Eccentric Soul: The Young Desciples

A few killer ballads included in this highly recommended release. "Love Love Love" by Third Flight, "Would You Rather" by The Georgettes, "Choose Me" by The Debonettes and "I'm Not Afraid of Love" by Sharon Clark And The Product Of Time. Top notch sound and packaging.
7 out of 10

Stone Soul Classics

Pretty much all repeats here on this two volume compilation. Highlights include "Body And Soul" by The Soul Generation, "Hypnotized" by Linda Jones, "Day By Day" by The Continental Four, "Heart And Soul" by The Incredibles", Don't Turn Around" by Black Ivory and "I Love You More" by Lee Williams And The Cymbals.
5 out of 10

Spotlite On Port Records

A couple of must have tracks are included in this CD which can be found for a very good price. "The Little White Cloud That Cried" by The Soothers and "Hand In Hand" by The Eboniers.
4 out of 10

The Golden Era Of Doo-Wops: Class Records

Highlights here include "Here's That Rainy Day" by The Intervals, "Heavenly Angel" by The  Satellites, "Sad Fool" by The Rollettes and "Darling My Love" by Steve Kass And the Love Larks. Recommended for the Doo Wop fan.
5 out of 10

Johnny Johnson And The Bandwagon Meet James And Bobby Purify

Nothing worth mentioning on the Johnny Johnson part of this release. The Purify brothers count with "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down", "I'm Your Puppet" and their cover of "Blame Me, Don't Blame My Heart". The good tracks are out on other compilations therefore I really can't recommend this one.
2 out of 10

Eccentric Soul: Mighty Mike Lenaburg

If you are looking for slow, sweet soul then this one will be a weak pick up. Highlight here is "I've Got To Have You" by Sheila Jack but sound quality is not as good as I had expected. This is one of the rare Numero Group releases that I can't recommend.
2 out of 10

Aaron Neville

When this Ace Records release came up for sale I just had to have it. It is the only compilation of his out there that contains "Those Three Words". The two disc release contains "All These Things" and lots of mellow pop sounds that I really could not get much into.
3 out of 10

Brenton Wood

Brenton Wood is one of the most famous soul singers of his time with memorable hits such as "Gimme Little Sign" and "The Oogum Boogum Song" that any oldies fan can identify. Many notable tracks on these releases such as "I Want Love", "Me And You", "Need You Girl", "I Like The Way You Love Me" and "Trouble". Picking up the 2 disc release will cover you good with his material. The Better Believe It release has more upbeat disco sounds with a couple of mellow numbers but nothing I really enjoyed.
7 out of 10

Oldies At Best

A reshuffle job of tracks that are particularly favorites among the Chicano crowd. Good tracks by Etta James, Smokey Robinson, Ralfi Pagan and Sly, Slick And Wicked. Lower rating reflects the fact this CD contains all repeats.
3 out of 10

The Golden Era Of Doo-Wops: Lummtone Records

A favorite among both Doo Wop and soul fans. This one is a must for your collection. Excellent sound quality. Highlights include "I Lost My Love In The Big City" and "Your Lovely Ways" by The Elgins, "Most Of The Pretty Young Girls" and "When You Kiss Me" by The Upfronts.
6 out of 10

The Royal Jesters

For the seasoned fan of the Tejano R&B sounds this compilation will not bring to light any new to CD, long lost sweet jam. What you do get is the outstanding sound quality The Numero Group brings to most of their releases and a good batch of liner notes and photos. Highlights include "You've Succeeded", their covers of "Lonely Guy" and "We Go Together" and "I Won't Love You Again". I personally would have loved to see included in this CD songs like "Girl I Can't Forget", "What's This Thing I Feel", "She", "My Kind Of Woman", "As Time Goes By"............heck, get a volume 2 going.
6 out of 10

Eccentric Soul: The Big Mack Label

The track to have for me on this release is "Why Should I Cry" by the Manhattens (not the same Manhattens of "Kiss And Say Goodbye" fame). The rest of the material here is upbeat.
3 out of 10

Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation

A good dose of Chicago Soul courtesy of the good folks at The Numero Group. Highlights include "Not Too Cool To Cry" by Renaldo Domingo, "To Love Someone (That Don't Love You" by The Kaldirons, "Is It Meant To Be" by The Krystal Generation, "I'm Still Here" and "Just You And Me" by The Notations and "Package Of Love" by The Dynamic Tints. Excellent sound quality and lots of liner notes.
6 out of 10

Zell's Girls, J&S, Zell's, Baton And Dice Recordings 1955-1970

Nice female Doo Wop ballads in this release by The Hearts, The Jay Netts, The Kadak's, The Clickettes and The Endeavors. This one is not for the casual fan or one who prefers soul. It's take a true Doo Wop fan to really appreciate these tracks.
5 out of 10

Hollywood Maverick, The Gary S. Paxton Story

This one has lots of upbeat and pop sounds with a little sprinkle of Doo Wop ballads. The very nice and rare ballads here are: "Need Your Love" by Doug And Freddy, "The Clock" by The Hi-Tensions and "Never Again" by The Paradons. This one is recommended more for the Doo Wop fan.
4 out of 10