Monday, December 25, 2017

The Golden Era Of Doo Wops: Atlas Records


"Just To Be In Love" by The Four Haven Knights and "Let's Talk It Over" by The Fi-Tones are the highlights on this release. Early to mid 50's sounds that likely will not appeal much to the lowrider crowd.
3 out of 10

The Golden Era Of Doo Wops: Relic Records



"Can I Come Over Tonight" by The Velours and "Don't Say Goodbye" by The Kents are my top pick here. Another release best left for the hardcore Doo Wop fans.
3 out of 10

The Golden Era Of Doo Wops: Times Square Records



Highlights here include "I Want Only You" by The Decoys, "Bells In The Chapel" by Lonnie & Crisis, "Forever And Ever" by Frankie And The C-Notes, "I Got A Feeling" by The Timetones, "Crying For You" by The Centuries and "Mixture Of Love" by The Admirations. Solid addition for those serious Doo Wop fans.
5 out of 10

The Doo-Wop Hall Of Fame


Standard tracks by The Shells, Rochelle And The Candles, The Jesters, The Penguins, The Meadowlarks and The Medallions. This one makes a decent starting point for those just beginning their Doo Wop collection.
4 out of 10

Doo-Wop Dinosaurs


"Lover Don't You Weep" by The Aqua-Nites and "Heavenly Angel" by The Squires are the top picks here. This comp is produced in and tailored more towards the east coast Doo Wop crowd. Might not have much appeal the west coast aficionados.
3 out of 10

The Meadowlarks Meet The Medallions


A previously posted reviews on separate releases by the artists here but this one contains a very nice track worth the purchase. "You Came Along" by The Medallions is my top pick with other highlights previously noted on the earlier posts.
5 out of 10

The Baytone Records Story


Highlights on this comp featuring San Francisco's short lived Baytone label include"You Don't Understand" by The Romancers, "Do You Remember" and "I Need You, Dear" by The Fabulous Flames. Nice addition to your Doo Wop music collection.
4 out of 10

The Best Of Check-Mate Records



Early Detroit soul compilation with a couple of nice and obscure tracks. Highlights are "It Takes Two" by The Del-Phis (later to change their name to Martha & The Vandellas and find fame on the  Motown label) and "Lonely Baby" by Ty Hunter. Sound quality varies a bit.
4 out of 10

The Gems Meet The Melloharps


A few tracks, "I Love Only You" and "What Good Are My Dreams" by The Melloharps along with "Valerie" by The Leopards that will fit in nicely with the older lowrider crowd. The rest is early R&B that most will be hard pressed to really appreciate.
3 out of 10

The Golden Era Of Doo Wops: Grand Records



Early Philly group harmony compilation with nice tracks by The Dreamers and The Marquees. Best leave this one to the hardcore Doo Wop fans.
4 out of 10

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

New York Soul '66


One of the latest releases from the folks at History Of Soul Records very well packaged with extensive liner notes. Music wise, for the west coast low rider crowd, we get "Shy Girl" by Johnny And The Expressions, "(My Girl) She's A Fox" and "Only Time Will Tell" by The Icemen, "Your Letter" by Kenny Ballard, "I've Got To Cry" by Chris Hamilton, "If It's For Real" by Porgy And The Monarchs and "You Don't Want My Love" by Jimmy Raye. Sound quality varies a little bit but still worth it.
5 out of 10

A Hot Day In Harlem


Two heavy hitting soul jams in "Stand In For Love" by Pandella Kelly and "Too Sweet To Be Lonely" by The Internationals made this a must have for me. I skipped through the rest of the material rather quickly.
4 out of 10

Cub Records Vocal Groups


A few nice kiddie tracks in "Vanishing Angel" by The Preludes, "Falling Water" by The Zubulons and "My Only Love" by The Jaytones. Real standouts are "I'm The One" by Marie And The Decoys and "Good News" by The Stereos. Nice pick up for the obscure Doo Wop music fans.
5 out of 10

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Wheelsville Wonders


Top picks on this one are "You're Sweet" and "My Lover Come Back" by The Precisions, "Always Be Good" by Ronnie Love, "His Majesty My Love" by Dee Edwards and "You Never Had It So Good" by The Fabulous Peps.
5 out of 10

Irma Thomas


"Two Winters Long" is by far the track I enjoyed the most on this release. The rest of the material I really could not get much into. If you share the same tastes in music as I do, go on Instagram and look for Parquero Soul which includes this track and pick up that release.
2 out of 10

The Baton Label - Sol's Story


Big draw to this release for me, was "We Two" by The Belvederes. Other notable tracks include "A Thousand Stars" by The Rivileers, "Lonely Nights" by The Hearts and "I Told Them" by The Suburbans.
4 out of 10

Eastside Soul Classics 1963-1977


Picked this one up pretty much just to say I owe it. Good tracks are found throughout other east side sound compilations. Top notch sound quality and lots of liner notes (if you can read Japanese).
3 out of 10

High Tenor Lead Groups



Kiddie Doo Wop compilation packed with upbeat numbers and a few nice ballads sprinkled in. Highlights include, one of me personal favorites in "You Told Another Lie" by Lil Pete And The Youngsters, "Falling In Love" by The Teenchords, "Baby" by The Caribbeans, "Lost Lover" by The Cameos, "Teardrops Falling From My Eyes" by The Tellers, "I'm So In Love" by The Daychords and "Raindrops (Are Falling)" by The Vernalls. Very good sound quality. Nice addition to the Doo Wop collection.
6 out of 10

Teenage Heaven


A few outstanding female Doo Wop cuts included in this collection that go well beyond the standards from The Shirelles, The Blossoms, The Chantels or The Poni-Tails. Highlights are "A School Girl In Love" by The Sharmeers, "Lullaby Of The Bells" by The Deltairs, "Is This Really The End" by The Joytones, "Down The Aisle Of Love" by The Quin-Tones and the lovely "Please Ring My Phone" by The Starlettes. Solid sound quality, very much recommended pick up.
7 out of 10

Classic Corner Collections


Nice batch of obscure Doo Wops that most will probably shy away from. Highlights include tracks by The Paramounts, The Dreamgirls, The Melo-Gents, The Originals and The Royal Jesters. Sound quality varies. Best left to the dedicated Doo wop fans.
4 out of 10

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

The Best Of Red Top Records



A nice batch of ballads included in this two volume set. Standouts include "What Am I To Do", "Down The Aisle Of Love", "I Watch The Stars" and "There'll Be No Sorrow" by The Quintones, "Mommies Gone" and "Someday" by Donnie Elbert, "School Girl In Love" and "You're My Lover" by The Sharmeers. 
5 out of 10 

The Best Of Angletone Records


Solid Doo Wop ballads in "One More Step" and "Tender Love" by the Chanderliers and "Darling" by The Christaliers made this one a pleasant addition to my music library.
4 out of 10