The last time I reviewed most of this music was when these ground– breaking small-group sessions for OKeh were combined with Armstrong's 1929-33 big-band dates for Columbia and RCA in a 10CD set from Sony (see Jazzwise 175). Here the focus remains on the eponymous small groups that fill roughly three of the four CDs, the rest of the space being taken up by a handful of early appearances under the leadership of Erskine Tate, Johnny Dodds, Jimmy Bertrand and indeed his pianist wife Lil, plus some 17 tracks backing blues-singers (but none with Bessie Smith). The dilemma of finding anything new to say could be solved by just listing some of the contrasting classics: ‘Cornet Chop Suey’, ‘Struttin’ With Some Barbecue’, ‘Potato Head Blues’ ‘West End Blues’, ‘Weather Bird’ and, for Louis’ vocals, ‘Heebie Jeebies’ etc. But there are always new listeners to be amazed and, though the booklet has a detailed essay on the background of the musicians, the impact of their playing needs to be detected with the ear. Remastering is in some ways preferable to the Sony set, despite the limitations of the original sound. If you've only read about why this music is important – the source of all the jazz that followed, one way or another – then now is the time to listen. It might require a moment to take in the enormity of Armstrong's contribution, but it'll be an enjoyable moment – or two, or three or more.