The Flamingos were one of the many doowop vocal groups of the 1950s whose group name was borrowed from that of a bird - The Robins, The Penguins, The Orioles and The Ravens were among the others. They are regarded as one of the genre's very best and most talented groups, and Billboard magazine wrote of them: "Universally hailed as one of the finest and most influential vocal groups in pop music history, the Flamingos defined doo wop at it's most elegant and sophisticated." Like so many of their peers, they suffered from the fact that one of their biggest R&B hits was covered for the pop market by a mainstream artist - in their case, it was Pat Boone recording their landmark song "I'll Be Home" to score a pop No. 1. This great value 80-track 3-CD set comprises almost all the titles which they release during this primary period of their career, and comprises all their A & B sides released on the Chance, Parrot, Checker, Decca and End labels along with the tracks from their first three LPs "The Flamingos", "Flamingo Serenade" and "Flamingo Favourites" which were not otherwise released on singles. It naturally includes all the dozen or so hits they had during this time, including "I'll Be Home", and their biggest pop hit "I Only Have Eyes For You". Including substantial booklet notes, this provides an entertaining overview of their most important work, ranging with ease across R&B, rock 'n' roll and ballad styles, and is a worthy showcase for their distinctive talent.

ATLANTIC SINGLES COLLECTION 1968

Vinyl LP pressing. In 1968, Johnnie Taylor 's provocative single, "Who's Making Love" gave the newly independent Stax Records it's first major hit. The song peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped to bolster the label's profile. The album Who's Making Love was released months later, and not only featured the title track but also an irresistible collection of bluesy songs penned by Booker T. Jones, Bettye Crutcher, Steve Cropper and the inimitable team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter.

Led by the legendary singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson, The Miracles were one of the first groups to sign to Berry Gordy's newly-established Tamla label in 1959, and went to become one of Motown's most successful acts, racking up more than fifty hits through to the end of the '70s. Starting life as The Five Chimes and The Matadors, they had become The Miracles by 1958, and with songwriter/producer Berry Gordy made records for the End and Chess labels, scoring a minor chart entry, before Gordy launched his own label. They achieved Tamla's first million seller with their first significant hit, the R&B No. 1 "Shop Around". Over the next three years, they had a succession of further pop and R&B hits, before hitting the No. 1 spot again in 1962 with "You've Really Got A Hold On Me". This great-value 47-track 2-CD set comprises all the A & B sides of their fifteen singles for the End, Chess and Tamla labels during these crucial formative years, so features all their eleven hits during this era, plus all the tracks from their first three albums, "Hi We're The Miracles", "Cookin' with the Miracles" and "I'll Try Something New" which were not otherwise released on singles. It is a comprehensive overview of their early career, and in showcasing their unique sound built around Smokey Robinson's highly distinctive voice, it is a highly evocative snapshot of their contribution to a hugely exciting era in pop as their formed part of the chart vanguard of the new Tamla-Motown set-up, influencing major artists like the emerging Beatles along the way.

This continues the strand of R&B and country collections associated with Acrobat's highly popular "America's Greatest Hits" series, this one focusing on the top R&B records in the US Billboard charts during 1961. This great value 113-track 4-CD anthology includes, with the exception of certain records which are unavailable for inclusion due to copyright restrictions, just about every record which peaked in the Billboard R&B Top 15 during that year. By this time, the R&B scene had evolved considerably as the rock 'n roll scene had matured and Tin Pan Alley had marketed it's teen-oriented offshoots, and there was an exciting feel to the charts, with substantial crossover into the pop charts through artists like Ben E. King, Ray Charles, Brook Benton, The Miracles, Aretha Franklin and The Marvelettes. There was also a significant weight of other records from the increasingly powerful Motown, Tamla and other labels producing material which would have a significant influence on emerging talent across the pond in the UK, like The Beatles, who absorbed some of the songs in this anthology into their repertoire, sowing the seeds of the British invasion which was soon to transform the pop landscape once more. With the blurring of the boundaries between the genres, the more traditional blues and R&B artists whose music had helped lay the groundwork for rock found it harder to reach the top positions in the R&B chart, and the foundations of the soul boom of the late '60s and 70s was clearly in evidence in many of the hits included here. As with all these collections, it provides a window onto a dynamic and exciting musical environment, and includes a number of unfamiliar names and recordings of which even enthusiasts of the genre may not

Roy Hamilton was one of the truly individual and innovative performers of the R&B and pop scene during the 1950s and early '60s as he combined his classically-trained vocal style and his roots in black gospel music to bring another dimension to interpretations of contemporary pop and R&B material as well as to classics of the Great American Songbook to achieve a string of pop and R&B hits during these years. Along the way, he also provided inspiration for R&B and soul singers who followed in his wake, most notably Brook Benton, for whom he was a significant mentor, and Sam Cooke, encouraging him to turn towards secular music. Elvis Presley also credited him with influencing his ballad-singing style, while the Righteous Brothers also drew on his hit repertoire. This great-value 80-track 3-CD set comprises almost all his A & B sides recorded for the Epic label during this era, and features all his sixteen career hits he achieved before his untimely death from illness in 1969, including the R&B No. 1s "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Unchained Melody", and the Top 10 classics "Ebb Tide", "Hurt", "If I Loved You", "Don't Let Go" and "You Can Have Her". It's a comprehensive introduction to an artist who has not received the attention or recognition over the years that his influence and success merits, and it offers a substantial and enjoyable showcase for a highly distinctive

The Cleftones were one of many talented doowop groups to emerge from New York during the '50s, scoring their biggest hit with the memorable classic "Little Girl Of Mine", along with other pop and R&B hits like "Heart And Soul". Having got together at high school in Queens, N.Y., they signed to George Goldner's Gee label and made records over the next few years which doowop aficionados rank alongside some of the best in the genre, until breaking up when overtaken by the British Invasion in 1963. This 45-track 2-CD set comprises all the A and B sides, released during this period, featuring the various evolving line-ups of the group, along with all the tracks from the "Pajama Party", "Heart And Soul" & "For Sentimental Reasons" albums which were not otherwise released on singles - it represents almost all their career recording output. As such, it's a thorough overview of their active recording career, and a comprehensive showcase for their distinctive style and talent

This continues the strand of R&B and country collections associated with Acrobat's highly popular "America's Greatest Hits" series, this one focusing on the top R&B records in the US Billboard charts during 1962. This great value 103-track 4-CD anthology includes, with a few exceptions, just about every record which peaked in the Billboard R&B Top 10 during that year. By this time, the R&B scene had evolved considerably as the rock 'n roll scene had matured and Tin Pan Alley had marketed it's teen-oriented offshoots, and there was an exciting feel to the charts, with substantial crossover into the pop charts through artists like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, The Crystals, The Four Seasons, Booker T & The MGs, and The Marvelettes. There was also a significant weight of other records from the increasingly powerful Motown, Tamla and other labels producing material which would have a significant influence on emerging talent across the pond in the UK, like The Beatles, who absorbed some of the songs in this anthology into their repertoire, sowing the seeds of the British invasion which was soon to transform the pop landscape once more. With the blurring of the boundaries between the genres, the more traditional blues and R&B artists whose music had helped lay the groundwork for rock found it harder to reach the top positions in the R&B chart, and the foundations of the soul boom of the late '60s and 70s was clearly in evidence in many of the hits included here. As with all these collections, it provides a window onto a dynamic and exciting musical environment, and includes a number of unfamiliar names and recordings of which even enthusiasts of the genre may not be too aware, and which will be welcome additions to their collections. It contains a 12,000+ word booklet featuring background notes on every record.

The Four Tunes were a doowop quartet which evolved from The Brown Dots and The Sentimentalists during the mid-1940s, initially performing in the traditional style of Groups like the Ink Spots and Mills Brothers, but moving towards the more R&B-styled doowop genre by the end of the decade, and developed a more pop-oriented approach than many other groups of the era. Featuring baritone Pat Best, tenors Jimmie Nabbie and Danny Owens, and bass Jimmy Gordon for the majority of their primary career, they were one of the most respected and highly-regarded harmony quartets of the classic doowop years. This excellent-value 75-track 3-CD set comprises a significant proportion of the A & B sides of their singles during these years on the Manor, Columbia, RCA, Jubilee and Crosby labels, including their hit recordings with Savannah Churchill. It features their No. 2 R&B and No. 13 pop hit "Marie" and their No. & R&B and No. 6 pop hit "I Understand (Just How You Feel)", both from 1953,)", and their 1948 pop and R&B Top 20 hits with Savannah Churchill "Time Out For Tears" and "I Want To Cry". With a repertoire encompassing Great American Songbook standards and contemporary R&B compositions, this collection traces their career and the progression of their style from the immediate post-war years into the rock 'n' roll era, and provides a fine showcase for their acutely developed talents as a harmony group.

2020 release. Blackbirds features songs primarily popularized by women who were the "bridge she came across on." The album finds LaVette in top form with powerful renditions of songs that touched her personally. From Dinah Washington's "Drinking Again," Nina Simone's "I Hold No Grudge" and more, they are all delivered in LaVette's rich & raspy tone. Blackbirds honors LaVette's heritage as an R&B singer and the women who came before her.

They were unique in that while most groups had a tenor lead voice, their lead vocalist was the hugely influential and respected bass Jimmy Ricks, who was the group's prime mover throughout their career, inspiring many bass singers in doowop and beyond.

CLEAN. 2012 sophomore album from the singer, songwriter and international superstar. The album includes production from Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, Emile Haynie, Diplo and Supa Dups, as well as the Smeezingtons, Mars' three-man songwriting and production team. He notes that the album is more musically varied and refuses to "pick a lane". "Locked Out of Heaven" was released as the lead single from the album. It has been described as having strong influences of New Wave, with striking resemblances to "Message in a Bottle" and "Roxanne" by the Police, the Romantics' "Talking in Your Sleep", and even Michael Jackson's "Beat It", while some have mildly referenced it to the Outfield's "Your Love".

The Best of Anita Baker serves up 18 sensuously soulful songs released on the Beverly Glen and Ele ktra labels from 1983-1995. Track listing include: "Angel," "Sweet Love," "No One in the World."

Vinyl LP pressing of this collection from the soul/R&B legend.

Vinyl LP pressing. 'You Should Be Here' is the second and debut commercial mixtape by American singer and songwriter Kehlani. 'You Should Be Here' features guest appearances from Lexii Alijai, Chance the Rapper, and BJ the Chicago Kid. Mixed by Joe Fitzgerald, the mixtape predominately features production by Jahaan Sweet, along with production from JMike, Madmax, Geoffro Cause and Ted Digtl, among others.

Limited green vinyl LP pressing of this 1977 album from the soul duo.

Double vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. Down On Funky Broadway: Phoenix (1966-1967) is a brand new compilation album from funk legends Dyke & The Blazers. The 20-track album includes songs from previous releases, including their biggest hit "Funky Broadway," as well as five previously unreleased cuts. While Dyke & The Blazers didn't invent funk - they certainly brought it to fruition during these years.

Double vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. I Got A Message: Hollywood 1968-1970 is a compilation album from funk legends Dyke & The Blazers. This collection features a range of songs from the band's time in Los Angeles - some of their last recordings before front man Arlester Christian's tragic death. The 21-track album features 16 previously unreleased recordings and includes their biggest hit "Let A Woman Be A Woman - Let A Man Be A Man," which has been sampled by many generations to follow - most notably by Tupac Shakur.

Annie Laurie was an R&B, blues and sophisticated jazz and pop singer born in Atlanta, Ga., in 1924, who came to prominence in 1947 with her debut hit "Since I Fell For You", and over the next 15 years recorded and released material which brought her several more successes in both pop and R&B charts, recording for much of the early era of her career with a trio and band led by pianist and songwriter Paul Gayten. At the start of her career she recorded at Cosimo Matassa's legendary J&M Studios in New Orleans, which gave her work from those years a distinctive Crescent City sound. This excellent- value 51-track 2-CD set comprises comprising most of the A & B sides of her releases on the Cosmo, de Luxe, Regal, Okeh, Savoy and Ritz labels from this era, including performances with the bands of Paul Gayten and Danny Kessler, as she rode the waves of the upheavals in the market occasioned by the advent of rock 'n' roll to take her hit-making career into the 1960s. It features all her career pop and R&B chart entries, including the R&B No. 3 hits "Since I Fell For You" and "It Hurts To Be In Love", and her other Top 10 hits "Cuttin' Out" and "I'll Never Be Free". She was a highly versatile vocal stylist, equally at home with upbeat jump blues material, grooving R&B songs, and smoothly polished jazz-flavoured pop, and this collection provides a varied and entertaining showcase for her distinctive talent

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. An Atlantic compilation from 1968, this was included in Rolling Stone's best albums of all time in 2012. Packaged in it's original sleeve, illustrated by Loring Eutemey.

The Four Knights were a successful African-American doowop group active in the post-war era, who, unlike many of their contemporaries in the genre, enjoyed their hit success in the pop charts rather than the R&B lists. Formed in 1943 as a gospel quartet, and becoming popular on radio, they moved into the secular market and signed to Decca in 1946, having hits in the pop and UK charts through to 1959. This great-value 58-track 2-CD set comprises selected A & B sides of their singles on the Capitol and Coral labels during this era - we have tried to minimise duplication of tracks with our existing Acrobat product "Oh Baby! Best Of Volume 1 1951-1954" (Acrobat ACMCD4030), as this collection covers a much longer period of their career. It naturally features all their US pop and UK chart entries, including their Top 10 hits "Oh Happy Day" and "(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely", as well as their Top 10 hits with Nat King Cole, "If I May" and "That's All There Is To That", plus one other hit with Nat, "My Personal Possession". It includes at least one side from just about all their single releases during these years, so is a fairly comprehensive overview of their output, and provides an insight into the way their music developed as the pop landscape changed, as well as an admirable showcase for their talents as an accomplished vocal harmony group

The doowop and pop vocal group which eventually became The Vibrations began life as The Jayhawks, having a 1956 hit with "Stranded In The Jungle", and recording under different names before becoming The Vibrations to have another hit with "The Watusi", and then "Peanut Butter" as they recorded as The Marathons

10 Top 40 hits, eight Top 40 LPs Cuba Gooding was all over the '70s like his thespian son was all over the '90s. His R&B group The Main Ingredient was one of the most soulful of the era, and here are 16 of their best: The title smash; Happiness Is Just Around the Bend; Rolling down a Mountainside; Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love); Just Don't Want to Be Lonely, and more!

(2-LP set)

Deluxe CD/Blu-Ray Edition of Michael Jackson's revolutionary 1979 recording Off The Wall includes the original album bundled with the new documentary Michael Jackson�s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, directed by Spike Lee. The deluxe softpak includes a 16-page booklet containing a new essay and photography plus a piece of chalk and inside panels with a chalkboard finish. The importance of Michael Jackson's Off the Wall cannot be overstated. Recorded when he was just 20-years-old, the album heralded Michael's emancipation as a singular musical force and creative visionary. It's the record that "invented modern pop as we know it" according to Rolling Stone magazine. It smashed the ceiling on record sales for black artists, ushering in an exciting new era of R&B-to-pop crossover airplay, chart, marketing and sales trends not seen before in modern pop music. For Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, director Spike Lee assembles a wealth of archival footage, including material from Michael's personal archive, interviews with contemporary talents and family members, and Michael�s own words and image to create this insightful chronicle from the star's early rise to fame through the release of this seminal album. A look at a chapter of his career that is rarely examined, Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall allows audiences to travel with Michael as he gets his start at Motown, strikes a new path with CBS Records, and forges a relationship with legendary producer Quincy Jones. An illuminated portrait emerges of how an earnest, passionate, hard-working boy would become the "King of Pop."