* NEW * Rare Funk & Soul From The Southland

Here is the latest release for the soul crowd fresh off the press. The first disc has some really nice sweet soul jams. Highlights include tracks by Innsersouls, Samuel LoveLee, Ronnie West and Jimmy Dockett With The Techniques. The second disc is funk and I personally could have done without it but definitely a recommended pick up. No lines notes and sound quality varies.
8 out of 10

Gangster Rolas

A nice boot compilation that like many others made a brief appearance online. At the time of release this set contained many tracks that were not available on CD. Now all can be found throughout various releases. Packed with sweet soul so the highlights are many. Sound quality varies.
8 out of 10

Sweet Soul Music, The Stax Groups

Now well know soul cuts by The Mad Lads, The Temprees, The Newcomers and The Epsilons. One of the first, if not the first, CD I spotted with tracks by The Newcomers.
6 out of 10

*NEW* Soul In Harmony

An truly impressive release of rare soul by the folks at Ace records. This is a definite must have for the soul music fanatic. Lots of liner notes for us to get a small glimpse into these artists and their music. As always top notch sound quality. Highlights are many such as The Four Sonics, The Mad Lads, The Mark-keys and The Premiers.
9 out of 10

Eccentric Soul: Omnibus Vol. 1

A promo CD released by the Numero Group highlighting rare tracks from their Omnibus 45 box set release. If you spot this one don't let it slip away. No liner notes but good sound quality. Sweet soul cuts by Family Connection, The Soul Walkers, Inbassador and The Volumes.
8 out of 10

On A Sunday Afternoon

This collection is another must have for the sweet soul collector. Many nice tracks all the way through. The sound quality varies. Killer tracks by Carries Riley And Fascinations, Larry Saunders, Doris & Kelly, Darling Dears and the Showmen.
9 out of 10

Souleros Ball VII

Recent CDR release that came up on the web briefly. A handful of good and not so good covers included. I could have done without Linda Ronstadt and Nancy Wilson. Live tracks by the Main Ingredient I skipped over. Nice tracks by Sil (Silk?) and Satin, The Classic Sullivans, Richard Fields, The Determinations and a few others. Many repeats and the sound quality varies.
7 out of 10

Blue Light Chicago Dusties

No front cover was issued that I am aware of with these CD's. The first volume contains some very good tracks by The Exits, The Notations and others. The second volume I did not care much for. The sound there was more 70's-80's. The third volume brought us back some 60's and 70's sweet soul by Jan Bradley, The Specials and others. The sound quality varies through the whole collection. These are now hard to find so if you spot them make sure to grab your copy.
6 out of 10

Aztlan Oldies

An old compilation of standard tracks that most soul fans will easily recognized. The sound quality varies.
3 out 10

Brown Classics

A boot that made the rounds a few years ago at a time when the tracks gathered much more attention. We now see all tracks on various releases. The sound quality varies. I have not seen this one for years now.
7 out of 10

Duke Of Earl

The tracks on this release all over the place. We go from the Robert And Johnny to CCR. All repeats on this release. You will not miss much passing this one up.
2 out of 10

Eccentric Soul: The Bandit Label

As always The Numero Group delivers some of the best obscure soul with for the mostly part clean sound and plenty of liner notes. The Majestic Arrows' tracks and Altyrone Deno Brown's "Sweet Pea" make this CD a must for the serious soul fan.
8 out of 10.

Sweet Stuff, New Jersey Soul

At the time of its release this was the only CD I had ever seen with more than a couple of Whatnauts tracks. Those made this CD well worth it as the rest of the material I skipped through. Unless there is another track here you must have it is better to pick up one of the Whatnauts CD's out there now.
5 out of 10

The Essential Mellow Groove

A nice package here put out by Goldmine Soul Supply. I did not care much for the 80's tracks but rest was pretty solid. Highlights by The Whatnauts, The Joy Tones, Debbie S, Aged in Harmony and Towanna & The Total Destruction. Sound quality varies.
7 out of 10

Smooth R&B And Classic Soul Vol. 1

Right off the start this CD has something that drives me insane, fake applause! That just ruins the song for me. All three O'Jays tracks have it. After that we have what now are standard tracks among collectors from Linda Jones, The Whatnauts and The Escorts. Brief liner notes by George Kerr and good sound quality.
6 out of 10

Sweet Soul Ladies Vol. 4

I had been putting off picking this CD for over a couple of weeks since I new it would be another low budget homemade job. The tracks, as the norm with these releases, are mostly if not all repeats. The sound quality is good but no new stand out tracks makes this CD not worth it. Recommended for those who do not have an extensive collection.
2 out of 10

The Shirelles

The budget CD on Curb pretty much covers the common tracks that appear on compilations such as East Side Story and Lowrider Oldies. They have one other really good track in "My Love Is A Charm" which is the sole reason for me picking up the release on the bottom. The rest of their material is too much "pop" for me.
3 out of 10