Air Week: April 15-21, 2024

In late 1953, RCA Victor launched a new subsidiary to focus on the Rhythm & Blues market, called Groove Records.  They intended for Groove to compete with the independent labels like Chess, Atlantic and Vee-Jay that were dominating the genre.  RCA treated Groove as an indie by setting up its own record distribution network, like an indie, ignoring the mighty distribution arm of RCA Victor.  That might have been the label’s downfall.  Groove ended up scoring only one major hit in its 3 year stint, but along the way, Groove issued some fantastic R&B recordings from the superstars of the day.  It’s hard to imagine, but Piano Red, King Curtis, Mickey “Guitar” Baker, Sonny Terry, Sam Butera, Big John Greer AND Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup were all on the same label for a time.  This week, Matt The Cat digs up the grooviest sides from Groove Label and gives them the spins they deserve on the “Juke In The Back.” 

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