Early Earl: The Gotham Recordings 1946-1947

Revered among his peers as a legendary saxblaster, Earl Bostic and his exciting, innovative alto playing were a mainstay of instrumental rhythm and blues from the early post-WWII years right through to his early and untimely death in 1965, from a heart attack, while only in his early 50s. For most of that time he was a flagship artist for the King label, for whom he sold stacks of 78s, 45s and LPs during his 16 years with the company. Prior to King, Earl recorded a significant number for Gotham Records of Philadelphia and it was the local success of his records for Gotham that made King step in and buy his contract and most of his masters. Although there have been many collections of Earl's groundbreaking recordings down the years, Jasmine's new 'Early Earl' is - we believe - the first to assemble as many of his Gotham sides as could fit onto a single CD, omitting only two for reasons of space. Collectively these great tracks demonstrate a side of Earl and his band that leans heavily towards rhythm and blues, with some of them featuring the man on vocals as well as saxophone (something he featured less and less as the 50s moved on). Great stuff abounds throughout, and will be enjoyed by everyone who appreciates small group R&B with a flavour of Earl's fellow alto player Louis Jordan. And for anyone who wants more, there is - as they say - plenty more where this came from!