harlem

Location: Harlem New York, Bobby's Happy House

The Harlem Renaissance of the late 20's and 30's challenged racism in ways that had never before been seen and paved the way for African-American artists and intellectuals to celebrate black culture on their own terms. But even with the advancements made through the renaissance, it wasn't until 1946, when Bobby Robinson opened up a little record shop in the heart of Harlem, that real economic change occured...Then called Bobby's Record House, his was the first black-owned business on 125th Street and over 60 years later at the age of 90, Bobby is still going strong.

Robinson established six record labels between 1952 and 1962 under which he produced numerous records which sold millions of copies. In May 1959, Robinson produced "The Happy Organ" by Dave Cortez which shot to number one on the Billboard charts only to be knocked off a week later by Wilbert Harrison's "Kansas City", another song Robinson produced. Robinson also produced some of the greatest records from legendary bluesman Elmore James, including "The Sky is Crying".

Years ago when Floyd arrived in New York City, he devised a way to bring his music to the streets. His idea was to take a car battery and hook it up to an inverter so he could have power anywhere he went. On this stop Floyd takes his show on the road up to Harlem which he called home for over 25 years. Every now and again he likes to go back to the old neighborhood to get a taste of the best soul food in the city and in return he gives the people a taste of real Mississippi blues. Even though Floyd does not play in Harlem as much these days you can always pop into Bobby’s and buy the albums.