VA - New Breed R&B: Money Talks

New R&B discoveries continue to emerge and entertain the many followers of the New Breed musical cult; nobody finds more than the Kent connoisseurs.

Berna Dean’s two previously unheard recordings are by far her best. They were laid down at Cosimo Matassa’s New Orleans’ studios by GNP Crescendo but eschewed in favour of two relatively average sides. The great 50s R&B songwriter Jesse Stone provides a rocker for the much-admired Jimmy Breedlove and a super-catchy ‘This Morning’ for an unknown mixed vocal group that has a joyous gospel feel. Jesse also penned ‘Private Eye’, a classic early 60s story-song, for Buddy Wilkins which was issued on Al Sears’ Tri-Ess imprint.

There are three cover versions. Vermettya Royster’s ‘All Around The World’ is backed by James Brown’s 1961 band, while Roosevelt Lee's 1970 update of the 1947-originated ‘Hey Little Girl’ funks the tune up a la Godfather of Soul. The cover that will make the biggest noise is undoubtedly west coast band the Afterglows’ version of Barbara Lynn’s evergreen dancer ‘I’m A Good Woman’ – this is a future monster.

More early 60s movers come from Wilbur “Hi-Fi” White with ‘Don’t Look Now’, future hit songwriter Johnny Madara’s raucous ‘You Make Me Mad’ and Big Boy Groves ‘Bucket O’ Blood’ which brilliantly describes the kind of club these tracks would fit right into.

Tracklist:
SIDE ONE
1. DON'T TRY TO TELL ME - Berna-Dean
2. THIS MORNIN' - The Jesse Stone Singers
3. ALL AROUND THE WORLD - Vermettya Royster With James Brown's Band
4. WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND - The Four Bars
5. DON'T LOOK NOW - Wilbur "Hi-Fi" White & King Kolax Band
6. MONEY TALKS - Kenny Smith
7. HEY LITTLE GIRL PT 1 - Roosevelt Lee
SIDE TWO
1. GOIN' AWAY BABY (ROUND LIKE AN APPLE) - Smokey Wilson
2. HEY HEY BABY - T-Bone Walker
3. I'M A GOOD WOMAN - The Afterglows
4. YOU MAKE ME MAD - Johnny Madara
5. MONEY TALKS (TELL ME WHAT I SAY) - The Citations
6. TELL ME WHY - Richard Berry
7. MARY DON'T YOU WEEP - The Delights