Okeh Records

OKeh was one of the most important and influential record labels in the black music market for over five decades. It was not only a source of great musicians and records, but also of song writers and producers. This homepage focuses on the soul and R&B era of OKeh, which gave us gifted musicians/ groups such as Walter Jackson, Major Lance, and The Artistics; song writers like Curtis Mayfield and Billy Butler; and producers like Carl Davis and Larry Williams. We should never forget the great talents which have given us so many soul songs that are an integral part of the Northern Soul Scene.

OKeh began its music history in 1918 in New York producing all kinds of music. Two years later, it launched the first black-music recording with the release of Mamie Smith´s "Crazy Blues", which became its first hit. The label focused in the 30´s on blues and jazz discs. The main hits of the Columbia-subsidiary label followed in the 50´s with "Cry" (1951) by white artist Jimmy Raye "Hambone" (1953) by the Hambone Kids and "I Put a Spell on You" (1956) by Screamin´ Jay Hawkins. OKeh released some of the most important blues, jazz, gospel and R&B greats (Chuck Willis, Big Maybelle, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, etc.) of that decade. The 60´s started slowly for the label and its doors were almost closed forever. The turnaround was made 1962 by hiring Carl Davis as a producer. He transformed OKeh into a successful soul label and an alternative to the Motown sound -within one year. Davis and Curtis Mafield formed a powerful team the following year. With Davis as producer and Mayfield as writer and co-producer, the duo was responsible for almost all hits during the label's subsequent years. The label selected from a large pool of talent in Chicago. Riley Hampton, known for his work on ballads and who was good with strings, along with Johnny Pate, who was especially talented with medium tempo and fast songs, came in for the arrangements. Major Lance and Walter Jackson were the most successful artists in the early 60´s. Additional hits came from southern-soul singer Ted Taylor and R&B legend Dr. Feelgood. The famous OKeh sound was determined by sentimental songs with pretty melodies, lush strings and smooth, slick vocals that avoid harsh or rough edges. OKeh's problems resumed when in 1966 Davis, Mayfield, and Pate left the label. Without its talented team, the label sounded stale and seemingly anyone and everyone was signed to release. Famous DJ Wolfman Jack, Rock´n´Roll legends Larry Williams and Little Richard and a long list of no-names had records on the label. After OKeh 7290 (last No.: 7338), very few records got past the promotional stage. OKeh was closed forever after only three releases in 1970.