I've never been a big fan of jazz sampler albums. Samplers typically provide you with an overview of a jazz period by featuring dull songs by a wide range of household-name artists. Most samplers are uninspiring because they load up with filler. Instead of enlightening and inspiring, they generally turn off audiences new to the music. One new set that defies this trend and is one of the most rewarding survey albums I've heard in years is Let's Get Swinging: Modern Jazz in Belgium 1950-1970, which was released last month by Sdban, a London label.
Rather than pack this two-album set with familiar or boring tracks by well-known Belgian artists, the label has created a smartly curated release that includes lesser-known leaders and songs you probably haven't heard before. Best of all, these recordings will make you curious about the artists and motivate you to explore their discographies as leaders and sidemen.
The song choices here are sparkling, and there isn't a single dud. Who knew that 1960s Belgian jazz was this juicy and lyrical? Every song choice on the set is solid, which means you can put the album on and sail through all 20 tracks without encountering a lull. Since Amazon and other retailers don't seem to feature the track names or years they were recorded, let me provide you with the information:
CD1
1. Jack Sels - African Dance (1961)
2. Jon Eardley - Subtroyan Influence (1969)
3. René Thomas-Bobby Jaspar Quintet - Bernie’s Taste (1962)
4. Jacques Pelzer And His Young Stars - Don’t Smile (1958)
5. Philip Catherine & Robert Pernet - Grelots (1968)
6. Francy Boland - Dark Eyes (1967)
7. Saxorama & Jack Sels - Minor 5 (1963)
8. Herman Sandy Quartet - Digging Chick (1955)
9. Fats Sadi Quartet - Ensadinado (1966)
10. Bobby Jaspar Quintet - Clarinescapade (1956)
11. The Clouds - Cecilia (1965)
CD2
1. Lucky Thompson & Jack Sels Sextet - Minor Works (1959)
2. Francy Boland Trio - Night Lady (1967)
3. Bobby Jaspar - Coraline (1954)
4. Jacques Pelzer Sextet - There’ll Never be Another You (1955)
5. René Goldstein and His Group - Witch of Salem (1958)
6. The Clouds - Hall’s Blues
7. René Thomas Et Son Modern Group - Get Happy (1956)
8. Jacques Pelzer Quartet - Work Song (1961)
9. The St. Tropez Jazz Octet - Let’s Get Swinging (1970)
For jazz lovers who have collected nearly all great American artists and are hitting a wall, Europe offers a bounty of unexplored material by continental greats from the late 1940s, '50s and '60s. This is particularly true of Sweden and Britain, where modern jazz flourished after World War II. Let's Get Swinging proves that Belgium should be added to this list.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Let's Get Swinging: Modern Jazz in Belgium 1950-1970 (Sdban) here. As for fans of the free online Spotify service, you're in luck. The double-album is available there.
JazzWax clips: Here's Jon Eardley's Subtroyan Influence. Eardley, an American trumpeter, moved to Belgium in 1963...
Here's the Francy Boland Trio playing Night Lady...
And here's Fats Sadi with Francy Boland, Jimmy Woode and Kenny Clarke playing Ensadinado...
