Rating:
Genre:
Blues
Release Date: 01/08/2008
Formed by brothers
Saul Bihari and
Jules Bihari in 1945,
Modern Records was one of the truly great record labels of the rise of
rhythm & blues, and while this is the fourth disc in
Ace's
Yet More Mellow Cats 'N' Kittens series of collections drawn from
Modern's back catalog, this disc leaves no doubt that there's still plenty worthwhile stuff left in their vaults. Featuring a handful of unreleased tracks along with classic 78 sides,
Yet More Mellow Cats 'N' Kittens focuses on some of the lesser-known acts who recorded for
Modern, though
Johnny Otis and
Little Esther team up for the fine and bluesy
"I Got a Guy," and
Jimmy Witherspoon wails hard on
"I'm Just a Country Boy." But if names like
Felix Gross,
the Nic-Nacs,
Edna Broughton, and
Geechie Smith aren't as immediately recognizable, the music they left behind is great stuff, and the two dozen numbers here run the gamut from gutbucket
jump blues with screaming guitars to smooth proto-
doo wop harmony singing. Highlights include
the Three Bits of Rhythm's mildly blue
novelty item
"I Used to Work in Chicago," the high-strutting
blues of
the Herb Fisher Trio's
"Doggone Shame," a mess of rollicking piano from
Jesse Perry on
"Jesse's Bogie," some high-octane
swing courtesy
Johnny Alston's
"I'm Feeling Fine," the mellow midnight harmonies of
the Ebonaires'
"We're in Love," and
Louis Barnett & His Boppers' timely editorial on financial solvency,
"Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is." If you dig classic
R&B from the pre-
rock & roll era, this will leave you satisfied and wishing for more, and with any luck,
Ace has another tour through the
Modern archives in the works.
~Mark Deming, All Music Guide
;)
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