Group Harmony & Jump: Dig Masters Vol 5 Various Artists (Johnny Otis)

£12.56

Genre:
Doo Wop
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 759

Johnny Otis has turned his hand to an amazing number of contrasting musical pursuits over a career spanning more than half a century. Bandleader, record producer, talent scout, label owner, night club manager, DJ, TV variety show host, author, R&B pioneer and rock and roll star - Otis has fitted all those descriptions and quite a few more. Not bad for a Greek-American who loved jazz and R&B so fervently that he adopted the black American culture as his own. His labels Dig, and its subsidiary, Eldo, have been subject to a comprehensive reissue programme, highlighting the entrepreneur's musical sensibilities. Now reaching its fifth volume, this is the second in the series featuring vocal groups. It also covers vocalists who are accompanied by uncredited backing groups. Many of these are previously unissued titles.

In his role as a bandleader, Johnny Otis used singers like Mel Walker, Redd Lyte, Little Esther and a vocal group, the Robins, who worked on many of his Savoy recordings. Later he recorded groups such as the Sultans, the Lamplighters, the Sheiks, the Tenderfoots, the Cats and the Peacocks. When he established Ultra/Dig in late 1955 he auditioned hundreds of aspiring groups and single artists and he cut sessions on the best, many of which were conducted by Otis himself. Later he employed tenor sax giant, Jack Kelso, as his A&R head and arranger.

A few of the artists had never previously made recordings, and there were several tape boxes that were missing artist credits. They may have been groups moonlighting, a theory borne out as some have the group marked as "Phantoms" on the boxes. Otis had limited funds to operate his labels and distribution was always a problem. This meant that many masters stayed in the can, and some of these will never be identified. Most of the unissued performances are of good quality and we must be grateful that Otis had the foresight to keep most of his old material. We can now enjoy unreleased sides by greats like Tony Allen, the Senders, Prentice Moreland, the Click-Clacks, Harold Lewis and many others.

By Ray Topping

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Track listing

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Side 1

  • 01 Preview Crazy Little Beat - The Phantoms

  • 02 Preview My Delores - The Phantoms

  • 03 Preview Well Done - The Phantoms

  • 04 Preview My Sister Mildred - The Phantoms

  • 05 Preview Why Did You Go Away? - Henry Strogin & the Crowns

  • 06 Preview I Found An Angel - Tony Allen

  • 07 Preview I'm Dreaming (Version 1) - Tony Allen

  • 08 Preview I'm In Love - The Teenettes

  • 09 Preview Way Down In My Heart - Abe Moore

  • 10 Preview Symbol of Heaven - Little Julian Herrera

  • 11 Preview Here In My Arms - Little Julian Herrera

  • 12 Preview Lonely Lonely Nights - Little Julian Herrera

  • 13 Preview Congratulations - Jimmy Stephens

  • 14 Preview Star of Love - Tony Allen

  • 15 Preview I'm Just A Lonely Fellow - The Senders

  • 16 Preview Uh Oh Treat Me Right - The Senders

  • 17 Preview Don't Cry - The Videls

  • 18 Preview Oh! Baby - The Videls

  • 19 Preview I'm Still Your Fool - Tony Allen

  • 20 Preview Eagle Eyed Willie - The Senders

  • 21 Preview A Teardrop Falls - The Click-Clacks

  • 22 Preview Baby I'm In The Mood For Love - The Click-Clacks

  • 23 Preview Don't Ever Leave Me - Sugar Pie & Pee Wee

  • 24 Preview Ding Dong (Saw Wood Mountain) - The Ding Dongs

  • 25 Preview The Drums In My Heart - Harold Lewis

  • 26 Preview My Mother's Eyes - Prentice Moreland

Delivery & Returns

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Press quotes

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A strong album which will appeal to group fans everywhere.

Blues & Rhythm

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