Detroit gifted singer, songwriter and pianist Marv Johnson was a seminal figure in the early history of Motown Records. Responsible for more than a handful of hits between 1959 and 1960, he enjoyed no less than nine records in the top 100 as well as two songs on the top ten chart, after being chosen by the record producer Berry Gordy as the first artist to be released on his fledging record label TAMLA, in which Marv kept recording and working on sales and promotion until the late 70s. Often overlooked compared to the other great R&B stars of those years, Johnson’s rich legacy includes dozens of brilliant soulful songs, like the immortal chart-smasher “You Got What It Takes” and the classic “Come To Me”.
SHIRELLES - Tonight's The Night 140gr vinyl LP Formed in Passaic, NJ in 1958, the Shirelles were four high school friends who went from their school’s talent show to hitting national charts in just a few months. Defining the so-called “girl group” sound with their blend of Doo
Wop, R&B and smooth uptown soul music, the Shirelles were the first major all-female group of the whole rock era, and their success was unprecedented and paved the way to legions of imitators. Tonight’s The Night, the Shirelles first album, originally released on Scepter in 1961, features an incredible succession of hits such as the title track, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, “Boys” (later made into a standard via a cover by the BEATLES), or “Dedicated To The One I Love”.
SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS - Rare, Unreleased Or Just Plain Weird LP
Perhaps the most wildly extroverted performer in rock history regardless of race, colour or creed, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins has been the inspiration for countless performers over the last fifty years. This compilation collects rare cuts, unissued takes and hard to find recordings not included in his unmissable debut LP. Such classics as "Alligator Wine", "Pauline", "I put a spell on You", "10,000 Lincoln Continental", and "Frenzy" included.
CLYDE MCPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS - S/T LP
Originally issued in 1958 on Atlantic, the Drifters’ debut album, as was customary at the time, was mostly an aggregate of all-killer chart-toppers, some by McPhatter as a solo act, some by the group he led, that had been released over several previous years. A prime exponent of gospel-to-pop crossover, McPhatter brought the church onto the rock and roll bandstand, making his Drifters one of the preeminent male vocal groups of the whole doo-wop era. Includes "Such A Night", "White Christmas", "Worm Your Heart", "Money Honey", "Honey Love" and MORE!