I was hoping to rip my CD of this album a while back but found it split in 2! so i put a shout out and our 2 japanese brothers both came through with a copy, ive included my Booklet so thats something....Kent Harris’ strong point was undoubtedly his witty and topical lyrics, allied to having his ear to the ground for the latest trends in black music. His most famous work, ‘Clothes Line’, recorded under his alias Boogaloo & His Gallant Crew was plundered by Leiber and Stoller for the Coasters’ ‘Shoppin’ For Clothes’ and is already out on an Ace compilation. All four of his Crest sides are humorous, streetwise and down with the groove of the day. ‘Big Fat Lie’ concerns a visit to the pawnbrokers, which a lot of black audiences could relate to in the 50s. Other novelty songs include ‘Big Chief Hug-Um An’ Kiss-Um’ by James Shaw, later to be known more grandly as the Mighty Hannibal, and the discovered Boogaloo recording ‘I’m In The Dog House Again’. "He’s so late back his woman won’t let him into the house and he has to kip down with the dog. ‘Double Locks", which Kent wrote for Johnny Gosey, deals with an angry landlady putting locks on the tenant’s crib until the back rent is paid....lol! Kent’s arrangements were innovative too. On the Francettes’ ‘He’s So Sweet’, he and group manager Frances Gray combined to get the backing girls calling and responding and throwing in their own seemingly ad-libbed comments rather than just filling in the harmony. This albume embraces the whole of the Harris family and the Booklet describes what an influential Los Angeles clan they were. The much missed sister Dimples is a major contributor, rocking it up with her sisters on ‘Kissin’ Bug’ from 1955 and also recording solo and accompanying her big brother under his pseudonym of Ducky Drake. She cut as a solo under her married name of Dimples Jackson in 1960 and with her new husband Harold, helping him out on his astonishing "The Freedom Riders" 45. New Breed R&B lovers will appreciate Dimples’ "Love Came Tumbling Down", while the new version of Donoman’s "I’m The Only One" by the Phillips Sisters is a big bonus. The whole mysterious Donoman / Cry Baby Curtis story is related in the Booklet. His "Monday Is Too Late" has a New Orleans meets "Turn On You Lovelight" vibe that will thrill traditional R&B lovers. Though Kent Harris had many high quality soul productions that were revied on the ROMARK CD back in October 2022 he always had a bias towards the blues and you feel that the "You Ain’t Right" wailer from Faye Ross was the side the musicians had their hearts in, rather than the Motown-esque "Faith, Hope And Trust". Kent’s partner, and love of his life, Ty Karim, was primarily a soul singer but when they worked on a blues like "‘Take It Easy Baby", it was as intense as anything they cut together. Vocal group collectors will be pleased with the new version of "Diddy Bop" that predates the Valaquons’ Rayco release and the splendid Lon-Genes provide an incredibly rare harmony ballad as well as a new twist on an old dance craze. Kent have chased tapes, 45s and label scans all across the world to get the productions and recording facts of a seriously overlooked R&B producer into an accurate history. Though a large amount of information has been discovered, they are positive there are more obscure 45s out there featuring Kent’s work. If you know of any contact me, i would be most interested guys!
AMM
Courtesy Of Hakase & Kenji...Thanks Guys!
The Tasters!
24 comments:
I'm the only one? What a big fat lie!
Thanks, Hakase, Kenji & AMM!
Many thanks to the soul brothers in Japan and to AMM for this review!!
Supahsweet :D Thx m8 ;) ✌🏻
Very nice indeed
I knew Japanese whiskey but I never thought they would be such big blues and soul lovers there, many thanks for the share!
And another interesting looking set, thanks to the top men in Japan
Thanks Hakase and Kenji for making AMM whole again.
Thanks AMM, Hakase & Kenji for this review
Another great compilation! Thanks for review, P.
Another great review with an equally impressive com, thank you Hakase & Kenji! Thank you AMM.
THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH HAKASE ,KENJI and AMM for making an old man VERY HAPPY!!!!!
Well you`ve really excelled yourself today MM! Ecery onr a winner!
You`ve played a blinder todat AMM EVERY ONE A WINNER!! Cheers1 Bill
Many thanks Hakase, Kenji & AMM for this!
Another fantastic collection... souls soothed all over the world.
A thousand thanks guys :)
BigD
Thank you Hakase & Kenji for the review
Big thank you to the soul brothers from Japan Hakase, Kenji cant wait to bend my ears on this one Thanks to AMM cheers Pedro
Thanks for the review mate
What a great day for reviews, thanks to all for this review
Many thanks to everyone for this one.
Thank you AMM, Hakase & Kenji. This is a great looking selection of rare R&B tunes.
Hakase,Kenji and AMM thank you all
another discovery for me; thank you guys !
great tasters .
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