The History of New Orleans R&B Vol. 1

The Rhythm & Blues label has developed an enviable reputation since its inception in 2008 for creating thorough, definitive, high quality and entertaining themed collections delving into the roots of the various strands of classic rhythm and blues. In 2011, Rhythm & Blues joined forces with Trapeze Music & Entertainment, who themselves already have a formidable background in classic R&B via their Acrobat label, in order to take advantage of the synergy of the two companies’ resources. This latest collection focuses on New Orleans. More than any other city in the world, New Orleans was responsible for shaping the sound of 20th century popular music – maybe a sweeping statement, but as the birthplace of jazz, funk and arguably rock ‘n’ roll, it is pre-eminent. At the heart of these three widely different varieties of music lies the rhythmic complexity of second line parade drumming. Its two-beat patterns combining military band and Caribbean rhythms underpin the early recordings of Louis Armstrong as much as they do those of Little Richard and James Brown. This compilation highlights the distinguishing characteristics in early Crescent City recordings, both to pick out the finest examples and to pinpoint styles that foreshadowed later developments in R&B. Comprising tracks from the earliest days of recording through to the late ‘40s, the collection charts the way that the city’s background as a racial and cultural melting pot fed its extraordinary and vibrant musical output. With carefully restored recordings and complete with a comprehensive 28-page booklet providing a detailed background narrative and discography, this is once again an absolute must for enthusiasts and collectors of classic R&B.