The Drifters, Clyde McPhatter & Ben E. King • The Jasmine EP Collection CD
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The Jasmine EP Collection brings together 31 classic recordings from three closely connected chapters in the history of Rhythm & Blues and Rock 'n' Roll. The story begins with The Drifters fronted by their original lead singer Clyde McPhatter, continues through McPhatter's successful solo career, and then moves on to the later Drifters line-up led by Ben E. King before following King into his own solo career. Compiled from EPs issued between 1955 and 1962, it's essentially a gold-plated greatest-hits collection covering some of the most important voices in early R&B.
The McPhatter era delivers such enduring Drifters classics as Money Honey, Such A Night, Honey Love and What'cha Gonna Do, before McPhatter's solo recordings take over with Treasure Of Love, Without Love, Long Lonely Nights and A Lover's Question. The second half of the collection moves into the Ben E. King era, with There Goes My Baby, Dance With Me, This Magic Moment, Save The Last Dance For Me and I Count The Tears all present and correct. King's solo career is represented by Spanish Harlem, Stand By Me, Don't Play That Song and more.
For anyone interested in classic R&B, Doo Wop, and the roots of Rock 'n' Roll, The Jasmine EP Collection is an exceptionally useful addition to the collection. With 31 tracks and three major chapters of vocal-group history brought together in one package, it offers an excellent overview of how The Drifters evolved from McPhatter's pioneering R&B group into the Ben E. King-led outfit that helped point the way towards Soul, while also documenting the remarkable solo careers of both singers.
