Manchester Soul Jukebox
Cool Jerk
by The Capitols
UK (Red) Atlantic 584004 KAREN 45- 1524 1966 The Hep Cats was a term from another era, probably connected to Cab Calloway with his Hep - hep cats and Cool- cool jive. Either way the cool guys referred to in this song had a meaning for the Soul Mods of Manchester. Apparently the record was made for Karen Records by Golden World with Earl Van Dyke and other Motown musicians moonlighting for Ed Wingate's nearby studio in Detroit. When released in the USA it became a big Top Ten Billboard hit! And got a further distribution from ATCO/ Atlantic Records. These type of moonlighting events eventually came to the notice of Berry Gordy who eventually bought out Golden World and its entire catalogue, gaining Edwin Starr’s back catalogue in the process. Then there was more troubles in store for Karen records When Atlantic released "Cool Jerk" in the UK The Capitals name was changed because a UK group (but almost unknown) had the name: forcing Atlantic to re-issue the record as the Three Caps, making the first batch with the Capitals name on the 45 a rare item.
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