Various - Groove Records Groovin' The Blues & Rockin' The Groove (2-CD)

Various – Groove Records: Groovin’ The Blues & Rockin’ The Groove (2-CD) 68 tracks!******

A forgotten success story of Rhythm & Blues is finally brought back to life – sounding as fresh as if the recordings had been made yesterday. With Groovin’ The Blues & Rockin’ The Groove, Bear Family Records unlocks the long-sealed archives of RCA’s legendary Groove Records label and presents a treasure chest of 68 songs, carefully restored from the original tapes.

RCA had been a leader in blues recordings during the 1920s and ’30s, but only in the mid-1950s did the major label dare a comeback in the highly competitive R&B market. The result was the short-lived but fascinating Groove label (1954–1957), which produced only one major hit – Love Is Strange by Mickey & Sylvia – yet left behind a wealth of outstanding recordings.

This double CD is more than just a sampler. It is a time machine into the vibrant R&B scene of the 1950s, where raw energy, smoky club atmosphere, and musical innovation collided. Featured are Roy Gaines with his electrifying guitar riffs, the incomparable Du Droppers, Champion Jack Dupree on piano, blues legend Sonny Terry, and even a young George Benson – yes, that George Benson, before his rise to international stardom.

Behind the scenes, Mickey Baker, Paul Williams, and Buddy Lucas created the unmistakable Groove sound: hot, uncompromising, and irresistible. This mix makes the recordings an absolute must-have for fans of R&B, Rock ’n’ Roll, and authentic 1950s sound.

Bear Family not only remastered the music but also added a beautifully designed booklet packed with rare and previously unpublished photos, plus detailed liner notes by award-winning R&B historian Bill Dahl.

But beware: this edition is strictly limited. Miss it, and you miss a piece of music history. A collection like this won’t come around again soon. So act fast – the true essence of 1950s Rhythm & Blues is waiting for you!