The name Sylvester Bradford will more than likely not mean anything to you. Yet as a songwriter or co-songwriter he was responsible for a lot of wonderful material and million sellers. Bradford was born on January 7, 1942 in Manhattan. He was visually impaired and his first apparente was in 1952 in a meeting place for the blind and partially sighted. He was then part of The Bradford Boys. In addition to himself, the vocal group consisted of Chris Killer (bass) and Wayne Durham (tenor) who were both blind. Like Sylvester, the fourth member, tenor Gregory Shankowitz, was also visually impaired. In 1955 the group recorded two songs. In the meantime, Sylvester's talent as a pianist was also discovered, which earned him a place in another band, which would emerge as The Ivories. For this group, Sylvester wrote 'Alone' and 'Baby Send A Letter', which The Ivories recorded for the Jaguar label. Johnny Earl Jackson, the driving force behind The Ivories, left the group and set up a new group with the same name. The original The Ivories transformed into The Love Notes. Sylvester Bradford, together with Chris Killer, then formed The Suburbans. These recorded under their own name, but were also asked as a backing group for studio worg. In that capacity they could be heard on recordings by Ann Cole and Jimmy Ricks. In mid-1957, the members of The Suburbans went their separate ways. In 1957, Sylvester recorded his only single as a solo artist with 'I Like Girls / I Live Just To Love You'. After that, Sylvester concentrated on songwriting. 'Ific', the title of this compilation, is taken from a song that Sylvester wrote together with Al Lewis, with whom he would later write many songs. 'Ific' was first recorded by Lucy Rivera in 1959. Two years later, The Chantels would record it for their LP 'There's Our Song Again'. By the way 'Ific' was an acronym for 'It's Flavor-Ific', which in turn was a beechnut flavored chewing gum. 'Ific' was also the slogan in Dick Clark's broadcast 'American Bandstand'.
So much for the introduction regarding Sylvester Bradford. All previously mentioned songs can be found on this compilation, as well as a serious number of other songs, 30 in total. The album starts with the rocking 'Little Boy Blue', the very first recording by The Bradford Boys, with Shankowitz and Bradford on lead vocals. Bradford's songwriting talent and diversity immediately come to the surface in 'Alone', a formidable slow that he recorded with The Ivories. The group scores uptempo in 'Baby Send A Letter'. Bradford shows evolved and formidable uptempo doo-wop with The Suburbans in 'Leave My Gal Alone'. The fact that they functioned well as backing vocals on recordings by other artists in both rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll is proven on the recordings of Ann Cole and Jimmy Ricks. Sonny James provides a good example of Bradford's talent as a songsmith on 'Uh-Hum-Mm', which has both rock 'n' roll and doo-wop in it. It's a shame, however, that Sylvester's solo recordings were limited to that one single 'I Like Girls / I Live Just To Love You'. After all, he is also very strong vocally in these uptempo songs. As mentioned earlier, Bradford wrote many beautiful songs together with Lewis, such as 'Walkin' Home From School' and 'Right Now', which Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps recorded for Capitol. The duo Bradford / Lewis, together with Fats Domino, were also responsible for creating Domino's hit 'Im Ready'. Bradford and Lewis scored instrumentally with 'Vodka' by The Golden Highlights. The duo is featured humorously in their composition 'Roaches', performed by Jack Larson. Only Sylvester signed Bill Haley's 'Spanish Twist'. The versatility of Bradford/Lewis once again comes to the surface in Chuck Jackson's 'Tears On My Pillow', an impressive soul song. The duo's compositions could also be found outside the USA, including with the French rock 'n' roll band Les Chaussettes Noires with 'Le Temps Est Lent'.
In short, if you like sublime doo-wop, rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll, then make sure that 'Ific' by Sylvester Bradford can be found in your CD player as quickly as possible.

The release 'In Wording' from 2023 contained fourteen instrumental tracks. Now there is his eleventh album 'Chromosome', which was created in the aftermath of yet another lonely mystical experience. In addition to some instrumental, guitar-oriented songs, this release also includes six vocal tracks. The opening song is fittingly 'Afterwards'. Jorge plays his strings more than routinely, and he also establishes himself as a true artist in the experimental 'Uterus'. In short: Tight guitar riffs that find an alliteration with his pleasant voice timbre! Highly recommended… 

Mythology or religious, contemporary about love and death.  Concept album from the Campania region of Naples Italy with strong classic and symphonic compositions.

In spring of 2022 Vanessa and her European band traveled to Texas to begin recording her new album, "Flying on Instruments."  Co-produced by Grammy-winning producer Joe Reyes, "Flying on Instruments" finds Vanessa returning to her folk-pop/rock roots. 

With this volume we have arrived at the penultimate volume in the 'Blues Meets Doo-Wop' series. The final volume will be available in February. But first let's take a closer look at the third. Once again we get 28 songs in which blues artists called on doo-wop groups, as well as doo-wop groups that wrapped their creations in a blues atmosphere. The famous guitarist and blues singer Little Milton kicks off together with The Rockers in 'I'm In Love'. The vocal group The Dominoes was one of the most successful doo-wop groups of the 1950s. Their talent effortlessly surfaces in 'Have Mercy Baby'. Chuck Berry also added doo-wop. In 'Almost Grown' he relied on the beautiful harmonies of The Moonglows. Elmore James was a legend on the slide guitar. He shows this again here on 'Good-Bye' with fantastic vocal backing. Eugene Church delivers a wonderful slow blues with 'Geneva'. And the top performers follow each other. After all, the next track is reserved for boogie grandmaster John Lee Hooker. Here he does so with The Andantes who provide vocal background in 'She Shot Me Down'. Another legend, Albert King, joins us later with 'This Funny Feeling', which also has some pop in it. It doesn't end there, because Johnny Otis is also coming up with 'In The Dark', a slow blues of format, with a formidable performance by singer Marie Adams. Pianist Detroit Junior will also be present with 'Too Poor' and Roy Brown will close with the slow blues 'Tired Of Being Alone'. A unique version of 'Baby Please Don't Go' features the vocal group The Orioles. Nice reworking of this classic! Version that is very impressive both vocally and instrumentally. As a harmonica player, Jerry McCain enjoyed great attention. He keeps it neatly stored here. Instead, he gets behind the microphone for 'Twist “62”', which was the flip side of the single with 'Red Top' as A side. The Five Echoes sound soulful and bluesy in 'Fool's Prayer'. Jumpblues is present with 'Just For You' by Jimmy Witherspoon, who is accompanied by The Lamplighters. Sonny Fishback added a lot of soul to his work, as he does here in 'Gee Baby'. A cool piano introduces 'I Don't Have To Ride No More' by The Ravens. Song that also has a light jazzy touch. That jazzy feeling is also somewhat contained in 'I Won't Be Back' by The Kidds. The composer duo Lieber / Stoller was responsible for many hits. The Robins also turned to them for the catchy 'Framed'.
The 'Blues Meets Doo-Wop' series gives a nice picture of the way in which the genres of blues and doo-wop overlapped. Just like the two previous volumes, volume three also shows this fully and undoubtedly this will also be the case on the final volume to be released. Recommended!

McCabe's long-awaited solo album features exciting songwriting and a lot of musical potential. Highly recommended! 

The 'Black Pearls' series will contain a total of 10 volumes. We are currently just over halfway done with 'Get Your Enjoys!' The 10 volumes are certainly justified, after all, there are a lot of undiscovered gems of songs waiting to be released. You can take 'Get Your Enjoys!' literally, because compiler Ronni Boysen has once again collected 28 songs that will certainly delight you. The Williams Brothers can start with 'Young Girl', a song that also boasts catchy harmony vocals and that will certainly be enjoyed by popcorn crowds. A little later the well-known T-Bone Walker provides a slow, extremely soulful song in 'Evening'. Walker first recorded the song in 1945 for the Rhumboogie label. In 1959 he recorded it again for Atlantic and turned it into the hit verson you hear here. Soul is also clearly part of 'I Want To Love You' by Kenny & Moe. The wonderful 'As Quiet As It's Kept' by Billy Guy is also situated in that genre. From 1955 to 1973 he was also the lead singer of The Coasters, who scored a world hit with 'Yakety Yak'. The title track 'Get Your Enjoys!' is taken from Eunice Davis, who creates a sexy rhythm & blues. 'So Blue' by Bobby Williams is more of a rhythm & blues song that also exudes a somewhat New Orleans atmosphere. You can expect an excellent doo-wop track from The Lamplighters in 'Hug A Little', which was written by Johnny Otis. Billy 'The Kid' Emerson is certainly not unknown, billed here as Billy Emerson with 'If Love Is Believing'. Songs by Emerson have been covered by Billy Riley, Elvis Presley, Robert Gordon and Link Wray, among others. Little Buck was part of Huey 'Piano' Smith's band The Clowns. Smith’s influences can also be heard in 'So Fine, So Sweet', which Buck recorded for the Duke label. Buck is followed by Priscilla Bowman who delivers a wonderful popcorn song with 'Sugar Daddy'. Bowman is best known for 'A Rockin' Good Way', which she recorded in the original version. The song then found its way to the general public in the version of Shakin' Stevens & Bonnie Tyler, among others. Popcorn is also in the genes of 'Nobody's Gonna Hurt You' by Annie Laurie. Young Jessie was a versatile artist, active in rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll and jazz. With 'Do You Love Me' he chooses rocking rhythm & blues. You can't say about Smoky Hogg that his rhythm was average. He also displays his characteristic exciting and special rhythm in 'Good Mornin' Baby'. 'Bon Ton Roula' gave Clarence Garlow a big hit. Here you get 'Sound The Bell', the other side of that single with the double A side. Female artists and rhythm & blues are always a good match. Convince yourself with Varetta Dillard in 'That's Why I Cry'. Jimmy McCracklin was an indispensable part of West Coast blues and rhythm & blues as a pianist, songwriter and orchestra leader. Rightly so if you hear him here on 'Beer Tavern Girl'. Completely unknown, to me anyway, is Quinton Kimble. Fortunately, I got to know him here through 'My Mojo and My Loadstone', a gem of a song. We know Big Maybelle as one of the great female rhythm & blues artists. She realizes this 100% in the sultry 'Goin' Home Baby'. What a voice! Closing is reserved for Sonny Thompson. Thomspon was an arranger, session pianist, orchestra leader and songwriter. In the latter capacity he also often collaborated with blues giant Freddie King. As a pianist he gives the best of himself in 'Loco Limbo'.
As you can see, volume 6 in the 'Black Pearls' series has a lot to offer again. Go on a journey of discovery and convince yourself. You will be amazed!

The album 'Kiss Of The Liquid Moon' is a soothing and very attractive instrumental excursion. 

A 20-year retrospective album of some of Session's most popular songs will be available. This is  a brand-new Session Americana record, produced by acclaimed NYC musician and producer Alec Spiegelman, is set to be released in 2024.

With 'Quiet Whiskey' the 'Rhythm & Blues Hell Raisers' series got off to a flying start in 2023 and now the second volume entitled 'Jail Bird' has already been released, in other words 30 songs that are all to a lesser or greater extent related to life behind bars. It becomes clear when going through the tracks that both well-known and lesser-known artists found their inspiration in this. The Crawford Brothers already express their innocence on the first track in 'I Ain't Guilty', a wonderful partly spoken rhythm & blues. A nice anecdote is that their father was the first African American FBI agent and in that capacity was also J. Edgar Hoover's personal driver for many years. The title track of this volume is taken from Sonny Knight, who gives it a New Orleans rhythm & blues sauce. Saxophonist Clyde William Lynn plays a swinging 'Rampaging Mama' as Blow-Top Lynn together with his House Rockers, with vocal input from Melvin Smith. Also note Lynn's sublime part on the sax. Everyone knows Cab Calloway from his mega hit 'Minnie The Moocher'. Here he is present with the equally high-quality 'Papa's In Bed With His Britches On'. Also worth mentioning is 'Who Slammed The Door' by Little Caesar together with Eddie Beal and his orchestra. A great uptempo song with a nice backing choir. Caesar was originally an actor and appeared in the films 'Bird On A Wire' and 'Lady Sings The Blues'. New Orleans rhythm & blues gets a face with Fats Domino and 'You Done Me Wrong', performed in his recognizable style. New Orleans also resonates in Bobby Mitchell's 'No No No'. The fantastic Wilbert Harrison shows that 'Women And Whiskey' can put you in tricky positions, a song he recorded for Savoy in 1955. Harrison is followed by the inimitable Varetta Dillard and the scorching 'Scorched', a song that she incidentally herself wrote. John Greer and His Rhythm Rockers provide piano rhythm & blues with 'You Played On My Piano'. Greer shares the vocals with Dolores Brown and in addition to the piano you also get inspiring horn parts. Pianist Hadda Brooks was assigned the title 'Queen Of The Boogie'. Definitely deserved, listen to her lightning-fast work on the black and white keys in the instrumental 'Hip Shakin' Boogie'. If you like top doo-wop, then you will definitely enjoy 'I'm Gonna Run It Down' by The "5" Royales. 'Pass The Gin' by The Meadow Larks is also in the same genre. It's nice that the song was written by a non-drinker. More of that will come later with The Spirits Of Rhythm in 'Junk Man'. Doo-wop can also be found in 'All That Wine Is Gone' by Big Jay McNeely, who can count on Jesse Belvin and Three Dots And A Dash vocally. Pig Meat Markham provides a funny note in the spoken 'You Wires Have Been Tapped'. Songwriter and pianist Jimmy Williams delivers a more than formidable rhythm & blues song with 'Big Legged Woman'. You get rocking work from Harold 'Thunderbird' Ward with 'How Wild Can A Woman Be'. We bet that 'The Big Break' by Richard Berry will remind you of a famous song......! Classy Smiley Lewis can close with the impressive 'Down The Road'.
The second volume in the 'Rhythm & Blues Hell Raisers' series once again strings the high-quality songs together. It is now more than clear that the KokoMojo label does not rush into compiling compilation albums. Several series have already testified to this. To discover!