Customer Reviews

Aladdin Years

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This CD contains 25 tracks recorded by the Five Keys for Aladdin Records between 1951 and 1953. 9 of these tracks were unreleased. Only one track charted. That was "The Glory of Love", an R&B #1 in 1951. Most (18) of the tracks have Rudy West in the lead. The others have Ulysses K. Hicks doing lead (when Rudy was in the military). Almost all cuts are ballads, sometimes doo-wop, sometimes 40's vocal group style. The Five Keys specialized in pop standards during this period. This CD is filled with excellent ballads like "The Glory Of Love", "Red Sails In The Sunset", "I'll Always Be In Love With You", "These Foolish Things", "My Saddest Hour" and "White Cliffs Of Dover". There really isn't a bad track to be found. The liner notes contain a complete sessionography for the Five Keys.

Simply put,this is the best collection by an r&b vocal group I have ever heard. There is a continuity of quality here that beats even the best retrospectives by the Spaniels, Drifters,Harptones, and so on. No filler, just real good to great songs that keep your interest peaked through all 25 cuts. Even though this music was recorded more than half a century ago,it sounds fresh and vital and will lift you up. Are you getting my point ? Get this CD!

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