Atlantic Rhythm and Blues Vol. 4, 1958-1962:Atlantic

Artist: Various Artists

Date Released: 1985

Label: Atlantic

Produced By:

Tracklisting:

Review: As Atlantic closed out the more conservative 50s and entered into the rebellious 60s, the music it released began to change as well. Rhythm & blues as a genre split into the now immensely popular and more white-based rock and roll and what became known as soul music. This gospel-influenced style was dominated by black artists and was further broken down into the slower, more yearning version of R&B, typically known as soul, and beat concerto, a style utilizing a much larger backing band, usually dominated by thick string arrangements. The Drifters’ There Goes My Baby, Dance with Me and This Magic Moment were prime examples of this new style. The vocal quartet responsible for these hits was actually a completely different line-up from The Drifters prior to 1958, and now lead by tenor Benjamin Nelson. This new take on the genre catapulted The Drifters back to the top of the charts, and Nelson, now known as Ben E. King, also had a lucrative solo career with the singles ‘Spanish Harlem,’ ‘Stand By Me’ and ‘Don’t Play That Song (You Lied).’ The other side of soul was still dominated by Ray Charles, but Atlantic’s genius move of signing a distribution deal with Memphis’ Stax/Volt brought in a whole new slate of young artists ready to burn their path. Featured on this compilation are songstress Carla Thomas, William Bell and the two bands responsible for most of Stax’s backing music, The Mar-Keys and Booker T. & the MG’s. Other representatives from Atlantic during this time period include veteran LaVern Baker, crooner Solomon Burke and the always-fun songs from The Coasters. Mpardaiolo