Eccentric Soul: Capitol City Soul

Here is the latest release by the folks at The Numero Group. Killer cuts by The Four Mints, The Chandlers, Jupiter's Release, La Fez and Love Maximum. These guys know how to put the complete package together when highlighting these obscure soul labels. Lots of liner notes and as always no complaints on the sound quality. A must for the rare soul fan.
8 out of 10.

The Superbs

Every few years we have seen a new Superbs release with just a couple more extra tracks forcing us collectors to pick up that latest release. Highlights from one of Los Angeles' best soul group include "Baby, Baby Al The Time", "Baby's Gone Away", "Your Eyes", "The Story Book Of Love", "It Hurts So Much" and a few others. A must have for the soul music fan.
8 out of 10

The Sytlistics

The Stylistics are a must for any serious soul music fan. If you are on a budget The Best Of release will cover all their well known tracks. The Ultimate Collection covers you pretty well with the common and lesser know slow jams. Both count with excellent sound quality.
8 out of 10

The Miracles

Late 1970's showing the Miracles really holding their own without the great Smokey Robinson. Nice slow jams include "I Wanna Be With You", "Don't Let It End", "If You're Ever In The Neighborhood", "I Didn't Realize The Show Was Over" and "I Love You Secretly".
5 out of 10

Shrine, The Rarest Soul label

Excellent compilation put together by the folks at Ace Records. Lost soul gems such as "Huh Baby" by The Prophets, "Poor Loser" by The Cautions, "I Know About Her" by The DC Blossoms, "Mad At The World" by The Epsilons and "This Is Your Last Chance" by The DC Blossoms. Top notch sound quality, good batch of liner notes.
7 out of 10

Stax Sirens & Volt Vamps

"Love Changes" by Charlene & The Soul Serenaders is a killer jam well worth the price of this CD. Only a couple other notable tracks by The Charmells and Jean Knight round this one up.
5 out of 10

Marginal's Favorite Gems Of Soul

One of the better female soul compilations out there. Highlights include " Come Back Baby" by Roddie Joy, "To Get You Back Again" by Karen Small, "Come Closer" by Tifany Michel, "Only When Your Lonely" by Holly Maxwell, "Dearest One" by The Fashions" and "I Don't Deserve A Boy Like You" Barbara English. Sound quality is decent, not great.
8 out of 10

Ruby Andrews

     

I enjoyed her take on "I Guess That Don't Make Me A Loser" and "The Love I Need" but found myself hitting the skip button through the rest of the material.
3 out of 10

Remember

This one will take a devoted Doo Wop fan to really appreciate it. Highlights include tracks by The Cotillions, The Satellites, The Premiers, The Turks and Jesse Belvin. Sound quality varies.
5 out of 10

The Shirelles And The Evolution Of The Girl Group Sound

All common tracks with a couple of exceptions. "There Is Nothing On My Mind" by The Teen Queens and "Since You've Been Gone" by The Dreamers make this release a must for the early girl group sound fan. Excellent sound quality and can be found for a good price.
5 out of 10

The Northern Soul Of Dore

A few nice ballads sprinkled in on on disc 2 of this set. Highlights include "My Pillow" by The Superbs, "My Garden Of Eden" by The Entertainers IV, "Moon Out There" by The Puffs" and a couple others. Impressive packaging; good liners notes and sound quality.
5 out of 10

My Goodness, Yes! Soul Treasures From The Silver Fox label

A deeper sound than that which I usually target but a couple of songs drove this pick up. "Love 'Em And Leave 'Em" by Willie Hobbs and "Cryin' In The Streets" by George Perkins & The Silver Stars. The cover of "Pledging My Love" by Laura Greene & Johnny McKinnis is also a decent track. Top notch sound quality.
4 out of 10

Ain't Nothing But A House Party

I skipped to the last couple of tracks here by Kenny Gamble And Tommy Bell ("Someday You'll Be Mine" and "I'll Get By Without You") which made this CD a good pick up. The rest of the material I did not care much for.
4 out of 10

Chess Soul

Lots of good tracks but nothing out of the ordinary that I can tell you to run out and get. Jackie Ross, Billy Stewart, Tony Clarke, Gene Chandler.........no surprises found here.
5 out of 10

The Falcons

Wilson Pickett really nailed it signing lead on "I Found My Love". Other notable tracks include "Oh Baby" and "She's My Heart Desire". Most of the rest are more uptempo. Recommended for those who do not mind the heavy gospel influence.
4 out of 10

Garland Green

The title track, "Jealous Kind Of Fella", is the stand out track on this release. "You Played On a Player" also makes for good listening.
4 out of 10

Dee Dee Sharp

One really strong track in "I Really Love You" then nothing really comes close to it. The Cameo Parkway release has better sound quality if you are looking to pick up. Too much pop sounds for my preference.
2 out of 10