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May 14, 2025 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

Numero Group’s terrific Eccentric Soul series are studies in early soul, rock and roll, R&B, and pop, much of which is obscure and largely forgotten to time. The most recent installment of the series showcases the Cobra Records label, an establishment founded in San Antonio by Abraham “Abe” Epstein, sometime record producer and real estate mogul.

As is Numero’s wont, The Cobra Label is a finely-packaged double LP with extensive liner notes featuring label and band histories and ephemera. And the music herein is a wonderful overview of Cobra’s oeuvre. Beginning with Sonny Ace & The Twisters’ take on “Wooleh Booleh,” The Cobra Label runs through 28 tracks, from the label’s 1961 debut release, The Royal Jesters With The Jimmy Johnson Combo’s “Is That Good Enough For You?” to such cuts as the haunting female trio The Dreamliners’ “Just Me and You,” Royal Five’s crooning sock hop-esque “Someone Who Cares,” and Rod Andrea & The Ram Rods’ horn-filled “If It’s Lovin’ You Want.”

Of the names you’re more likely to know, a youthful Doug Sahm is present here with Spot Barnett, singing “Just a Moment,” and similarly a young Dallas Taylor, who later went on to play in Crosby, Stills, & Nash’s band, shows up in his early group Shades McCray & The Invictas with their track “Summer Is Here.”

By the end of the ’60s, Abe Epstein found himself wrangled in legal issues and moved back to focusing on his real estate empire. But for a moment in time, his Cobra Records showcased the best of what Texas music had offer. (www.numerogroup.com)

Author rating: 8.5/10