Sublime soul from Honey & The Bees – some the group's deepest material ever, with a rich vibe that goes way way past some of their earlier singles! Although a female quartet, the group offer up a key link in Philly soul that also encompasses most of the male changes at the time, too – a mix of early Sigma Sound styles with some of the older harmony styles that made Philly groups so great – professional and tight, yet still not nearly as polished as it would be later in the 70s. Where other girl groups on the scene were going more for a dancefloor appeal, these gals can harmonize with the best male acts of the period – really tremendous, especially when set to the album's sublime arrangements by Norman Harris, Bobby Martin, and Ronnie Baker. Musicians include Harris on guitar, Baker on bass, Vince Montana on vibes, and Leon Huff on piano – and titles include "Please Have Mercy", "Love Is The Key", "We Got To Stay Together", "Make Love To Me", "Do You Understand", and "What About Me". LP, Vinyl record album

Some folks might associate Philadelphia soul with the famous Gamble & Huff productions of the 70s disco years – but the city was already overflowing with great music in the years before Philadelphia International – as you'll hear in this totally groovy set! Philly was making as much great soul music in the 60s as Detroit, Chicago, and New York – thanks to an earlier musical framework that was set up by the city's big pop hits of the late 50s – which provided plenty of labels, studios, and other facilities for Philly's ever-growing array of soul talents, too – so much so that by the end of the 60s, the city was turning into a destination for singers outside of town – almost as much of a musical magnet as studios in Memphis or Muscle Shoals! This set does a great job of bringing together both aspects of that scene – wonderful homegrown talent, mixed with outsiders to really took off in the new Philly sound of the 60s – a joyous, positive, upbeat approach that worked wonderfully well for a variety of artists. Titles include "Your Fool Still Loves You" by Oscar Weathers, "It's All Over But The Shouting" by George Tindley, "You've Been Untrue" by The Delfonics, "Ain't Nothing But A House Party" by The Show Stoppers, "Peace To You Brother" by Lou Johnson, "Christine" by Executive Suite, "Help Me" by Honey & The Bees, "You Got What I Need" by Freddie Scott, "Rainmaker" by The Moods, "Keep On Striving" by Moses Smith, "That's The Price You Have To Pay" by Brenda & The Tabulations, "What You Gave Up" by The Continental 4, "Every Day Is A Holiday" by The Intruders, "Standing In The Darkness" by The Ethics, and "Girl You're Too Young" by Len Barry. CD

A killer early Ace/Kent compilation, put together for the UK 6T's soul club – with work from Candy & The Kisses, Lee Charles, Chuck Jackson, George Tindley, Diane Lewis, Brenton Wood, Jack Montgomery, Honey Bees, Nella Dodds, Johnny Copeland, Big Maybelle, The Esquires, and The Moods! LP, Vinyl record album

As near as we can tell, this wasn't actually recorded live, but features Duke Reid and Coxsone Dodd cuts compiled back to back soundclash style. Top to bottom it makes a great set, of bouncy good time reggae, with 16 tracks in all: Clue J & The Blues Blasters "Milk Lane Hop", Delroy Wilson "Duke & The Sir", Bunny & Scully "Don't Do It", Clue J & The Blues Blasters "Five Minutes On Beeston Street", Owen Gray "Grandma, Grandpa", Rolando & Karl McLaughling "Shocker's Hop", Basil Gabbidon "I'll Find Love", Clue J & The Blues Blasters "Swanee River Rock", Dukies Group "Dukies Cooking", The Skatalites "Twilight Zone", Roland Alphonso "Blackberry Brandy", Bunny, Skita & Count Ossie "Cool Breeze", The Skatalites "What Makes Honey", Duke's Group "Pink Lane Hop", Tommy McCook & The Supersonics "Pink Champain" and Busty & Cool "What A World". CD