"An Alternate History Of Popular Music" (A One Step Sampler Of Numero Releases)

Living in The Age of The Reissue offers a variety of benefits for the musically-minded person. Now, you can get to know Carl Perkins in the same way that the public at large knew Elvis Presley back in the day. The constraints of what is popular now no longer dictate the kinds of music we are familiar with, in spite of sales figures, the proliferation of music videos (distributed through whatever means is popular at the time), or even their inclusion in TV and film. The Age of The Reissue liberates us from the stale conformity of Top 40, and allows our musical dollars the chance to flow in obscure, seldom traveled paths, and in many cases, offer us a chance to excavate the past in a way that was never previously thought possible.
It is with this in mind that The Numero Group persues their catalog. This will not come as a surprise to any of the moderate-to-late-stage Collectors out there; anymore, a well-rounded collection demands at least a passing familiarity with their releases. Which is why when something like this Alternate History collection comes along, it is important to take notice. This is not merely a casual compilation of old musty 45s, nor is it a sort of Sampler Collection that allows you a chance to "get to know" The Numero Group. In fact, the title really does say it all: this compilation allows the listener to experience An Alternate History of Popular Music, taking us from 1959 (with the invention of the blues by a woman named Niela Miller, all the way to 1985, the year that disc died with this swan-song track by Golden Echoes. If those names aren't familiar to you, don't worry. The music in between is just as - if not moreso - unheard of.
The beauty of The Numero Group releases is their careful selection. While the artists may be unfamiliar, these tracks embody the zeitgeist of the era in a way that feels entirely appropriate. You can picture this history unfolding, as black artists dominate the charts, while later white artists integrate into this form of music. A world where funk and soul were the standard pop tunes to arrange yourself around, and where gospel is even more tied to mainstream culture than ever... through music. It is all here, and it is a fascinating document of what could have been. And than, in and of itself, is the primary benefit of living in The Age of The Reissue: experiences like this are possible. The Numero Group understands that collectors are not merely obsessive compulsives with an eye for small pressings and imported vinyl (though that may be the case, too). In collecting, we ourselves are assembling a musical universe all our own, where certain artists loom larger than others, according to our own vision of Popular Music.
In this collection, you can sit back and listen as someone else's musical universe assembles before your ears. How cool is that? (Austin Rich, KPSU | Reviews)
Check out this great label and order some fine music: Numero Group

trax:
CD1
1. Baby Don't Go To Town - Niela Miller 2. Strange Things Are Happening Every Day - Fern Jones 3. Moaning And Crying - The Dontells 4. Oh Baby - A.C. Jones 5. Try Me - Syl Johnson 6. Show Me What You Got - Frank Williams & The Rocketeers 7. The Devastator - Stormy 8. Am I A Good Man - Them Two 9. Temptation Is Hard To Fight - George McGregor & The Bronzettes 10. Motley Mary Ann - Pisces 11. Oh Yes My Lord - Voices Of Conquest 12. World Of Soul - The Chantells 13. Mini Skirt - The Performers 14. There's A Light - Shirley Ann Lee 15. Same Kind Of Thing - Syl Johnson 16. Where's Love Gone Today - The Mourning Sun 17. Benashaw Glenn - The Mourning Sun 18. A Flower For All Seasons - Pisces 19. Sam Pisces Featuring - Linda Bruner 20. Calling Me Home - Donald Thomas 21. Maybe In Another Year - Jennie Pearl 22. Is There Any Love - Trevor Dandy 23. Concrete Reservation - Syl Johnson 24. It's A Dream - Lil' Ed & The Soundmasters 25. Who Knows - Marion Black 26. Speak On Up - Joe King 27. Don't Make Me Kill You - Angela Alexander & J.D. Saddler 28. Mama - Annette Poindexter & The Pieces Of Peace 29. I'm Not Afraid Of Love - Sharon Clark
CD2
1. Wait A Minute - Eddie Ray 2. Like A Ship - T.L. Barrett & Youth For Christ Choir 3. Heaven - Deliverance Echoes 4. Crystal Illusion - The Creations Unlimited 5. Lizard - Lowlands Studio Band 6. Soul & Sunshine - Harvey & The Phenomenals 7. I'm Gonna Keep On Loving You - The Kool Blues 8. Dirt And Grime - Father's Children 9. If I Had A Little Love - The Majestic Arrows 10. Eternal Life - Shira Small 11. I Thank You Lord - Little Chris & The Righteous Singers 12. I'm Not Ready For Love - The Promise 13. Try Me - Wee 14. Give Me One More Chance - The Procedure 15. Plena Matrimonial - Ebirac All-Stars Featuring La Calandria & Ramito 16. I'm So Happy Now - Willie Wright 17. Coit Tower - Millionaire At Midnight 18. Please Change Your Mind - The Boys 19. Invisible WInd - Jackie Stoudemire 20. Kiss Another Day Goodbye - David Kauffman 21. Packing A Grip - Golden Echoes
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