Music from a northern soul (blues, house, jazz, cd)

right-track · 01-19-2008, 03:27 PM

I'm going to start this thread off with a series of posts profiling some of the lesser known 60's R&B/Soul labels of the U.S.
These labels were dominated by the Motown monopoly and consequently, in some cases, only enjoying regional success denying incredible artists the fame they deserved.

All labels will include a short outline history and include (some of which are rare) records of the featured label.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 01-19-2008, 03:31 PM

I look forward to reading it

right-track · 01-19-2008, 04:02 PM

Okeh Records

Originally based in New York city the Okeh label began its existence in 1918, recording all kinds of music.
By 1920 onwards it become a subsidiary label for Columbia Records and in the same decade opened a studio in Chicago, which focused its attention on black (‘Race’) music and released the first ever Blues record by a black artist… Mamie Smith – ‘Crazy Blues’.

During the 30’s Okeh became well known for recording Jazz and Blues artists such as Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Sevens Combo’s.

It was not until 1962, which is where my true interest in this label has its focus, with the arrival of Carl Davis (A&R Director) and later Curtis Mayfield and together they would write and produce nearly all of Okeh’s R&B hits and establish what was to become the Chicago Sound.
Okeh was the first label to use two trombones and the baritone sax.
Add that to strong brass and string sections, all go toward creating a distinctive and unique sound.

Regular in-house session players included;

Trombones; John Avant and Morris Ellis.
Sax; Cliff Davis
Trumpets; Paul Serrano and Maury Watson
Others included; Billy Butler, Gerald Simms, Kermit Chandler.
Piano players Floyd Morris, John Young and Ken Boyd and drummer Maurice White (founder member of Earth, Wind & Fire).

Featured samples from the Okeh label are;

Little Richard – I Don’t Want To Discuss It
Billy Butler – Right Track
Major Lance – (Get My Hat) Nothing Can Stop Me
Williams & Watson – Too Late
Major Lance – Ain’t No Soul Left In These Old Shoes

Okeh label smples...play loudly!

Closing in 1970, the legendary Okeh Record label was a major recording and production force of Chicago Soul music.

jackhammer · 01-19-2008, 05:24 PM

I have been waiting for a thread like this from you. Looking forward to this one.

right-track · 01-19-2008, 05:50 PM

Some of it will be from personal knowledge I've picked up over the years and some of it will be from a bit of research done while checking out sources to put a label post together (to avoid being in danger of talking out of my arse about what I think I know.)
The first blues record by a black artist came as a big surprise, so I'm learning new stuff as I go...which makes it worthwhile for me.

Some of these labels have different genres on their books, but I'll be focusing mainly on R&B/Soul of the 60's.
So apologies if they're not concise.

swim · 01-19-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

Okeh label samples comp

You like tried to mix bbc and html or something. It didn't work for me. So direct linkage fixed. I always like reading and listening something when it's obvious that they love it so I look forward to listening to this.

right-track · 01-20-2008, 01:00 AM

Thanks swim...I fixed the link now.
I think we share a lot in common, even if our tastes are polls apart. You should start a similar journal...

All the records uploaded in the posts will be from my personal CD collection. If some of them sound like they've been taken from vinyl, that's because they have been...scratches and all.
The reason for this is due to there being no other medium (eg; no mastertape) for that track previous to being put down on CD.
It's not unusual for some to have never been issued.

01-19-2008, 03:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	Music from a northern soul I'm going to start this thread off with a series of posts profiling some of the lesser known 60's R&B/Soul labels of the U.S. These labels were dominated by the Motown monopoly and consequently, in some cases, only enjoying regional success denying incredible artists the fame they deserved. All labels will include a short outline history and include (some of which are rare) records of the featured label.

01-19-2008, 03:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	I look forward to reading it __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

01-19-2008, 05:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I have been waiting for a thread like this from you. Looking forward to this one. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

01-19-2008, 04:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	Okeh Records Originally based in New York city the Okeh label began its existence in 1918, recording all kinds of music. By 1920 onwards it become a subsidiary label for Columbia Records and in the same decade opened a studio in Chicago, which focused its attention on black (‘Race’) music and released the first ever Blues record by a black artist… Mamie Smith – ‘Crazy Blues’. During the 30’s Okeh became well known for recording Jazz and Blues artists such as Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Sevens Combo’s. It was not until 1962, which is where my true interest in this label has its focus, with the arrival of Carl Davis (A&R Director) and later Curtis Mayfield and together they would write and produce nearly all of Okeh’s R&B hits and establish what was to become the Chicago Sound. Okeh was the first label to use two trombones and the baritone sax. Add that to strong brass and string sections, all go toward creating a distinctive and unique sound. Regular in-house session players included; Trombones; John Avant and Morris Ellis. Sax; Cliff Davis Trumpets; Paul Serrano and Maury Watson Others included; Billy Butler, Gerald Simms, Kermit Chandler. Piano players Floyd Morris, John Young and Ken Boyd and drummer Maurice White (founder member of Earth, Wind & Fire). Featured samples from the Okeh label are; Little Richard – I Don’t Want To Discuss It Billy Butler – Right Track Major Lance – (Get My Hat) Nothing Can Stop Me Williams & Watson – Too Late Major Lance – Ain’t No Soul Left In These Old Shoes Okeh label smples...play loudly! Closing in 1970, the legendary Okeh Record label was a major recording and production force of Chicago Soul music.

01-19-2008, 05:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	Some of it will be from personal knowledge I've picked up over the years and some of it will be from a bit of research done while checking out sources to put a label post together (to avoid being in danger of talking out of my arse about what I think I know.) The first blues record by a black artist came as a big surprise, so I'm learning new stuff as I go...which makes it worthwhile for me. Some of these labels have different genres on their books, but I'll be focusing mainly on R&B/Soul of the 60's. So apologies if they're not concise.

01-20-2008, 01:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	Thanks swim...I fixed the link now. I think we share a lot in common, even if our tastes are polls apart. You should start a similar journal... All the records uploaded in the posts will be from my personal CD collection. If some of them sound like they've been taken from vinyl, that's because they have been...scratches and all. The reason for this is due to there being no other medium (eg; no mastertape) for that track previous to being put down on CD. It's not unusual for some to have never been issued.