1 	It Was a Sad Night in Harlem		2:40
2 	(It Will Have to Do) Until the Real Thing Comes Along		3:03
3 	I Can't Escape From You		3:08
4 	Without a Shadow of a Doubt		3:10
5 	Swinging in Harlem		3:11
6 	Coquette		3:14
7 	Big John's Special		3:07
8 	A Swing Little Rhythm		2:56
9 	Way Down Upon the Swanee River		2:39
10 	Dear Old Southlaqnd		2:45
11 	Uproar Shout		3:07
12 	If You Leave Me		2:48
13 	I'll See You in My Dreams		2:11
14 	Red Cap		2:51
15 	I'll Get Along Somehow		2:52
16 	I Found a New Baby		2:40
17 	Carry Me Back to Old Virginny		2:22
18 	Let Me Daydream		2:41
19 	Who's Sorry Now		2:38
20 	Lost in the Shuffle		2:42
21 	Rockin' Rollers' Jubilee		2:45
22 	I'm Madly in Love With You		2:58
23 	Let This Be a Warning to You		2:45
24 	Miss Hallelujah Brown		3:18

This excellent CD has the first 24 recordings by trumpeter Erskine Hawkins' Orchestra, which was originally known as the 'Bama State Collegians. From the start, Hawkins had his sound together, with such top soloists as Dud Bascomb and the leader on trumpets, either Paul Bascomb or Julian Dash on tenor, baritonist Haywood Henry, and pianist Avery Parrish. Although there are some vocals from James Morrison, Billie Daniels and Merle Turner, it is the many spirited instrumentals that made Hawkins' big band one of the most popular of the next decade. Among the highlights of this superior set are "Swinging In Harlem," "Uproar Shout," "I Found a New Baby" and "Rockin' Rollers' Jubilee." ---Scott Yanow, AllMusic Review

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1 	Sneakin‘ Out 	3:14
2 	Don‘t Say You‘re Sorry Again (vocals Jimmy Mitchelle)	3:08
3 	That Wonderful Worrisome Feeling (vocals Ruth Christian)	3:17
4 	I‘ve Got a Right to Cry (vocals Laura Washington)	3:18
5 	It‘s Full or It Ain’t No Good (vocals Laura Washington)	3:19
6 	Well Natch! (vocals Ace Harris)	3:13
7 	Feelin‘ Low 	3:07
8 	Hawk‘s Boogie 	2:58
9 	Sammy‘s Nightmare 	3:14
10 	Somebody Loves Me (vocals Laura Washington)	3:13
11 	I Had a Good Cry (vocals Laura Washington)	2:57
12 	My Baby Didn‘t Even Say Goodbye (vocals Laura Washington)	3:08
13 	Coast to Coast 	2:50
14 	Ain’t I Losin‘ You (vocals Jimmy Mitchelle)	3:18
15 	Fool That I Am (vocals Laura Washington)	2:56
16 	Wiggle Worm 	2:57
17 	I‘m So Doggone Melancholy (vocals Jimmy Mitchelle)	3:05
18 	Untitled N°3 	3:13
19 	Needle Points 	2:42
20 	Bit Fat Sam (vocals Jimmy Mitchelle)	3:10
21 	Sad Eyes (vocals Laura Washington)	3:05
22 	Lazy Blues 	3:10

Although by 1946 Erskine Hawkins no longer had any hit records in the future (1945's Tippin' In was his last one), his orchestra was still one of the best in jazz. Most of the 22 selections on this 1998 CD (the sixth in Classics' complete Hawkins series) are obscure but quite worthwhile. There are vocals on 13 of the songs (four by Jimmy Mitchelle, one from Ruth Christian, Ace Harris sounding spirited on "Well Natch," and seven easy-to-take vocals by Laura Washington) but it is the nine instrumentals that take honors. Although there are hints of bebop in the later records from 1947, most of the music on this CD is still very much in the swing vein. Taken as a whole, there is ample evidence here for the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra to be rated as one of the finest (and most underrated) big bands of the 1946-47 period. The key soloists in the orchestra are Hawkins and Sammy Lowe on trumpets, Matthew Gee on trombone, altoist Bobby Smith, Julian Dash on tenor, and baritonist Haywood Henry who is often heard on clarinet. Highlights include "Sneakin' Out," "Feelin' Low," "Needle Points," and "Lazy Blues." Recommended. ---Scott Yanow, AllMusic Review

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1 	Tuxedo Junction 	3:15
2 	After Hours 	3:20
3 	Tippin' In 	3:18
4 	Rockin' Rollers' Jubilee 	2:43
5 	Weary Blues 	3:20
6 	Easy Rider 	2:42
7 	Swing Out 	3:18
8 	Big-Wig In The Wigwam 	2:32
9 	Swingin' On Lenox Avenue 	3:14
10 	Gin Mill Special 	3:09
11 	Cherry 	3:18
12 	Dolimite 	3:31
13 	Song Of The Wanderer 	3:31
14 	Junction Blues 	3:12
15 	Sweet Georgia Brown 	3:08
16 	Five O'Clock Whistle 	3:05
17 	Soft Winds 	3:33
18 	Nona 	3:25
19 	Blackout 	3:26
20 	Don't Cry Baby 	3:18
21 	Bear Mash Blues 	3:09

Alto Saxophone – Jimmy Mitchelle, William Johnson (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 21)
Bass – Lee Stanfield
Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone – Heywood Henry
Drums – James Morrison (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 21)
Guitar – Bill McLemore (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 21)
Piano – Avery Parrish (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 21)
Tenor Saxophone – Julian Dash
Trombone – Edward Sims (tracks: 1 to 13), Robert Range (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 21)
Trumpet – Erskine Hawkins, Marcellus Green, Sammy Lowe, Wilbur Bascomb Sr. (tracks: 1 to 13 17, 19)

This is an excellent one-CD sampler of the music of Erskine Hawkins' Orchestra. Although serious collectors will want to get the comprehensive Classics releases, this is a perfect place for more general listeners to begin. Hawkins' three biggest hits ("Tuxedo Junction," "After Hours," and "Tippin' In") lead off the set which otherwise has highlights from 1938-42. With the exception of 1945's "Tippin' In" (which features some memorable lead alto by Bobby Smith), all of Hawkins' key soloists are here, including the leader and Dud Bascomb on trumpets, either Paul Bascomb or Julian Dash on tenor, baritonist Haywood Henry, and pianist Avery Parrish (who made "After Hours" famous). Timeless swing. ---Scott Yanow, AllMusic Review

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