Romark Records: Kent Harris Soul Sides

Harris continued his soul productions into the 80s, several appearing on the Sheridan House imprint. We have included some alternate versions of the more soulful numbers from that period.

Kent's tape collection also revealed previously unissued recordings including O' Malley Jones' Pay And Be On My Way, a stomping instrumental called South Central Slide and Larry Atkins' version of Towana's Help Me Get This Feeling Back Again. Larry Atkins' Northern Soul rarities Have Mercy On Me and Ain't That Love Enough are here, as is the magnificent soul vocal group performance by the Lon-Genes on Dream Girl; a super-rare mid-tempo beauty that is yet to have its day.

Early soul/R&B comes from Donoman, Eddie Bridges and the Ike & Tina-inspired Phillips Sisters, while Kent Harris' sister - the accomplished Marcene 'Dimples' Harris - has a side of each of her three Romark releases featured.

Blues fans will be happy with Ray Agee, Cry Baby Curtis and Jimmy Preacher Ellis' offerings while the Fran-Cettes, Kent Harris' wife, Ty Karim, and Faye Ross will please female soul fanciers. The breadth of Harris' productions is impressive, it also featured modern soul dancers and even a shade or two of funk (check Out Marcene Harris' Work It Out) sneaking into the mix.

The extensive booklet explores an area of Los Angeles' black music that has never before been fully charted.