During 1936-39
the Harlem Hamfats recorded 75 selections. Of the 51 that they cut during 1936-37, this 1996 CD has 23. Performing during an era when swing and big bands dominated jazz,
the Harlem Hamfats were a most unusual group for they played what was essentially good-time New Orleans jazz that also looked toward the string band tradition. Trumpeter
Herb Morand was the leader and worked well with the unique sound of clarinetist
Odell Rand. In addition to the rhythm section (pianist
Horace Malcolm, either
John Lindsay or
Ransom Knowling on bass and
Fred Flynn or
Pearlis Williams on drums), the band featured guitarist
Joe McCoy and the mandolin of
Charlie McCoy; both McCoys and
Morand took occasional enthusiastic vocals. The music was often quite heated and the band had its own sound. This collector's CD has many of
the Harlem Hamfats best performances and is easily recommended to fans of prebop.