American Music records were the Holy Grail of New Orleans record collecting - they were issued in small quantities, poorly distributed and the label bit the dust when the record industry converted to 12" LPs about 1957. But the sides were magical - the first recordings of a number of New Orleans pioneers and the largest dose of Bunk Johnson - they set the standard for New Orleans jazz recording. This compilation CD features 19 tracks covering the entire life of the label, either unissued or only included on LPs issued in Japan. This CD was originally included in the book Bill Russell"s American Music, a discographical study of the American Music label.