Pink Champagne / Sentimental Lover

Joe Liggins and His “Honeydrippers” cut these two sides for Specialty Records in the early 1950s, when jump blues and R&B were colliding with pop sensibilities. “Pink Champagne” became a regional hit built on Liggins' smooth vocal delivery and the band’s propulsive horn arrangements, while “Sentimental Lover” showcases the group’s ability to shift between uptempo grooves and more introspective balladry. The Honeydrippers' tight musicianship and Liggins' charisma made them fixtures on the West Coast R&B circuit, and Specialty Records' A&R acumen captured them at a peak moment.