Rhythm Is Our Business [ASV/Living Era] (1933)

About this title: The first of six Lp's released by MCA in the early 1980's in their Jazz Heritage series that reissued highlights from Jimmie Lunceford's career is the strongest overall. Sticking to the 1934-35 period, such memorable numbers as "Dream Of You," "Stomp It Off," "Rhythm Is Our Business," "Sleepy Time Gal" (with its brilliant sax section chorus) and Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo" and "Black And Tan Fantasy" are among the highlights. The arrangements of Willie Smith, Ed Wilcox, Eddie Durham and particularly Sy Oliver take precedent over the short solos, really showing off the band's consistently ... read more

Tracks:

1. Flaming Reeds and Screaming Brass [Wilcox]
2. While Love Lasts [Wilcox]
3. Sophisticated Lady [Ellington/Mills/Par]
4. Black and Tan Fantasy [Ellington/Miley]
5. Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down [Lodwig/Quicksell]
6. Shake Your Head (From Side to Side) [Cahn/Grundlehner]
7. Sleepy Time Gal [Alden/Egan/Lorenzo/]
8. Four or Five Times [Gay/Hellman]
9. Hittin' the Bottle [Arlen/Koehler]
10. My Blue Heaven [Donaldson/Whiting]
11. Organ Grinder's Swing [Hudson/Mills/Parish]
12. For Dancers Only [Oliver/Raye/Schoen]
13. Pigeon Walk [Lewis/Monaco]
14. Margie [Conrad/Davis/Robins]
15. 'Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It) [Oliver/Young]
16. Le Jazz Hot [Mooney/Oliver]
17. Time's A-Wastin' [Lunceford/Madden]
18. Baby Won't You Please Come Home? [Warfield/Williams]
19. Belgium Stomp [Moore]
20. I'm Alone With You [Estes]
21. Uptown Blues [Lunceford]
22. What's Your Story, Morning Glory? [Lawrence/Webster/Wi]
23. Barefoot Blues [Hammond/Moore]
24. Rhythm Is Our Business [Cahn/Chaplin/Luncef]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.