Rhythm Message

Rhythm Message is a new book by E. Mark Windle presenting a collection of biographies of lesser known southern recording artists from the 1960s of particular interest to the northern soul scene.

It is the second of two books on the subject. The first book in this series, , It’s Better to Cry, focused on 1960s R&B artists, beach bands and soul-influenced garage bands specifically from the Carolinas and Virginia. I wanted to present acts which hold particular interest with rare soul record collectors throughout the UK and Europe, rather than the classic beach music of the day.

Rhythm Message continues to take on regional bands of the day in the south eastern states such as Lost Soul, the In-Men Ltd., Gene and the Team Beats, Bob Marshall and the Crystals, Bernard Smith and the Jokers Wild, Mike Williams; extra-regional names like The Astors whose recordings appeal to beach music listeners; and others who moved their business around various states (such as The Showmen, originally from Virginia, but recording in New Orleans, Philadelphia and North Carolina), but whose popularity remained rooted on the eastern seaboard.

The scarcity of many of these recordings did not necessarily reflect poor quality music — in this area particularly, artists were performers first and foremost, working theatres, night clubs, beach pavilions, sock hops, frat parties and college campus events; and recording artists second. Often local acts would provide opening sets or in the case of bands, would back visiting nationally known solo artists. R&B recordings on regional labels particularly in this neck of the woods were often low pressing runs on self-financed custom labels, facilitated by the band themselves or young promoters with limited budgets.

However, the geographical remit has also been broadened for Rhythm Message, with Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas added to the list. Biographies from these areas include those of the ‘Elvitrue’ Passions, Troy Marrs and the Dynamics, TSU Toronadoes, Lee Tillman, the Cheques, Merle Spears, Sam and Bill and more. Most of these artists’ histories are documented for the first time. As well as the author’s own investigations, chapters are also provided by US and UK guest writers. The project has made possible only with the help of numerous artists, relatives, session musicians and label owners in the US; and of DJs and collectors from the rare soul scenes in the UK and Europe. The chapters in this 224 page book is illustrated by more than 100 images including label scans, personal and promotional artist photographs, posters and other memorabilia. Available in softback (colour) and PDF format.

Visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rhythmmessage to follow discussion of the artists and music featured.

Visit Blurb.co.uk or Blurb.com for details on prices, ordering and 15 page preview.

To order go to: http://www.blurb.co.uk/b/5936116-rhythm-message

(Available from 26 January 2015).