During a period of time when few jazz-oriented big bands existed outside of Harlem, the Casa Loma Orchestra helped set the stage for the swing era. Gene Gifford’s arrangements for the ensemble during 1929-1935 were later criticized for using some staccato phrasing and an excess of riffs, but the music still sounds quite exciting today. Maniac’s Ball mostly dates from 1931-1932, with one song from 1933, three from 1934, Larry Clinton’s “A Study in Brown” from 1937, and a five-song session from 1936. In addition to a few Clinton arrangements, many of Gifford’s best charts are here, including “White Jazz,” “Black Jazz,” “Blue Jazz,” “Maniac’s Ball,” and “Wild Goose Chase.” Of the four Hep releases that on a whole feature most of the high points of the Casa Loma recordings (skipping the more commercial dance band records), Maniac’s Ball is the best all-round introduction to the music of the Casa Loma Orchestra. – Scott Yanow
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