VARIOUS

Following our recent 2CD overview of Flair’s R&B releases and two double CDs embracing the RPM label’s output, we’re temporarily skipping over the parent Modern label to turn a spotlight on Kent, which replaced the Bihari Brothers’ earlier imprints in 1958 and outlasted them by several years. “Unlock The Lock: The Kent Story, Volume 1” covers the first four years of the label’s life. The story is told, wherever possible, by previously unreissued material and previously unreleased alternate takes of familiar repertoire. Considerably more than half of what’s here falls into those categories.

Of the generous helping of B.B. King tracks included, most of them adds to his discography by means of alternate takes and mono single mixes that have not yet found their way onto an Ace CD. B.B. was the mainstay of the release schedule, from its incorporation through to the early 70s, but he was by no means all there was to Kent. There’s a wide variety on offer here – everything from doo wop and rockabilly to straight ahead R&B and proto soul.

Although B.B. left Kent in late 1961 (save for the contractual obligation session in 1964 that brought him back to cut ‘Rock Me Baby’) the Biharis filled his position as their flagship artist with successful 45s by his peer Lowell Fulson and upcoming blues-tinged Texan soul man Arzell “Z.Z.” Hill. Hear them and many others in the not too distant future on “The Kent Records Story, Volume 2”.

DISC ONE
1. WHY DO THINGS HAPPEN TO ME -B B King
2. ALL OF ME - Danny Boy
3. HEY LITTLE MAMA - The Barker Brothers (Monty and Fredy)
4. (BABY BABY) EVERY NIGHT - Etta James
5. HIGH SCHOOL HOP - Don Cole
6. ON MY WAY BACK HOME - Flash Terry and his orchestra
7. DEVIL DOLL - Lee Denson
8. MADNESS - Sonny Knight
9. BASIS OF THE ROCK AND ROLL (TAKE 1) - Van Robinson
10. BYE BYE BABY (TAKE 5) - Chuck ‘Tequila’ Rio
11. THAT’S MY BABY - Artie Wilson
12. DANCE THE THING - Floyd Dixon and his Orchestra
13. PLEASE ACCEPT MY LOVE (ALTERNATE MIX) - B B King
14. RED HOT ROCKIN’ BLUES - Jesse James
15. IF IT AIN’T ONE THING - Betty and Dupree
16. YOU YOU YOU - Van Robinson
17. SOUTH’S GONNA RISE AGAIN - Jesse James
18. WORRY WORRY (TAKE 1) - B B King
19. THE BALLAD OF STAGGER LEE - The Senders
20. THE THRILL IS GONE (TAKE 1) - Hadda Brooks
21. THE FOOL - B B King
22. EVERYBODY SEEMS TO KNOW - The Senders
23. (I LOVE YOU) FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS - Jesse Belvin
24. MEN OLE FRISCO (TAKE 2) - B.B. King
DISC TWO
1. SWEET SIXTEEN PARTS 1 & 2 - B B King
2. YOUR CHEATIN’ HEART (MONO SINGLE VERSION) - Jimmy Witherspoon
3. UNLOCK THE LOCK (TAKE 2) - Jimmy Nelson
4. GOOD MAN GONE BAD (MONO SINGLE VERSION) - B B King
5. TOMORROW NIGHT (OVERDUBBED VERSION) - Hadda Brooks
6. YOU DONE LOST YOUR GOOD THING NOW (TAKE 4) - B B King
7. DIANE - Charlie Owens and the Sensational Ink Spots
8. IF LOVE WAS MONEY - Tony Allen and the Wonders
9. BAD CASE OF LOVE (TAKE 1) - B B King
10. TEXAS QUEEN - Billy Ray
11. DREAMIN’ - Tony Allen
12. DOIN’ THE TWIST - Joe Houston
13. GET IN THE CAR - Little Joe Hinton
14. DO SOMETHING CRAZY (CRAZY FEELING) - Etta James
15. THE WHIP TWIST - Little Joe Hinton
16. GOODNIGHT MY LOVE (PLEASANT DREAMS) - Pat Hunt
17. DO YOU WANNA TWIST - Teddy Reynolds
18. PLAYBOY - Billy Ray
19. CAMEL CARAVAN - The Classicals
20. WITHOUT YOU - Hal Davis
21. LOVE YOU BABY - Bobby Bland with Ike Turner’s Orchestra
22. THE WONDER OF LOVE - The Newports
23. MAYBE I’M WRONG - Bobby Sanders
24. MASHING THE POPEYE (MONO SINGLE EDIT) - B B King