A series that is raising a holler due to not only its excellent content but also for providing a piece of history that is not highlighted enough regarding the many “ACE” black musicians who laid the foundations for what became rock ‘n’ roll. With volume four in this recent series from Koko Mojo, the twenty-eight tracks on offer provide enough glimpses of the talent of the time but also for the energy and inventiveness of the rockin’ tracks. By introducing a few names that will be familiar to some i.e. Jimmy McCracklin, Lloyd Price, Otis Redding with, on this occasion The Pinetoppers and others such as Joe Tex, Gene and Eunice and Larry Williams, the inclusion of a few lesser known artists adds extra spice to the series and therefore a worthy addition to anyone’s record collection. From the very definition of “wild” rock ‘n’ roll that is the severe guitar straining number ‘Wail Baby Wail’ from Tommy Louis With Marshall And The Versatiles, to more rhythmically tight ‘Such A Mess’ but nonetheless rock ‘n’ roll given the power expressed by Lloyd Price’s voice, volume four of this series has no intention of slowing down. With so much expressed via the rhythm and blues/doo wop crossover of the vocals and rock ‘n’ roll of its guitar of The El Venos’ ‘Geraldine’ providing such a deeply textured song yet sounding free of clutter, to other tracks where the rock ‘n’ roll is absolutely flying such as the fantastic ‘Papa Lou And Gran’ supplied by Little Victor. Only four albums in and the series ‘Boss Black Rockers’ has already offered more than enough great rockin’ tracks and, even greater news, there’s still more to come!

Fast on the heels of the first volume in this latest series on the Atomicat label is ‘Pajama Party Vol.2’. With the first compilation being well received and shifting faster than hotcakes, the second album looks set to repeat the same success, if not surpass it. Containing enough songs to rival the average family shopping list, ‘Pajama Party Vol.2’ runs from track 01 to 30 and is filled with a variety of artists from the 50s and early 60s.Therefore, expect to have your ears filled with many delights such as classic instrumental by The Ventures ‘Walk, Don’t Run’, to plenty of teenage-light rock ‘n’ roll with examples ranging from Chico Holiday and the song ‘Cuckoo Girl’, to Johnny Tillotson and ‘Cutie Pie’. As with the first volume in this series, the current album mixes the genres and comes up trumps with traditional rhythm and blues and doo wop via The Crows’ ‘Gee’, The Cleftones’ ‘Can’t We Be Sweethearts’ and double offering from The Heartbeats with ‘I Want To Know’ and tearjerker ‘A Thousand Miles Away’. Ral Donner pops up with ‘Girl Of My Best Friend’ and provides not only fantastic vocals but the closest to the King himself Elvis Presley. Fanning the flame for female rockers is Donna Dameron, who returns the call to the Big Bopper himself via ‘Bopper 486609’. It’s a gripping track and provides enough flair and imagination to fill this entire compilation. Great value and, more importantly, great music are what to expect when dropping this soundtrack for the next party.

Final word on the series ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kittens Vol.4’ arrives and is packed once more with twenty-five tracks featuring a female voice on the rockin’ front. With familiar names lining up with less familiar names, ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kittens Vol.4’ offers much scope when it came to those women striving to make a name for themselves in a very male-dominated industry during this particular period in history. Such mettle reveals itself early on with Betty Johnson providing a perfect blend of two genres joined at the hip of ‘Honky Tonk Rock’ and giving a powerful intro to this compilation with strong vocals and solid rhythm section. Linda Hayes adds to this determined start with equally strong vocals and the rhythm and blues track ‘Name Ain’t Fannie’, followed by Janice Martin’s version of ‘Ooby Dooby’, which by no means lets the side down because it certainly rocks. Keeping the momentum going is excellent rollin’ and country-rockin’ rhythm of ‘Sweet Talk’ supplied by Bunny Paul and followed by always reliable Patsy Cline with ‘Stop Look And Listen’. Other choice delights can be heard via breath-taking ‘Learning To Love’ (Martha Lynn) and powerhouse vocals, twice over, from Marie Knight and ‘I Thought I Told You Not To Tell Them’ and by Annisteen Allen ‘I’ve Got Troubles’. Certainly ending this series on a high note judging by yet more rockin’ tracks from Jo Ann Campbell (‘Tall Boy’), Betty James (‘I’m A Little Mixed Up’) and wildness that is ‘The Big Bounce’ (Shirley Caddell) and sublime Little Esther with ‘If It’s News To You’, there’s no doubt these women could rock with their male counterparts as ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kittens Vol.4’ clearly displays.

Shaping up to be a class series, with a brief history lesson thrown in, is Indian Bred. Third instalment, ‘War Chant Boogie’, gives an idea of what to expect when it comes to the slices of rockin’ tunes found under its cover, and the automobile was set to leave the horse as means of transport well and truly behind. If you want tracks that represent a sense of “Feuding, Fussing and Fighting”, then you’ve come to the right place.  Beginning with a song about notorious outlaw ‘Billy The Kid’, The Raves open in style with rhythm and blues and doo-wop backing vocals. From there the history lesson gathers pace with everything from ‘Custer’s Last Stand’, compellingly told by Rose Maddox and respectful backing from the band, to songs celebrating moments of downtime via Whitey Pullen’s ‘Moonshine Liquor’, and then inspiration from piano rocker ‘Firewater’ from Rusty Isabell. It’s incredible to think that an entire compilation could be built from songs about conflicts concerning Native Americans and European Settlers, in addition to tales of outlaws who were up to no good. But that’s what occurs throughout this latest volume of ‘Indian Bred – War Chant Boogie’, which also provides an indication of the topics songwriters of the 50s were inspired by, in addition to bringing a whole host of rockin’ goodness to the table as well.

Third volume in the series that likes to introduce the tracks that will transfer avid listener into avid dancer, ‘Stroll-A-Rama: Jump and Bump’ is that record. In addition to a more than wholesome thirty tracks, this is also the compilation series that doesn’t necessarily play by the rules as it introduces two tracks from contemporary artists yet who operate within the original 50’s blueprint of music. Add to the roster artists from various continents such as British talent Marty Wilde and song ‘Jezebel’, and French singer Richard Anthony with a rendition of ‘The Wanderer’ (‘Le Vagabond’), then clearly this collection is content with providing a little something else. Such tactics work tremendously as there is variation from the traditional rhythm and blues end such as The Drifters ‘Honky Tonk’ and The Flares charming ‘Jump And Bump’, to guitar and  brass duel of ‘Midnite Creep’ (Al Bruno), surf instrumental from German band Spo-Dee-O-Dee, and tight rockin’ numbers by the likes of Fention Robinson ‘Crazy Crazy Loving’. Jittery Jack’s ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ gives the game away only slightly when it comes to identifying the modern artist, but it’s a glorious stompin’ racket that provides much spice. It’s not only the rhythms (Bobby Doyle’s ‘Hot Seat’ is simply irresistible!) that entice because the majority of the lyrics grab the attention as well, with examples from ‘When Will I Be Loved’ (The Everly Brothers) to ‘What A Lonesome Life It’s Been’ (Skeets McDonald) that declares this album a true all-rounder.

As the end of the sleeve notes to this brand-new compilation from the Koko Mojo label declares “Dig It!” there’s no wiser words to adhere. Titled ‘Boss Black Rockers’, the first volume provides an array of tracks from the vaults of a 50s era, in addition to touching upon the fringes of the early 60s. There’s a heavy dose of rhythm and blues mixed with the raw edges of what became known as rock ‘n’ roll throughout this volume, and it shines bright once the likes of The Upsetters, featuring Little Richard, get underway with ‘I’m In Love Again’ or The Cues delivering a nifty racket via ‘Killer Diller’. The tempo loosens further with a raucous ‘She Can Rock’ supplied by Little Ike and attention-grabbing ‘Comin’ Around The Mountain’ from appropriately named Johnny Two-Voice. In fact, the tempo of this album never really lessens as examples from Dee Clark, Frank Ballard, Four Scores and Bobby Flare amply provide, only this is often a controlled rhythm yet equally red hot to those cooked up by the more known white rock and rollers of the period. Where the edges become frayed, and this being a definite positive, then look no further than Leon and the Hi-Tones’ ‘Rock And Roll In The Groove’ and downright mischievous ‘Love Bandit’ by The Cadets which, along with the other twenty-six tracks making up this collection, cries winning score all round.