15 Years Jazz By The Sea: A Nostalgic Stroll Through Time
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when swing meets soul-jazz, or when Dixieland crashes into ragtime like an overeager brass band at a picnic, then 15 Years Jazz By The Sea: All Time Greatest Hits is your ticket. Released in 2005 by a collective of Dutch musicians under the "Not On Label" banner (how mysterious!), this album feels less like a compilation and more like a warm hug from jazz history itself.
Let’s talk tracks for a sec—because while all 15 songs have their charm, two really stuck with me. First up, there’s “Lucky Old Sun.” Now, I’m not gonna lie; it took me back to lazy Sunday afternoons where time didn’t matter, and neither did my laundry pile. The melody rolls along so smoothly that you almost forget how bittersweet the lyrics are. It’s one of those tunes that makes you feel grateful for life but also kinda sad about… well, everything else. And isn’t that what good jazz does? It messes with your emotions just enough to keep things interesting.
Then there’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” which hits differently every time I hear it. Maybe it’s because Fats Waller’s classic gets this fresh twist here—a little sassier, a little smoother, like someone slipped some espresso into the mix. This version reminds me why we love jazz: it’s playful, unpredictable, and impossible not to tap your foot to. Plus, whoever handled the arrangement deserves a medal—or at least a round of applause from everyone who can’t resist humming along.
The rest of the album keeps the vibe alive with gems like “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” bringing that spiritual depth, and “I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate” throwing down pure fun. You’ll notice the variety too—big band energy on one track, then soul-jazz vibes creeping in next. It’s like they couldn’t decide what kind of party to throw, so they threw ALL the parties instead.
Props go out to Wim de Jong for the layout (which probably looked sharp as heck) and Douwe Mulder for keeping the musical ship steady. Jaap Klein’s text adds a nice touch, grounding the whole thing with context and personality. Honestly, though, the real stars here are the performances themselves. They make you believe that jazz isn’t just music—it’s a living, breathing thing.
So yeah, if you’re looking for something polished and perfect, maybe this ain’t your jam. But if you want an album that feels like flipping through old photographs of people laughing way too hard, give this one a spin. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself googling “How to shimmy properly” after track six. Trust me, it happens.
Final thought? Listening to this album feels like finding a hidden treasure chest full of mismatched jewels. Sure, some pieces shine brighter than others, but together, they tell a story worth hearing. Or maybe I’m just saying that because I now have “Ain’t Misbehavin’” stuck in my head again. Either way, mission accomplished.
