image note       view larger image

Fine Time – The South Side Of Soul Street

$15.99 ... CD List Price: 18.98 (€11.86 || £10.07 || ¥1500) (approx.)

The first full look at a near-lost southern soul label – the tiny Minaret Records imprint, based down in Florida, but part of the larger family of labels held by Memphis powerhouse Sun Records! Working down in the Florida scene, Minaret had a fair bit of independence – and managed to cut some great indie soul sides that borrow elements of 60s Memphis soul, but make the whole thing come out with a fairly different sound. There's a looser, more relaxed feel to these Minaret sides – one that comes from the comfortable studio setting, and the cohesive house band – which provided an atmosphere that most other southern labels were starting to lose by the end of the 60s. The whole package is a great discovery in southern soul – supported by some great notes on both the company and the artists, and a set of 18 tracks that includes "Money Man" by Johnny Dynamite, "Fine Time" by Genie Brooks, "Eternally" by Willie Gable, "Don't Worry About Me" by Willie Cobbs, "Shell Of A Woman" by Doris Allen, "Blue Diamonds" by The Double Soul, "The Judgement" by Candy & Billy, "South Side Of Soul Street" by Genie Brooks, "Bright Star" by John Hamilton & Doris Allen, "You Have Done Me Wrong" by Willie Cobbs, and "Who's Been Warming My Oven" by Gable Reed.  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.