The sound of Rhythm and Blues is arguably as popular today as it was back in the early to mid sixties where underground clubs in the inner city area’s of the UK such as Manchester/Nottingham/Bristol and London dedicated their whole playlist to this form of black music that was slowly, but surely, replacing the Merseybeat sound of Liverpool which had been so dominant since 1962.

What’s more, these venues were home from home for visiting rhythm and blues artists from the States who saw an eager British audience as a way of promoting their kind of music which was often more popular in Europe than in the country of origin.

Such exposure in this country helped names such as Muddy Waters/Little Milton/Billy Stewart/Chuck Berry establish a firm fan base over here as well as giving them some taste of chart success albeit at the lower scale of the top 100.

The opening track on this CD is the well tried and tested ‘Rescue Me’ from Fontella Bass, which arguably is one of soul classics from the middle sixties where is was issued in the UK on Chess records, and has been re-issued a number of times since with some chart success as a result. The opening bass-line on the song is one of the best you’ll ever hear and it’s a song I play consistently on my ‘Gold’ shows.

TV advertisements have played a major part in promoting old songs in the UK and Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry’s early sixties recording ‘But I Do’ has found a new generation of fans through the Fiat motor car advert in 1993.

The same must also be said of Etta James’ ‘I Just Wanna Make Love To You’ which also hit the top of the charts thanks to the boffins at Coca Cola.

The legendary Dells get a look in too, with the gorgeous ‘OO I Love You’ from 1967. Need I say more, as they remain the ultimate black Soul/R&B superstars out of Chicago.

Staying with Chicago soul we find the legendary artist Gene Chandler with his 1966 offering of ‘I Fooled You This Time’ and as they say in soul circles “there’s no such thing as a bad Gene Chandler song, it’s just that some are better than others”. Another tune that will not disappoint.

Billy Stewart was another heavyweight name from Chicago (no pun intended) whose excellent original waxing of ‘Sitting In The Park’ was covered by our very own R & B giant Georgie Fame who scored a bigger hit in the UK than Stewart. Either version makes essential listening.

The rest of this set is made up of obscure recordings from Chuck Berry/Kip Anderson/James Phelps/Tommy Tucker/Irma Thomas all of whom have enjoyed some chart success with other songs but who are respected artists of the highest calibre.

R & B classics of course features only a very small proportion of songs from what must be a huge catalogue to choose from. This particular collection are taken from the Chess catalogue. With eighteen songs to choose from at a UK selling price of no more than £6.99, that works out at just 38 pence a song. No where you could you pick up the original vinyl at that price?

Essential purchase for new R & B fans and those wishing to replace old 45’s. Don’t miss it.

Personal rating 8/10
Available October 2000
Expect to pay no more than £6.99 in the UK