King Oliver
Off The Record: The Complete 1923 Jazz Band Recordings
Archeophone Records
By George W. Harris

You want the real thing? We’ve got it right here. Finally justice has been served to some of the most important recordings, not only of jazz, but of recorded music altogether. Back in 1923, the most important trumpet player at the time, King Oliver, with his band that included his up and coming protégé, a chap by the name of Louis Armstrong, went into the studios of Chicago Illinois and Richmond, Indiana, and proceeded to set the world on fire with their seminal recordings of “hot” jazz. Sounding by our present standards primitive and stiff, the 37 releases on these 2 discs have an urgency and raw energy that is viscerally infectious. What Oliver’s band was known for was their musical invention called the “break” which was simply a sudden halt by the band in order to let Oliver, Armstrong, or clarinetist Johnny Dodds take a fleeting and fluid solo. The trick worked, as each solo break is intoxicating. Songs that have become jazz staples, “Dipper Mouth Blues”, High Society Rag” are debuted here, as is Armstrong’s famous “Weather Bird Rag” which was revisited a few years later with Earl Hines.

Sonically, the music is light years ahead of any previous release; the music sounds fresh and vibrant. After listening to this disc, you’ll never be satisfied with any recreation of these tunes. This is played by the folks who meant it. Essential music by some of the Founding Father’s of jazz.