This 22 track collection covers the early career of one of the most commanding, smooth balladeers of the 1950s. Hartman was a black "crooner" closely following Billy Eckstine in style, presentation and delivery. He started out with the big band of Earl Hines before crossing the bebop tracks to join Dizzy Gillespie for two years. At the same time he cut solo sides for the Mercury label, where you can hear his Sinatra-influenced vocal style really coming to the fore.