From 1967-1980, Kansas City’s Forte Records captured nearly every iteration of popular Black music; basement beehiver-y from The Ray-Ons and Four Darlings, funky soul from Gene Williams Lee Harris, Louis Chachere, and The Fantastiks, downtempo disco ballads from James Whitney and Sharon Revoal, and the newly independent work of James Brown’s former Soul Sister #1 Marva Whitney. Compiled here are 28 of the label’s enduring sides, contextualized with copious photos, ephemera, and essay, all housed in heavy weight gatefold jacket. Who knows how to do “The Hen”?

SIDE A

1. Gene Williams - Don’t Let Your Love Fade Away
2. Lee Harris - I Am Gonna Get Your Thing
3. Tear Drops - I’m Gonna Get You
4. Louis Chachere - The Hen Pt 1
5. The Fantasticks - Cry Night And Day
6. Marva W. Taylor - I’ve Lived The Life
7. The Fabulous Rhythm Makers - Mini, Mini Afro Twist

SIDE B

8. Tony Ashley And The Delicates - I’ll Never Be Satisfied
9. The Rayons - You Confuse Me Baby
10. The Four Darlings - Baby Your Love Is Amazing
11. Lee Harris - Lookin’ Good
12. Marva Whitney - Daddy Don’t Know About Sugar Bear
13. Gene Williams - Whatever You Do (Do It Good)
14. Everyday People - Is It Really That Bad

SIDE C

15. The Rayons - Baby Be Good
16. Tony Ashley And The Delicates - All Along I’ve Loved You
17. Lee Harris - I’ve Got To Have Somebody’s Love
18. Everyday People - Super Black
19. James Whitney - With Fun In My Life
20. Sharon Revoal - Reaching For Our Star
21. Marva W. Taylor - Nothing I’d Rather Be (Than Your Weakness)

SIDE D

22. The Four Darlings - Give Me Love
23. Unknown Artist - Dearest Lover
24. The Fantasticks - Live And Let Live
25. The Fabulous Rhythm Makers - Ya Gotta Be Doing It
26. Lee Harris - Skate Boogaloo And Karate Too
27. Tear Drops - Don’t Fade Away
28. Marva Whitney And Ellis “Gripey” Taylor - We Need More (But Somebody Gotta Sacrifce)