The Forte Label

Description

From 1967-1980, Kansas City’s Forte Records captured nearly every iteration of popular black music; basement beehiver-y from The Ray-Ons and Four Darlings, funky soul from Gene Williams Lee Harris, Louis Chachere, and The Fantastiks, downtempo disco ballads from James Whitney and Sharon Revoal, and the newly independent work of James Brown’s former soul sister #1 Marva Whitney. Compiled here are 28 of the label’s enduring sides, contextualized with copious photos, ephemera, and essay, all housed in a heavy weight gatefold jacket.

Tracklisting

Disc 1
1. Don’t Let Your Love Fade Away – Gene Williams
2. I’m Gonna Get Your Thing – Lee Harris
3. I’m Gonna Get You – Tear Drops
4. The Hen Part 1 – Louis Chachere
5. Cry Night and Day – The Fantasticks
6. I’ve Lived the Life – Marva W. Taylor
7. Mini, Mini Afro Twist – The Fabulous Rhythm Makers
8. I’ll Never Be Satisfied – Tony Ashley
9. You Confuse Me Baby – The Rayons
10. Baby Your Love Is Amazing – Four Darlings
11. Lookin’ Good – Lee Harris
12. Daddy Don’t You Know About Sugar Be – Marva Whitney
13. Whatever You Do (Do It Good) – Gene Williams
14. Is It Really That Bad – Everyday People
Disc 2
1. Baby Be Good – The Rayons
2. All Along I’ve Loved You – Tony Ashley
3. I’ve Got to Have Somebody’s Love – Lee Harris
4. Super Black – Everyday People
5. With Fun in My Life – James Whitney
6. Reaching for Our Star – Sharon Revoal
7. Nothing I’d Rather Be – Marva W. Taylor
8. Give Me Love – The Four Darlings
9. Dearest Lover – Unknown Artist
10. Live and Let Live – The Fantasticks
11. Ya Gotta Be Doing It – The Fabulous Rhythm Makers
12. Skate Boogaloo and Karate Too – Lee Harris
13. Don’t Fade Away – Tear Drops
14. We Need More (But Somebody Gotta Sacrifice) – Marva Whitney and Ellis ‘Gripey’ Taylor