This chronology of recordings issued on King Records and its associated labels documents the various Latin-American musical influences on King’s collective output, beginning in the late 1940s. .While Latin sounds have never been a driving force at King, it is nevertheless surprising to see the range of Latin musical styles reflected in King’s famously eclectic catalog over the course of twenty-five years when laid end to end.
This piece follows up on Dave Marsh‘s 1984 article for The Boston Phoenix — “Rock’s Latin Tinge” [referenced here in 2013] — that dares to ask whether Latin musical elements are, indeed, a significant factor in the development of the emerging rock ‘n’ roll sound, as well as other forms of 20th century American popular music.
By the late 1960s, as King struggled for solvency in the wake of Syd Nathan‘s passing, the Latin influence had noticeably tailed off, though fortunately, The Coasters, with help from Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, would make one final contribution in this regard with their fresh reworkings of both “Love Potion No. 9” and “Cool Jerk” in 1971 and 1972, respectively.
Taken as a whole and when viewed in retrospect, the Latin influence at King turns out not to have been an inconsequential one.
Any other recordings that merit inclusion?
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<click on song titles below for streaming audio>
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Homer And Jethro
Henry D. “Homer” Haynes – Guitar & vocals
Kenneth C. “Jethro” Burns – Mandolin & vocals
King
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Homer And Jethro
Henry D. “Homer” Haynes – Guitar & vocals
Kenneth C. “Jethro” Burns – Mandolin & vocals
King
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Earl Bostic Quartette
Earl Bostic – Alto sax
George Parker – Piano
Vernon King – Bass
Shep Shepherd – Drums
King
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“Bongo Blues” & “Tropical Fever“
Russell Jacquet And His “Bopper“ Band
Russell Jacquet – Trumpet
Joe Newman – Trumpet
John Anderson – Trumpet
Henry Coker – Trombone
Bumps Myers – Tenor sax
Maurice Simon – Baritone sax
Gerald Wiggins – Piano
Charlie Drayton – Bass
Chico Hamilton – Drums
King
UK 7-inch EP
Written by Henry Glover
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Lucky Millinder And His Orchestra (featuring Annisteen Allen)
Lucky Millinder – Director
Annisteen Allen – Vocals
Andrew ‘Fats‘ Ford – Trumpet
Lamar Wright – Trumpet
Frank Galbraith – Trumpet
Leon Meriam – Trumpet
Henderson Chambers – Trombone
Alfred Cobbs – Trombone
Fred Zito – Trombone
Rudy Powell – Alto sax
Harold Minerve – Alto sax
Harold Clark – Tenor sax
Harry S. Johnson – Tenor sax
Sid Brown – Baritone sax
Danny Small – Piano
James Cannady – Guitar
Leon Spann – Bass
Ed Shaughnessy – Drums
King
UK 10-inch
Note: Paired with Moon Mullican’s “Cherokee Boogie” and released in South Africa.
Co-written by Henry Glover
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Sonny Thompson Orchestra
Jesse Edwards – Vocals
Sonny Thompson – Piano
Henry Glover – Trumpet
Lee Z. Harper – Trumpet
Harold ‘Tina‘ Brooks – Tenor sax
Walter Hiles – Baritone sax
William Shingler – Guitar
Zain El Hussaini – Bass
Bill English – Drums
King
Co-written by Henry Glover, who also plays trumpet
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“Voodoo“
Preston Love And His Orchestra
George Williams – Vocal
Preston Love – Alto sax
Eli Wolinsky – Alto sax
Harry Lee Lewis – Tenor sax
Nat ‘Georgiatown‘ Holmes – Trumpet
Thomas Wilson – Trumpet
General Lee McCloud – Trombone
Devonia Williams – Piano
Frank Smith – Piano
Albert Winston – Bass
Phillip Thomas – Drums
Federal
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The Red Callender Sextet
Red Callender – Bass
Chico Hamilton – Drums
Maxwell Davis –or– Bumps Meyer – Tenor sax
Federal
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“Azores“
Al Sears And His Orchestra
Al Sears – Tenor sax
Johnny Hodges – Alto sax
Emmett Berry – Trumpet
Lawrence Brown – Trombone
Leroy Lovett – Piano
Lloyd Trotman – Bass
Joe Marshall – Drums
King
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“Brazil“
George Wright
c. Apr. 1952
King
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Preston Love And His Orchestra
Gene Phillips – Vocals
Preston Love – Alto sax
Johnny Otis – Vibraphone
Hampton Hawes – Piano
Billy Hadnott – Bass
Leard Bell – Drums
Federal
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Sonny Thompson
Sonny Thompson – Piano
Dennis Brooks – Alto sax
David Brooks – Tenor sax
Chauncey ‘Lord‘ Westbrook – Guitar
Clifford McGray – Bass
Norman F. Johnson – Drums
King
Jay & Cee = Henry Glover’s publishing firm
Co-written with Henry Glover
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Billy Hadnott And His Orchestra
Billy Hadnott – Bass
Charles Reed – Drums
Sonny Criss – Alto sax
Rudy Pitts – Vibraphone
Ernie Freeman – Piano
Oscar Moore – Guitar
Federal
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The York Brothers
Leslie York – Vocals
George York – Vocals
Billy Grammer (possibly) – Guitar
King
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Steve Lawrence
Dewey Bergman And His Orchestra
King
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The Checkers
King
Written by Henry Glover
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Jimmy Rushing
Jimmy Rushing – Vocals
Frank Galbraith – Trumpet
Dickie Wells – Trombone
Pete Clark – Alto sax
Buddy Tate – Tenor sax
Fletcher Smith – Piano
Jimmy Shirley – Guitar
Walter Page – Bass
Bobby Donaldson – Drums
c. Dec. 1952
King
UK EP
Co-written by Henry Glover
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An Hour Of Latin American Rhythms
Royale Latin Orchestra
1952
King
Note: In 1952, Syd Nathan made a deal with Royale Records to reissue several of their albums on his King Records label. Because of this, several of King’s early albums are reissues of Royale albums. [Discogs]
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Irving Fields Trio
King
Note: King EP includes “Key West Rhumba” – originally released July 1953.
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Charlie Gore & Louis Innis
King
Also recorded by Hawkshaw Hawkins in 1954
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Cowboy Copas
Cowboy Copas – Vocal & rhythm guitar
Zeb Turner – Guitar
Zeke Turner – Guitar
Howard White – Steel guitar
Louis Innis – Bass
Marion Sumner – Fiddle
King
UK 10-inch
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The Cecil Young Quartet
Cecil Young – Piano
Gerald Brashear – Tenor sax & bongo
Trafford Hubert – Bass
Jimmy Rogers – Drums
King
Written by Henry Glover
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Bill Doggett Trio
Bill Doggett – Organ
Percy French – Tenor sax
Shep Shepherd – Drums
King
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Little Esther
‘Little‘ Esther Phillips – Vocals
Rufus Gore – Tenor sax
Hank Marr – Piano
John Faire – Guitar
Clarence Mack – Bass
Calvin ‘Eagle Eye‘ Shields – Drums
Federal
Written by Henry Glover
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Lula Reed
Lula Reed – Vocals
Fred Clark – Alto sax
David Brooks – Tenor sax
Sonny Thompson – Piano
Bill Johnson – Guitar
Joe Williams – Bass
Isaac Cole – Drums
King
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April Stevens
King
Included on 1954 King EP, Intimate Songs By April Stevens
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Camille Howard
Camille Howard – Vocals & piano
Charles Gillum – Trumpet
Jackie Kelso – Alto sax
Ewell ‘Bo‘ Rhambo – Tenor sax
Harold Grant – Guitar
Dallas Bartley – Bass
Nat ‘Monk‘ Fay – Drums
1953
Federal
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Camille Howard
Camille Howard – Vocals & piano
Charles Gillum – Trumpet
Jackie Kelso – Alto sax
James Jackson – Tenor sax
Harold Grant – Guitar
Dallas Bartley – Bass
Nat ‘Monk‘ Fay – Drums
1953
Federal
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Ruth Wallis
1953 “album” of three 7-inch 45s
King/DeLuxe
Includes “It’s A Scream How Levine Does The Rhumba“
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Songs And Dances Of Latin America
Alfred Antonini And The Viva America Orchestra
1953 10-inch LP
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Typical Latin American Melodies
Los Andrinis
1953 10-inch LP
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Emil Coleman And His Waldorf Astoria Orchestra
1953 “album” of three 78s
Includes “Mama Inez“
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Emil Coleman And His Waldorf Astoria Orchestra
1953 EP
Includes “Jalousie“
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David Romaine And His Orchestra
King
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Lattie Moore
Lattie Moore – Vocals & rhythm guitar
Zeke Turner (poss.) – Lead guitar
Louis Innis (poss.) – Rhythm guitar
Don Helms – Steel guitar
Floyd ‘Lightnin’‘ Chance – Bass
Tommy Jackson Jr. – Fiddle
King
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Big Jay McNeely
Big Jay McNeely – Tenor sax
Bob McNeely – Baritone sax
Jimmy O’Brien – Piano
Cecil E. Harris – Bass
Darnell Cole – Drums
Federal
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The Platters (with The Peppy Prince Quintet)
Tony Williams – Lead vocal
Zola Taylor – Vocal
David Lynch – Tenor vocal
Herb Reed – Bass vocal
Preston ‘Peppy‘ Prince – Drums
Jack Costanzo – Bongo
Warren McOwens – Bass
Charles ‘Chuck‘ Thomas – Tenor sax
Christine Chapman – Piano
Federal
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Earl Bostic And His Orchestra
Earl Bostic – Alto sax
Stanley Turrentine – Tenor sax
Richard Allen ‘Blue‘ Mitchell – Trumpet
Eldridge Morris – Trumpet
Stanley ‘Stash‘ O’Laughlin – Piano
Celia Lopez – Piano
Mitchell ‘Tiny‘ Webb – Guitar
Granville T. Hogan – Drums
Bob Bustamente – Latin percussion
Bill Gallardo – Latin percussion
Jose Mendoza – Latin percussion
King
Included on 1955 King EP, Mambo Stylings
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Earl Bostic And His Orchestra
Earl Bostic – Alto sax
Stanley Turrentine – Tenor sax
Richard Allen ‘Blue‘ Mitchell – Trumpet
Eldridge Morris – Trumpet
Stanley ‘Stash‘ O’Laughlin – Piano
Celia Lopez – Piano
Mitchell ‘Tiny‘ Webb – Guitar
Granville T. Hogan – Drums
Bob Bustamente – Latin percussion
Bill Gallardo – Latin percussion
Jose Mendoza – Latin percussion
King
UK 10-inch
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“Chop Sticks Mambo” b/w “Drume Negrite“
Linda Lopez And Her Mambo Orchestra
Federal
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“Limehouse Blues Mambo” b/w “Nursery Mambo“
Linda Lopez And Her Mambo Orchestra
Federal
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Gerald Wilson And His Orchestra
Gerald Wilson – Director & arranger
Clark Terry – Trumpet
John Anderson – Trumpet
Louis Grey – Trumpet
Allen Smith – Trumpet
Isaac Bell – Trombone
Atlee Chapman – Trombone
John ‘Streamline‘ Ewing – Trombone
Britt Woodman – Trombone
Jerry Dodgion – Alto sax
Bill Green – Alto sax & flute
Teddy Edwards – Tenor sax
Paul Gonzales – Tenor sax
Frank Haynes – Tenor sax
Cedric Haywood – Piano
Addison Farmer – Bass
Gus Gustafson – Drums
Federal
Included on 1954 King EP, Progressive Sounds of Gerald Wilson
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Gerald Wilson
Gerald Wilson – Director & arranger
Clark Terry – Trumpet
John Anderson – Trumpet
Louis Grey – Trumpet
Allen Smith – Trumpet
Isaac Bell – Trombone
Atlee Chapman – Trombone
John ‘Streamline‘ Ewing – Trombone
Britt Woodman – Trombone
Jerry Dodgion – Alto sax
Bill Green – Alto sax & flute
Teddy Edwards – Tenor sax
Paul Gonzales – Tenor sax
Frank Haynes – Tenor sax
Cedric Haywood – Piano
Addison Farmer – Bass
Gus Gustafson – Drums
rec. 1954
Included on 1959 Audio Lab LP, Big Band Modern
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The Platters
Tony Williams – Vocals
Zola Taylor – Vocals
David Lynch – Tenor vocal
Paul Robi – Baritone vocal
Herb Reed – Bass vocal
Chico Hamilton – Drums
Don Johnson – Tumba
Red Callender – Bass
Gene Phillips – Guitar
Christine Chapman – Piano
Federal
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Linda Hayes
Gerald Wilson Orchestra
King
Gerald Wilson on trumpet
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“Cuban Jaunt“
Tony Proteau And His Orchestra
1954 King EP, Progressive Jazz From France
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The Country Cats
Jerry Byrd – Steel guitar
Al Myers – Guitar
King
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The Charms
Otis Williams – Lead tenor
Donald Eugene Peak – Tenor vocal
Rolland Bradley – Tenor vocal
Joseph ‘Joe‘ Penn – Baritone vocal
Richard Parker – Bass vocal
DeLuxe
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The Morgan Sisters
King
Note: Cut at their second and final session for King.
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Bonnie Lou
King
Note: Recorded the same day as The Morgan Sisters’ “Mambo Honky Tonk.”
Netherlands 10-inch
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“All She Wants To Do Is Mambo“
Wynonie Harris
King
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Wynonie Harris
Wynonie Harris – Vocals
Ray Felder – Tenor sax
David Brooks – Tenor sax
Tommy Purkson – Baritone sax
Sonny Thompson – Piano
Clarence Kenner – Guitar
Clarence Mack – Bass
Edison Gore – Drums
King
Note: Mambo update of Roy Brown’s “Good Rockin’ Tonight“
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“Caught Me When My Love Was Down“
Lula Reed
Written by Henry Glover
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“Mamsaca” b/w “Mambo Jet“
(Anselmo) Sacasas And His Orchestra
King
“long-term pact” = i.e., four sides
Recorded in Miami
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Moon Mullican
King
New Zealand 10-inch
Boyd Bennett on drums
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“Camptown Races Mambo” b/w “Can’t Do It Mambo“
Don Ippolito And His Orchestra
DeLuxe
1956 DeLuxe EP Mambo Americana also includes –
“Take Me Out To The Ball Game Mambo” + “Swanee River Mambo“
Recorded in Miami
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Little Arthur Mathews
Federal
Written by Johnny Otis
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“La Ronde” b/w “Trumpcrazy“
(Anselmo) Sacasas And His Orchestra
King
Recorded in Miami
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“Mexicali Rose“
Moon Mullican
King
Boyd Bennett on drums
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The Midnighters
Hank Ballard – Lead vocal
Charles Sutton – Vocals
Henry Booth – Vocals
Sonny Woods – Bass vocal
Mark Patterson – Trumpet
Jewell Grant – Alto sax
Alphonso Strether – Tenor sax
Joe Hunter – Piano
Cal Green – Guitar
Clarence Fisher – Electric bass
George De Hart – Drums
Federal
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Quinton Kimble
Federal
Recorded in Chicago
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Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis
Eddie ‘Lockjaw‘ Davis – Tenor sax
Shirley Scott – Organ
Charlie Rice – Drums
Note: Kick-off track on this 1957 Henry Glover-produced King LP, Jazz With A Beat
1962 Bethlehem 45
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Eddie ‘Lockjaw‘ Davis
Eddie ‘Lockjaw‘ Davis – Tenor sax
Shirley Scott – Organ
Carl Pruitt – Bass
Charlie Rice – Drums
Ray Barretto – Percussion
Included on 1957 King LP, Jazz With A Beat –
also issued as a King 45 in 1965.
Note the dangling parenthesis above
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Tiny Topsy
Tiny Topsy – Vocals
Ronald Wilson – Tenor sax
William Wallace – Piano
Wilbur Wynne – Guitar
Johnny Pate – Bass
Donald Clark – Drums
Federal
Recorded in Chicago
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“Muskeeta“
Johnny Pate
Johnny Pate – Bass
Donald Clark – Drums
Ronald Wilson – Flute & tenor sax
William Wallace – Piano
Wilbur Wynne – Guitar
Federal
EP – France
King’s 1st cash-in attempt on “Tequila“?
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The ‘5’ Royales
Clarence Paul – Vocals
Windsor King – Vocals
Eugene Tanner – Vocals
John Tanner – Vocals
Lowman Pauling – Vocals & guitar
King
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“Cuban Echoes“
Clifford Scott And His Orchestra
Clifford Scott – Tenor sax & flute
Bob Bryant – Trumpet
Andrew Hill – Piano
Wilbur Wynne – Guitar
Malachi Favors – Bass
Earl Thomas – Drums
King
Recorded in Chicago
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“Redskin Cha Cha“
Earl Bostic And His Orchestra
Earl Bostic – Alto sax
Gene Redd – Trumpet
Fletcher Smith – Organ
Allan Seltzer – Guitar
Margo Gibson – Electric bass
Charles Walton – Drums
King
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“Blue Tango“
Earl Bostic And His Orchestra
Included on 1958 King EP, Earl Bostic Plays Sweet Tunes Of The Fantastic 50s Vol. 2
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Don Reno, Red Smiley And The Tennessee Cutups
Donald Wesley Reno – Banjo
Arthur Lee ‘Red‘ Smiley – Guitar
King
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Pepe Villa Orchestra & Chorus
1958 King LP
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“Adios Muchachos“
Bill Doggett
1959
King
Note: Included on 1959 King LP High And Wide (issued in France as Monster Party)
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Earl Bostic
Earl Bostic – Alto sax
Hal Hidey – Piano
René Hall – Guitar
Elmer Schmidt – Vibraphone
Herb Gordy – Bass
Johnny Pate – Bass
Earl Palmer – Drums
Included on 1959 LP, Dance Music From The Bostic Workshop
Also utilized on 1963 King EP, Four Cha Cha Chas
Recorded in Los Angeles
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Earl Bostic And His Orchestra
Earl Bostic – Alto sax
Gerald Wilson – Trumpet
Ollie Mitchell – Trumpet
Joseph Doln(e)y – Trumpet
Anthony Terran – Trumpet
Ernie Freeman – Piano
René Hall – Guitar
Allan Seltzer – Guitar
Herby Gordy – Bass
Earl Palmer – Drums
King
Recorded in Los Angeles
*
The Turbo Jets
Federal
Recorded in Chicago
*
Bill Doggett
Bill Doggett – Organ
Clifford Scott – Alto sax
Ray Felder – Tenor sax
Floyd ‘Candy‘ Johnson – Baritone sax
Glenn Childress – Trombone
Billy Butler – Guitar
Edwyn Conley – Bass
Calvin ‘Eagle Eye‘ Shields – Drums
King
Note: This playful cha cha rebranded three years later as “Ocean Liner Bossa Nova.”
Co-written with Henry Glover
*
Earl Bostic And His Orchestra
Earl Bostic – Alto sax
Elmer Schmidt – Vibraphone
‘Sir‘ Charles Thompson – Piano
René Hall – Guitar
Allan Seltzer – Guitar
Herb Gordy – Bass
Earl Palmer – Drums
King
EP – France
Recorded in Los Angeles
*
“Titoro“
Oscar Pettiford
Bethlehem
“A jazz classic” – 45 label
Note: Recorded four years earlier and released as 1955 Bethlehem LP, Volume 2.
*
The Five Keys
King
Philip Paul (profiled in 2018) in all likelihood on drums
*
Nina Simone
Bethlehem
Note: Simone’s solitary 14-song recording session for Bethlehem at Beltone Studios (with engineer Irv Greenbaum) took place in December, 1957 at a time when the label was experiencing serious cash flow difficulties and unable to release new material. By the time Bethlehem had regained its footing thanks to a capital infusion from Syd Nathan, however, Nina Simone’s earliest studio recordings would be subject to the whims of the label’s new boss, who did not feel sufficiently respected by the unapologetically outspoken artist. [More info in Zero to 180’s piece from August 2023, “Nina Simone (vs. Syd Nathan) at Bethlehem Records.]
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1960 Audio Lab LP
Note: Previously issued tracks by Linda Lopez, Don Ippolito & Sacasas
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Cozy Cole
William Randolph ‘Cozy‘ Cole – Drums
Edwyn Conley – Bass
Fred Jordan – Guitar
John Faire – Guitar
John Thomas – Piano
Gene Redd – Vibraphone
George Kelly – Tenor sax
King
*
Charles Persip & The Jazz Statesmen
Charlie Persip – Drums
Ron Carter – Bass
Ronald Matthews – Piano
Roland Alexander – Tenor sax
Marcus Belgrave – Trumpet
rec. Apr. 1960
Bethlehem
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Cozy Cole
William Randolph ‘Cozy‘ Cole – Drums
[unnamed musician] – Percussion
King
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Cozy Cole
William Randolph ‘Cozy‘ Cole – Drums
Edwyn Conley – Bass
Fred Jordan – Guitar
John Faire – Guitar
John Thomas – Piano
Gene Redd – Vibraphone
George Kelly – Tenor sax
King
*
Frank Minion
Frank Minion – Vocals
Ed Thigpen – Drums
Joe Benjamin – Bass
Kenny Burrell – Guitar
Jimmy Jones – Piano
Bethlehem
Co-written with Henry Glover
*
Frank Minion
Frank Minion – Vocals
Danny Richmond – Drums
George Tucker – Bass
Tommy Flanagan – Piano
Roland Alexander – Flute
1960 Bethlehem LP
*
“Third Man Theme Cha Cha“
Irving Fields Trio
1960 King single
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Irving Fields Trio
Irving Fields – Bandleader
Michael Bruno – Drums & bongos
Henry Sargent – Bass
1961 King LP
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Pepe Jaramillo With His Latin-American Rhythm
1961 King LP
Note: Recording leased from England.
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Pepe Jaramillo With His Latin-American Rhythm
1961 Bethlehem LP
Note: Recording leased from England.
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Hank Marr
Hank Marr – Organ
Freddy King – Guitar
Michael Robinson – Piano
Osborne Whitfield – Tenor sax
Lawrence Frazier – Electric bass
Philip Paul – Drums
Federal
Note: Presumably, another “Tequila” cash-in attempt.
*
Bennie Green
Bennie Green – Trombone
Lem Davis – Alto sax
Jimmy Forrest – Tenor sax
Mal Waldron – Piano
Wyatt Ruther – Bass
Art Taylor – Drums
Tommy Lopez – Conga
Bethlehem
Included on 1961 Bethlehem LP, Hornful of Soul
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Howard McGhee
Howard McGhee – Trumpet
Bennie Green – Trombone
Roland Alexander – Flute & tenor sax
Pepper Adams – Baritone sax
Tommy Flanagan – Piano
Ron Carter – Bass
Walter Bolden – Drums
Title track of 1961 Bethlehem LP
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“Libeccio“
Donald Byrd & Pepper Adams
Donald Byrd – Trumpet
Pepper Adams – Baritone sax
Kenny Burrell – Guitar
Tommy Flanagan – Piano
Paul Chambers – Bass
‘Hey‘ Lewis – Drums
1961
Included on 1961 Bethlehem LP, Motor City Scene
*
Johnny Rocker
c. Jun 1961
Federal
*
“Shuckin’“
Tonni Kalash
May 1962
King
Note: Sole release by future second trumpeter in Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass.
*
Sonny Thompson
c. Oct. 1962
Bethlehem
Philip Paul is believed to be the drummer on this recording
*
“Cha Conga Pachanga“
Yvette Marchand
Bethlehem
*
Freddy Calo And His Latin Orchestra
1962 Audio Lab LP
Note: Also released in South Africa on Parlophone.
*
Earl Bostic
King
Note: Bostic’s ‘cha cha’ take on Angel Villoldo‘s “Choclo” has been refashioned with a bossa nova beat.
*
Earl Bostic
1963 LP kicks off with “El Bossa” and includes “Bossalino” and “Cha Bossa“
*
Freddy King
Federal
1963 King LP, with Philip Paul on drums, also includes “Bossa Nova Blues.”
*
Hank Marr
Federal
Included on 1963 King LP
Note: Back cover liner notes for Teentime Latest Dance Steps (penned by Gene Redd) outline the album concept as “Hank Marr Trio +3” — i.e., the trio of musicians on the front cover augmented by “three of the finest musicians in the mid-west” [Philip Paul, Cal Collins & Bill Willis], thus adding a double drummer dimension to the group’s sound in order to get dancers on the floor.
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“Honky Tonk Bossa Nova Part 2” b/w “Ocean Liner Bossa Nova“
Bill Doggett
King
Repackaging alert!
B-side originally released as “Ocean Liner” in 1959.
*
The Mystics
Gene Redd Orchestra
King
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“Cozy And Bossa” b/w “Big Boss“
Cozy Cole
Bethlehem
Repackaging alert!
“Cozy And Bossa” – formerly “Cozy’s Mambo”
“Big Boss” – formerly “Ha Ha Cha Cha”
*
“We Did The Bossa Nova“
Mickey Farrell And The Dynamics
Bethlehem
“Vocal bossa nova with orchestra“
*
“Down Home Bossa Nova” b/w “Si Si Bossa Nova“
Bill Doggett
King
Repackaging alert!
A-side (penned by Henry Glover) originally released as “Back Woods” in 1959.
*
Little Joe Washington
c. Dec. 1963
Federal
Recorded in Los Angeles
*
Hank Marr
1964 King LP
Note: Uncredited work by Rusty Bryant (sax) and James ‘Blood‘ Ulmer (guitar)
[Ulmer’s first recordings, per Discogs]
*
*
1966 & 1967 Sidebar —
Resurgence of the Bongo
*
James Brown And The Famous Flames
James Brown – Lead vocal
The Jewels – Backing vocals
John ‘Jabo‘ Starks – Drums
Ronald Selico – Bongos
Waymon Reed – Trumpet
Joe Dupars – Trumpet
Levi Rasbury – Trombone
Nat Jones – Alto sax
Alfred Ellis – Tenor sax
Eldee Williams – Tenor sax
St–Clair Pinckney – Baritone sax
Bobby Byrd – Organ
Alphonso Kellum – Guitar
Bernard Odum – Bass
Recorded Nov. 4, 1966 in NYC
*
“(Something Moves Me) Within My Heart“
Vicki Anderson
Gene Redd – Orchestra director
John ‘Jabo‘ Starks on drums accompanied by unknown bongosero
Released Dec. 1966
*
“Why Am I Crying” b/w “That’s How Long (I’m Gonna Love You)”
Shirley Wahls
King 6083
Note: This 45 was reissued in the UK in 2018.
*
Charles Brown
Recorded Jan. 1967 at King Studios
*
Amos Milburn
Recorded Jan. 1967 at King Studios
*
James Brown And The Famous Flames
James Brown – Lead vocal
Clyde Stubblefield – Drums
Ronald Selico – Bongos
Waymon Reed – Trumpet
Joe Dupars – Trumpet
Levi Rasbury – Trombone
Alfred Ellis – Alto sax & organ
Alfred Cauley – Tenor sax
Eldee Williams – Tenor sax
St-Clair Pinckney – Tenor & baritone sax
Jimmy Nolen – Guitar
Alphonso Kellum – Guitar
Bernard Odum – Bass
Recorded after hours at The Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, NJ in Jan. 1967.
*
*
King’s Final Years:
Convergence of the Conga
*
Mill Evans
Recorded Dec. 1966 in Chicago
Unnamed Latin percussionist threatens to steal the show on this driving dance track.
Unreleased recording until rescued in 2001 by Ace UK,
Included on CD compilation, King Northern Soul Vol. 2
– Also issued on vinyl in the UK –
Congas also feature on Mill Evans‘ lone King 45 from Feb. 1967 –
“Why Why Why” b/w “Right Now“
Recorded in Chicago
*
Marie ‘Queenie‘ Lyons
“Produced by Henry Glover”
Included on 1970 DeLuxe LP, Soul Fever + two other conga-heavy tracks:
“Your Thing Ain’t No Good Without My Thing“
“I Don’t Want Nobody To Have It But You“
*
James Brown (& The J.B.’s)
James Brown – Vocals
John ‘Jabo‘ Starks – Drums
Johnny Griggs – Congas
William ‘Bootsy‘ Collins – Bass
Phelps ‘Catfish‘ Collins – Guitar
Hearlon ‘Cheese‘ Martin – Guitar
Kenny Poole – Guitar
Clayton ‘Chicken‘ Gunnells – Trumpet
Darryl ‘Hassan‘ Jamison – Trumpet
St–Clair Pinckney – Tenor sax
Fred Wesley – Trombone
45 picture sleeve
*
“I Got The Feelin’” + “Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose“
James Brown (& The J.B.’s)
James Brown – Vocals
Clyde Stubblefield – Drums
Johnny Griggs – Congas
William ‘Bootsy‘ Collins – Bass
Phelps ‘Catfish‘ Collins – Guitar
Bobby Byrd – Organ
Robert ‘Chopper‘ McCollough – Tenor sax
Clayton ‘Chicken‘ Gunnells – Trumpet
Darryl ‘Hassan‘ Jamison – Trumpet
Recorded July 1970 at King Studios
Live crowd sounds added – tracks included on 1970’s Sex Machine LP
*
James Brown (& The J.B.’s)
James Brown – Vocals
John ‘Jabo‘ Starks – Drums
Johnny Griggs – Congas
William ‘Bootsy‘ Collins – Bass
Phelps ‘Catfish‘ Collins – Guitar
Clayton ‘Chicken‘ Gunnells – Trumpet
Darryl ‘Hassan‘ Jamison – Trumpet
Robert McCollough – Baritone sax
Bobby Byrd – Organ
Recorded in Nashville at Starday Sound Studio
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“Talking Loud And Saying Nothing (Pts. 1 & 2)”
James Brown (& The J.B.’s)
James Brown – Vocals
John ‘Jabo‘ Starks – Drums
Johnny Griggs – Congas
William ‘Bootsy‘ Collins – Bass
Phelps ‘Catfish‘ Collins – Guitar
Bobby Byrd – Organ & vocals
Clayton ‘Chicken‘ Gunnells – Trumpet
Darryl ‘Hassan‘ Jamison – Trumpet
Robert ‘Chopper‘ McCollough – Tenor sax
St-Clair Pinckney – Baritone sax
Recorded Oct. 1, 1970 at Bobby Smith’s Macon, GA studio
EP – Mexico
“Sonido Negro”:
Black Sounds
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Wayne Cochran
Horn-heavy funk instrumental
“Vocal” by Wayne Cochran
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“My Brother (Pts. 1 & 2)”
The J.B.s
James Brown – Lead shout
Alfred Thomas – Drums
Fred Thomas – Bass
Johnny Griggs – Congas
Hearlon ‘Cheese‘ Martin – Guitar
Fred Wesley – Trombone
45 label: .“Dedication to Georgie Woods at 18th Testimonial“
LINK — Georgie Woods: I’m Only A Man! by James Spady
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The Coasters
45 picture sleeve
45 picture sleeve
Sleeve design by JC Trambouze
Note: According to The Coasters Recording Sessions, the original session for “Love Potion” took place at NYC’s Bell Sound Studios in February of 1968, with flute solo by Dick “Taco” Meza overdubbed in 1971.
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The Coasters
King
Note: Arranged by Marty Sheller Orchestra under the direction of Larry Harlow
Note: Starday Sound and NYC’s Electric Lady Studios both involved –
“Taco” Meza takes a solo at 1:00.
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Honorable Mention
“New Breed (The Boo-Ga-Loo)”
James Brown
[1966]
1964 photo of James Brown dancing the boogaloo with Lloyd Thaxton:
SEE = NPR piece, “Who Owns Boogaloo?“
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TIP JAR
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