British Jazz legend, Acker Bilk, with a pick-up band plus his own band making their first recordings for a major label in 1958. This 'double CD for the price of one collection' finds British Jazz legend, Acker Bilk on the cusp of his rise to fame in 1958. Disc 1 features a pickup band comprised of members of Acker's Paramount Jazz Band and Ken Colyer's Jazzmen. Under the title Johnny Bastable's Chosen Seven it was recorded for the small independent label 77 (operated out of Doug Dobell's shop at 77 Charing Cross Road in London's West End). It's a good stomping New Orleans based session. Disc 2 sees Acker and his own Paramount Jazz Band making his first recordings for a major label, Pye. It also sees the band exploring a more interesting repertoire than the usual Jazz standards pursued by his earlier recordings. Interestingly many of those tunes have since become Jazz standards. Acker always had an exciting band and this set proves why he was so popular particularly with young Jazz fans. This collection contains rare alternative takes as well as 6 previously unissued tracks.