here in a nicely relaxed groove with trumpeter Harry Sweets Edison! Arrangements are by Ernie Wilkins, but are more laidback than some of his fuller charts – and we love hearing Joe at a level when he doesn't have to punch it out of the park, and can just fall back in a sweet groove alongside Harry's trumpet, which then often gets a spot to solo on the tune. Charles Thompson plays piano – again with a style that's more easygoing than Basie – and titles include "Out Of Nowhere", "Together", "Winter Weather", "By The River Saint Marie", "Alone Together", "Deep Purple", and "Lover Come Back To Me". LP, Vinyl record album

One of Lena Horne's greatest albums of the 50s – a rock-solid effort that takes its name from her famous film appearance of the 40s, but which features some wonderfully sophisticated songs in a very postwar mode! As with other RCA dates of the time, the orchestra's handled by Lena's partner Lennie Hayton – and has a nice jazzy pitch, especially on tunes that feature trumpet solos from Charlie Shavers. Titles include "Summertime", "Mad About The Boy", "Tomorrow Mountain", "Ridin On The Moon", "I Wonder What Became Of Me", and "Just One Of Those Things". LP, Vinyl record album