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A massive collection of work from Patti Labelle – one that features solo recordings, sides with Labelle, and famous duets – all in a 2CD, 30 track package that even features some previously unreleased cuts! The label-hopping effort offers up a true picture of Patti's greatness at all levels – and the bonus tracks make it well worth having, even if you've got some of these gems on other sources. Unreleased tracks include "Mean Ol Man's World", "Release The Tension (disco version)", and "Last Dance"; solo tracks include "Somebody Loves You Baby", "My Love Sweet Love", "Over The Rainbow", "Music Is My Way Of Life", "Joy To Have Your Love", "New Attitude", "If Only You Knew", and "The Spirit's In It"; Labelle tracks include "Moonshadow", "Last Dance", "Lady Marmalade", "You Turn Me On", "Messin With My Mind", and "What Can I Do For You". CD

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A late 70s gem from Patti Labelle! Although the album's recorded right in the height of the disco years, Patti's really shining on the mellower cuts – hitting a serious soulful side that shows that her move to a solo act really let her move into more sophisticated material. There are definitely some dance tracks like "Music Is My Life" but the real highlights are mellow tunes like "What'cha Doing To Me" and "You & Me". Other titles include "It's Alright With Me", "Love & Learn", "My Best Was Good Enough", and "Deliver The Funk". This remastered Big Break UK edition includes 3 bonus tracks: single versions of "It's Alright With Me" and "Music Is My Way Of Life", plus an instrumental version of the latter. CD

An all-Atlantic Records volume of this excellent series from Ace Records – one that features rare singles from the 60s that go way past the label's familiar hits – including a good blend of soul tracks, sweet harmonies, and rare rockers we never would have heard otherwise! The collection offers up the strong focus on mid 60s female work that you'll find in previous volumes – but there's also some harder edges here, given the Atlantic approach – and the tracks run the gamut from New York numbers to Motorcity sounds, and even some west coast gems! The package features 26 tracks in all – and titles include "In Paradise" by The Cookies, "Everybody Dance" by Lydia Marcelle, "The Beating Of My Heart" by The Dorelles, "Friday Kind Of Monday" by The Meantime, "Lovin Valentine" by April Stevens, "Rhapsody" by Tamiko, "A Groovy Kind Of Love" by Patti Labelle & The Bluebelles, "Tomorrow Is Another Day" by Doris Troy, "Devil In The Dark" by The Goodnight Kisses, and "Wise Guys" by Shirley Matthews & The Big Town Girls. CD

Smooth Gladys from later years – working without The Pips, but showing the world that she's still got a heck of a lot to offer! Includes duets with Dionne Warwick, Patti Labelle, and David Peaston – and a track list that includes "Men", "Meet Me In The Middle", "Mr Love", "Waiting On You", "In This Life", "Good Woman", "Give Me A Chance", "Superwoman", and "Where Would I Be". CD

One of the biggest sides of the Chicago Steppers scene is its particular fascination with rare and obscure remixes of tracks that might be known better in other formats. The DJs and dancers on the scene are often paying top dollar in the city's stores for import 12" singles, promotional copies, and other sources of hard to find versions of bigger songs. This set in the DJ Jams series brings together 13 tracks that illustrate that trend, most of them from the 80s and 90s, and encompassing the range of modern soul that permates the ever-growing Steppers scene. Titles include "Can't Get Over You (rmx)" by Maze, "Head Over Heels (rmx)" by T. Terry, "Please Say You'll Be Mine" by The Dramatics, "You Bring Me Up (rmx)" by KCI & Jojo, "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up (rmx)" by Lisa Stansfield, "Stars In Your Eyes" by Herbie Hancock, "Brown Sugar (rmx)" by D'Angelo, and "When You Talk About Love (rmx)" by Patti Labelle. CD

A dozen songs from Con Funk Shun, Dynamic Superiors, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, The Originals, L.T.D., Barry White, Lenny Williams, Atlantic Starr, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, and Lionel Richie. CD

59 tracks of classic soul – in a sweet velvet-covered case! Music from MFSB, James Brown, BB King, Al Green, the Staple Singers, the O Jays, the Pointer Sisters, Aretha Franklin, LTD, Teddy Pendergrass, Kool & the Gang, Stephanie Mills, Patti Labelle, Kool Moe Dee, MC Hammer, Naughty By Nature and more. CD