Max Harrison – författare

This is a very good book which will certainly become one of the essential works of reference for the jazz enthusiast. It covers the ragtime to swing period by way of 250 LPs, each of which is afforded full discographical information on dates, titles, and personnels. . . . The quality of the writing is extemely high, as indeed one has a right to expect from authors of this calibre. . . . Harrison, Fox, and Thacker have produced some beautifully composed essays on artistes such as Billie Holliday, Roy Eldridge, Duke Ellington, etc. . . . It is a book which needs to be dipped into frequently, a volume to keep close to one's record collection. . . . It will increase immeasurably anyone's knowledge of, and appreciation for, jazz. The Gramophone

First published in 1984 and reissued to coincide withthe publication of the second volume, this selection of the 250 best jazz records traces the earliest roots of the music to the beginnings of the modern jazz era. Volume One''s focus is on LP collections of 78 rpm originals and nearly every significant musician--both familiar and obscure--of early 20th-century jazz is listed. For each record listed, full details of personnel, recording dates and locations are provided.

A personal, and sometimes controversial, selection by three jazz critics of the "best" 250 jazz records - mostly LP collections of 78 rpm originals - from the earliest roots of music to the beginnings of the modern jazz era. Each record is placed in its musical context and reviewed in some depth. For each disc, full details of personnel and recording dates and locations are given.