This eclectic compilation was first issued by Jazz Crusade as Rare Cuts, Upbeat having now acquired this American label. Sidney De Paris (1905-67) was a star soloist with Blue Note and later, a Dixieland player with his brother Wilbur's popular band.

His solo style mixed up growls with a hot, exciting attack – he was also a strong proponent of the cup mute. His five tracks with Morton and Davern are taken from Country and Western, his Swingville All-Stars album from 1962 - not 1952 as shown. De Paris plays at his fevered best on ‘Bill Bailey’ while also tackling the likes of ‘Yellow Rose of Texas’ and ‘Pistol Packing Mama’, the band roughhewn but fun to hear, Morton Teagarden-ish and Queener swinging hard. Buyer beware: there are banjo solos!

The nine 1938 Ladnier tracks are from the New York sessions organised by visiting French critic Hugues Panassie for Bluebird and Swing in Paris. They were intended to revive the Louisiana-born trumpeter's career which had earlier encompassed lengthy periods in Europe with Sam Wooding and Noble Sissle. Ladnier (1900-39) is teamed with Mezzrow and more rewardingly, Bechet, their recordings something of a mixed bag. Ladnier sounds punchy at times, less so at others; Bechet is superb on both clarinet and soprano on his four appearances. The New Orleanian Collins (1901-1960) performs on the four final selections, first as accompanist to Jones, a pianist/vocalist, and then under Spivey's leadership. These are typical Chicago South Side blues pieces from 1936, originally released on Bluebird or Vocalion, the stalwart Collins rather confined but always fluent.