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.

Tracklist:
01 - Spike Hughes Orchestra - Tap Your Feet (2:56)
02 - Benny Carter - Blue Light Blues (3:08)
03 - Ken Snakehips Johnson Ans 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 and The Ticklers - Parish Gal (2:58)
11 - Moxey George et Son Calypso Quintet - 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 - Joe Harriott - How Deep Is the Ocean (2:54)
17 - Dizzy Reece - Bang (3:08)
18 - Tony Kinsey - 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)
23 - Joe Harriott - Blues Original (3:39)
24 - Dizzy Reece - Chorous (2:59)
25 - Dizzy Reece - The Gypsy (3:35)
26 - Cecil Lloyd - Reserved (2:16)
27 - Cecil Lloyd - Cumana (2:52)
28 - Cecil Lloyd - Manhattan (2:39)
29 - Totlyn Jackson - Old Devil Moon (2:59)
30 - Dizzy Reece - The Escape and Chase (2:49)
31 - Dizzy Reece - I Had the Craziest Dream (3:06)
32 - Cecil Lloyd - Foggy Day (2:09)
33 - Cecil Lloyd - Lullaby of the Birdland (2:39)
34 - Cecil Lloyd - Volare (2:28)
35 - Wilton Gaynair - Deborah (4:06)
36 - Wilton Gaynair - Rhythm (5:22)
37 - Joe Harriott - Caravan (5:40)
38 - Joe Harriott - Abstract (3:38)
39 - Joe Harriott - Impression (5:30)
40 - Joe Harriott - Calypso Sketches (4:44)
41 - Rico Rodriguez - Air Horn Shuffle (3:01)
42 - Rico Rodriguez - Fire Escape (2:40)
43 - Cecil Lloyd Group - What Is This Thing Called Love (3:12)
44 - Count Ossie and the Wareikas - Swing for Joy (3:11)
45 - Cecil Lloyd Group - I'll Remember April (6:02)
46 - Don Drummond - Green Eyes (2:37)
47 - Roland Alphonso - I Cover the Waterfront (4:37)
48 - Cecil Lloyd - Softly as in the Morning Sunrise (3:45)
49 - Cecil Lloyd - Sometimes I Am Happy (3:14)
50 - Cecil Lloyd - Grooving with the Beat (5:29)
51 - Cecil Lloyd - Exodus (3:00)
52 - Cecil Lloyd - Calypso Jazz Iron Bar aka Jamaica Farewell (3:18)
53 - Cecil Lloyd - Serenade in Sound (4:21)
54 - Cecil Lloyd - Never on Sunday (3:07)
55 - Cecil Lloyd - Away from You (4:25)
56 - Cecil Lloyd - Mr. Propman (2:31)
57 - Cecil Lloyd - It Happens (6:29)
58 - Tommy McCook - The Answer (7:45)
59 - Harold McNair - Tangerine (6:08)
60 - Harold McNair - Harry Flicks (5:26)