This album contains the most popular tracks that Duke Ellington recorded with his orchestra between 1930 and 1939. Swing didn't become the popular music of the day until around 1935 but the outings on this record ably demonstrate that the Duke had swing DNA in his blood long before that. Bubber Miley had sadly departed by this stage but Cootie Williams knew how to fill his shoes. All the regulars are here; Johnny Hodges, Tricky Sam, Sonny Greer, Rex Stewart and Wellman Braud to name but a few. A real soundtrack of the 1930's and a glimpse into Ellington's musical evolution into what was to become the seminal Blanton Webster band of the 1940s.
Disc One:
1. Jungle Nights in Harlem
2. Jungle Blues
3.Ring Dem Bells
4.Mood Indigo (Dreamy Blues)
5.Rockin' in Rhythm
6.Creole Rhapsody
7.Echoes of the Jungle
8. It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
9. Lazy Rhapsody (Swannee River Rhapsody)
10. Blue Harlem
11. Swampy River
12. Blue Ramble
13. Lightnin'
14. Sophisticated Lady
15.Drop Me off at Harlem
16. Bundle of Blues (Dragon Blues)
17. Harlem Speaks
18. Dear Old Southland
19. Daybreak Express
20. Stompy Jones
21. Solitude
22. Saddest Tale
23. Merry-Go-Round (Harlem Rhythm)
Disc Two:
1. In a Sentimental Mood
2. Showboat Shuffle
3. Reminiscing in Tempo
4. Oh, Babe! Maybe Someday
5. Four Concertos: Clarinet Lament (Barney's Concerto)
6. Four Concertos: Echoes of Harlem (Cootie's Concerto)
7. Four Concertos: Trumpet in Spades (Rex's Concerto)
8. Four Concertos: Yearning for Love (Lawrence's Concerto)
9.In a Jam
10. Uptown Downbeat (Black Out)
11. Caravan
12. Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue
13. Harmony in Harlem
14. Ridin' on a Blue Note
15. The Gal from Joe's
16. I Let a Song Go out of My Heart
17. Rose of the Rio Grande
18. Prelude to a Kiss
19. Battle of Swing (Le Jazz Hot)
20. Blue Light (Transblucency)
21. Grievin'
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