Ever since the late 1950's when popular music encompassed rock and roll and beat music record collectors worldwide have lived their lives around collecting vinyl records covering all era's of music whether it be soul, funk, reggae, beat and the aforementioned rock and roll. Drop the name Cameo Parkway into any conversation amongst collectors and those in the know will immediately start to reel off dozens of titles they would dearly love to get their hands on.

Born in the USA as two individual labels Cameo & Parkway they were joined together for the UK market and were distributed in the UK by the now defunct (although very respectable) Pye Records group who issued a fair few singles and albums although mainly centered around the likes of Chubby Checker and Bobby Rydell. As new dances were invented by America's teenagers the Cameo label was at the cutting edge in getting them released first. Chubby Checker's twist craze took the country by storm and gave him a massive hit which was followed by a number of follow on songs centered around the Twist and the Pony Time dances. The Dovell's had their early 60's release 'The Bristol Stomp' released on the label setting the blueprint for classic early sixties doo-wop and pop. It was however the young Bobby Rydell who took the label to new height's with a string of hit songs helped on by his smoldering good looks and popularity with the girls, making him the labels hottest male vocalist.

Rydell also teamed up with Checker on the fast and furious 'Teach Me To Twist' a song dedicated to teaching the listener how to combat the twist dance although would have had more impact if seen performed on TV, but Rydell's best recordings during the early years can be found in 'Kissin' Time' a piece of pure rock 'n' roll reminiscent of the Kalin Twins hit recording 'When'. Fans of the girlie groups of the era will instantly recognise The Orlons and their hit record 'The Wah-Watusi' as being one of those pop/soul songs that Motown had success with some of their very early recordings.

As rock 'n' roll and beat music took hold of the record buying public the UK saw many of its home grown artists covering many of America's popular tunes of the day. The Rolling Stones and The Beatles were always favourites for their admiration of this type of music and often would use them for filler material on their LP releases. Another act on the label was Dee Dee Sharp who eventually blossomed into a recording artist for Philly International but originally cut her teeth and paid her dues during the early 1960's recording dance records centered around the Mashed Potato, and Bird dances where the former remains a popular collectors item her on UK release. As the early 1960's progressed Bobby Rydell continued on a roll and his rendition of 'Volare' is pure swing pleasure and is so comparable to the style adopted by the late Bobby Darin.

If there is one thing the Cameo Parkway IS famous for and that is a number of soul releases that found fame and fortune amongst the northern soul fraternity of which this four CD treats the listener to a smattering of dancefloor classics. Kicking off with one of the rarest sides ever released the delightful Candy & the Kisses with 'The 81' a massive collectors item (especially on UK) this northern soul monster rates amongst the best I've ever heard and is amongst my all-time favourite dance tracks. Soul fans will instantly recognise the inclusion of Christine Cooper's northern favourites 'Heartaches Away My Boy' and the equally appealing 'SOS (Heart In Distress) both of which are major players on the scene.

More northern soul can be found on disc 3 via Frankie Beverly & the Butlers uplifting and very soulful 'Because Of My Heart' setting the stage for his future success as the lead singer of the highly successful funk outfit Maze in the late seventies and early eighties. Blue eyed soul singer Len Barry had been around a while by the time his 'Little White Horse' was released and he was always going to be a favourite and eventually enjoyed hits with '1 2 3', 'I Struck It Rich' and 'Like A Baby' to name a few. 'Horses' grows with each listen and had all the ingredients of a hit song. Disc 3 also includes some British releases that found a release in the US such as the Kinks with their 'You Still Want Me' and 'Long Tall Sally' as well as the two most popular hits from the Ivy League with 'Tossing & Turning' and 'Funny How Love Can Be' both which were hug hits here in the UK.

I must point you towards the three songs on this disc from the legendary Tymes. Their glorious 'So Much In Love' is a perfect example of black harmony groups at their very best. The phrasing, and vocal delivery of this song as well as 'So Wonderful! Wonderful!' contains every single ingredient needed to make a classic pop record. The group continued throughout the 60's into the following decade recording such gems as 'Here She Comes' 'People' and the disco classic 'Ms Grace'. Also not to be overlooked is the gospel drenched rendition of Rogers & Hammerstein's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' by the now legendary Patti Labelle & the Bluebells. Patti as you will know continued well into the late 80's with a career that clocked up hit singles for the legendary Philly International label as well as MCA records where her duet with Michael McDonald gave her a much deserved hit record.

Disc 4 has some nifty little items worthy of mention especially Evie Sands' cover of PP Arnolds classic song 'Angel Of The Morning' performed in the same mood but somehow just having the sharper edge for me. Three songs form the Burke family aka The Five Stairsteps the strongest of which is 'World Of Fantasy' and 'Come Back'. The group achieved major success for Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label at the turn of the decade where Mayfield wrote a number of songs for them. This si the group that produced Kenny Burke! Eddie Holman remains a firm favourite amongst true soul fans and 'This Can't Be True' breaks away from the dance mode and displays the real side of his magical voice used here in the same falsetto style as his hit 'Hey There Lonely Girl'

Philly's Delfonics get two of their recordings on the playlist with 'You've Been Untrue' as being the best of the two although you'll go far to find a better group who are seen as the original sweet soul harmony group the likes of which the Stylistics and Blue Magic must have certainly took their influenced from. Three more songs you simply must not miss is Chris Bartley's 'The Sweetest Thing' (this side of heaven) Lonnie Youngblood with 'The Grass' (will sing for you) Bunny Sigler with his northern soul favourite 'Let The Good Times Roll' and the pop classic '96 Tears' from ? And The Mysterians.

Finally whilst this four CD set is a fine example of the vast range and musical styles issued on the label both in the US and UK it is by no means the complete anthology. I instantly spotted the omission of two dance tunes from Chubby Checker in (At The) 'Discotheque' and 'You Just Don't Know' and the fabulous Doris Troy with 'I'll Do Anything'. From doo-wop to pop, rock 'n' roll to soul and pop, Cameo Parkway had it all and was a major player in its day.

An absolute must for fans of sixties pop and soul.

Rating 10/10