AMG Review of Unavailable 16/The Original Nitty Gritty

Ron Wynn
All Music Guide

Pair of early '60s albums from the Vee-Jay vaults. The first 16 numbers are old doo-wop tunes by such groups as the Quintones, El Dorados, and single vocalists Harold Dorman and Tony Bellis. There's a good ratio of hits to flops, notably The Moonglows' "Secret Love" and "Angel Baby" by Rosie & The Originals, plus fine performances from The Dells, Spaniels, Impressions, and Magnificents. The other album has a mixed bag of pop, doo-wop, R&B, and even blues from a diverse artist list ranging from Roscoe Gordon and Harold Burrage to Pee Wee Crayton, Eddie Taylor, Jerry Butler, and Joe Buckner.