Local Customs Downriver Revival

Between 1967 and 1981, Detroit’s downriver neighbor Ecorse, Michigan, had its very own Moe Asch. Set up in a basement on 18th Avenue, electronics wiz, guitarist, and Ford plant foreman Felton Williams chronicled the musical lives of Ecorse’s citizens and issued them on his Solid Rock, Compose, Cass, and Revival labels. Compiled here are 24 of Williams’ most fascinating recordings, covering gospel, group soul, garage-punk, jazz, and funk. An entire basement of dreams crammed into one tidy package.

Also included is a Region 1 DVD stuffed with more than 200 sound recordings culled from Williams’ extensive archive, giving the listener a chance to hear every demo, steel guitar tutorial, and choir practice, plus a 30-minute documentary film featurette on the making of Downriver Revival.