James Royal would release 18 singles and 1 album in his native UK between 1965 and 1972. However, despite the high quality of his recordings, Royal never had a hit record or for that matter became a household name.
His recordings did begin to get some recognition during the early 70s Northern Soul revivals and have grown in popularity among collectors in the decades since. Its easy to hear why on Call My Name Selected Recordings 1964 – 1970, early tracks She’s About A Mover and Work Song have as much rhythm and blues clout as any material Manfred Mann or The Animals were dishing out at the time while later releases such as Green Days display Royal’s soulful side.
All original material, any track on this release could sit quite nicely alongside the greatest hits of the 60s and their rarity value makes them ever so much more enjoyable.
Royal crown jewels indeed!