Soul — CDs  

Billy Preston right in the middle of a classic 70s run – hitting a trademark blend of soul, jazz, and other groovy influences – all with a sound that's very much his own, and which puts him in the same company as Sly Stone or Stevie Wonder! Preston's market was a bit more mainstream than those two, but at this point in his career he's very much on top of his game – really pulling together all the experience of woodshedding in the 60s, and bursting forth with a sense of pop power and pride that's totally great! Billy plays a fair bit of different keyboards on the set – and rhythms run from the respected Preston romping modes, to others that are a bit more laidback and soulful. Titles include the hit "Nothing From Nothing", plus "St Elmo", "Sometimes I Love You", "You Are So Beautiful", "Creature Feature", "Tell Me You Need My Loving", "Sad Sad Song", and "Sister Sugar".

A rare solo effort from Danny Woods – a record cut away from Chairmen Of The Board during a stretch when the group had temporarily disbanded – and an excellent showcase for Danny's strength on his own! Woods is really wonderful here – with a proud, righteous quality that really soars out away from General Johnson and Harrison Kennedy – perfect for the righteous backings arranged by HB Barnum and McKinley Jackson – whose spirits really fit some of the more progressive modes of the music. There's plenty of upbeat, positive moments throughout – and titles include "Two Can Be As Lonely As One", "Let Me Ride", "It Didn't Take Long", "Everybody's Got A Song To Sing", "Working On A Building Of Love", and "Roller Coaster". CD also features the bonus track "Everybody's Tippin".

A rich tribute to one of the greatest indies of the south – especially back in the 50s – Jackson's mighty Ace Records – home to a rich array of R&B, early rockers, and rootsy music too – all served up here in a mightily overstuffed compilation! The set brings together a few unreleased tracks alongside Ace singles and other obscurities – a rich testament to the strength of the label back in the day – and their great ear for sounds from surrounding scenes as well – as the music here has plenty of echoes of Memphis and New Orleans too! The package is heavy on obscure gems – and titles include "Baby Say You Will" by Jesse Allen, "Hey Hey Baby Come Home" by Albert Scott, "Well I Never Get Tired" by Johnny Fairchild, "Educated Fool" by Huey Piano Smith, "Roll On Train" by Elton Anderson, "Doing The Rock & Roll" by Calvin Spears, "Classy Lassie" by Alvin Red Tyler & The Gyros, "I'm Packing Up" by Earl King, "Love's Like A River" by Charles Brown, "Roll Em Back" by Eddie Bo, and "Love Is My Business" by Bobby Woods. CD features 9 more bonus tracks from the original album – with titles that include "Shed So Many Tears" by Elton Anderson, "You Aim To Please" by Jimmy Clanton, "Sea Cruise" by Huey & Jerry, "Baby It's Love" by Johnny Angel, and "Rock" by Lee Dorsey.

Incredible work from a singer we'd never heard before – but who should have been huge, given the quality of these tunes! Pearl's got an amazing sound that's right out of the "birth of soul" era in which she recorded – a hard soul approach that's steeped in influences from earlier R&B years, but which comes across with a straightforward power that echoes later classics by 60s divas like Aretha Franklin or Fontella Bass. The set's one of the best we've ever seen from the Tuff City soul archives – wonderfully annotated, in a way that tells the full story of Pearl's lost years – and which really gets at the strength and quality of this amazingly soulful work. The set features 19 tracks in all – and titles include "Be My Baby", "My Love Is Your Love", "Sippin Sorrow", "I'll Be A Crybaby From Now On", "Sloppin", "One More Time", "Don't Tell It All", "Stickum Up Baby", "Fool Like Me", and "The Last Mile".