Issued under the rightful title, More Boss Black Rockers, The “Mojo” Man was charged with the (enviable) task of bringing these albums to life. To achieve such an outcome, More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 5: Sure Look Good To Me continues its exploration of Black African American rock ‘n’ roll by mining deep into the heart of a traditional rhythm and blues scene of 50’s America that eventually became rock ‘n’ roll, and where you will hear established artists rubbing shoulders with the obscure. This is merely one segment of the attraction here, because the sounds blaring from the adjacent speakers is often wild in nature, raw and dangerous, just as it is scintillating, not to mention unhinged rock ‘n’ roll. Let’s face it, it’s the kinds of sounds that no doubt left many a jaw gaping as rock ‘n’ roll was ushered into the world for the very first time upon an innocent public, before evolving into the next big thing and continuing to resonate in the present with an equally feisty presence.
Quick, to the tracks! Perusing the lengthy list of rock ‘n’ roll contenders from the setlist of More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 5: Sure Look Good To Me, any attempt to arrive at a favourite makes for an impossible task because, quite simply, there’s not a dud in the house. Such realisation dawns once handpicking the album’s title track for initial scrutiny, and it’s the perfect start; a rockin’ stroller complete with honest vocals from Otis Riley. From here, no map is required because each track delivers in compelling fashion whether it’s rockin’ rhythm & blues ‘I Woke Up This Morning’ (Joe Houston and his Rockets), primitive rock ‘n’ roller ‘Big Rock Inn’ (Dolly Cooper), or quickfire tempo of ‘Flippin’ and A Floppin’ (Pee Wee Kingsley). Equally fine turns can be heard via The Edsels’ ‘Bone Shaker Joe’, Billy Williams’ ‘Red Hot Love’ and no introduction required, Chubby Checker with ‘Runaround Sue’. Nathan Olsen-Haines (Koko Mojo Records)
More BOSS BLACK ROCKERS 5 - Sure Look Good To Me
A1 Speedo & The Pearls – Who Ya Gonna Kiss (Carroll) Josie 45-865 1959
A2 Ruth Brown – Here He Comes (McCoy, Dixon, Glick) Atlantic 45-2088 1961
A3 The Teenos – Alrightee (Walker) Dub International FJ-2839A 1957
A4 Dolly Cooper – Big Rock Inn (Thomas) Dot 45-15495 1956
A5 Honeyboy Bryant – Funny Looking Thing (Johnson, Johnson) Titan 1707 1960
A6 Joe Houston and his Rockets – I Woke Up This Morning (Houston) Tops L1518 1957
A7 The Southlanders – Penny Loafers & Bobby Sox (Bennett) Decca F.10982 1958
A8 Billy Williams – Red Hot Love (Stone) Coral 9-62101 1959
B1 Pee Wee Kingsley – Flippin’ and A Floppin’ (Parham) Music City 45-824 1958
B2 Chubby Checker – Runaround Sue (Maresca, DiMucci) Parkway 7009 1961
B3 Bob Mackey – Shonuff’ Miss Brown (Mackey) R 516 1962
B4 Otis Riley – Sure Look Good To Me (Riley) Kappa KA208 1958
B5 The Medallions – Dance and Swing (Johnson) Dootone 393 1956
B6 The Turbans – B.I.N.G.O. (Riley) Herald H-478 1956
B7 The Edsels – Bone Shaker Joe (LaRocca, Goske) Capitol 4588 1961
B8 The “5” Royales – I Need Your Lovin’ Baby (LeBow, Jeffries) King 4806 1955
