Cee Pee Johnson saw stars briefly during his career as a bandleader, his combo appearing in several Hollywood films highlighting novelty songs, vocal groups and jumping jive. Johnson can be compared to Cab Calloway minus the brilliant repertoire, the material he did record showing up on compilations focusing on -- or rather blurring through -- reefer madness as well as other tawdry subjects: West Coast Jive, Man That's Groovy: Early Vocal Groups, Honkin' the Boogie.
Johnson's penchant for accompanying his vocals on tom-toms and other vaguely African percussion was somewhat in...