There have been many Detroit soul CD compilations (and the odd 7-inch) released over the last decade or so, but the legality of many is certainly open to question.
As the majority of these were effectively bootlegs, not only were royalties going unpaid but the sound quality left a lot to be desired. In the absence of master tapes the majority of
the CDs were recorded from vinyl – and in most cases not particularly well. And despite the authoritative tone of the CDs’ titles the information on the liner notes was minimal and the packaging slapdash.
However, one UK company has set a precedent for quality (and doing the right thing by the artists), and that’s Ace Records’ Kent label, run by Ady Croasdell. Their first LP was released in 1982 and since then they have issued a fascinating and diverse catalogue of black music. The audio quality is second to none, the liner notes are as comprehensive and illuminating as you could wish for, and the company is as straight as a die when it comes to the thorny issue of monies due. And you won’t find a better example of the Motor City’s soul output than the fine series of releases from Detroit producer Dave Hamilton. Something of an unsung hero, the late Hamilton was a Motown session musician, composer and arranger before going it alone (see the featured extract from Groovesville USA here). Kent have to date issued three volumes of his productions on artists such as Little Ann, Dottie & Millie, and O.C. Tolbert, and two collections of his funkier stuff on allied label BGP. Click below to hear samples from these highly recommended albums.
Dave Hamilton’s Detroit Dancers CDKEND 154
Dave Hamilton’s Detroit Dancers CDKEND 257