From the mid 1940s onwards, McVea led one of the coolest of all R&B bands of the era, scoring a massive hit with his now-classic (and the best remembered) version of Open The Door Richard. He was with Combo as an artist for little more than a year but his sessions for the label produced some of the rockin'-est small group R &B you'll ever hear.

As well as both sides of every one of the eight Combo 45s that were released under McVea's name, Fortissimo! contains eight previously unreleased alternate takes and rehearsal tapes that have never seen the light of day prior to this release.

McVea's own saxophonic instrumental prowess is well complemented by the vocals of his wife Louise Beatty and band members Rudy Pitts, Al Smith, Christine Chatman and vocal group the Savoys.

1. Trying To Tell Ya-- LOUISE BEATTY