One of the UK’s most respected soul reissue labels – SHOUT! RECORDS celebrates its tenth anniversary this year! The label began in 2000 in an attempt by RPM Records to explore American Soul and R&B – areas not hitherto covered by the main RPM label. RPM issued 21 albums before floating SHOUT! with its own distinct identity. Respected soul music collector, long-time journalist and radio DJ, CLIVE RICHARDSON has been the A&R head since day one and it’s been his taste which has shaped the label’s musical direction. CLIVE’S soul pedigree goes back to the early 1960s when he was part of the small London underground soul scene which also involved the likes of DAVE GODIN, TONY CUMMINGS, the late CHARLIE GILLETT and DAVE MCALEER. Working with label owner and executive producer, MARK STRATFORD, CLIVE first worked on the most easily accessible US soul catalogues – notably SSS International, Vee Jay, and One-der-ful/Mar-v-lus issuing a number of classic albums. Over its ten year history SHOUT! has grown and gone from strength to strength as more and more licensing sources became available and with the backing of Cherry Red Records behind it, SHOUT! soon became an integral part of the UK soul scene. CLIVE and MARK take a real pride on building personal relationships with the artists whose albums they reissue – witness the photos and interviews on the SHOUT! albums on JOHNNY ADAMS and THE KNIGHT BROTHERS. Sadly both CLIVE and MARK realize that time’s passing means that too often those relationships are with the relatives and estates of the artists – but all sides are determined to deliver and promote soul’s classic past not just to those in the know but to whole new generations… in essence that’s SHOUT’S credo. It’s worked for ten years… here’s to the next ten! For more details on the SHOUT! story and its catalogue go to www.cherryred.co.uk
