Founded in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1952, Herald Records was one of the homes of doo wop groups (as well as Lightnin’ Hopkins, but that’s another story), which was the big trend of R&B in the 1950s and 60s. This three disc, 89 song collection puts together songs from groups that signed on, with the names of the bands sometimes as important as the music itself. Here, you’ve got The Embers, The Turbans, The Thrillers, The Nutmegs, Mint Julips, The Rocketeers”, The Mello Kings, and my favorite The Nutmegs. Of note, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs had a mega-hit with the ultra short “Stay” clocking in at only 1:38. They also hit the charts with “I Remember” and “Come Along”. The Nutmegs actually made a name for themselves with the street corner crooning of “Story Untold” and “Ship of Love”, and The Turbans (ah! Pre-woke!) had the catchy “When You Dance” with the Mello-Kings checking in with “Tonite, Tonite”.
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But don’t let the lack of familiarity dissuade you, as “Dance-Dance” by the Volaires” and “Kissin’ At The Drive-In” by the Four J’s are not to be missed, while “Little “Blutchie” Saunders and His Buddies must have been a gas at the sock hop with “Liny Dou” and “Rock ‘N’ Roll Indian Dance”. If you can’t sing along, at least you can stroll to it.