VA - Local Customs: Downriver Revival

The fine folks at Numero Group have taken a break from flipping through bins to sort through the reels upon reels of tape at Double-U-Sound in Ecorse, Michigan. Opened in 1967, Double-U was a home studio operated by Felton Williams, an entrepreneur trained as an electrician at the Ford Motor plant, and as a steel guitarist at The Church Of The Living God. He recorded anyone who would knock on his door, in hopes of chancing upon a hit performance by neighbourhood talent. The focus of this compilation is gospel music, although the breadth of activity at Double-U is well-represented by some Hammond jazz, shaggy funk, and a even a garage-punk number that betrays its proximity to Detroit. There's little in the way of polish on these recordings, but the incredible music captured is more than worth the odd bump along the way. In addition to Numero's picks, they've also included a second DVD disc with even more tape to sift through on your own, and a 30-minute documentary about Felton and his studio.