Record labels come and go but few had more influence in popular music than Vee-Jay. Originally formed in 1953 by the husband and wife team Vivian Carter and James C. Bracken, it was one of the first African American owned record labels and one of the most successful.

Vivian’s brother Calvin Carter and Ewart Abner, the eventual president, helped the label find its greatest success launching the careers of Jimmy Reed, Memphis Slim, The Four Seasons, John Lee Hooker, Gene Chandler, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and a little-known group from Liverpool England named after an insect.

“I Ain’t Got You” was written by Calvin Carter and recorded by both Jimmy Reed and Billy Boy Arnold in 1955. It’s a humorous take on lost love and one of my favorite songs. I adore Reed’s version. It’s raw, honest, and just tipsy enough to smile through the pain.
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Vee-Jay Records broke tradition, and like Jimmy Reed, would softly lay down music that would be copied and idolized forever.

For over 30 years, Rupert Bopape was an important figure in the development and popularity of South African music. Hired by EMI in 1955 as a talent scout, he would help develop the careers of the Dark City Sisters, the Makgona Tsohle Band, and countless others. In 1964 Bopape formed the Motella record label, which was essential in popularizing Mbaqanga, and in a way, helping to integrate (at least musically) a segregated South Africa.

Originally released on Motella in 1983, “Sobabamba” (We Will Get Them) features a trance-like violin as the highlighted voice. I adore this song and while many Western ears may hear hints of Zydeco or Cajun, this is a classic Mbaqanga instrumental.

The songs “Sobabamba” along with “Awungilobolele” would eventually find their way to the influential The Indestructible Beat of Soweto compilation two years later, and a year after that Paul Simon would release Graceland, exposing even more Americans to the wonderful sounds from South Africa.

There’s nothing like floating in the water without a care in the world, while summer smiles upon you.
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Originally released in 1999 and produced by Tears for Fears’ Roland Orzabal, “Unemployed in Summertime” is a Trip Hop laced track that perfectly captures being young, maybe in love, and the August nights we wish would never end.

I always wondered why this song wasn’t a smash hit. Maybe it was because of poorly spent marketing dollars or a pandering radio edit? Or maybe it was the changing face of the music industry and a lack of label support? Whatever the case, I think this is a wonderful song and I hope you all enjoy it.