BOBBY ROBINSON was more than a fixture in hisNew York community, he had been an essential part of its lifeblood for over 60 years. Had he just been the proprietor of the first record store (and reputedly the first black-owned business) on 125th Street, he would have been important enough, but he also had an ear for talent, recording landmark music across four decades, always at home with the music of his neighbourhood, be it doo-wop, R&B, soul or even rap.

He was an entrepreneur involved in over a dozen different labels, sometimes on his own, sometimes with a partner, often with his brother Danny, and he was behind records that became internationally famous by Gladys Knight, King Curtis, Elmore James, Lee Dorsey, Wilbert Harrison and Grandmaster Flash. He made many more that were simply good, and this compilation takes aim at the great work he did as a soul and R&B producer during the 1960s and early 70s. It’s an introduction that shows the quality that he created had depth beyond the headline names.

TRACK LIST LP

SIDE A

1. Mary Ann Fisher - Put On My Shoes
2. Billy Hambric - Flaming Mamie
3. Ernie and Jean Terrell - Love Me Baby So
4. Titus Turner - Soulville
5. The Ramrods - Soultrain - Part 1
6. Johnny Jones - I Find no Fault (In My Baby's Love)
7. Joe Haywood - I Cross My Heart (And Hope To Die)
8. Lee Moses - Time and Place

SIDE B

1. Tommy Duncan - Let Me Take You Out
2. Tiny Tim Harris - Don't Say
3. Jim & Lee - Let Go, Baby
4. The Carlettes - Lost Without Your Love
5. The Victones - My Baby Changes
6. Willie Hightower - Nobody But You
7. Three Shades of Soul - Being in Love
8. Lee Moses - I Can't Take No Chances