Let's Bring Back The Big Bands! Here's To The Big Bands Then & Now

Released during the late 1970s on the independent Star Satelite label, this record represents a dedicated effort by bandleader Al Raymond to preserve the legacy of the big band era. At a time when disco and rock dominated the airwaves, Raymond organized a seventeen-piece ensemble of Philadelphia-based musicians to recreate the swing sound of the 1930s and 40s. The project functioned as both a nostalgic homage and a working dance band effort, designed to bring authentic arrangements to live audiences who missed the immersive experience of the ballroom era.

The album serves as a documentation of Raymond's specific approach to swing music, characterized by meticulous brass section work and traditional arrangements that favored precision over modern synthesis. While the record was primarily marketed to regional jazz enthusiasts and social dance clubs in the Mid-Atlantic, it remains an artifact of the persistent cultural push to keep historical jazz styles alive outside of mainstream commercial trends. The design features a straightforward aesthetic typical of independent jazz pressings of the era, focusing on the sheer scale of the ensemble rather than abstract imagery.