Ref-O-Ree Records was started in Nashville in 1968 by songwriter, producer, musician, talent scout, and DJ Ted Jarrett, who has had a long (and largely unsung) career creating and promoting black music in Music City. Ref-O-Ree specialized in hard, deep Southern soul and proto funk, and provided a home for artists like Gene Allison, Larry Birdsong, and Roscoe Shelton, all of whom made their last recordings for Jarrett's label. This generous 25 track set will be a revelation for many, as side after side explodes out of the speakers with unbridled passion and energy. Clear highlights include Birdsong's raggedly perfect "Digging Your Potatoes," Allison's emotionally brilliant "I Understand," Rufus Hunter's undeniably funky "Clean with Your Dirty Work," and a pair of gems from the little-known Henry Thomas (not to be confused with the 1920s Texas blues songster who bears the same name), the eerie "Is It Love or an Imitation" and the infectious "You Got to Have a Thing." This a quality set, and many of these sides have not appeared on CD before, making The Ref-O-Ree Story both an exciting listen and a must for fans and collectors of vintage Southern soul. Several Ref-O-Ree releases have become Northern Soul classics in the UK. Here the dancers that still fetch big money are Freddie Waters,Peggy gains,The Anons,Thomas henry,The Temo Rhytms & The Precious Three....Fabulous!
AMM
The Tasters!
24 comments:
Lovely southern soul AMM thanks for the post!
Another little known label to explore! I would like to don my safari jacket and do just that!
Cheers!
Bill
Great label that doesn't get much exposure , Thanks AMM .
Roscoe Shelton was such a bad ass soul singer. Looking forward to this one, AMM. Many thanks.
Now this is a really good CD so I really appreciate an upgrade to flac, thanks AMM
A cracking review with the booklet too, thanks
Great label. Great material. Can't ask for more.
Another interesting label collection ... Thanks for review, P.
Things are never as bad as they seem when stuff like this is around. Thanks, AMM!
This is a good little label that I collected at the time.
Thanks AMM
Yves
Great sides-thanks for the review
As I don't have any records from this label, I'm a buyer......Thank you AMM.
Pierre
I
Thanks AMM for bringing the ref here.
yep. love Southern Soul, many thanks for the review.
I Agree On Roscoe Shelton,100 Percent Pure Soul, Nice Comp!
No Link Needed
Thanks AMM
thank you for this good looking southern soul collection. thanks AMM.
Great Review Thank you AMM
yes sir my kind thanks much AMM
Looks great
Thanks AMM for this one yet again a great set
Cheers Pedro
Thanks AMM this comp looks great Reb
Great samples!
great tasters, thanks for reviewing this label.
Thanks AMM appreciated
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