Various Okeh - The R&B Years 1953-62 - The Sound Of The Big City (LP)

(Outta Sight) 16 tracks

The legendary Okeh Records needs little introduction to soul music fans around the world. It has been relentlessly plundered and treasured for its slue of Northern Soul classics produced by A&R manager Carl Davis and his songwriter Curtis Mayfield during the "soul years" 1963-70. However, the imprint was originally launched 100 years ago in 1918 by Otto K. E. Heinemann who had already established a recording studio and pressing plant in New York City.

The label name was derived from Heinemann's initials O.K.E.H. From the very early years, Okeh issued records for minority audiences, such as its foreign language music, field recordings and Dixieland jazz. But perhaps the most significant recording was "That Thing Called Love" by Mamie Smith in 1920, the first ever by a black blues singer. The success of Mamie Smith led to Okeh's 8000 series known as "race records", which ran until 1932.