Rhythm Is Our Business

This CD contains reconstructions of original jazz recordings from the first half of the 20th century in a unique, authentic interpretation. FATS JAZZ BAND is a first-class nine-piece orchestra steeped in authentic hot jazz and swing music. The orchestra plays original instruments from the 1930s and transcribes carefully selected shellac recordings by ear into musical scores. They put their sparkling zeal and hearts into them, which results in a cocktail full of energy. No overdubs were used during the recording. Enjoy this trip through the time warp. The album opens contrapuntal composition Bach Goes To Town, inspired by the original recording of Benny Goodman's famous 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall. The orchestra's 8th album also features excellent arrangements from a sextet led by the bassist John Kirby, whether inspired by classical music (such as Charlie's Prelude and Minute Waltz) or purely jazz compositions primarily built on harmonic modulations From Ab To C. Two prominent tenor saxophonists resonate on the CD – Lester Young in the timeless song Boogie Woogie, which, despite its 1938 origin, foreshadowed the birth of a new musical style, and Coleman Hawkins with his great tenor saxophone solo in the tune The Day You Came Along. Fans of Fats Waller will also enjoy songs like The Joint Is Jumpin', Spring Cleaning, My Mommie Sent Me To The Store, and Clarinet Marmalade, which exude Waller's characteristic energy, wit, and infectious good mood. A completely different sound is found in the song Sorry from 1929, where you can hear the typical aesthetics of 1920s hot jazz (cornet, banjo, bass saxophone, violin...). The Fats Jazz Band also used other unusual instruments on the CD, such as the Hammond organ (Clarinet Marmalade) and the Swanee saxophone (He's Funny That Way). Bandleader Ladislav Fanzowitz presents two solo piano pie-ces from the early 1930s – Bugatti Step by Jaroslav Ježek and Black Beauty by Duke Ellington. His little big band ventured into British waters with beautiful renditions of songs like Who (Eddie Daniels Orchestra repertoire), Pastel Blue, and the titular song Rhythm Is Our Business, originally recorded by the Six Swingers. The album also includes two beautiful Slovak songs recorded in the 1950s by Viera Racková – Do zajtra čakaj and Maličká slzička. The CD's program is closed with the song Java Jive featuring a vocal quartet composed of orchestra members in the introduction.