Format Details: Jewel Case
Release Date: 25 February 2008
Label: Kent
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 029667229128
Genres: Blues Rhythm and Blues Soul/R&B R&B
Description
The third of Kent's ventures into the world of R&B dance music goes one step further into the world of musical categories by including tracks suited to the Belgian Popcorn scene. This genre of music grew up in the early 70s when like the UK's Northern Soul scene, the hip teenagers of their day preferred the original dance music of the 60s to the records that were coming out of the US and UK at that time. The big difference was that their favourite records weren't "on the fours"� beat, sub-Motown sounds, but had a more mid-tempo, dance rhythm that they could slow jive to; as in Nappy Brown's 1961 Savoy recording 'Coal Miner' on this CD. Though that record would not have been issued in Belgium, or indeed anywhere else in Europe, these intrepid record hunters scoured mail order lists and took trips to the US to find such gems, which in turn gave the DJs with the new discoveries kudos and the admiration of their small band of fanatical followers. Davenport and Cooley's song 'Fever' is often taken as the blueprint for the successful Popcorn sound and at least three (coincidentally all previously unissued) such influenced songs are present from Boyce Cunningham, Harold Atkins and the recently christened Mr A N Other. These are all black or at least black sounding vocals from R&B stables Frisco, Downey and Old Town, and as this is their debut, they will cause much interest around central Western Europe where the Popcorn world still turns. In the mid 80s when Northern Soul's accepted beats became more varied, many sounds originally played on the Popcorn scene like Sam Fletcher's 'I'd Think It Over' were then spun on the Northern scene too. That co-operation and cross pollination between collectors and scenes has continued so much, that erstwhile Northern fans have been converted into full-on Popcorn believers. The more dated of these sounds, to Northern Soul ears, have been programmed into the New Breed R&B club scene, which often earns itself a separate room at Northern venues, but the biggest records often cross over onto the main Northern dance floors. This CD is still aimed primarily at that late 50s / early 60s R&B crowd and has avoided the poppier excesses of the Popcorn scene which has featured records by Petula Clark, The Ames Brothers and Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra at its nadir. The opening track will make all lovers of black music from the golden age happy, if not delirious. For some five or more years I have been spinning Luther Ingram's unissued master tape version of Fred Bridges and Harrison Smith's 'Oh Baby Don't You Weep' at Northern Soul and R&B clubs all over Europe. Virtually from the very first spin it has been a success and has gone on to acquire "massive"� status. Many people will buy this CD for the compelling vocals and insistent rhythm of this opening track alone; some may not even care what the other 23 tracks are. New Breed R&B is a relatively recent era and style to have collectors and connoisseurs shine the spotlight
Tracklisting
Young-Holt Unlimited
Isaac Hayes
Jeanette Jones
Z.Z. Hill
Wilson Pickett
Willie Bollinger / Willie Walker
William Bell
William Bell
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
Various Artists
