The Hits Collection 1919-34

Ben Selvin was a violinist, bandleader, record producer and record company executive who, in the early years of the industry made more records and had more hits than just about any other artist, as well as having one of the biggest sellers of the era with “Dardanella”. He recorded the style of middle-of-the-road dance band music which appealed to mainstream audiences during the 1920s and early ‘30s until he gave up leading his band to move into radio and record company management. This great-value 92-track 4-CD collection comprises most of his recordings which are listed as hits – there was simply not space to include them all. With releases on the Victor, Emerson, Vocalion, Brunswick, Banner and Columbia labels, it includes hits that he had under various names, including Selvin’s Novelty Orchestra, Selvin’s Dance Orchestra, The Cavaliers, The Knickerbockers. The Broadway Nitelites, The Kensington Serenaders and others. It features performances by a number of different vocalists, including Smith Ballew, Franklyn Bauer, Irving Kaufman, Jack Palmer, Ruth Etting, Dick Robertson, Eubie Blake and others. It’s a collection which captures the style of the era, including early recordings of many compositions which became classic standards.