The Blues Busters
The Blues Busters - The Wonder And The Glory Of - Vinyl LP
Format: LP
A compilation CD or LP of early 60's tracks by the seminal Jamaican duo.
Jamaica has produced an amazing diversity of artists over the last half century, with militant rootsmen vying with soul singers for studio space, and none more soulful than Phillip 'Boasy' James and Lloyd Osbourne 'Lloydi' Campbell; known collectively as the The Blues Busters. The pair's tight harmonies and heart-rending leads came straight from gospel music, although their subject matter was normally referring to affairs of the heart rather than a higher plane.
The The Blues Busters were the most consistently popular Jamaican male duo of the early 1960's, and were part of the Jamaican party that performed at the 1964 New York World's Fair. They initially worked on a showboat performing in cabaret shows for tourists in Kingston and on Jamaica's north coast, but got their big break when they were asked to accompany Sam Cooke on his tour of Jamaica.
After having their records issued by Island records in the UK and spending most of their time living and touring in the US, they eventually stopped recording in the early 80's. However, in the UK the Northern soul scene were always looking for new (read that new-to-them but old 1960's) sounds and found Phillip James' wonderful Wide Awake In A Dream, which immediately started to command mighty sums on its original pressing, while Ska collectors started to search out sprightly numbers like Soon You'll Be Gone.
From their small beginnings the The Blues Busters have now become one of the most highly regarded Jamaican duos, not only for their polished, rousing performances but by producing both high octane Ska and super-smooth soul tracks with such ease; something very few Jamaicans have ever managed. The pity is that Phillip and Lloyd never got to see the appreciation that their music has commanded almost five decades since it was recorded and over two decades since both men passed to that great recording studio in the sky.
These landmark early recordings not only signified the change in the loping beat which was still hanging on to the raucous US R&B so loved by the dancing crowd in Jamaica but now carrying a new Kingston swing, soon to be called 'Ska', but it also introduced the world to the stirring harmonies of Phillip and Lloyd.
Tracklisting:
Side 1
1. Early One Morning
2. Oh Baby
3. The Spiritual
4. Your Love
5. Behold
6. Lost My Baby
7. Donna
8. You Had It All Wrong
Side 2
1. Tell Me Why
2. Pleading For Mercy
3. There's Always Sunshine
4. Little Vilma
5. Warning You
6. I Need Some Loving
7. You're Driving Me Crazy
8. I've Done You Wrong