A second great set of tunes from the Chicago scene of the early soul years – one that features a number of alternate takes and previously unissued tunes, including a few great numbers by unknown groups! The set was put together by Chicago soul expert Bob Miner – and has a real focus on group obscurities from the end of the doo wop era to the earliest years of Chicago soul. Miner's got a keen eye for the uncommon, and has pulled together a number of tracks from rare singles, acetates, and audition discs. The fidelity is surprisingly good, given the source of many of the materials – and the package is a refreshing change from the oft-compiled bigger hits of the Chicago scene. Titles include "No Greater Thing" and "My Love" by Twilites, "Wait A Minute" by The Kittens, "Honey Hush" and "Money Honey" by The Eagleaires, "Our Love" and "Stormy Weather" by Four Gents, "We Belong Together" by Upsetters, "Chaney" by The Cardinals, "Moments Of Infatuation" by Jackie Bee, "African Twist" by Harold Curington, "This Angel Of Mine" by The Amps, "In The Still Of The Night" by Larry & DuDrops, "Do Do De Dop" and "Can You Explain It" by The Devotions, and "Makin Eyes" by Cookie & The Dedications. 29 tracks in all! CD

The title says it all – as the set's a collection of rare group soul recordings from Chicago, either unreleased recordings by obscure groups, or a few alternate takes of more famous numbers (but we use that term loosely here, as the cuts are all pretty darn rare!) Obviously, the fidelity's not in the 24-bit remaster mode – since lots of these come from rare tapes or acetates – but the set's a wonderful treasure if you're into harmony soul, especially of the Chicago sort! Titles include "Dear Lord" by The Vondells, "I Love That Guy" by The Shel-Raes, "Too Late" by Henry Ford & The Gifts, "Meet Me Halway" by The Condors, "Can't Take It" by The Sheppards, "Everyday Of The Week" by The Springers, "You Ain't Right" by The Nobles, "Darling Don't" by The Medallionaires, "Mtyllt" by The Dream Kings, "Restless Nights" by The Uniques, and "Boy Meets Girl" by The Delprados. CD

Funky soul from Detroit – the second foray into the uber-rare and unreleased funk treasures recorded at Dave Hamilton's Motor City studio – and an even deeper look at what's turning out to be one of the greatest long-buried funk catalogs to come to light in recent years! The collection includes some singles released on Hamilton's own TCB and other imprints, some that were licensed to other labels, plus a wealth of unreleased material. There's straight ahead funk vocals and instrumentals, and numbers that have more of a freewheeling, adventurous vibe – albeit with a raw funk backdrop! Includes numbers by The Deacons, Prophet & His Disciples, Chico & Buddy, Billy Garner, OC Tolbert, Little Ann, Dave Hamilton himself, The Webb People, The Pepper and more. 22 tracks in all: "A Drop In The Bucket" by The Deacons, "You Fool, You Fool Pt 1" by Prophet & His Disciples, "A Thing Called The Jones" by Chico & Buddy, "The Bad Things (You Said To Me)" by The Barrino Brothers, "Ghetto Stride" by Dave Hamilton, "Who" by Jackie Dee, "Love Bandit" by OC Tolbert, "Simon Says' by The Future Kind, "Clap Your Hands" by The Tokays, "I'm Sending Vibrations" by The Webb People and more. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

Funky soul from Detroit – the second foray into the uber-rare and unreleased funk treasures recorded at Dave Hamilton's Motor City studio – and an even deeper look at what's turning out to be one of the greatest long-buried funk catalogs to come to light in recent years! The collection includes some singles released on Hamilton's own TCB and other imprints, some that were licensed to other labels, plus a wealth of unreleased material. There's straight ahead funk vocals and instrumentals, and numbers that have more of a freewheeling, adventurous vibe – albeit with a raw funk backdrop! Includes numbers by The Deacons, Prophet & His Disciples, Chico & Buddy, Billy Garner, OC Tolbert, Little Ann, Dave Hamilton himself, The Webb People, The Pepper and more. 22 tracks in all: "A Drop In The Bucket" by The Deacons, "You Fool, You Fool Pt 1" by Prophet & His Disciples, "A Thing Called The Jones" by Chico & Buddy, "The Bad Things (You Said To Me)" by The Barrino Brothers, "Ghetto Stride" by Dave Hamilton, "Who" by Jackie Dee, "Love Bandit" by OC Tolbert, "Simon Says' by The Future Kind, "Clap Your Hands" by The Tokays, "I'm Sending Vibrations" by The Webb People and more. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD