Sunday, January 31, 2016

Mystic Soul From New York City




A fabulous sweet soul jam here in "Please Let Me Stay Awhile" by The Moniques. Additional highlights include "I'm Gonna Make It" by Donnie Scales, "Why Should I Forgive You" by Shock and "Don't Rush Me" by New York City. Recommended addition to your soul collection.
6 out of 10

The Fabulous Waller Family




Fine sweet soul tracks in "I Love You So", "Without You Tonight" and "How Long Will I Be A Fool?". A solid addition to your soul collection.
6 out of 10

The Best Of Perception & Today Records

Ballad highlights here are buried with so many dance numbers. They are "Find The One Who Loves You" by The Eight Minutes and "You And I" by Black Ivory.
4 out of 10

WB Soul Masters




Volume one counts with a nice jam in "I Didn't Mean To Leave You" by Lou Ragland then all else is deep soul. Volume 2 contains a couple of solid sweet soul jams in "Girl, You Know That I Love You" by The Hypnotics and "I'll Take You Back" by The Cool Sounds. Worth mentioning are also "You'll Always Have Me" by The Apollas and the mellow "A Love Like Ours Could Last A Million Years Or More" by The Cool Sounds. Excellent sound quality.
5 out of 10

Brunswick Dakar Soul Stream





A few tight ballads sprinkled throughout this two volume collection of mainly northern soul. Highlights include "You Don't Want Me Anymore" by Shirley Karol, "I'm Gonna Stay" by The Visitors, "Love Grows Bitter" by Billy Butler, "Someone Else's Arms" by Channel 3 and "Falling In Love" by The Complaments.
5 out of 10

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Chocolate City Soul: Rare Soul Gems




The high point here by far is "Don't Go And Leave Me Blue" by Face Value. "Randy" by The Fawns is somewhat decent but not as strong.
3 out of 10

The Curtom Story



An old double CD compilation with a handful of nice ballads. Highlights include "Take Care" by June Conquest, "I've Been Trying" by The Mayfield Singers, "Come Back" by The Five Stairsteps, "Can This Be Real" by The Natural Four, "So In Love With You" by Leroy Hudson and "Let's Do It Again" by The Staple Singers.
6 out of 10

Aalon




Single high point here is "Rock 'N' Roll Gangster", unless you are also into more funkier grooves. My recommendation is to pick this track up on any of the other soul comps out there such as Lifestyles Of The Slow And Low Vol. 1.
1 out of 10

Bobby Womack




Highlights here include "That's The Way I Feel About Cha" and "If You Think Your Lonely Now".
4 out of 10

Northern Soul: On The Philadelphia Beat




Only one half decent track at the end of this comp. If you are not an upbeat soul fan then skip this one.
1 out of 10

Big Jay McNeely & His Band




The best take on "There Is Something On Your Mind" is on this CD. Other notable tracks are "I Got The Message" and "My Darling, Dear". Soul, blues, rockers this CD has a little of it all.
5 out of 10

Bobby Marchan





Soulful tunes with a heavy blues influence. Highlights include "What Can I Do", "There Is Something On Your Mind", "I Feel It Coming" and "Half A Mind".
5 out of 10

The Sweet Soul Of Philadelphia Soul 1959-1964




Early soul sounds from the likes of The Intruders, The Imaginations, Donnie Elbert, Four Intruders, The Mohawks and Lady Fox And The Foxettes. Will make a solid addition to any soul collection.
6 out of 10

Starry-Eyed Serenaders




A good dose of Doo Wop ballads on this 2 disc release. Highlights include "Two Timing Loser" by The Lions, "Your Tender Lips" by The Clovers, "Can I Come Over Tonight" by The Velours and "Crying For You" by The Cineramas.
5 out of 10

The Coasters

Found this one at a discounted price so I decided to pick up for a couple of ballads on disc 1, "If Teardrops Were Kisses" and "Just Like A Fool". This is is best suited for the rock and roll fan.
3 out of 10