A comprehensive retrospective of Baltimore’s mid-’60s/early-’70s label, Chariot Records, including 5 previously unissued tracks

The 1960s were exhilarating times for the music business. Independent labels across the United States were creating overnight sensations almost daily. Creative hubs like Detroit, Memphis, Chicago, and Los Angeles were shaping and defining the sounds of tomorrow—today.

Among these vibrant scenes was Baltimore, Maryland—home to Chariot Records, a label that delivered a deeply soulful strain of R&B unlike anything else in the country.

Omnivore Recordings, the award-winning reissue label, is proud to announce the acquisition of Chariot Records. Founded in the mid-1960s by three record promotion men, the label enjoyed a brief but impactful run from 1966 to 1972, primarily releasing singles that captured the spirit of the era.

What’s Happening!! The Chariot Records Story is the first official chronicle of the label’s recorded legacy. This expansive 2-CD collection features the complete recorded catalog of Baltimore favorites Bob Brady And The Con Chords. Following the Record Store Day release of Love-In: The Chariot Records Recordings on opaque blue vinyl, these essential Brady recordings now make their long-awaited CD debut. Included are all six of the group’s original singles, along with a rare non-LP B-side from 1972. Frequently compared to Smokey Robinson, the group would later become revered pioneers on the Northern Soul scene in the U.K.

Also featured in this comprehensive retrospective are recordings by the Brady offshoot group Pen Lucy; NBA All-Star Gus Johnson with Hope’s musical reflection on the turbulent early ’70s; and the complete output of country-infused prog-rock band Coyote. Disc Two presents the band’s full album alongside two non-LP singles from both the group and its leader, Chuck Beaty (aka Garke Ringlend).

Rounding out the collection are five previously unissued tracks from the Chariot vault, including a blistering, never-before-released version of Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City” by James Gant.

Discover—or rediscover—the soulful sound of 1960s Baltimore with What’s Happening!! The Chariot Records Story, featuring Bob Brady And The Con Chords, Pen Lucy, Gus Johnson with Hope, Coyote, and more.

2-CD / Digital Track List:

Disc 1:

1. Goodbye Baby – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
2. Tell Me Why – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
3. More, More, More Of Your Love – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
4. It’s A Better World – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
5. Illusion – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
6. I Love You Baby – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
7. Everybody’s Goin’ To The Love-In – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
8. It’s Been A Long Time Between Kisses – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
9. It’s Love – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
10. Love Is The Master (I’m The Slave) – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
11. Savin’ All My Love For You – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
12. Please Stay – Bob Brady And The Con Chords
13. I Stand Rejected – Bob Brady
14. What’s Happening – Gus Johnson with Hope
15. Three Point Play – Gus Johnson with Hope
16. Breakfast – Pen Lucy
17. Understand – Pen Lucy
18. Sunshine – Pen Lucy*
19. Jimmy’s Song – Pen Lucy*
20. Find A Star (Demo) – Unknown Artist*
21. She Gives Me Love (Demo) – Unknown Artist*
22. Living For The City – James Gant*

Disc 2:

1. Farmer Fletcher’s – Coyote
2. Cowboys & Indians – Coyote
3. Horney Coyote – Coyote
4. Jabberwocky – Coyote
5. Flat Chested Woman – Coyote
6. Ready To Ride – Coyote
7. Silver Ring – Coyote
8. Fly – Coyote
9. People Funny – Coyote
10. Musician – Coyote
11. Charles, Charles (The Dancin’Frog) – Coyote
12. Super Tuesday Floozy Buckwheat Man – Coyote
13. You Can’t Kill A Buzzard With A Spoon – Garke Ringlend
14. Josie Knows She – Garke Ringlend

* previously unissued