The Benny Goodman Sextet (feat. Charlie Christian)

Charlie Christian was not the first electric guitarist, but he was its first giant. He elevated the guitar from a member of the rhythm section (where it was often inaudible) to the frontline, taking solos that could challenge any saxophonist. His playing was so appealing to his contemporaries that it was not until the emergence of rock in the mid- to late '60s that more advanced guitarists emerged. By then it was over a quarter century since Christian's premature death from tuberculosis. He spent his only two high-profile years as a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet, and 18 of their best recordings are on this CD. Christian and Goodman are joined by Lionel Hampton on the first dozen performances, while the final six boast the explosive combination of trumpeter Cootie Williams and Georgie Auld's tenor. The riffing inspires heated yet melodic solos, resulting in classic music that is impossible to dislike.