Leading up to the emergence of doo-wop was the tradition of black quartet singing. It is one of the major tributaries of our musical evolution which led to rock 'n roll and R&B which led to... But we digress. Let's go back to the quartets. Between the World Wars was a period during which this style evolved from the schoolyards and churches of the southern Atlantic seaboard to finally become the sophisticated sounds of groups like the Golden Gate Quartet and the Silver Leaf Quartet Of Norfolk. This recording traces that evolution with some early, raw recordings from quartets at the beginning of the movement and lots of the highly sophisticated groups of the later years. It is a historian's dream as well as a testament to the human spirit. The accompanying booklet has wonderful notes to leave you much richer for the experience.