20 Years of Numero Group: From Syl Johnson to Blondie
Since 2003, Numero Group has championed talented, overshadowed artists across genres by reissuing their albums with care and creativity. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with Numero Group founders Rob Sevier and Ken Shipley about the label’s history and working with everyone from Syl Johnson to Blondie. They’ll also share some of their favorite Numero tracks.
As Numero Group celebrates its twentieth anniversary, Rob Sevier and Ken Shipley make a repeat appearance on Sound Opinions. The wide-ranging discussion addresses the label’s more recent decision to release music from a wide range of genres beyond the soul and funk they began with. Recent releases cover punk, emo and even a Blondie box set.
Favorite Numero Tracks
Hosts Jim and Greg share a few of their favorite tracks from Numero releases and share the stories behind them.
Jim:
Mick Farren & The New Wave, "Lost Johnny"
94 East, "If You See Me"
Greg:
Syl Johnson, "Concrete Reservation"
Jackie Shane, "Any Other Way"
Featured Songs:
Syl Johnson, "Concrete Reservation," Is It Because I'm Black (Deluxe 50th Anniversary Edition), Numero, 2019
The Beatles, "I Get By (With a Little Help From My Friends)," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967
Television, "Little Johnny Jewel," Ork Records: New York, New York, Numero, 2015
Blondie, "Moonlight Drive," Against The Odds: 1974 - 1982, Capitol, 2022
Mickey & The Soul Generation, "Give Everybody Some," Give Everybody Some (Single), Numero, 2023
Jackie Shane, "Any Other Way," Any Other Way, Numero, 2017
Bruce Springsteen, "Any Other Way," Only the Strong Survive, Columbia, 2022
Charlie Megira, "Tomorrow's Gone," Tomorrow's Gone, Numero, 2019
Mick Farren & The New Wave, "Lost Johnny," Ork Records: New York, New York, Numero, 2015
94 East, "If You See Me," If You See Me (Single), Numero, 2013
Shemekia Copeland, "Too Far To Be Gone (feat. Sonny Landreth)," Done Come Too Far, Alligator, 2022
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