An overlooked 70s gem from the great Jose Feliciano – a set that really continues the warm soul styles he'd hit on his last few years at RCA – a wonderful blend for his unique vocals and his tremendous way of putting over a tune! The set was recorded down at Muscle Shoals, but it's got a nicely subtle approach that never tries to lean on the modes of that studio too strongly – avoiding some of the cliches that other records might showcase in such a setting – and throughout it all, it's clear that Jose's the star in the spotlight, using that warmly crackling vocal approach in a wonderful way – especially on the more upbeat modern soul moments. Titles include "Every Woman", "Marguerita", "Loving Her Was Easier", "Sweet Soul Music", "I Love Making Love To You", "Love Comes From Unexpected Places", and "Funny/Night Life". CD features the bonus track "What I Wanna Do". (Rock, Soul) CD

An obscure 70s album from the great Jose Feliciano – a set that was originally done as soundtrack material for an equally obscure film – Aaron Loves Angela – one that mixes Jose's more intimate style with some fuller backings from the disco generation! Barry Fasman handled the charts on most of the tracks – and the instrumentation features some nice larger touches, but with sharp instrumentation that even includes work from Willie Bobo on a few cuts too! Jose is fantastic vocally – able to come across with a wonderful sense of soul, which is often matched by some beautiful guitar work as well. Titles include "Angela", "Michelangelo", "Why", "Nirvana", "Sweet Street", "I've Got A Feeling", and "Salsa Negra". (Rock, Soul) CD

(Rock, Soul) CD

(Rock, Soul) CD

Amazing sounds from the legendary Rodriguez – the brilliant 70s singer who had a groove that was equal parts soul, funk, rock, and folk – and an overall approach that was pretty darn unique! Most numbers here have some acoustic guitar over slightly funky rhythms – perfectly scored to work with Rodriguez's raspy soul vocals, which have an undeniably heartfelt style – somewhere in a space between Terry Callier and early Jose Feliciano, but very much its own mode too! This CD features great gems from Rodriguez's years at Sussex Records – including three tracks not on the albums – "Can't Get Away", "Street Boy", and "I'll Slip Away" – plus other titles that include "Sugar Man", "Cause", "I Wonder", "Like Janis", "Jane S Piddy", "I Think Of You", "Inner City Blues", and "Sandrevan Lullaby Lifestyles". CD

The last full album recorded by Minnie Riperton before she left our planet all too soon – and a killer batch of work that really has us wondering how great the world of soul music would have been, had Minnie stuck around to keep on growing into the 80s and 90s! The set's filled with the kind of all-star help that Riperton always seemed to attract over the years – strong contributions from Minnie's longtime fan/friend Stevie Wonder, plus work from Phil Upchurch, Jose Feliciano, Hubert Laws, Harvey Mason, Tom Scott, and many others – all helped out by Minnie and her partner/producer, the great Richard Rudolph – whose connection to Riperton can always be felt in the music. Titles include the great track "Memory Lane", which gets endless airplay here in Chicago, plus the beautiful ballad "Never Existed Before", and the cuts "I'm A Woman", "Lover & Friend", and "Return To Forever". CD