Eccentric Soul: A Red Black Green Production - A Soulful Compilation of Rare Tracks
Eccentric Soul: A Red Black Green Production - A Soulful Compilation of Rare Tracks
Eccentric Soul: A Red Black Green Production is a compilation album released by Numero Group in 2012. It features 19 tracks of soul and funk music from various artists who recorded for the Red Black & Green label, founded by producer R.Josà Williams in Washington D.C. in the early 1970s. The album showcases the diverse and talented roster of singers and musicians who worked with Williams, such as Father's Children, Summits, Exceptions, Skip Mahoaney & The Casuals, Dyson's Faces, East Coast Connection, and Promise. The songs range from sweet ballads to groovy dance tunes, all with a distinctive sound and style that reflects the cultural and political climate of the era.
Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: A Red Black Green Production (2012) FLAC
The album was compiled by Numero Group's Rob Sevier, Ken Shipley, Jon Kirby, and Kevin Coombe, who also wrote the liner notes. They researched and licensed the original recordings from Williams, who had kept them in his basement for decades. The album was mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering and designed by Henry H. Owings. It was released on CD and vinyl formats, with a red translucent vinyl edition limited to 500 copies. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans of rare soul music, who praised the quality and variety of the tracks and the informative booklet that accompanied the release.
Eccentric Soul: A Red Black Green Production is a must-have for anyone who loves soul music and wants to discover some hidden gems from a lesser-known but influential label. It is a tribute to the vision and passion of R.Josà Williams and his artists, who created timeless music that still resonates today.One of the most distinctive features of the Red Black & Green label was its logo, which consisted of three horizontal stripes of red, black, and green. These colors were inspired by the Pan-African flag, also known as the UNIA flag, which was created by Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association in 1920. The flag symbolized the unity and liberation of African people around the world, and was adopted by many black nationalist and civil rights movements in the 20th century. R.Josà Williams, who was of Afro-Cuban descent, chose these colors to reflect his pride and identity as a black man and a producer of black music. [^4^]
The Red Black & Green label was not only a musical venture, but also a social and cultural one. Williams wanted to create a platform for his artists to express themselves freely and authentically, without compromising their artistic vision or integrity. He also wanted to give back to his community and support various causes and organizations that aligned with his values. For example, he donated some of the proceeds from his records to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which fought for civil rights and racial justice in the courts. He also sponsored local events and festivals that celebrated black culture and history, such as the annual Kwanzaa celebration in Washington D.C.
The Red Black & Green label was active from 1971 to 1979, releasing about 30 singles and four albums during that period. Some of the most notable songs from the label include "I'm Not Ready for Love" by Promise, which was sampled by Kanye West on his song "We Don't Care"; "I Really Really Love You" by Father's Children, which was featured on the soundtrack of the film Jackie Brown; and "Town Called Nowhere" by Skip Mahoaney & The Casuals, which was covered by British soul singer Paul Weller. The label's music has been reissued and compiled by various labels over the years, such as Soul Brother Records, P-Vine Records, and Numero Group. [^2^] [^3^] e0e6b7cb5c