Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Family Circle



The Numero Group offers this release in vinyl and MP3 versions but I had to have it on CD therefore, had to spend considerably more to get this release from Japan. Top notch rare soul jams such as "Change", "If You Really Want To Make It" and "Bridge With One Side Down" made it a must have for me.
6 out of 10

The Temprees







If you do not like The Temprees then I am afraid you are in the wrong site. No soul music collection can be called complete without this wonderful group. Sweet soul jams that never get old. No need to list any highlights, you should know them already.
The "Extended Version" is a compilation of their slow jams from the other three releases. The sound quality is good but doubt it is a legit release.
8 out of 10

The Ultimates




Classic 70's soul sounds here by The Ultimates. Highlights include "I Just Can't Stand It" and "Your Loves Comes Slower Than Ever". A high price to pay for a couple of slow jams.
4 out of 10

Lost Soul Gems From Sounds Of Memphis





A few killer ballads included in these two releases. On volume one the highlight is "Take A Look At Another Fool" by Marjorie Ingram. Volume two gives us "Lost In A Dream" by Vision and "I Care For You" by Fran Farley. I skipped thought the rest of the material but those three tracks still made it worth the pick up.
4 out of 10


Confessing, Deep Soul From New Orleans




A couple of hidden treasures made this CD well worth the pick up. "Without Your Love" by Richard Caiton, "Will You Marry Me Girl" by The Philharmonics, "Confessin' A Feeling" by Tony Owens and "Stop To Think It Over" by God's Gift To Women are the highlights.
7 out of 10



Brunswick's Jammin' Oldies





A couple of odd ball tracks drove me to pick this release up. "Living In The Footsteps Of Another Girl" by The Promises and "Being In Love" by The Astistics are not outstanding slow jams but are not easy to find and with the sound quality in this CD.
2 out of 10


New York Soul Serenade





The majority of the good slow tracks are also available in the Solid Soul compilation. Highlights include "Let's Play House" by Tony Drake, "If It's For Real" by Porgy And The Monarchs, "Sugar (Don't Take Away My Candy)" by The Jive Five and "It Won't Hurt" by The Gentlemen Four. Top notch sound quality.
5 out of 10



Philly Favorites






Not much on packaging and a mix of Doo Wop, soul, pop and upbeat tunes. Well known tracks by The Chantels, The Orlons, Brenda And The Tabulations, The Intruders, Barbara Greene, The Five Chanels, Tony Allen, Sons Of Robin Stone and Frankie And The Spindles. Sound quality varies.
5 out of 10

Looking For My Baby






Solid soul cuts from across the country included in this compilation. Highlights include "Find Me" and "New Girl In The Neighborhood" by The Attractions, "What Would It Take" by The Showmen, "Somebody New" by The Emotions", a nice cover of "Pledging My Love" by Don And Juan and an interesting recording of "Sad Girl" by Jay Wiggins (the original versions is still the best).
5 out of 10



Eyes For The Ladies




More pop sounds on this compilation that I care for. There are a few solid highlights in "Tricks Of The Trade" by Jan Bradley, "I Need You" by The Utmosts, "No One" by The Thrills and "(Be Mine) Tonight" by Pearline Caesar.
5 out of 10



Shep And The Limelites / The Heartbeats






One the very finest Doo Wop groups of all time. An absolute must for any serious Doo Wop fan. Highlights are too many to list. My top picks are "A Thousand Miles Away", "Sometimes I Wonder", "Daddy's Home", "Darling How Long" and "What Did Daddy Do"
7 out of 10


After Hours, The King Records Story


You can't beat the prices that compilations on this label go for. This one has a couple of classics by James Brown and Donnie Elbert and lots of bluesy tracks.
2 of 10

The Blue Notes




Really early material by The Blue Notes. A release that is not for the casual early R&B fan. Highlights include "My Hero", "She Is Mine", "You May Not Love Me" and ""If You Love Me".
4 out of 10




Percy Sledge




Not a big fan of Percy Sledge therefore this budget priced CD pick up was good enough for me.
2 out of 10


Jerry Butler





A couple of classic cuts in "Never Give You Up" and "For Your Precious Love" but after that I pretty much lost interest. This man is a giant in music's history but for my taste only the two tracks mentioned I can listen to over and over again.
3 out of 10