Retro Rhythm And Blues (R&B) - Jump Blues - Blues Bopper
Retro Rhythm And Blues (R&B) - Jump Blues - Blues Bopper
The Category
The category presents Retro Rhythm 'n' Blues, Jump Blues and Blues Boppers on CDs as albums and vinyl records as LPs or 45rpm singles. This ain't just revival, it's retro R&B - There's barely a category existing that comes close to the versatility of this present one. The bands of these genres proof it! Retro Rhythm & Blues has almost nothing to do with what's called R&B nowadays as it describes only today's music made by Afro-American people.
Roots
Afro-American music used to be called 'Race Music' since the times of pre-World War II up to the 1960s when segregation slowly dismantled. The original Rhythm & Blues music took of course the biggest part in 'Race Music' of the mid-1940s to mid-1960s followed by Soul music. The original R&B is another timeless music stream to be found on CD albums and vinyl records such as LPs in Bear Family's catalogue. When we speak of retro Rhythm & Blues, also Blues Bopper and Jump Blues revived, one could mention original stars from the old times that still rock the stages like André Williams and Big Jay McNeely. But this category concentrates upon CDs and vinyl LPs by real retro bands and artists. On the other hand it's interesting that most of the bands within these retro genres are more crossover than in other genres. Based on traditional American roots there are plenty of bands from around the globe with many different influences that explain the variety crossover styles within retro Rhythm & Blues. You can find them all in the Bear Family catalogue.
Retro Rhythm And Blues
This huge retro category of CDs and vinyl records makes one think of Chicago and Alligator Records. Bands like Little Charlie & The Night Cats and Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, who rather play a more rockin' Rhythm & Blues style with parts of earthy Downhome Blues. Then we have our cuties Gizzelle and Candye Kane, both from the Los Angeles area, with their powerful voices! Powerful even on LP and CD! Or think of Texas: Nick Curran, originally from Maine who used to live in Austin. Nick was a tremendous guitarist with a real authentic sound and the so-called 'black' feeling playing and rockin' Jump R&B and Rock'n'Roll in its entire 'black' style. He's unforgettable as well as Candye Kane - both died way too early! The Fabulous Thunderbirds are also from Austin, Texas and there is George Thorogood & The Destroyers! Both bands act not far from Blues Rock but can still be filed under Retro R&B.
Retro Rhythm And Blues in Europe
Interesting bands and artists hail from various corners out of Europe's countries. In the veigns of authentic 40s and 50s R&B, Swing-Jive and Jump Blues act for example Big Boy Bloater from England or old Rolling Stone Bill Wyman with His Rhythm Kings and of course TV master Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. There's The Royal Rhythmaires and Ray Gelato from Italy, Ray Collins' Hot-Club und Hot Boogie Chillen from Germany, and of course The Big Town Playboys feat. Mike Sanchez from England. Crossing over into Swing, Soul and Rock'n'Roll is very much in common, just like Sugar Ray Ford, The Big 6 and the great Stargazers who perform jivin' Rhythm & Blues within their Rock'n'Roll repertoire!
