So here we are - R&B Hipshakers - Teach Me To Monkey - Nothing to do with the Hipshakers club in Portsmouth, ,but a new CD released from those Latin Soulsters Vampi Soul. R&B tracks released from the King and Federal Vaults - Most tracks never been released !!
This CD is first rate, it starts with a guitar/organ belter with Willie Wright & His Sparklers and Gibble Gobble, then we get into more familiar territory, Hank Ballard and a groover called Broadway, then the next few tracks already comped by Aces output Lula Reed (which is a fantastic track anyway - check out Aces Tiny Topsy and Lula Reed Cd), Little Willie John - Nerves (similar to Im Shakin). Lloyd Nolan, and the 5 Royales all on Aces CDs (Little Wilie John, Kings New Breed R&B or the 5 Royales Cds - all great tracks).
Little Mummy, is a jumpin track from 1960, then comes the Valentines with Thats It Man, which sounds like an alternative take to John Lee Hooker - This Is Hip backing track, very fast and rockin'.In fact The other tracks are all rockin R&B, Eugene Church, Roy Milton, Freddy King all familiar "King "household names. Then tracks like the Drivers - Mr Astronaut - play this loud and with your windows open so the neighbours can appreciate the quality sounds!! Carol Ford, Bobby Moore, Willie Dixon and Eddi Kirk with his Hog Killin Time closing the CD
Every track on this CD (in my opinion) is fantastic, if you like R&B then this is the CD to purchase, at the price it is cheaper than Ace, however, you dont get the same level of detail over each track/artist etc that you do with the more expensive Ace CDs, in fact you get no detail at all other than some introduction notes of this CD and a possible Vol 2. But the music quality and track selection is first class (even if there are duplicates to Ace releases)
Five stars for this and cant wait for Volume 2. P.s. this CD is compiled by DJ Mr Fine Wine from Downtown Soulville.
Excellent New Breed R&B -