Sammy Davis Jr. was a multi-talented artist, a singer, dancer, stage and movie actor, comedian and TV personality, whose career encompassed not only performing and recording in those arenas, but also film and TV direction. Later famous as a member of the Rat Pack, he made his first records in 1949, but came to the fore after performing at the 1951 Academy Awards, to develop his many-faceted career. With a style rooted in old school big band music, he expanded his musical scope to have a dozen or so hits during the era covered by this collection, and as many again in subsequent years, as well as being a highly successful album seller. This great-value 78-track 3-CD set comprises most of the A & B sides from releases on the Capitol, Decca and Reprise labels from these years, including duets with Carmen McRae, Gary Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. It features all his US & UK chart entries from this era, including the Top 20 hits Hey There, Love Me Or Leave Me, Somethings Gotta Give, That Old Black Magic, What Kind Of Fool Am I and Me And My Shadow. The repertoire and the style of his performances and the production range across sophisticated pop, big band jazz, straight chart-focused pop, classy ballads and novelty-ish pieces, all making for a varied showcase for his extraordinary talent and versatility as an entertainer.