Contempo Story 1973-1977: Original Home Of Soul Contempo Story 1973-1977: Original Home Of Soul CD

UK three CD collection. In 1970, Blues And Soul magazine founder John Abbey opened a record shop, Contempo Records, in Hanway Street, London, specializing in U. S. imports of soul and funk. In January 1973, Contempo launched as a label to issue black American recordings in the UK, as well as create home-grown equivalents. Between 1973 and 1978, the label issued around 150 singles and several albums, enjoying some mainstream success while catering for all aspects of black music demand, from Funk to the emerging Disco, Northern Soul to bluesy ballads. This 64-track box set is the first-ever retrospective of Contempo Records, which played such a vital role in popularizing this music for much of the 1970s. Curated with the full support of John Abbey, this set is a worthy tribute. Many of these tracks are new to CD, others have long been unavailable. Among the many highlights are some of Contempo's own recordings of legends Major Lance and J. J. Barnes, who were enjoying renewed popularity via the Northern Soul scene. Also included are quality 60s/Northern classics by Bob & Earl, The Incredibles, The Olympics, Tami Lynn, Richard Temple and Bettye Swann; high calibre Soul from established names like Oscar Toney Jr., Fontella Bass, The Exciters, Doris Duke; a bona fide hit in 'Misty Blue' by Dorothy Moore; top flight disco from Crown Heights Affair; and the recorded results of a reunited Sam And Dave. Deluxe 36 page booklet with fully detailed historical notes, which tell the story of how Contempo Records evolved and developed.

1. The Right Track - Major Lance 2. Every Couple's Not a Pair - Richie Pitts 3. Harlem Shuffle - Bob ; Earl 4. Everything I Own - Oscar Toney JR 5. Kentucky Bluebird (A Message to Martha) - Oscar Toney JR 6. Ain't No Soul (Left in These Old Shoes) (Live) - Major Lance 7. Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) - John Fred ; His Playboy Band 8. People - Part One (Vocal) - Freddie MacK's Extravaganza in Sounds 9. Young, Willing and Able - Jimmy Thomas 10. Living for the City - Ultrafunk 11. Do Me Right - the Armada Orchestra 12. Across the Tracks (Part 1) - the Masai 13. To An Early Grave - J.J. Barnes 14. Livin' for Tomorrow - the Exciters 15. Reward - Melvin Bliss 16. Gimme Little Sign - Major Lance 17. Cigarette Ashes - Jimmy Conwell 18. Brothers on the Slide - Cymande 19. Black Water Gold (Pearl) - African Music Machine 20. Sweet F.A. (Funky Al) - Ultrafunk 21. Kung Fu Man - Ultrafunk Featuring Mr. Superbad Freddie Mack 22. It's the Same Old Song - the Armada Orchestra 23. There's Nothing Else to Say Baby - the Incredibles 24. It's Hard to Get Back in - Fontella Bass 25. Blowing Up My Mind - the Exciters 26. Make Me Yours - Bettye Swann 27. Grasshopper - Doris Duke 28. I Need You More Than Ever - the Montclairs 29. Mighty Love Man Pt. 1 - Black Stash 30. Don't You Know I Love You - Major Lance 31. A Little Bit of Lovin' - Doris Duke 32. Cochise - the Armada Orchestra 33. Baby Do the Philly Dog - the Olympics 34. I'm Gonna Run Away from You - Tami Lynn 35. Planting Seeds - Seeds of the Earth 36. Theme from Lovejoy - Moses Dillard ; the Lovejoy Orchestra 37. Breakaway - Ernie Bush 38. Just Can't Do Without Love (A Thousand Faces) - Howeefeel 39. Chinese Kung Fu - Banzai 40. Feel the Need in Me - the Armada Orchestra 41. Sting Your Jaws (Part 1) - Ultrafunk 42. Chicken Heads - Oscar Toney JR 43. Classical Bump - the Armada Orchestra 44. That Beatin' Rhythm - Richard Temple 45. Inside America (Part 1) - Juggy Jones 46. (Theme from) Lady, Lady, Lady (Are You Crazy for Me) - the Boogie Man Orchestra 47. Mr. Superbad - Mr. Superbad ; the Mighty Super Power Band 48. It Takes One to Know One -Sir Mack Rice 49. Misty Blue - Dorothy Moore 50. The Love I Lost (Part 1) - the Armada Orchestra 51. Steal Away - Ted Taylor 52. Funny How Time Slips Away - Dorothy Moore 53. Gotham City Boogie - Ultrafunk 54. Dancin' - Crown Heights Affair 55. Golden Gate Get Down - Sparky and the Inner Citizens 56. Body English - King Floyd 57. She's Mine - J.J. Barnes 58. For Old Times Sake - Dorothy Moore 59. Philly Armada (Part 1) -The Armada Orchestra 60. Why Did You Do It - Sam and Dave 61. Rice and Beans Theme - Rice and Beans Orchestra 62. Jump the Gun - the Mike Conteh Band 63. How Long - J.J. Barnes 64. We Can Work It Out - Sam and Dave