When the “5” Royales joined King in the spring of 1954 they were coming off a run of hits for Apollo that had made them the most successful R & B group in the US. The cuts represent artistically the most successful period of this great group’s long career; it was during this time that they developed their classic style, merging secular and sacred musical influences into a coherent whole, and in the process, laying down the future guidelines of soul music. The music on these CDs contains some of the very best R&B ever recorded – and it still hits both the feet and the heart over 50 years after it was laid down.
Volume Two brings together all the singles they recorded for Ohio-based King Records during their six year stay from 1954 to 1960 together with several alternate takes and songs that remained unissued at the time. We’re particularly pleased to include the legendary Good Looking Woman, which has never been heard since the New York session in 1954 when it was recorded.
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