Trombonist
Miff Mole gained some fame in the 1920s for his many recordings with cornetist
Red Nichols. At a time when many other trombonists had a much more percussive approach,
Mole had an unusual style full of staccato runs, unpredictable interval jumps and impressive technique.
Mole led a series of sessions during the 1927-30 period with his
Molers, which overlapped personnel with
Nichols' bands, utilizing some of the top white studio players of the era. This superior British LP contains all 12 numbers cut at the trombonist's sessions of 1927, plus four tunes on which the band backs the popular singer
Sophie Tucker. With
Nichols, either
Jimmy Dorsey or
Pee Wee Russell on clarinet, usually pianist
Arthur Schutt, guitarist
Dick McDonough and drummer
Vic Berton being among the key sidemen (bass saxophonist
Adrian Rollini is an asset on the final six numbers), the music is quite advanced for the time, particularly in its arrangements. Highlights include "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Hurricane," "Davenport Blues,"
Tucker's "After You've Gone," "Imagination" and "Original Dixieland One-Step."
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi