Harlem Holiday - NY Rhythm & Blues, Volume 6

by Various Artists

Performers include: The Five Willows, The Desires, The Starlarks, The Travelers, The Smart Tones, Roger & The Travelers.

Harlem Holiday: New York Rhythm & Blues is a seven-volume series from Collectables that documents New York's thriving doo wop and R&B scene of the late '50s and early '60s. This is a fine series of CDs for those who want to dig deeper -- perhaps after devouring Rhino's Doo Wop Box sets -- but it's definitely too specialist for beginners, since it focuses on groups that were primarily local or regional sensations. On the sixth volume, the featured groups include Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs ("Stay," one of the biggest hits included in the series), the Five Willows ("Look Me in the Eyes"), the Five Debonaires ("Darlin'"), the Vocalaires ("Dance Dance"), the Sonnets ("Why Should We Break Up"), and the Nutmegs ("Ship of Love"). ~ Andy Kellman