Various - A Rhythm & Blues Chronology 1: 1940-1941Rhythm and Blues was not generally recognised as a distinct musical genre until the years following the end of World War II. These 4CD sets centred on 1940 1944 attempt to pinpoint records typical of the various strands of music which coalesced into what can now be seen as a historically definable form of black popular music, commonly abbreviated to R&B. Previously, the American record industry had marketed blues, jazz, jug band, hokum, sacred and

Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot)

various American bluesmen and other rock and roll stalwarts

in noble failure

Originally released in 1997

this 18-track compilation will also introduce you to the long-forgotten blue-eyed soul boy Don Brown ('Don't Lose Your Love') and frustrated talents Push

this is still an example of genuine Southern soul

heroically unsuited to the times

Lester Young - Jump Lester Jump 22

Duke Ellington Take The "A" Train 10

Holly Laessig (Lucius)

recalling the nervous urgency of The Feelies with its wiry guitar lines and ever-changing drum patterns

though the inspired eccentricity is toned down - an instrumental tribute to fellow Stockton-ite Dave Brubeck being the closest thing to their early quirkiness - this is the most consistent set of stubbornly catchy songs ever