In Sarah Vaughan’s centenary year, it’s great to have a reminder of her route to stardom, and this collection manages to bring lesser–known tracks to sit alongside her very well-known early collaborations with Miles Davis and Clifford Brown, as well as her own trio from the fine Swingin’ Easy album. A delicate ‘Lover Man’ with Dizzy’s quintet from 1945, the previous year’s ballad version with Diz of ‘Night in Tunisia’, and an almost sloppily romantic version of ‘You Go To My Head’ with John Kirby’s sextet, are cases in point. A revelation is the 1946 Teddy Wilson version of ‘Don’t Worry ’Bout Me’ which compares with his backings to Billie, as Buck Clayton ‘fills the windows’ behind her vocal.

Hearing her joust with Charlie Ventura on ‘September Song’ is a treat, as are the 1950 collaborations with George Treadwell’s band, with Budd Johnson and Tony Scott playing behind her vocals, and opening up solo space for Miles Davis. As we movie to the mid-1950s, the Clifford Brown / Ernie Wilkins tracks are a highlight (with great playing from regular drummer Roy Haynes) as are the selections from her work with Jimmy Jones’ trio and the ‘No Count’ sessions with the Basie Band, with Ronnel Bright subbing for the Count.

The more commercial fare with Hal Mooney’s orchestra is very much of its time, including a syrupy duet with Billy Eckstine, as is her pop-oriented ‘Broken Hearted Melody’ with Ray Ellis. But if we ever need a reminder of the great artist she was, then the chamber trios with Mundell Lowe and George Duvivier from 1961 break the heart, a gorgeous version of ‘Sophisticated Lady’ and a reflective ‘Every Time We Say Goodbye’. It’s a beautifully curated and remastered collection.