America was hot to trot in 1913, when a craze for social dancing swept across the nation. Vernon and Irene Castle were the faces of that cultural revolution—and the soundtrack was composed by James Reese Europe and played by his bands. An esteemed musician, bandleader, and labor organizer on behalf of his fellow African Americans, Europe described his cohort's musical innovations as "the product of our souls." This compilation presents for the first time all eight sides recorded by Europe's Society Orchestra in 1913 and 1914, and it contrasts them with recordings of the same material by studio bands made contemporaneously. Also included are selections composed by Europe but recorded by other stars of the day, showing Europe's depth and influence. In the enclosed 56-page booklet, author David Gilbert gives incisive musical and cultural analysis, establishing James Reese Europe's prominence of position among the great musical forces of the 20th century. Companion to the book, The Product of Our Souls: Ragtime, Race, and the Birth of the Manhattan Musical Marketplace, published by the University of North Carolina Press, 2016. List price: $17.99
OVERVIEW
- Catalogue number: ARCH 6010
- UPC: 868490000258
- Original release date: June 1, 2018
- Running length: 74:37 / 22 tracks
- Notes & packaging: Digipak with a 56-page full-color booklet
- Tracks recorded: 1908-1916
- In Archeophone’s Jazz, Dance & Blues series
- Awards: 61st GRAMMY Nominee, Best Album Notes
Sample all tracks
| Tracklist | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Too Much Mustard | Europe’s Society Orchestra | 1913 | |
| 2. | Down Home Rag | Europe’s Society Orchestra | 1913 | |
| 3. | Amapa | Europe’s Society Orchestra | 1913 | |
| 4. | El Irresistible | Europe’s Society Orchestra | 1913 | |
| 5. | You’re Here and I’m Here | Europe’s Society Orchestra | 1914 | |
| 6. | The Castles in Europe | Europe’s Society Orchestra | 1914 | |
| 7. | Castle Walk | Europe’s Society Orchestra | 1914 | |
| 8. | Castle’s Lame Duck | Europe’s Society Orchestra | 1914 | |
| 9. | I’ve Got the Finest Man | Ada Jones | 1912 | |
| 10. | Castle Valse Classique | Metropolitan Military Band | 1916 | |
| 11. | Too Much Mustard | Prince’s Band | 1913 | |
| 12. | Down Home Rag | Van Eps Trio | 1914 | |
| 13. | Amapa Maxixe | National Promenade Band | 1914 | |
| 14. | El Irresistible | Indestructible Band | 1913 | |
| 15. | I Ain’t Had No Lovin’ in a Long Time | Bob Roberts | 1908 | |
| 16. | Castles’ Half and Half | Prince’s Band | 1914 | |
| 17. | Ballin’ the Jack | Victor Military Band | 1914 | |
| 18. | You’re Here and I’m Here | Kathleen Kingston & Billy Murray | 1914 | |
| 19. | Castle House Rag | National Promenade Band | 1914 | |
| 20. | The Castle Walk | Metropolitan Military Band | 1916 | |
| 21. | The Castle Walk | Metropolitan Military Band | 1916 | |
| 22. | Fiora Waltz Hesitation | Victor Military Band | 1915 | |
Vintage Jazz Mart
“Archeophone has done jazz history a great service in compiling all of the Victors into this collection with excellent sound. But listen carefully to these tracks because they are rewarding listening, then wonder how dancers could keep up with tempos. ” Russ Shor, Autumn 2018 issue
Black Grooves
“The Product of Our Souls is an authoritative compilation that emphasizes the importance of James Reese Europe as an extraordinary musician, composer, and bandleader who paved the way from ragtime to jazz.”
Brenda Nelson-Strauss, September 2018
The Syncopated Times
“Do us all another favor and encourage Archeophone to produce more valuable CDs with 56-page liner notes by acquiring this one.”
Joe Bebco, August 2018
GRAMMY Awards
- GRAMMY Nominee, Best Album Notes, 2018