The History of Rhythm & Blues Part Two: 1942 to 1952

Disc One - Jumpin? From Harlem To The West Coast Disc Two - Guitar Boogies, Sax Screamers & Gospel Roads Disc Three - Have You Heard The News? There?s Good Rockin? Tonight Disc Four - Soul Train Mambo - Destination New Orleans. Rhythm & Blues was one of the most identifiable musical art forms of the 20th Century, with an enormous influence on the development of both the sound and attitude of modern music. The History of Rhythm and Blues series of CDs investigates the accidental synthesis of jazz, gospel, blues, ragtime, country, pop and latin into a definable form of black music, which in turn would influence pretty well all popular music from the 1950s to the present. It is the first attempt to put together a cross-label compilation showcasing the most important and influential records in the rise of Rhythm & Blues. Volume Two investigates the transition from race music through sepia to Rhythm & Blues; the growing importance of radio; the rise of the independent record labels, the 45rpm record and the jukebox and looks at the rhythms behind the blues from shuffle and jump through rumba to rock?n?roll and beyond. ?There?s so little on this box set that I wouldn?t be overjoyed to play you? an absolutely essential purchase? Mark Lamarr BBC Radio Two. ?Fellow addicts will already have many of the tracks, but purchasing them again to have them put in the context of blues development should be a joy rather than a hardship.? As a whole package, it is irresistible and should be an essential on the shopping list of all self respecting r?n?b junkies?- David Innes R2. ?The History of Rhythm and Blues 1942-52 is just splendid, it's a labour of love and a work of supreme scholarship, put together by people who obviously care. From boogie men to boppers, hillbilly's to honkers it is beautifully programmed and has polished some dusty old gems into a relevant and modern work of art. Compilations of the music of any genre from history are ten a penny these days, thrown together with little thought for anything bar profit. This is something else, something very special indeed. It realises that recorded music has a place in social history, its own mythology, a narrative and in its four discs and lovingly annotated 68 page book, it tells that story. So as well as the fabulous and joyful music, we get thoughts on the development of radio, the race laws of early 20th century America and the migration of workers, the jukebox phenomenon and even technical information about patterns in the 12 bar blues form. The compilers of this set have created a desirable object every bit as a precious as a memory, as valuable as a necklace, they are heroes of the gramophone, the record player, the cd machine. Just buy it, you won't go far wrong.? Ian Clayton ?Among a plethora of such comps?frankly, it?s probably the best of its kind. Whether you want to learn more about the genre or have been listening for years, this collection leaves others eating its dust.? Laith Al-Kaisy Record Collector