Lenny Welch, O.C. Smith - Lenny Welch Meets O.C. Smith: Cadences Early Recordings (1957-1962) (2020)

Jasmine further expands its catalogue of 'Early Soul' this month with 'Cadences' - a superb collection showcasing the early singles of two future giants of black American music, Lenny Welch and O.C. Smith.

Both of these great singers would find their biggest success in the 1960s, but both began recording in the mid-1950s and both spent a period of their career with New York's Cadence label - the common factor in this compilation.

The talent was there from the very beginning, as you will hear. Although very few of these singles were actual hits, they collectively broke the ground for the success that would eventually come for Lenny with 'Since I Fell For You' in 1963 and O.C. a few years later with 'The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp' in 1968.

Beautifully sung and beautifully produced, these recordings display a musical sophistication that was not always present in rhythm & blues records of their era. Listening to them now, it's easy to see that both men were destined for eventual success. It's less easy to see why that success took as long as it did to arrive.

Some superb music - mastered, as always, from the finest available sources - that capably represents a time when Rhythm & Blues was transitioning into Soul, and was being assisted in that transition by two highly able and highly enjoy-able vocalists.