Jasmine Lee

Like its predecessor, 'Tell Him, Popcorn Brit Girls 1960-62' (JASCD861), this 68-track, 2-CD set takes a look at the UK's favourite female singers in the pre-Beatles era.
It once again features 'usual suspects' like Helen Shapiro, Susan Maughan, Julie Grant, Carol Deene, The Vernons Girls (who sing the title track), Maureen Evans, Kathy Kirby, Anita Harris, Jackie Trent, Lynn Cornell, Glenda Collins, etc., not forgetting Dusty, when she was a Springfield. Juxtaposed against newcomers like Grazina, Candy Sparling, Simone Jackson, Christine Quaite, Susan Singer, Patsy Ann Noble, Patti Lynn, Suzy Cope, Jackie Frisco, Cherry Roland, Jan & Kelly, etc. Also, members of the established 'old guard', Alma Cogan, The Beverley Sisters, Petula Clark, Marion Ryan, Lita Roza, Cleo Laine, Jackie Lee, Ruby Murray, Pat Reader, Lorne Lesley, Ottilie Patterson, etc. This is another superb collection of hits and collectors' rarities, many of the latter appearing here for the first time on CD.

First ever appreciation of the Los Angeles based Tide Records. Founded in 1959 TIDE RECORDS and its subsidiary EDIT (Tide spelled backwards), was a small Los Angeles company with a relatively large output but marginal success. Features many new-to-CD tracks by label owner Ruth Christie, showman Pat Rocco, Larry Bright, Alan Knight, Cathy Saunders, Rena Wright and The Honeycombs. Also includes previously unreleased recordings. With guest appearances from Plas on flute and Ernie Freeman on piano. Comprehensive and historic liner notes by Tide Artist Gary Myers.

It's time for another Merry Xmas round the jukebox, love songs to Santa and even one Christmas hymn. It's all in the name of rhythm and blues, doo wop and even a touch of rock and roll. In this new collection of 24 tracks there are no less than five tracks by the great Charles Brown. This popular blues balladeer was the undisputed king of Christmas blues from the 1940s until his death. The most recent recording comes from the late, great, queen of soul, Aretha Franklin who was having a "Blue Holiday" in 1962. We end this excursion into Christmas R&B, until perhaps next year, with the great blues guitarist Freddie King claiming "I Hear Jingle Bells" and we naturally hope you do too.

Batterista, percussionista, compositore.

Love Charms is, as the title suggests, a collection of 33 rarities and hits from a host of California's girl groups and singers and is the third release in Jasmine's new soul series appealing to northern soul, r&b, mod, new breed and popcorn fans. Crammed full of fantastic tracks from the likes of Jackie DeShannon, Ketty Lester, Vikki Carr, Timi Yuro and more. Chock-full of great songs and includes hits songs from: The Blossoms 'Son-In-Law' Ketty Lester's 'Love Letters'; The Ribbons' 'Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya'; Timi Yuro's 'What's A Matter Baby' and Vikki Carr's 'He's A Rebel'.

There is no doubt that The Beatles were a huge influence over the global acceptance of rhythm & blues music and what would eventually become soul. However certain record labels also played an important role and it isn't just Detroit's Berry Gordy who could take all the credit as over in New York, Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson et al were also on a mission. Through Ray Charles the east coast story firmly established itself as a contender and rather interestingly this set kicks off with Bobby Darin's version of 'What'd I say' which charted at No. 24 in the pop charts. This set continues in that theme with some of the artists not always performing in a style that was expected of them. This is another fascinating entry in Jasmine's early roots of soul series and like the rest it is a superb CD full of excellent and surprising tracks.

A much loved purveyor of the real Louisiana swamp blues, Lightnin' Slim's body of work in no doubt defines the subgenre like no other. This is the first time his singles have been compiled in one package and provide a unique opportunity to hear the progression of his music in chronological order just as the tracks would have appeared on jukeboxes and radio stations across Louisiana. Most tracks feature the harmonica of Lazy Lester and of course no Lightnin' Slim track should be without his exhortation "Blow Your Harmonica" which has become something of a blues catchphrase. So if you like loose rolling rhythms and just plain good blues music then look no further than this superb 2CD set from Jasmine.