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THE DERBY RECORDS STORY

Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 03/31/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Two discs 74 and 77 minutes each approximately. The sound is warm and fairly clean-very acceptable-and has the feel of it's era,which is very important for this music.

The folks at Acrobat Records have released a number of compilations dealing with various small record labels from the 1940's-1950's. This collection of r&b is from a small New York company,which existed for about three years,before filing for bankruptcy.

Their first release (disc one track one) by the Freddie Mitchell Orchestra is titled "The Derby"-hence the label name. The label would eventually score some "hits" on the pop charts,but was really remembered for it's r&b sides. This collection,while containing several pop hits is filled with good New York style swinging r&b.

Along with Mitchell's orchestra's r&b,there are two sides by the reknown Doc Pomus (Traveling Doc and Kiss My Wrist),Cootie Williams (from Ellington's group) Orchestra (Divorce Me C.O.D.),H-Bomb Ferguson (Wine Head),and Brownie McGhee (All Night Long),among the more well known artists. Of interest is the track "Sleepless Nights",credited to McGhee on vocals,when in fact the vocals (and some piano on a number of sides here) are handled by Champion Jack Dupree. There are also several tracks by Jimmy Preston,who was important in early r&r,recording a track ("Rock The Joint"not in this collection) that Bill Haley would make famous. The rest of the tracks will not be familiar to most listeners (excepting r&b lovers) who haven't had the chance to hear the fine music produced by small record companies. Most tracks have that solid back-beat so important to this music,along with either/and a honking sax or piano. Disc two is still firmly in the r&b vein,but on several tracks an electric guitar is used,coming close to r&r. Vocals are either visceral or on the smooth side depending on the arrangement.

As usual with Acrobat releases,the booklet is informative-about both the label and it's artists. This collection has a definite New York feel to the music,as opposed to the small labels (Big Town Records and Trilon Records) on the west coast. This is another collection that fans of r&b should pickup. If this era of music entices you,you will be well satisfied with this collection. An added incentive is the price from various sellers on Amazon-this collection would be worth it at twice the price."