Jazz Age! Hot Sounds Of The 20s & 30s

When I was a child my parents had a record by the Alberts, Temperance Seven and the Bonzo Dog Band and I loved it. At the time I did not realise that these were bands of the 1960s reliving the music of the 1920s in the Trad/Rad movement, I just loved the sound. Later I came across the Pasadena Roof Orchestra who concentrated less on humour and more on the music. As I grew older I understood the origins better, but recordings from the actual period that inspired these groups often sounded so small and scratchy that they could hardly be enjoyed.So what a treat to find this compilation, which is of high musical and high audio quality. The transfer from 78 rpm disks is superb, there is almost no hiss or crackle and the dynamic range is about as good as could be hoped for. These are old recordings so there are limits but I can't imagine this being done any better. The fact that they don't sound modern gives them a nostalgic feeling which transports you back in time rather than being a detraction.It is interesting to note that on Bryn Ferry's album, also called "Jazz Age", where he performs Roxy Music tracks in the style of 1920s jazz, the sound quality has been deliberately reduced to make it sound more authentic.But more importantly the selection of music on this collection of original tracks is great. Lots of the key musicians of the age and a good varied selection of tunes. Most tracks are instrumental and had my toes tapping all the way through from the first listening. Considering there is around two and a half hours of material here, it is amazing that this never seems monotonous and not a single track I would want to untick in iTunes. The few tracks with vocals are well chosen and dotted here and there to make things interesting.The booklet on the physical CD has biographical information about the artists and details of the individual tracks.This is NOT some bargain bucket compilation CD. This is a quality offering through and through and worth the price (around £15 at time of this review). I listened to the samples on just about all of the other 1920s, Charleston, etc compilations but this is the one that stood out.

My type of music..Enjoying the various artists very much.

The music on these discs is wonderful - as I knew it would be, knowing most of the artists. But what must be stressed is the marvellous job Past Perfect have done in providing the music with clear and vibrant sound quality, without in any way losing the true resonance and richness of the recordings of the period.

Bet not many 70+ ladies drive like a bat out of hell to this style of music. Love it and the other one I bought. Love ragtime😀

Past Perfect are the definitive masters of upgrading scratchy recordings from the days before studios had tape recorders - their achievements are amazing. This 'Jazz Age!' album is the 4th I've bought, and doubtless not the last!

Bought this for my 83yr old dad for xmas .he says its brilliant x

great quality c.d bought two together a good mix love it

Bought as a gift so hoping it will be well received