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ASHFIELD ROAD LEICESTER LE2 1LA UK MellotoneRecords.com |
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 MELLO 01
Available only in CDR format |
George Fisher and His Kit-Cat
Band THE RHYTHM BAND 1927-28 'Teach Me To Dance Like Grandma' The Kit-Cat Club was one of the more exclusive of the clubs that sprang up in London's West End after the First World War. The club always engaged the top musicians and it became the favourite late-night spot for film stars, royalty,composers and writers. George Fisher (Fishberg) was an American pianist, who recruited some of the top British dance band musicians of the day to play at the club. Excellently recorded by HMV, the Rhythm Band features some wonderful hot ensemble playing and some great arrangements - all to a stunning beat. |
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 MELLO
02
Available only in CDR format |
Jay
Whidden & His New Midnight Follies Band 1926 -1928 'That Girl Over There' The violinist, Jay Whidden, was one of several American musicians to lead a British dance band during the 1920's. In London, in 1926, he formed a band from local musicians to work at the Hotel Metropole, where they provided dance music for the chorus line and cabaret at the Metropole Midnight Follies or 'Follyland' as it was called. Whidden took a big interest in hot jazz and this is reflected in the sides he made for Columbia during 1926 & 1927 which are included on this CD. Whidden's great innovation was in the use of the harp.' I Don't Want Nobody But You,' was not just the first time the harp had a featured solo on a dance band record, but the also first jazz harp recording too. Most of these tracks have never been released on CD and many have not been on LP. |
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 MELLO
03
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GEOFFREY
GOODHART and his Orchestra at the Piccadilly Hotel 1925 'I Want To Be Happy' Geoffrey Goodhart led an excellent British Band that was based at the Kit-Cat Club and doubled at the nearby Piccadilly Hotel during 1925. Freddie Pitt is the lead trumpet player and these records show that this was one of the premier hot dance bands of the day. These rare acoustic recordings were originally made for Vocalion and have never been issued on either vinyl or CD. |
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 MELLO 04
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Bert Firman's RHYTHMIC EIGHT VOLUME ONE 1927-28 'Back Beat' The Firman brothers made over 400 dance band recordings between 1924-32 under various pseudonyms. The Rythmic Eight recordings were records by smaller groups with strong jazz content. The personnel is an mixture of American and British musicians featuring the talents of Sylvester Ahola, Frank Guarente, Perley Breed and Joe Brannelly. The Rhythmic Eight recordings are noticeable for the punch of the playing and the freedom with which the artists are allowed to play solos, The absence of a trombone, the use of the tenor guitar and baritone sax gave the Rhythmic Eight a very distinctive sound. When coupled with some excellent solos, it also explains why these records continue to be sought after by collectors. |
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 MELLO 05
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THE RHYTHMIC EIGHT VOLUME TWO 1928-1929 'All By Yourself In The Moonlight' This second Rhythmic Eight CD features Sylvester Ahola on top form. The relaxed arrangements by Arthur Lally provide an ideal vehicle for Ahola to show his talents. Other musicians featured include Chelsea Quealey, Jack Jackson,Arthur Lally Joe Brannelly and Danny Polo. Amongst some Rhythmic Eight favourites, there are several gems only previously found on 78. |
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| £9.00 p&p included | |
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 MELLO 06
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Bert Firman & His
Bands 1926 -1927 This CD is a selection of the hotter recordings by Bert Firman's larger studio bands which recorded under a variety of different pseudonyms. With the exception of Joe Brannelly and Frank Guarente, the personnel is entirely British. The young Ted Heath features on some tracks and there is some very fluent work by Arthur Lally on saxes and Max Goldberg on trumpet. Not only do they tear into the latest dance tunes, but Stampede by Fletcher Henderson, Jig Walk by Duke Ellington and King Oliver's Sugar Foot Stomp are also included. |
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| £9.00 p&p included | |
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 MELLO 07
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The Firman Bands John and Bert Firman 1927-31 'An Furthermore' This CD continues the recordings of dance bands directed by Bert and John Firman for the Zonophone record Company. Included on this CD are recordings made under the name of the Devonshire Restaurant Dance Band, the Arcadians Dance Orchestra, Bert Firman's Dance Orchestra, the Orpheues Dance Band and the Rhythmic Eight. The band includes some excellent solos by Sylvester Ahola and Max Goldberg. |
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| £9.00 p&p included | |
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 MELLO 08
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The Rhythmic Eight
Volume Three 1929 -1932 'Painting The Clouds With Sunshine' The third Rhythmic Eight CD continues with more forgotten gems from the Zonophone stable. These small bands sides continue the relaxed and jaunty music found on the earlier recordings. Sylvester Ahola features on the tracks like Sweethearts' Holiday and Lovable and Sweet. Ahola is ably replaced by Max Goldberg on many of the post 1930 tracks. Other musicians featured include Danny Polo, Arthur Lally, Joe Brannelly and Maurice Elwin. |
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| £9.00 p&p included | |
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 MELLO
09
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Al Starita & The Kit-Cat Band 1925 -1927 'Muddy Water' Al Starita was a fine all-rounder and his Kit-Cat band was the hottest band of its day. This CD represents some of the finest British commercial jazz of the mid twenties.Tom Smith, Ted Heath, Hugo Rignold and Len Fillis are amongst the excellent soloists on these fine electrical recordings. Al Starita contributes some fancy sax playing and stylish vocals. Many of these titles were issued under the name of Jack Hylton's Kit-Cat Band or Jack Hylton's Hyltonians. First time on CD. |
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| £9.00 p&p included | |
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 MELLO 10
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Al Starita &
The PICCADILLY PLAYERS 1928 -1929 Volume One 'If I Had You' In 1928, Al Starita led a great little band at the Piccadilly Hotel and used the name for his recording ventures. He added a brass section to the hotel band and recorded some excellent hot dance records. Among those musicians on this CD are Sylvester Ahola (trumpet), Ben Oakley (trombone), Nat Star, Perley Breed & George Smith (reeds), and Eddie Gross Bart (vocals). The Piccadilly Players achieved a distinctive style with fine rhythmic playing and some good hot solos. Kiss and Make Up: -"A really great performance," |
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| £9.00 p&p included | |
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 MELLO 11
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Ray Starita &
The PICCADILLY REVELS BAND 1927 -1928 Jack Hylton put 22 year old Ray in charge of the band which played for the Revels cabaret and floorshow at the prestigious Piccadilly Hotel . The Revels Band was a serious rival to the bands at the Savoy Hotel and Kit-Cat club. Its recordings struck a neat balance between the smart comedy of the day and 'advanced ' jazz influenced arrangements. Although Ray Starita on tenor and Donald Thorne on piano, play some solid solos, it is Eric Siday on violin who provides the most original ideas. |
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| £9.00 p&p included | |
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 MELLO 12
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Ray Starita &
His AMBASSADORS BAND 1928 -1930 Volume One This is the first of two CDs of the excellent band that Ray Starita led at London’s Ambassadors Club. Although the band was billed on the radio and in the music press as "Jack Hylton's Ambassador Club Band directed by Ray Starita" it would not be accurate to describe the band as just a Hyton unit. Ray Starita was responsible for the musical direction and arrangements were specifically commissioned for the band. Lew Stone is a notable contributor. These recordings on this CD were originally issued by Columbia. |
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| £9.00 p&p included | |
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 MELLO 13
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Ray Starita &
His AMBASSADORS BAND 1929 -1932 Volume Two The second volume of the Ambassadors Band includes some more sides recorded for Columbia and several of the hard to find recordings made for the Sterno label. (These were made for Marks & Spencer) Among those musicians recording for Starita were Philippe Brun, Nat Gonella, Sam Browne and Elsie Carlyle. There are some excellent arrangements and a number of 'hot' choruses. Most of these recordings have never been issued either on LP or CD. |
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| £9.00 p&p included | |
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| Mellotone CDs can be ordered directly from: Mellotone Records 16, Ashfield Road Leicester LE2 1LA UK Cheques (GBP only) should be made payable to
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