SwingDJs

Volume 2: Jumpin’ at the Woodside includes 22 rare tracks from the late 30’s that heavily define Count Basie’s Swing Era legacy. They highlight the genius of the Pres, tenor saxophonist Lester Young, and include many notable gems by soloists and sideman alike. These extended nightclub and ballroom performances are longer, free-flowing and creatively daring as the artists were freed from the constraints of a conventional studio recording.

What separates these from the previously issued Basie air checks of the same vintage, is the definition and depth that Savory’s discs afford. The rhythm section with the strokes and chords of the guitar are clearly audible, as are the always swinging rumblings of the bass drum. The horns also benefit from a sense of the air in the room that surrounded them. While not high fidelity, they are markedly superior to anything previously heard.

This extraordinary find is a collector’s dream. It is an educational gem, an authentic record of our rich musical heritage and adds new layers to the story of jazz as we know it.

trev wrote:There's complex legal issues around the release of this material. I suspect either digital-only made the copyright issues simpler, or Apple was seen as a suitable partner to help the project forward in exchange for exclusivity.

As for audio quality, AAC format at 256 kbps is pretty decent, especially considering the relatively poor condition of the source material. I'm not sure lossless quality would have revealed any more detail even to the most adamant audiophiles.

The series producer Loren Schoenberg has stated that they are hoping to do a CD release eventually, perhaps as a Mosaic set.