Various

The Story of Brunswick (2CD)

The Classic Sound of Chicago Soul

Cat. No.: METRDCD511
Barcode: 698458701121
Playing Time: Over 2 hours

Brunswick is a name that has been part of the music industry since the 1920s originally releasing it’s back catalogue of recordings through the US arm of Decca. By the 50s the label had started working with new repertoire and in 1957 an artist was signed to Brunswick that would change the identity of the label forever. Jackie Wilson started a long string of hits with "Reet Petite" and by the late ’50s and early ’60s, he "was" the Brunswick label, accounting for almost all the label’s album releases. Decca even went as far as giving Wilson’s manager, Nat Tarnopol, control of the label in order to keep him signed. In 1965, legendary producer Carl Davis, who had long been a fixture in the Chicago soul scene, was brought in to revive Wilson’s then languishing career. He produced hits like “Whispers” and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" which sold 2 million copies and resulted in Davis promotion to A&R Director for Brunswick. With Carl Davis at the helm Brunswick became one of the country’s leading soul music labels. He brought in the Artistics, Chi-Lites, the Young-Holt Trio, Barbara Acklin, and Gene Chandler and produced hits with them all. However as Brunswick record sales increased so did the scandal and in March 1976, Tarnopol and three other Brunswick executives were convicted of fraud and conspiracy charges. In 1977, the convictions were thrown out but the damage to Brunswick was irreparable forcing the label to close it’s doors in 1981. However the legacy that the label left is priceless, and here on 2CDs are the essential tracks that has secured Brunswick’s name as part of soul history.