John Dolphin was probably one of the key influences in the development of black music in Los Angeles, and this collection shows that he understood the market well, while being happy to service it and make as much money for himself as possible along the way. Utilising his own, and other, studios, he quickly recorded many of the acts who turned up on his labels Cash and Money, while making a variety of leasing deals, some of dubious legality.
The blues-based music always seemed to be attractive and danceable, such as Ride Lone Stranger, Ride from Sonny Harper, Pee Wee Crayton’s Boogie Bop, and Al Calloway’s rocking Uncle John. The cautionary automobile story, Another Ticket, from Big Boy Groves & Little Margie, is very much in Chuck Berry territory, and is notable for Big Boy’s rhyming of “green” and “siren”.
Only seven of these 24 tracks were released at the time, making this a treasure trove for collectors, as they show there was strength in depth, despite the somewhat ad hoc nature of Dolphin’s approach. The released material includes strong cuts from Memphis Slim, Vernon Anders and Peppermint Harris, while others from sax honker Joe Houston and bandleader Ernie Freeman will attract many 50s roots fans.
