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Gene Chandler takes on James Brown – doing an amazing job with the Godfather's classic "There Was A Time" – served up at the same frenetic pace as the original! The tune's easily one of the hardest-grooving ever from Chandler, and really gets a new sort of spin from Gene's wonderful vocals too. "Those Were The Good Old Days" is a sweet Chicago swinger – done with that wicked rocking energy that you find in the best Brunswick soul of the time – an even better setting for the Chandler magic to unfold!

Totally great work from Chris Clark – a real surprise, given that we haven't really heard the singer since her Motown records of the 60s! Chris sounds wonderful here – every bit as soulful as before, but even more deeply expressive – yet in ways that aren't hokey or overdone at all. "Dream Or Cry" is a really wonderful tune – done with horns that almost have a Hi Records sort of vibe, and this warmly bubbling groove that pushes Clark even farther than before! Then Chris steps into mellower territory with "Sleepin" – a really nice ballad with a gentle, almost jazzy vibe.

Dennis Coffey and Mayer Hawthorne – a pairing we never could have imagined years back, but who come together here beautifully on a cover of the old Parliament number! "All Your Goodies Are Gone" sounds even more soulful here than on the original – and Coffey's guitar is nice and sharp, yet nicely bows to the background a bit to let Hawthorne push his vocals! Speaking of vocals, Kings Go Forth make a great appearance on the flipside – making us wonder when they'll be serving us up a new album!

Two spiritual jazz gems – back to back, and both from the excellent Deep Jazz combo! "Spirits Up Above" is that great Roland Kirk classic – taken here at a tightly swinging pace, and with a female lead vocal duo that really gives it a great flavor – putting the lyrics upfront even more than before, almost like the Bey Sisters – yet still leaving some room for a nice solo in the middle! "No Doubt" is an original by the group – resplendent with acoustic basslines right from the start, which set the tune off in a modal waltz mode that's mighty nice!

2 of James Brown's best duets – on one original funky 45! "What My Baby Needs Now" is a sweet soul groove, with a nice swinging midtempo pace. "This Guy-Girl" is probably the most soulful version of the Bacharach track you'll ever hear! Both sides nice, and not on any album!