Royal Jesters - English Oldies (DOLP)
One of the San Antonio groups not featured on the Numero label's Eccentric Soul: The Dynamic Label was the Royal Jesters.
That's because they recorded for two of Abe Epstein's other labels, Cobra and Jox, and they eventually set up labels of their own and briefly mingled with larger labels Bell and Bang. With English Oldies, Numero rounds up over two-dozen cuts from the locally beloved Chicano group, including solo material from members Dimas III and Joe Jama. This emphasizes the group's pre-Tejano years, with 1962's "I Never Will Forget" presumably the earliest selection and 1972's "Back to You"/"Theme for a Lonely Girl" possibly the latest.
Going by those inclusions and the group's other output during that decade, it's evident how smoothly the Royal Jesters evolved from the emulation of doo wop and early Motown to a harmonically rich cross-genre act that would not have been out of place on a nationwide tour with Malo or the Doobie Brothers, had they ever ventured outside the Lone Star State. The heart of the anthology is the Royal Jesters' earlier work, mostly aching ballads ideal for teen dances that gracefully float and gently bounce. "I Won't Love You Again" and their cover of "Take Me for a Little While," at minumum, deserved to spread far outside San Antonio. The Impressions-like "I've Got Soul" (a personal pride anthem) and a steaming version of Willie Bobo's "Spanish Grease" (the set's hottest dance inclusion) are fine, too.
The booklet contains an in-depth essay that is typical of Numero's high standards, but there is no track information beyond songwriting credits. Only a few release dates can be identified by scouring the text.
Includes Mp3 Download Code
Tracklisting: |
ONE : A1 Dimas III - I Won't Love You Again A2 Royal Jesters - Take Me For A Little While A3 Royal Jesters - I'm So Sorry A4 Royal Jesters - What'cha Gonna Do 'Bout It A5 Royal Jesters - We Go Together A6 Royal Jesters - I've Got Soul A7 Dimas III - So Funny TWO : B1 Royal Jesters - What Love Has Joined Together B2 Royal Jesters - I Want To Meet Her B3 Royal Jesters - Let's Kiss And Make Up B4 Royal Jesters - Lonely Guy B5 Royal Jesters - I Never Will Forget B6 Royal Jesters - Meet Me Down In Soulville B7 Royal Jesters - Afro-Lypso THREE : C1 Royal Jesters - Private Number C2 Royal Jesters - Use Your Head C3 Royal Jesters - My Kind Of Woman C4 Joe Jama - My Life C5 Joe Jama - Sleep Late My Lady Friend C6 Royal Jesters - Spanish Grease C7 Royal Jesters - Let There Be You FOUR : D1 Royal Jesters - Manning Ave D2 Royal Jesters - Lady Sunshine D3 Royal Jesters - Back To You D4 Dimas III - Just A Friend D5 Dimas III - Not The Right Time D6 Dimas III - You've Succeeded D7 Royal Jesters - Theme For A Lonely Girl |
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Release Date: | 2015 |
Genre: | Soul/Funk |
Product Group: | DOLP |
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