The United Records Story
Delmark DD 775 _$11.99

United Records was the first successful black-owned record company. Operated by Leonard Allen, tailor, retired policeman and obviously one of exceptionally wide taste in music, the two labels (United and States) issued some of the best performances in jazz, blues, gospel, R&B, Doo Wop, even country and pop between 1951 and '57. Twenty six CDs have been issued in Delmark's United Series. The United Records Story is a sampler featuring stellar tracks highlighting the label's history including previously unissued Junior Wells and Jimmy Forrest; tracks on CD for the first time by Leo Parker, Della Reese, Tiny Grimes, Grant Jones, Chris Woods, Jimmy Coe, Tab Smith, Ray McKinstry, and Johnny Wicks' Swinging Ozarks; plus J. T. Brown, Robert Anderson, Four Blazes, Alfred Harris, The Pastels, Memphis Slim with Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Robert Nighthawk, Morris Pejoe, Dennis Binder, Paul Bascomb and Roosevelt Sykes.