The Vitality Five presents a new series of monthly releases which harks back to the custom of releasing music on double-sided 78rpm shellac records.  The band now presents a series of “e-78”s every month, of two tracks each.  This month’s release is now available from:

Spotify | Google Play Music | Apple Music | Tidal | Deezer

The January “e-78” features two stylistically varied selections. “31st St. Blues,” originally recorded by the very obscure Oliver Naylor Orchestra, features McQuaid on cornet, leading a new take on one of the many 1920s blues tunes which transforms the more traditional boundaries of the blues form and through many twists and turns into a unique and hard grooving stomp.  In addition to McQuaid’s searing cornet work, the track features great solos from Oliver and Wheatley. “Three Blind Mice,” made famous in a recording by the great Bix Beiderbecke, features the band in a more cerebral mode, interpreting a tricky tune with an emphasis on group interaction and subtle movements between sections, with standout bass saxophone work by Horniblow.

Recorded and Mixed by Andrew Oliver
Mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk, Sterephonic Mastering
Artwork by Nicholas D. Ball