The Right Tracks: The Complete Okeh Recordings 1963-1966 Billy Butler

£12.56

Genre:
60s Soul
Label:
Kent
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDKEND 280

Christmas has come six months early for lovers of 60s Chicago Soul. After years of pursuit, Kent is proud to bring you THE RIGHT TRACKS - THE COMPLETE OKEH RECORDINGS OF BILLY BUTLER. Between 1963-1966, Jerry Butler’s younger brother made some of the best soul records that anyone has ever made. Although he never gained the success of his sibling, there are many who feel that Billy’s seven ‘official’ Okeh 45s are among the finest to ever come out of the Windy City.

Billy Butler was signed to Okeh in 1963 by Carl Davis, the label’s head of A&R, who saw him first as a songwriter. When Carl Davis’ A&R assistant, Curtis Mayfield, became busy with his own career, and had to give up the day job Butler became useful in many other ways, including singing background vocals and playing guitar on Okeh records by Walter Jackson and Major Lance.

THE RIGHT TRACKS brings together every single recording that Billy made for Okeh, whether in the company of his group mates in the (En)Chanters or alone. Billy only had three Okeh hits, but that’s no reflection on the quality of Nevertheless, Found True Love and You’re Gonna Be Sorry – all written by (or with) Curtis Mayfield - are better than the singles that did hit. Billy Butler’s international fame is based on his last Okeh 45 Right Track which remains the potent call-to-dance for thousands of Northern Soul fans that it has been since the late 1960s.

Butler left some superlative material in the can when he moved from Okeh to Brunswick in late 1966. When you hear Fighting A Losing Battle and To Be Or Not To Be, you will be astonished that recordings as brilliant as these could have been overlooked for release. They are among the best Previously Unissued tracks that have ever appeared under the Ace umbrella, and we’re really grateful to Okeh’s owners, Sony BMG, for going the extra mile in finding the tapes for us.

As well as including the finished masters and any relevant alternate mixes, this CD also features a selection of backing tracks. Many of these stand up well in their own right, although Northern Soul fans will be wringing their hands in despair that Billy never finished Singing The Blues and Loneliness (where’s that TARDIS when you need it?). And for good measure, and for those who want to own every issued Billy Butler recording, we’ve also included the rare mid-1970s Okeh reissue of Right Track which accidentally coupled the backing tracks of that song and Boston Monkey instead of their more familiar vocals.

As well as all this end-to-end great music, the CD booklet sets out Billy’s Okeh career on a session-by-session basis, using information taken straight from his Columbia Artist Contract files. The booklet also included some great photos and a scan of the labels of all the original Okeh 45s and album. “Complete” packages surely do not get any more complete than this.

By Tony Rounce

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Side 1

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

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Wonderfully soulful cuts. ★★★★★

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