THE EMOTIONS – BLESSED: THE EMOTIONS ANTHOLOGY 1969-1985
One of the greatest female soul groups of all time – served
up here in a career-spanning anthology that finally gets at the full range of
their talents! The tracks here start in the trio's early years on Stax Records,
move through their sublime 70s hitmaking years at Columbia, with lots of help
from Maurice White and Earth Wind & Fire – and also move onto include some
rare Motown and Red Label recordings too! The vocals are sublime throughout –
that rich style of coming together that the girls first forged in their gospel
work, then unleashed to the soul world in work that was far more sophisticated
and meaningful than the usual girl trio mode – which could sometimes be a
throwaway approach to hide the weakness in each others vocals. 2CD set features
a big 24 page booklet of notes – and includes 40 tracks in all – including
"I Should Be Dancing", "Smile", "Turn It Out",
"Blessed", "Are You Through With My Heart", "Now That
I Know", "Changes", "You're The One", "Miss Your
Love", "All Night Alright", "The Best Part Of A Love
Affair", "Blind Alley", "So I Can Love You",
"Flowers", "Baby I'm Through", "From Toys To
Boys", "You're The Best", "Don't Ask My Neighbors",
"Love Vibes", "We Go Through Changes", "Key To My
Heart", "Stealing Love", "How'd I Know That Love Would Slip
Away", "Walking The Line", "Special Part", and
"Boogie Wonderland". ~ Dusty Groove
ROSE ROYCE - STRONGER THAN EVER (BONUS TRACKS)
Rose Royce are certainly plenty strong at this point in
their career – working with a tight modern soul groove on Epic Records – away
from their previous placement on the Whitfield label, even though Norman
Whitfield's still very actively handling production here! The album does a
great job of bringing out some of the group's warmer elements, and also refits
their rhythms a bit for the 80s generation – using some jazzier flourishes on
the keyboards, which class things up nicely, and push their sound a bit towards
some of the best Columbia/Epic soul acts of the time. Keyboards dominate a bit
more than before, but in a good way – and titles include "Best Love",
"Sometimesy Lady", "Still In Love", "You Blew
It", "Talk To Me", "Fire In The Funk" and
"Somehow We Made It Through The Rain". This remastered edition from
Big Break UK includes 4 bonus versions: "Best Love (12"
Version)", "Still In Love (Single Version)"< "Fire In
The Funk (Single Version)" and "Dance With Me (12"
Version)". ~ Dusty Groove
MAINSTREAM MODERN SOUL 1969-1976 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)
A huge array of soul tracks from the Mainstream label – an
imprint that was probably best known for its jazz work of the early 70s, and as
the launching pad for a few key rock groups – but one who also cut some killer
soul tracks in the best New York and Philly styles of the period! Mainstream
only ever issued most of its soul material as singles – 45s issued on their own
label, and under the IX Chains, Brown Dog, and New Moon imprints too – spread
out in an array of under-circulated, poorly-distributed releases that never
fully got their due at the time – partly because much of the music was years
ahead of its time! There's a groove here that reminds us of the hippest sounds
from bigger labels – including Philly International or All-Platinum – with a
similar blend of sweetness, honest vocal performances, and some top-shelf
studio work that gives the lyrics a hell of an instrumental push, but all
without ever sounding slick or commercial. The package is a much-needed look at
this scattered legacy – and brings together 24 rare cuts that include
"These Memories" by Almeta Lattimore, "I'm The One Who Loves
You" by JG Lewis, "Come Back (part 1)" by The Fantastic Puzzles,
"I Can't Give You Up" by Linda Perry, "It Ain't Like It Used To Be"
by Randolph Brown & Company, "No Rebate On Love" by The
Dramatics, "You're A Friend Of Mine" by Words Of Wisdom,
"Satisfy My Woman" by Calvin Arnold, "Plain Out Of Luck" by
Nia Johnson, "We're Not Too Young To Fall In Love" by Jackey Beavers
Show, "Let The People Talk" by The Steptones, "To Whom It May
Concern" by Ellerine Harding, "It's So Real" by McArthur,
"Stop & Think A Minute" by Charles Beverly, and "That's The
Way She Is" by Bobby Earl Williams.
~ Dusty Groove
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