Here's the first in a series of mini mixes focusing on 5 tracks by a single artist.

 

https://www.mixcloud.com/gregbelson/artist-focus-five-the-peerless-four/

 

These will mostly be specializing in the world of gospel soul and funk, hopefully shedding some light to artists that have gone far too long without their due recognition.

 

To launch the series, we head to Norfolk, VA and present to you The Peerless Four.

 

For this selection, I've constructed the mix to show their versatility from sublime harmony lead ballads, to a more uptempo funkier setting. Lead vocal duties were often shared within the group, including Johnny Ross, Calvin Wilson, Garland Owens and Clyde Burston. Production was often handled by Martin Culpepper, who was rumored to be a harsh businessman that many didn't want to deal with. I hasten to add that I don't have any hard facts to justify that claim, so I maintain that it's speculation from research on my part.

 

The 45's here are presented on three different labels; Calvary, Job's and Bal - Clair, all out of Virginia.

 

 

Greg,

           a relevant section from my old piece on Barbara Stant .............

By the mid 1970’s, the original shop premises (Nimrod Record Store at 726 Church Street) had seen better days and with demolition threatened to allow road widening, Noah Biggs (now getting on in years) relocated across the road. He set up his new base at 707 Church Street and hired Martin Culpepper as his new studio engineer. Culpepper had worked on a couple of gospel 45’s that had been released on the Jobs label (which had ties with Leroy Little’s Tri-Us Records). This deal also brought the Grooms into the Shiptown (Jobs) family.