GROOVY TRIO Too Late Baby SQUEEZE ME Groovy G101 RARE POST-WAR JUMP BLUES JIVE

	£		135
	$		179

Recorded on the West Coast in late 1948 and released via Oakland’s hyper-obscure independent Groovy Records imprint in 1949, this incredibly rare 10-inch post-war shellac single features the fantastic, syncopated rhythm styling of the Groovy Trio.
Known to deep blues discographers and post-war archivists as a studio vehicle for the legendary Texas-born, West Coast blues pianist and vocalist Willie Johnson, this release stands as a premier example of high-energy, small-combo piano blues.
The A-side, "Too Late, Baby," delivers an absolute masterclass in urban Jump Blues, anchored by sharp vocal phrasing, a driving tempo, and fluid piano-led interplay.
On the flip side, the trio tackles "Squeeze Me Baby" (stylised on some subsequent compilation sheets as "Squeeze Me"). They completely transform the number into an intimate, smoking, late-night groove that swings with remarkable precision. This record beautifully exemplifies the kinetic, piano-led lounge combo style that bridged the gap between late-era swing and early rhythm & blues.
The late 1940s marked a vital transition epoch across the American West Coast. As independent Black-owned clubs and late-night lounges grew rapidly in post-war California defense-hub centers like Oakland and Los Angeles, the demand for tight, energetic three-piece "trios" skyrocketed to avoid the massive expenses of traditional Big Bands. Songs like "Too Late, Baby" spoke a highly specific, coded language of urban street-romance, wartime migration, and domestic wit. This style resonated deeply with a new generation of working-class Black audiences who filled the late-night clubs and smoky bars of the West Coast, seeking lively, rhythmically sophisticated escapism that moved completely away from the formal ballroom sounds of the previous decade.
Groovy Records was a short-lived, hyper-obscure independent label operating on an absolute shoestring budget out of California, with highly restricted regional distribution channels that make its surviving catalog pressings a massive rarity for collectors today. Because these early post-war independent 78s were pressed on fragile shellac compounds and played heavily on heavy-needled commercial jukeboxes or budget home record players, finding a Groovy Records release that has escaped serious groove wear is nearly impossible.Furthermore, this spectacular copy features an immaculate provenance, originating directly from the world-renowned private collection of the legendary French blues scholar and archivist, Pierre Chaigne. For a high-gloss copy to turn up across the Atlantic in the UK with such a prestigious lineage makes it a premier, historically significant centerpiece for post-war jazz and blues connoisseurs worldwide.
Detailed Condition ReportGrade (VJM System): Excellent (E)
Play Surface: Outstanding, highly impressive state of preservation. The late-1940s vintage shellac retains a beautiful, deep-black factory gloss and reflective mirror shine. Under bright inspection lighting, the play surfaces present as remarkably clean and immaculate, exhibiting nothing more than a couple of faint, microscopic paper-sleeve wisps consistent with light archival handling over the decades. Completely free of deep needle gouges, gray acoustic groove-wear, structural stress fractures, hairline cracks, or perimeter edge chips.
Audio Performance: Both sides track beautifully with a loud, vibrant, and incredibly crisp acoustic presence. The vocals cut through cleanly, and Willie Johnson's piano-led instrumentation remains wonderfully separated without any muddy distortion or tracking tracking breakdown. The underlying surface noise is uniform and extraordinarily low for independent label shellac of this era, providing an incredibly clean, uninterrupted listening experience.
Center Labels: Highly distinctive, classic early Groovy Records typography and layout. Both sides are beautifully sharp, bright, and legible with deep contrasting text. The central spindle hole remains perfectly tight with zero trailing wear. Entirely free of modern ink writing, layout tearing, or vintage dealer sticker residue.

Postage & Packaging

Professionally packed by an experienced 78 RPM specialist trader. The disc will be strictly sandwiched between multiple layers of heavy cardboard stiffeners and fully suspended in a rigid box with loose-fill padding to guarantee zero movement during domestic or international transit. Worldwide shipping available.
Carefully packed and promptly dispatched.