Sam Lanin was a busy guy in the 1920s, recording for every label there was, sometimes (such as on this Okeh disc) getting only mentioned in the fine print. His band recorded under this very hip psuedonymn several times
for Okeh, for whom this side was waxed on July 17, 1926. The band included the likes of Miff Mole, and Red Nichols, but on this side (which is played almost as a march) you'd never know. The song was written as a "Spanish
Fox Trot" by the immortal Gus Kahn (co-wrote "It Had To Be You" plus many of Al Jolson's early hits) and Tolchard Evans (who would later write the melody to "Lady of Spain"). Not a jazzy tune, certainly, but well played
and certainly catchy. The original owner of this disc played it nearly to death. The best sample came from a late 20s electric pickup which could use a steel needle, and that is what you will hear, after a few tweaks with
EQ and noise reduction. (More examples of the work of the Melody Sheiks, plus a full discography, can be found at the Red Hot Jazz web site.)
