The Collection
Bessie Smith
1923-33 [Columbia/Legacy]

A solid package covering vocalist  Bessie Smith's time at Columbia, although a 2CD remastered set is now available. Dubbed "The Empress Of the Blues" owing to her powerful voice, Smith scored a major hit with her first recording - 'Downhearted Blues'. She remained popular up to the onset of the Great Depression in the late-20s.

Lady Day - The Best of Billie Holiday [2CD]
Billie Holiday
1933-44 [Columbia/Legacy]

Plagued by loneliness and heroin addiction "Lady Day" never really had much of a chance in her all-too-brief life. Her musical romance with legendary tenor Lester Young is probably the closest she ever came to being happy. This superb set brings together the best from Columbia's 10-disc boxed set. Best budget alternative is the Sony Greatest Hits.

The Commodore Master Takes
Billie Holiday
1939-44 [Commodore/GRP]

Holiday found an artistic release from her contractual obligations at Columbia in the one session in 1939 and three in 1944 she recorded for the Commodore label. As a result, the 16 tracks here are amongst her best - at times riveting and absolutely dripping with pure emotion. 'Strange Fruit' is a dramatic political statement not to be missed.

Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown
Sarah Vaughan w/ Clifford Brown
1954 [EmArcy]

Brown's name was added to the CD release of this set in order to take advantage of the trumpeter's legendary status. Sassy's voice is in resplendent form as she makes her way through nine topnotch standards. 'Lullaby of Birdland' is the standout, but the follow-up 'April in Paris' is also riveting. One of the best pure jazz vocal sets around.

Dinah Jams
Dinah Washington
1954 [EmArcy]

Washington is typical of the school of fine all-round vocalists who had to constantly tolerate accusations of selling out her "art" because she often chose to work outside the jazz field. No questions here though - the presence of trumpeter Clifford Brown and drummer Max Roach for this studio jam session make this far-and-away her finest jazz set.

Something Cool
June Christy
1955 [Capitol]

For some inexplicable reason Christy seems to have been almost forgotten and is rarely mentioned during discussions of great jazz vocalists. Working with arranger Pete Rugulo's orchestra, the original 11 Something Cool tracks plus a further 13 from later sessions featuring the same personnel make this the ideal overview.

My Funny Valentine
Chet Baker
1953-56 [Pacific Jazz]

Baker really had two very disparate careers - one as the coolest trumpet on the West Coast and the other as a popular jazz vocalist. Here he is at his most delicately romantic as his voice quavers its way through 14 tracks cut for Pacific Jazz between 1953 and 1956, with occasional heart-rending trumpet soloing thrown in for good measure.

Ella and Louis
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
1956 [Verve]

In later years Armstrong's distinctive gravel-tones brought him acclaim as a great jazz vocalist. Here he plays the perfect foil to Fitzgerald and the affection between the two is obvious. Satchmo even manages to blow his horn every now and then. As great as it is, the follow-up Ella & Louis Again (1957) may be even better.