The Ultimate Collection

It’s impossible, even at 26 tracks, for a single-disc collection to comprehensively cover the career of the Andrews Sisters, who charted an astounding 113 singles during their Decca years from the late ’30s through the early ’50s. This release hits the obvious high points, but also includes tracks like “Scrub Me Mama With a Boogie Beat,” which, while not exactly rare, doesn’t usually show up on single-disc comps. Truthfully, the Andrews Sisters need a substantial box set, since their upbeat material and tight, well-arranged harmonies, along with a tendency to select rhythmic dance songs from several cultures (one of their best covers was a version of Lord Invader’s calypso classic “Rum and Coca-Cola,” included here), mark them as pop modernists. It’s a wonder they haven’t been sampled to death. – Steve Leggett