Bob and Earl<div hidden>Bob & Earl</div>
Bob & Earl were a 1960s American soul duo best known for their 1963 hit "Harlem Shuffle," later popularized by covers from groups like The Rolling Stones. The duo originally consisted of Bobby Day (born Robert James Byrd, July 1, 1930, Fort Worth, Texas – July 27, 1990, Los Angeles) and Earl Nelson (born Earl Lee Nelson, September 8, 1928, Lake Charles, Louisiana – July 12, 2008, Los Angeles).
Both had sung with the doo-wop group Hollywood Flames, whose 1958 hit "Buzz-Buzz-Buzz" featured Nelson on lead vocals. They formed Bob & Earl around 1957–1960, releasing early singles like "You Made a Boo-Boo" on Class Records.
Their signature song "Harlem Shuffle" topped R&B charts in 1963 and crossed over to the pop Top 50, written by the duo and produced with a raw, danceable energy that influenced mod culture in the UK by 1965.
Bobby Day shifted to his successful solo career (hits like "Rockin' Robin"), so Bobby Relf (born Robert Nelson Relf, January 10, 1937, Los Angeles – November 20/21, 2007, Bakersfield, California) replaced him, also recording under aliases like Bobby Garrett. Follow-ups included "Baby I'm Satisfied," "Don't Ever Leave Me," and their last US chart entry "Baby It's Over" in 1966.
Nelson found solo success as Jackie Lee with the 1965 dance hit "The Duck" (No. 14 US pop, No. 4 R&B). Relf worked as a songwriter and producer, collaborating with Barry White on tracks for Love Unlimited and others, plus solo releases like "Blowing My Mind to Pieces."
The duo briefly reunited in the late 1960s–early 1970s for touring after "Harlem Shuffle" recharted in the UK, but disbanded soon after.
Bob and Earl
Written-By – Bob & Earl
2:50
A2 Big Brother
Written-By – Charlotte Cronander
2:58
A3 Land Of 1000 Dances
Written-By – Chris Kenner
2:15
A4 I Can't Get Away
Written-By – Bob & Earl
2:57
A5 My Little Girl
2:50
B1 I'll Keep Running Back
Written-By – Bob & Earl
2:50
B2 Dancin' Everywhere
Written-By – Charlotte Cronander
2:57
B3 Send For Me, I'll Be There
Written-By – Earl Nelson
2:25
B4 Ooh Honey Babe
Written-By – Earl Nelson
2:15
B5 Harlem Shuffle
Written-By – Bob & Earl
2:10
Label: Crestview Records – CRS 3055
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
The 1969 self-titled album Bob & Earl on Crestview Records (CRS-3055) is a soulful, late-60s R&B collection often associated with the Northern Soul scene, featuring the hit "Harlem Shuffle". While sometimes considered a, it captures a refined, classic soul sound with high-quality, melodic tracks that extend beyond their well-known singles, earning it positive recognition among collectors.
Released in 1969, this LP followed the UK success of their 1963 hit, "Harlem Shuffle," which saw a massive revival in popularity that year. The album is firmly rooted in 1960s Soul, with strong elements of Northern Soul, characterized by a smooth yet driving rhythm, often featuring orchestral, melodic arrangements typical of the era's production.
While sometimes flying under the radar compared to larger 1969 releases, it is highly regarded for its consistent quality, being described as a great album that is "not just for the singles".
The album includes their iconic "Harlem Shuffle" (written by Bob Relf and Earl Nelson) along with other tracks, fitting the uptempo, energetic style that made them popular.
The album serves as a key document of late-60s soul, capitalizing on the renewed interest in their earlier work, and is considered a solid, quintessential listen for fans of the genre.