Love These Days

The latest treat for us soul music fanatics. Overall good sound qaulity. The cover version of "I've Been Trying" by Neal Sharpe and Velma Jewel is pretty damn good. Other good tracks include "Thanks To You" by Judy McDonald And The Mellowettes, "Gotta Get To You" by The 4th Kingdom and "In Your Arms I'm Gonna Stay" by The Otisettes. A must for the soul fan.
8 out pof 10.

The Younghearts

One of the best soul groups to come out of Los Angeles. Their Sweet Soul Shaking release contains some real killer tracks. Highlights include "Oh! I'll Never Be The Same", "I've Got Love For My Baby", "The Beginning Of The End", "Stop What You're Doing Girl", "Me And You", "Queen Of My Heart", " The Young Hearts Get Lonely Too" and "Hey Love".
8 out of 10

Souldies Rare Dancers

A few nice mid tempo tracks. Good tracks by Debbie Taylor, Smoked Sugar, The Compliments and The Intertains. If you are hoping to pick up a killer slow jam this CD will not deliver it.
4 out of 10

The Best Of Underground Doo Wops

A must for the Doo Wop fan! this set include some really good and rare tracks. Some of the highlights include "Blue Eyes" by The Big Five, "Dream A Little Dream" by The New Yorkers, "Lilly May" by Tony Allen & The Cupids, "Tears Are Falling" by Robert lee and The Exquisites and "Let Me Share Your Dreams" by The Deltas.
9 out of 10.

Pura Raza Aztlan

A good batch of rare Chicano style soul oldies. Many good tracks but the sound quality is a bit off on nearly all tracks. "Girl Of My Dreams" by David And Ruben, "Darling Dear" by Alfred And Joe, "Every Time I See You" by The Heartbreakers and "You Are My Girl" by Thee Dupremes are among the best here. I would have given it a higher rating but the sound quality sets it back.
6 out of 10.

Frankie Firme: 16 Golden Treasures

A nice package with a good amount of liner notes and clean sound quality featuring some rare East L.A. bands. Highlights include "She Is My Baby" by The Heartbreakers, "Boo Hoo Hoo" by The Atlantics and "Don't Play With Love" by Phil and Del. The second have of the disc is more uptempo / rocker cuts plus a couple in Spanish to close it out.
5 out of 10.

Landy Nova

A bit of Latin soul featuring "There's No One To Blame" and "Oh Love". The rest are salsa tracks.
4 out of 10.

The 21st Century

Lost soul harmony from The 21st Century. A group that hit it big with one track but sadly, the rest of their material just faded away. Highlights include "Remember The Rain", "See My Love Growing Old" and "Does Your Mama Know About Me". Sound quality varies.
7 out of 10.

The Imaginations

Obscure soul group The Imaginations featured here with a few lovely 70's slow jams. "Because I Love You", "God Bless You Love" and "Me, Myself and I" are the standouts.
7 out of 10

The Temptations

Besides all the common Temptations tracks played over and over again there are some really nice ballads scattered throughout their releases. Those tracks include "My Pillow", "Farewell My Love", "Don't Send Me Away", "Heavenly", "Baby, Baby I Need You, "I've Been Good To You" and "Love Woke Me Up This Morning". A group that should be part of any soul music collection.
7 out of 10.

Doo-Wop And A Touch Of Soul

Rare Doo Wop with mainly northern soul mixed in. Good tracks: "Tears Of Joy" by The Van Dykes, "Come To Me" by The Shantones, "A Thousand Miles Away" by Richard Dickson And Group and "Are You My Girl" by Little Dee And The Bel Aires.
6 out of 10

The Rare Well Done

A mix of rock, Doo Wop and soul cuts. Good tracks include "Don't Just Stand There" by 5 Chords, "My Heart Isn't In It" by The Superbs, "Dear Dairy" by Tomato Lou and "Come Home Soon" by The Intruders. Sound quality vaires a bit on a few tracks.
6 out of 10.

Soulful Pleas

Another here today and gone tomorrow compilation. A good batch of nice Doo Wop ballads that include "I Just Can't Understand" by The Laurels, "Waiting For My Baby" by The Fortes, "All About You" by The Sundials and "Laugh Or Cry" by Yvonne Carroll. Sound quality varies.
8 out of 10

Tower Of Power

Tower Of Power with that great horn section really evelates "You're Still A Young Man" to another level. Other nice tracks include "I Won't Leave Unless You Want Me To", "So Very Hard To Go" and "Will I Ever Find A Love".
7 out of 10.