CD Review: Bratislava Serenaders - I Like That

Hot (boiling point) dance music is an apt description of this tribute to 1920's bandleader Jean Goldkette. Like Paul Whiteman, Goldkette's claim to jazz's Hall of Fame was in his use of jazzers such as Bix, Trumbauer and the Dorseys. 

The Bratislavians recreate these period pieces beautifully - as long as they are regarded by listeners as just that - period piece recreations. Goldkette and Whiteman weren't Ellington or Henderson, however, such is the drive of these guys/gals from Bratislava (wherever that is?) that it soon proves to be much more than mere lip-service.

Hot choruses abound, everyone syncopates, saxes slur and the solos, dare I say it? are maybe minutely more modern than the originals although the fifths have yet to be flattened.

The Serenader Sisters remind us of how good the Boswell Sisters were and, looking through the wrong end of a telescope, Manhattan Transfer.

Having said all that, if this is your era, apart from our own New Century Ragtime Orchestra, I cannot think of another band that recaptures the period more authentically.

I recall seeing them at the North Tyneside Mouth of the Tyne Festival a few years back - a knockout then - a knockout now, particularly for those whose baby loves to Charleston. 

Another major plus point is the discovery of so many tunes that I didn't know of, most of which deserve further investigation. 

Too many musicians involved to list the personnel in full so I'll avoid offence by not listing any of them even though it may mean not going to Slovakia (I Googled!) for my hols - Grimsby here I come.

Website.

Lance.