DAVID BERGER AND HIS SULTANS OF SWING
HARLEM NUTCRACKER SST1001
DOIN' THE DO! SST 1002
"Acclaimed for their superior musicianship and a sound that is both sophisticated and earthy", so says their press release. I could not put it better except to say that this is music of an era and style style familiar to big band fans of yesteryear. Having said that, to me it seems timeless. The music swings relentlessly, always has a smile of its face and, most importantly, the soloists maintain a respect for the era. Every improvised note is presented in context. Looking at the personnel after listening, we are surprised not to find Rex Stuart, Charlie Shavers, Lawrence Brown, Dicky Wells. The lineup is more likely to be as follows.
DOIN' THE DO features music reminiscent of, if not directly from the forties and before. There is no effort to create a pastiche of the era, the sounds are right, this is what people danced to and listened to. The music is still fun, the occasional vocal by Aria Hendricks, the band joins in too. This is great jazz, great entertainment.
The Harlem Nutcracker CD does take itself a tad more seriously. The music is drawn from themes by Tchaikovsky, via Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arranged David Berger.. My job is to encourage you to go and buy the CDs I scribble about. In this case I have to give you an assurance. Any doubts you may have about the intellectual density of this music being a problem should be dispelled now. Had you no acquaintance with Tchaikovski you would listen to and enjoy the 14 tracks as great swing arrangements, with a distinct contemporary feel, littered with great soloing by this superb big band.
Please check the web-site above for track and personnel listings.