Issued under the rightful title, More Boss Black Rockers, The “Mojo” Man was charged with the (enviable) task of bringing these albums to life. To achieve such an outcome, More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 2: Hokus Pokus continues its exploration of Black African American rock ‘n’ roll by mining deep into the heart of a traditional rhythm and blues scene of 50’s America that eventually became rock ‘n’ roll, where you will hear established artists rubbing shoulders with the obscure. This is merely one segment of the attraction because the sounds blaring from the adjacent speakers is often wild in nature, raw and dangerous, just as it is scintillating, not to mention unhinged rock ‘n’ roll. Let’s face it, it’s the kinds of sounds that no doubt left many a jaw gaping as rock ‘n’ roll was ushered into the world for the very first time upon an innocent public, before evolving into the next big thing and continuing to resonate in the present with an equally feisty presence.
Quick, another dime for the jukebox! Perusing the lengthy list of rock ‘n’ roll contenders from the setlist of More Boss Black Rockers Vol. 2: Hokus Pokus, any attempt to arrive at a favourite makes for an impossible task because, quite simply, there’s not a dud in the house. With plenty of eye-catching monikers including Bunie Fitz, Mr P.T. and the Party Timers, Clifford Curry, Jnr. for example, the tracks also live up to such titles. In no particular order, rock ‘n’ roll greatness leaps from antiquated wax of Don Covay’s ‘Switchin’ In The Kitchen’, Bobby Freeman’s ‘The Mess Around’, to captivating racket ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ (The Valiants). There’s plenty of verve attached to rhythm & blues of ‘Flyin’ Home To My Baby’ (Dorian Burton), whereas Big John Greer’s ‘Bottle It Up And Go’ is tight and energetic. Glorious vocals alongside a rhythm radiating with much warmth is Jimmy Witherspoon and ‘Move Me Baby’, before arriving at no introduction required of Jackie Wilson and ‘Etcetera’. Nathan Olsen-Haines (Koko Mojo Records)
KM-LP-122 More BOSS BLACK ROCKERS 2 – Hokus Pokus
A1 The Saxons – Rock & Roll Show (Motola, Orwig, Lewis) Contender 1313 1959
A2 Jackie Wilson – Etcetera (Davis, Gordy) Brunswick 54042 1958
A3 Rudy Green – Teeny Weeny Baby (Green) Excello 45-2090 1956
A4 The Valiants – Good Golly Miss Molly (Marascalco, Blackwell) Keen 34004 1957
A5 Mr. P.T. and the Party Timers – Aunt Susie (Tinson) Federal 45-12418 1961
A6 Bunie Fitz - Just A Fool For You (Jon) Nu-Kat 103 1959
A7 Ronny Goode – Hokus Pokus (Smith, Goldsmith) Demon FF-1525 1960
B1 Clifford Curry, Jnr. – Kiss, Kiss, Kiss (Guy, The Fabulous Six) Ridgecrest 1202 1959
B2 Bobby Freeman – The Mess Around (Cortes) Josie 45-887 1961
B3 Bobby Adams – I Want My Lovin’ (Adams) Pet 803 1959
B4 Big John Greer – Bottle It Up And Go (Brown) Groove 4G-0002 1954
B5 Don Covay – Switchin’ In The Kitchen (Covay) Big 617 1958
B6 Bobby Day – Mr. & Mrs. Rock-‘N-Roll (Thomas, Vikki) Class 252 1959
B7 Dorian Burton – Flyin’ Home To My Baby (Burton, Randolph, Upshore) President 1008 1956
B8 Jimmy Witherspoon – Move Me Baby (Davis) Federal 45-2156 1953
