An essential 2-CD introduction to West Midland’s music from the sixties and the very beginnings of The Move, The Idle Race, Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne, the Electric Light Orchestra and many more.

In the wake of Merseybeat’s success, the leading British labels of the mid-1960s began a feverish search to unearth a similar regional hotbed of musical excellence. Sufficiently removed from both Liverpool and London to boast its own scene and stars, Birmingham and the West Midlands was similarly awash with hundreds of groups battling for musical supremacy. Christened Brum Beat by EMI producer and A&R chief Norrie Paramor, the movement was given a huge promotional push by the industry but failed to catch the imagination of the public, despite many great groups and sounds and individual successes.

Focusing on Brummie legends and local stars such as Mike Sheridan, Steve Gibbons, Jimmy Powell, The ‘N Betweens as well as more nationally successful names such as the Spencer Davis Group and The Moody Blues, this excellent compilation includes 50 tracks over 2-CD’s and chronicles one of the most significant chapters in UK pop music.

With sleeve notes by David Wells and rare photos of Carl Wayne And The Vikings, The Move, The Idle Race, The Ace Kefford Stand, The Ugly’s and more, ‘Brum Beat – The Story Of 60’s Midlands Sound’ is essential for anyone interested in the West Midlands scene and the beginnings of ELO, The Move, Slade, Black Sabbath and British pop music of the 1960’s.