The third Hep LP to reissue all of
the Mills Blue Rhythm Band's 1931-33 recordings found the orchestra (now being fronted by
Baron Lee) growing in strength. Altoist
Charlie Holmes, tenor saxophonist
Joe Garland, and pianist
Edgar Hayes were the strongest individual players; the rhythm section (which includes bassist
Hayes Alvis and drummer
O'Neil Spencer) swung; and the band was able to fare fairly well against the other orchestras of the pre-swing period. Among the better selections on this 16-song album (five of which have decent vocals by
Billy Banks) are "Rhythm Spasm," "White Lightning," "Ridin' In Rhythm" and "Harlem After Midnight." This series has been superseded by Classics' comprehensive Mills Blue Rhythm Band CD program.