"Cole Slaw" - Frank Culley
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/cole-slaw/567052645?i=567052710
Recorded in New York, January 17, 1949
Sonically, this is not nearly as huge as Joe Morris's "The Applejack" but hardly any less enjoyable. Culley's sax riff builds a catchy and cozy little groove that gives him room to show off his tone and improvisational skills...which are obviously not that great but they are entertaining and add to the instrumental's low-key boogie spirit nonetheless. As far as easy-listening jazz/R&B instrumentals go, this is certainly above average (hey, I haven't heard this song in almost a year and I still mostly remember how it goes!), but on the overall scale, you're better off making your way to the era of The Clovers, Ruth Brown, and Big Joe Turner if you want your dose of Atlantic R&B. Besides, Frank Culley's role would stake his small but notable place in this story by being the label's first major bandleader (along with providing some excellent sax work for the Clovers' classic "Don't You Know I Love You").
Verdict: Decent
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