The Vanguards

Finally a release featuring all of the singles plus unreleased material from one of the best soul groups ever, and personal top five favorite of mine, The Vanguards. "Somebody Please", "Woman Come Home", "Girl Go Away"...... they are all included. Check me out in Instagram for ordering info. Absolute must have. Sound quality varies.

9 out of 10

Gangster Dedications Radio Vol. 1

"Wow" was this first thought in my mind once this CD started playing. Killer tunes by Marfil, Gloria And The Relations, The Fantastic Nu-Tymes and The Soul Fantastics to name a few. This is a must have compilation for any serious soul music fan. Only a limited quantity pressed so hurry up and get yours. Solid proof that rare soul music is alive and thriving throughout California.
10 out of 10

Underground Monster Vol. 2

If you enjoyed the first volume then definitely grab this before they are gone. A great mix of soul styles that will have your ears glued to the speakers. As with the first volume there is no published track list. Top notch material that needs to be in your soul music collection.

10 out of 10

Vinyl Sounds From The Varrio

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Solid sweet soul on this newly release compilation. "Reflections" by Albert Jones, "Accept My Love" by The Wasters, "Will You Still Be Mine" by The Eight Minutes, "Why Baby" by Jo Ho And The Outcast and "Won't You Please Be My Girl" by The Soulville All-Stars make this a must have. Sound quality varies.
9 out of 10

Beauty In The Sadness

Some very nice ballads included on this new release coming at us out of the Monterrey Bay area of CA. Highlights include "Lonely" by The New Yorkers, "I Couldn't Stand It" by The Invincibles, "Somebody Help Me" by Otis Brown, "Check My Tears" by The Trends and "I Love You So Much" by Sugar Pie Sesanto. Sound quality varies.
8 out of 10

Santana Soul Radio Presents Rare Classics

Nothing but the classic songs that most of us grew up listening to. The Visitors, Etta James, The Superbs The Cruisers and others bring back so many good memories. Taken directly from vinyl sources so you will get all the anomalies that come with that.
7 out of 10

North Side Soul

Early northern California soul compilations featuring rare sweet soul music. Highlights include "But Then You Left Me" by Shades of Sensation, "I Wanna Be Your Baby" by Gene & The Teen Beats, "My Mistake" by Karen Brooks, "Why Did I Go" by The Kool Blues, "Crying All By Myself" by Wendy Rene and many others. Recommended addition to your soul collection. Soul quality varies.

8 out of 10

The Temptones

Early material from one of the best voices in music, Daryl Hall. Most have no idea how soulful of a voice this man poured out early in his career. Standout track for me here is "Good-Bye" as it resonates Philly soul. "Say These Words Of Love" and a couple of northern soul tracks will make you realize these guys could hold their own with any soul act of that time. About half of the material is in acappella style. A very good piece of soul history to own.

6 out of 10

East Coast Soul Connection

Sole highlight for me is "He Knows My Key (Is Always In The Mailbox)" by Barbara Jean English. The rest is either northern or too modern for my preferences. Might be a treasured collection for northern soul fans.
2 out of 10

For Connoisseurs Only

Lots and lots of northern soul tunes but then that mixed in ballad has me buying the collection. "Eddie My Love" by The Sweethearts, "Can't Count The Days" by Jeb Stuart, "New Lease On Life" by The Universals and "I Know You Know That I Know" by The Styles are my picks.
4 out of 10

The Holidays

The stand out here is "Maybe So, Maybe No. Other tracks worth a mention are "Too Many Times" and "This Is Love (A Little Understanding)". Nice, clean sound.
5 out of 10

The Mask Man And The Agents

A couple of nice tracks in "Never Would Have Made It" and "In A Crowded Station" made me pick this one up. Balance of the material you will need your dancing shoes on to enjoy.

4 out of 10

Big City Soul

"Let's Take  A Chance" by The High Keys and "Then Came Heart Break" by The Jive Five are the only good ballads in this series. Leave this one to the northern soul fans.
2 out of 10

Legends Of Doo Wop

A very nice collection featuring Doo Wop group favorites such as The Paragons, The Quinns, The Silks, The Cufflinks, The Dee-Cals, The Symbols, The Desires, The Shells and many others. Very good sound quality. This one belongs in every Doo Wop fans collection.
7 out of 10

The Hi-Lites Meet The Castaleers

A few nice ballads made this a good pick up. If you do not enjoy Doo Wop as much as some of us do then this one might not be for you. Highlights include "Pretty Face", "For Your Precious Love" and "I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons" by The Hi-Lites and "That's Why I Cry" by The Castaleers. Sound quality varies on a few tracks.
5 out of 10

Luther Bond And The Emeralds Meet The Guytones

"He Loves You Baby" and "Someone To Love Me" by Luther Bond And The Emeralds and "You Won't Let Me Go" and "Not Wanted" by The Guytones are my top picks on this release. A good pick up for the Doo Wop crowd.
5 out of 10

Bob Holmes' Nashville Soul

"Runaway Girl" by The Hytones, "You Must Leave Her Because You Love Her" by The Paramount Four, "Crying Won't Help You Now" by Johnny Truitt and "Oh Gilly Baby" by The Avons & The Hytones are my top picks on this release. Excellent sound quality as always with Ace Records releases.
5 out of 10