Antologia „Hittin' the Ramp: The Early Years (1936-1943)” zawiera blisko 200 utworów i skupia się na początkowych latach kariery Cole'a- między jego debiutem nagraniowym w wieku 17 lat a podpisaniem kontraktu z Capital Records, z którymi Cole święcił największe tryumfy.

Kolekcja czerpie z szerokiej gamy źródeł, w tym wielu niepublikowanych dotąd utworów takich jak: „Trompin” (wydany dla Cinematone w 1939 r.), „What'cha Know Joe” (wykonanie radiowe z 1940 r.) czy „The Romany Room is Jumpin” ”(nagranie prywatne, 1941 r.). Na płytach znajdziemy również sesje 17-letniego Cole'a, grającego na pianinie w zespole brata w Chicago w 1936 r. oraz pierwsze nagrania King Cole Trio z 1938 r., przeznaczone wyłącznie do emisji radiowych. W ramach wydawnictwa otrzymujemy także ponad 60 stronicowy album z rzadkimi zdjęciami artysty, eseje uznanego autora Willa Friedwalda i gitarzysty Nicka Rossiego oraz wywiady m.in. z Johnnym Mathisem, Tonym Bennettem, Quincy Jonesem, Harrym Belafonte, Johnem Pizzarelli, Freddym Colem czy Michaelem Feinsteinem.

Zestaw jest również dostępny w formacie cyfrowym na 7 płytach CD.

Nat King Cole „Hittin` the Ramp: The Early Years (1936-1943)” (10 LP)

Lista utworów:

Strona 1A (A)

1. Honey Hush 2:52, 1936, Decca master take
2. Stompin’ at the Panama (Skoller’s Shuffle) 2:59, 1936, Decca master take
3. Bedtime (Sleepy Moan) 2:54, 1936, Decca master take
4. Thunder 1936, Decca master take
5. Mutiny in the Nursery 2:52, 1938, Standard transcription
6. F.D.R. Jones 3:10, 1938, Standard transcription
7. The Sheik of Araby 2:17, 1938, Standard transcription
8. The Blue Danube 2:50, 1938, Standard transcription
9. Button, Button 2:52, 1938, Standard transcription

Strona 1B (B)

1. Jingle Bells 1938, Standard transcription
2. Swanee River 1938, Standard transcription
3. With Plenty of Money and You 2:15, 1938, Standard transcription
4. Don’t Blame Me 2:26, 1938, Standard transcription
5. Lullaby in Rhythm 2:48, 1938, Standard transcription
6. Dark Rapture 3:13, 1938, Standard transcription
7. The Wiggly Walk 2:52, 1938, Standard transcription
8. Flea Hop 2:43, 1938, Standard transcription
9. Chopsticks 2:44, 1938, Standard transcription
10. Patty Cake, Patty Cake 2:43, 1938, Standard transcription

Strona 2A (C)

1. Blue Skies 2:09, 1938, Standard transcription
2. Liza 2:58, 1938, Standard transcription
3. Three Blind Mice 2:08, 1938, Standard transcription
4. Caravan 2:17, 1938, Standard transcription
5. There’s No Anesthetic for Love 3:15, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
6. Dixie Jamboree 3:04, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
7. Ta-De-Ah 2:39, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
8. Riffin’ at the Bar-B-Q 2:05, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
9. Harlem Swing 2:30, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
10. I Lost Control of Myself 3:16, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription

Strona 2B (D)

1. The Land of Make Believe 2:52, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
2. That Please-Be-Mine-Able Feeling 2:15, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
3. Dancing in the Street 3:09, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
4. You’re So Different 3:02, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
5. I Wouldn’t Have Known It 2:33, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
6. Let’s Get Happy 2:18, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
7. Undecided 2:26, 1939, Standard transcription
8. ’Taint What You Do 2:53, 1939, Standard transcription
9. Do You Wanna Jump, Children? 2:46, 1939, Standard transcription
10. Riffin’ in F Minor 2:06, 1939, Standard transcription

Strona 3A (E)

1. Ol’ Man Mose Ain’t Dead 3:30, 1939, Standard transcription
2. Blue Lou 3:01, 1939, Standard transcription
3. Honey 2:11, 1939, Standard transcription
4. Russian Lullaby 2:07, 1939, Standard transcription
5. Georgie Porgie 2:23, 1939, Standard transcription
6. The Limp 2:52, 1939, Standard transcription
7. Snug as a Bug in a Rug 2:35, 1939, Standard transcription
8. Liebestraum 3:23, 1939, Standard transcription
9. Fidgety Joe 2:57, 1939, Standard transcription

Strona 3B (F)

1. Two Against One 3:00, 1939, Standard transcription
2. Some Like it Hot 3:09, 1939, Standard transcription
3. Crazy Rhythm 2:00, 1939, Standard transcription
4. Moonglow 2:57, 1939, Standard transcription
5. Don’t Let That Moon Get Away 2:45, 1939, Standard transcription
6. My Blue Heaven 1:36, 1939, Standard transcription
7. I Was Doing Alright 2:17, 1939, Standard transcription
8. I Can’t Get Started 2:41, 1939, Standard transcription
9. Old Man Moon 2:16, 1939, Standard transcription
10. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny 2:14, 1939, Standard transcription

Strona 4A (G)

1. Moon Song 3:09; 1939, Standard transcription
2. Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home 2:20, 1939, Standard transcription
3. Rosetta 2:11; 1939, Standard transcription
4. Trompin’ 2:46, 1939, Standard transcription
5. You’re My Life 2:54, 1939, Standard transcription
6. Hoy Soy 2:33, 1939, Standard transcription
7. Take ’Em 2:24, 1939, Standard transcription
8. Scategoria 2:32, 1939, Standard transcription
9. Rhythm Serenade 2:35, 1939, Standard transcription
10. Rib Town Shuffle 2:46, 1939, Standard transcription

Strona 4B (H)

1. Music’ll Chase Your Blues Away 2:01, 1939, Standard transcription
2. I’ll Gather Up My Memories 3:34, 1939, Standard transcription
3. A Fool’s Affair 3:34, 1939, Standard transcription
4. Jump, Jack, Jump 2:47, 1939, Standard transcription
5. I Knew a Time 3:05, 1939, Standard transcription
6. Mine You’ll Always Be 3:19, 1939, Standard transcription
7. Doin’ the Bow Wow 2:44, 1939, Standard transcription
8. Lilla Mae 2:18, 1939, Standard transcription

Strona 5A (I)

1. I Like to Riff 2:49, 1940, Ammo, master take
2. On the Sunny Side of the Street 2:55, 1940, Ammor master take
3. Black Spider Stomp 2:40, 1940, Ammor master take
4. By the River St. Marie 2:25, 1940, Ammor master take
5. Slew Foot Joe 2:14, 1940, Standard transcription
6. 1-2-3-4 2:09, 1940, Standard transcription
7. Crazy ’Bout Rhythm 2:04, 1940, Standard transcription
8. Off the Beam 2:18, 1940, Standard transcription
9. King Cole Blues 2:07, 1940, Standard transcription
10. Jivin’ with the Notes 2:01, 1940, Standard transcription
11. Never Mind, Baby 1:45, 1940, Keystone transcription

Strona 5B (J)

1. I’m a Perfect Fool Over You 2:38, 1940, Keystone transcription
2. Lovely Little Person 2:23, 1940, Keystone transcription
3. Love Me Sooner 2:32, 1940, Keystone transcription
4. Sentimental Blue 2:44, 1940, Keystone transcription
5. Goin’ to Town with Honey 2:21, 1940, Keystone transcription
6. Syncopated Lullaby 1:51, 1940, Keystone transcription
7. Falling in and Out of Love 1:50, 1940, Keystone transcription
8. Let’s Do Things 2:01, 1940, Keystone transcription
9. Jumpy Jitters 1:51, 1940, Keystone transcription
10. Nothing Ever Happens 2:35, 1940, Keystone transcription
11. What’cha Doin’ to My Heart 1:37, 1940, Keystone transcription

Strona 6A (K)

1. Bedtime 2:45, 1940, Standard transcription
2. Honey Hush 2:18, 1940, Standard transcription
3. French Toast 2:15, 1940, Standard transcription
4. Vine Street Jump 2:43, 1940, Standard transcription
5. B Flat 2:32, 1940, Standard transcription
6. You Send Me 2:11, 1940, Standard transcription
7. Love Is My Alibi 3:13, 1940, Standard transcription
8. Pogo Stick Bounce 2:19, 1940, Standard transcription
9. Whatcha’ Know, Joe? 2:36, 1940, unreleased radio broadcast
10. Sweet Lorraine 2:57, 1940, Decca master take

Strona 6B (L)

1. Honeysuckle Rose 2:34, 1940, Decca master take
2. Gone with the Draft 2:44, 1940, Decca master take
3. This Side Up 2:49, 1940, Decca master take
4. Jumpin’ with the Mop 2:26, 1941, Standard transcription
5. Jam Man 2:05, 1941, Standard transcription
6. Let’s Try Again 3:05, 1941, Standard transcription
7. Fudge Wudge 3:51, 1941, Standard transcription
8. Smokey Joe 1:58, 1941, Standard transcription
9. Windy City Boogie Woogie 2:26, 1941, Standard transcription
10. Ode to a Wild Clam 2:26, 1941, Standard transcription

Strona 7A (M)

1. Let’s Try Again 3:10, 1941, MacGregor transcription
2. Whatcha’ Know, Joe? 2:12, 1941, MacGregor transcription
3. Lazy River 1:46, 1941, MacGregor transcription
4. Georgia on My Mind 2:45, 1941, MacGregor transcription
5. Rockin’ Chair 3:13, 1941, MacGregor transcription
6. A Little Jive Is Good for You 3:41, 1941, MacGregor transcription
7. You’ve Changed 3:05, 1941, MacGregor transcription

Strona 7B (N)

1. Babs 2:27, 1941, Decca master take
2. Scotchin’ with the Soda 2:35, 1941, Decca master take
3. Slow Down 3:09, 1941, Decca master take
4. Early Morning Blues 2:46, 1941, Decca master take
5. The Romany Room Is Jumpin’ 2:30, 1941, unreleased private recording
6. This Will Make You Laugh 3:14, 1941, Decca master take
7. Stop! The Red Light’s On 2:39, 1941, Decca master take
8. Hit the Ramp 3:21, 1941, Decca master take
9. I Like to Riff 2:48, 1941, Decca master take

Strona 8A (O)

1. Call the Police 3:05, 1941, Decca master take
2. Are You Fer It? 3:08, 1941, Decca master take
3. That Ain’t Right 3:14, 1941, Decca master take
4. Hit That Jive, Jack 2:59, 1941, Decca master take
5. Indiana 4:53, 1942, Philo, w/Lester Young
6. I Can’t Get Started 4:55, 1942, Philo, w/Lester Young

Strona 8B (P)

1. Tea for Two 4:47, 1942, Philo, w/Lester Young
2. Body and Soul 5:13, 1942, Philo, w/Lester Young
3. Vom, Vim, Veedle 3:02, 1942, Excelsior master take
4. All for You 3:28, 1942, Excelsior master take
5. Hip Hip Hooray 2:24, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #5
6. I Know That You Know 2:10, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #5
7. I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town 3:44, 1942 or 1943, Live from the 331 Club

Strona 9A (Q)

1. Pitchin’ Up a Boogie 3:14, 1943, Excelsior master take
2. I’m Lost 3:19, 1943, Excelsior master take
3. Beautiful Moons Ago 2:27, 1943, Excelsior master take
4. Let’s Spring One 2:43, 1943, Excelsior master take
5. Slender, Tender, and Tall 2:06, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #29
6. I’ve Found a New Baby 4:44, 1943, Mercury, w/Dexter Gordon
7. Rosetta 5:10, 1943, Mercury, w/Dexter Gordon

Strona 9B (R)

1. Sweet Lorraine 4:56, 1943, Mercury, w/Dexter Gordon
2. I Blowed and Gone 4:47, 1943, Mercury, w/Dexter Gordon
3. Solid Potato Salad 2:07, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #36
4. F.S.T. (Fine, Sweet & Tasty) 3:07, 1943, Premier master take
5. Got a Penny 2:37, 1943, Premier master take
6. Let’s Pretend 3:18, 1943, Premier master take
7. My Lips Remember Your Kisses 3:11, 1943, Premier master take
8. I’m an Errand Boy for Rhythm 1:51, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #51
9. Straighten Up and Fly Right 2:45, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #51

Strona 10A (S)

1. Honey Hush 2:47, 1936, Decca alternate take
2. By the River St. Marie 2:12, 1938 Standard transcription
3. I Like to Riff 2:33, 1939, Standard transcription
4. Black Spider Stomp 2:54, 1939, Standard transcription
5. Sweet Lorraine 3:23, 1939, Standard transcription
6. Early Morning Blues 2:53, 1940, Standard transcription
7. Gone with the Draft 2:22, 1940, Standard transcription
8. Trompin’ 1:48, 1939, Recorded for Cinematone
9. Sweet Lorraine 2:57, 1940, Decca alternate take
10. Gone with the Draft 2:41, 1940, Decca alternate take

Strona 10B (T)

1. Scotchin’ with the Soda 2:25, 1941, Standard transcription
2. Gone with the Draft 2:28, 1941, Standard transcription
3. The Romany Room Is Jumpin’ 2:33, 1941, unreleased private recording, alternate take
4. Hit That Jive, Jack 2:16, 1942, AFRS Mail Call #16
5. Beautiful Moons Ago 3:36, 1943, Excelsior alternate take
6. Honeysuckle Rose 3:20, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #29
7. I Know That You Know 2:53, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #36
8. Solid Potato Salad 2:14, AFRS Command Performance #87
9. My Lips Remember Your Kisses 3:07, 1943, Premier alternate take
10. Straighten Up and Fly Right 2:52, 1943, AFRS Personal Album #227