Although
Jimmy Witherspoon gets first billing on this CD reissue, he actually only has vocals on 11 of the 24 selections and is just present on three of the seven sessions; high points include two versions of his signature song "Ain't Nobody's Business." Pianist
Jay McShann is the real leader of these Los Angeles recordings and the brand of music he performs mixes together swing, blues, slight touches of bebop, and early R&B. Most of the songs are basic originals and there are spirited solos from many lesser-known horn players; only the young trumpeter
Art Farmer, his brother bassist Addison Farmer, and the popular studio tenor saxophonist Maxwell Davis are still remembered. In addition to
Witherspoon (who is in excellent early form), Lois Booker, Maxine Reed and
Crown Prince Waterford also take vocals. An easily recommended set of rarities from the later period of Kansas City jazz. ~ Scott Yanow