50 years ago Emanuel Lasky’s timely ‘A Letter From Vietnam’ appeared on a brand new record label: Armen Boladian’s Westbound Records was born.
In the ensuing years Westbound set about proving that post-Motown Detroit could still be a home to successful music-making, scoring hits and developing careers with a series of acts including Funkadelic, Denise LaSalle, the Detroit Emeralds and the Ohio Players, as well as registering pop hits with Byron McGregor, and recording incredible jazz on its Eastbound subsidiary.
“Everything Is Gonna Be Alright” celebrates the label’s achievements in the world of soul, funk and gospel. Named after Bill Moss’ uplifting gospel anthem, the journey takes you from Westbound’s very first single, via the vocal group traditions of the Detroit Emeralds, the Magictones and Unique Blend, and the funk of Funkadelic and the Ohio Players, to the Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore-dominated disco era with C.J. & Co and others.
The compilation has a mixture of big hits and rarities – from the Houston Outlaws’ northern soul classic ‘Ain’t No Telling’ to the much-sampled ‘Music Man’ by Pleasure Web. All are presented in their original seven-inch edits, many of which have never been reisssued before.
DEAN RUDLAND
