VA - Combo Vocal Groups Volume 3 [Remastered] (2003)

Ace's Combo Vocal Groups series is dedicated to preserving the legacy of doo wop, and this third volume is no different. Featuring many of the same artists -- the Native Boys, the Sharps, the Nutones -- and showcasing the same rich, expressive, and at times boisterously raw doo wop sound, Combo Vocal Groups, Vol. 3 is essential for any fan of the music or owner of the series' existing titles. Though it isn't 100 percent pristine, the sound quality is strong throughout, having been remastered from the original analog tapes. The set includes extensive liner notes and recording information, and from its 28 tracks, a full 16 are previously unreleased. The Nutones' visceral a cappella "At Midnite" is a standout, as are the boisterous "Hold Me" and "Look What You've Done to Me," both from the Sharps. Elsewhere, the Savoys' "Yacka Hoom Boom" features a hard-blowing sax solo that's hotter than a Mississippi fortnight, while the a cappella bassline of Delmar Wilburn & the Squires' "Where Are You Tonite" blends perfectly with the late-night piano in the background and Wilburn's own yearning lead vocals. While Vol. 3 of Combo Vocal Groups doesn't feature any big, well-known hits, it's almost better that it doesn't, since the incredible music that is here is allowed to exist on its own, without the burden of nostalgia. Sure, it's evocative of the genre's stylistic salad days. But that doesn't make it any less important for aficionados, or any less of a joy for fans of vocally rich, era-specific music.