Austin Lindy Hop
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Austin Lindy Hop
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| Lucky Millinder: Apollo Jump(Proper Records (England) 2002)
Lucky Millinder (pronounced mil-LIN-der, not MILL-in-der) was essentially a rather Lucky frontman for some great talent during and after the Swing Era. He grew up in Chicago, and took the frontman position of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band in 1934. The band changed to his name in 1940 and played at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, the home and legendary origin of Lindy Hop during the Swing Era. Unlike other bandleaders like Count Basie, Chick Webb, and Duke Ellington who were all accomplished musicians, Millinder was more of a businessman/showman who did not play an instrument and simply fronted the band while occasionally singing. Apollo Jump is a 2 CD compilation that combines the best of his Swing Era material with some great 1950-51 hi-fi jump blues recordings. The two CDs contain 48 songs, 12 of which I consider to be top-notch Lindy Hop songs, 27 of which are danceable even if they don't make it to the top echelon, and only 9 of which are undanceable or not particularly inspiring. It is a particularly good value. Because it is an import, I will also note that the CD is available online for $13 by clicking here. |
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This week's recommendation serves as a reminder to never stop looking.
This compilation came out in 2002, several years after I thought I had combed
over all there was to offer in Lucky Millinder's legacy. It was
recommended by several people on the National SwingDJs list.