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Bulee ‘Slim’ Gaillard was a one of the most unusual and idiosyncratic personalities in jazz – a multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer, who even brought a new language to the genre in his vocalese singing which he called “Vout-o-Reenee”, as well as occasionally playing piano with his hands upside down and playing guitar with his hand above the fretboard. Although he continued performing until just before his death in 1991, appearing in the film “Absolute Beginners” in 1989, he was at the peak of his popularity and creative influence in the era spanning WWII and into the post war decade. This 52-track 2-CD collection comprises releases on the Variety, Vocalion, Okeh, Hep, Columbia, Meritt, Queen, Bee-Bee, Melodisc, Atomic, Beltone, MGM, Mercury, Clef and Norgran labels during this era. It features recordings with his long-time associate, bassist Slam Stewart as Slim & Slam, plus performances with his Flat Foot Floogee Boys, and his Quartette, Trio and other line-ups, with musicians including Frankie Newton, Slam Stewart, Howard McGhee, Lucky Thompson, Tiny ‘Bam’Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Dodo Marmorosa, Zutty Singleton, Buddy Tate, Ben Webster and many more. It includes his US pop and R&B hits “Flat Foot Floogie”, “Jump Session”, “Laughing In Rhythm”, “Tutti-Frutti”, Buck Dance Rhythm” and “Cement Mixer (Put-Ti-Put-Ti)”. It’s a thoroughly entertaining showcase for one of the great larger-than-life personalities of jazz.