Annotator Paul Watts points out that this 75-track selection of vocalist Hibbler's singles is just that, a selection. Given that Tom Lord's discography lists 233 sessions for Hibbler, that seems sensible. Best known to jazz followers for his lengthy period as Duke Ellington's vocalist, it's fitting then that most of CD1 concentrates on sessions made with Duke's men while moonlighting away from the maestro, the remaining material poised between jazz-inclined sides as well as R&B and pop items, some of which achieved hit status, most notably ‘Unchained Melody’ which made No. 2 in the 1955 UK chart.

Born blind in Mississippi in 1915, Hibbler came up the hard way, before making a breakthrough with Jay McShann in 1942 and then performing with Duke from 1943 to 1951. ‘I Got It Bad’ with Carney's people sets the scene, Hibbler's signature throaty sound and heavy vibrato allied to his sometimes dramatic pitching immediately evident. Quincy Jones applauded Hibbler's ‘deep-rooted earthiness and warmth’ and he was right.

Re jazz interest, the romping ‘S’posin’’ has a good tenor break from Jack McVea and Shorty Baker's trumpet also scores but Hibbler's forte was always the ‘lachrymose’ ballad viz ‘Solitude’ with Ray Nance's plaintive trumpet or ‘Trees’ with trumpeter Taft Jordan. Another ballad, ‘Danny Boy’ with Kyle made the No 9 spot in the 1950 R&B Juke Box chart. ‘Song of the Wanderer’ swings easily, Hibbler on top of things, tenorist Lucky Thompson's fine solo and Tyree Glenn's vibes making this a standout track. ‘Please’ has the supreme Hodges in imperious form. Acrobat says this collection comprises ‘most of Hibbler's A and B sides for the Aladdin, Miracle, Sunrise, Atlantic, Mercury, Clef, Norgran and Decca labels, during this era’. That's a whole lot of Hibbler but welcome, for sure. Sound quality is adequate.