A host of southern soul tracks – all presented here in versions that have never been issued before – as they're all the original takes of the tunes that were first tone for Ace Records of Mississippi! You'll recognize a few of these tunes, which sound different in the earlier takes – and there's also plenty of other more obscure numbers you won't know at all – served up in modes that bridge the New Orleans soul and deeper Mississippi music that Ace did so well at the end of the 50s. CD features 24 tracks in all – and titles include "I Was Wrong" by Roland Cook, "Can't Let You Go" by Albert Scott, "Heaven Came Down" by Calvin Spears, "Mr Blues" by Joe & Ann, "I Know" by Bobby Marchan, "Blessed Are These Tears" by Joe Tex, "Gee Baby" by Joe & Ann, "Yes I Got You" by Chuck Carbo, "Honey Honey" by The Supremes, "Teenage Rock" by Little Booker, and "My Love Is Strong" by Earl King. CD

There was plenty of influence from soul bubbling under in the world of rock during the 70s – but given that Rare Earth were one of the first to do such a blend so well, they're clearly ahead of the pack on a record like this! The style's a bit of a shift from their previous efforts with Norman Whitfield, but they still retain that sense of fullness that really makes the group sound so great – a mode that, early on, they could convey through rock instrumentation tilted towards soulful expression – and which here comes across with some well-done fuller arrangements that manage to avoid both the too-familiar modes of the disco and AOR material of the time. Titles include "Maybe The Magic", "Mota Molata", "Dreamer", "Love Do Me Right", "Warm Ride", "Love Music", and "Love Is What You Get". (Rock, Soul) CD

A great second adventure from Dynasty – the kind of set that shows why the group went on to become one of the strongest things going in the second chapter of the Solar Records soul empire from LA! The album begins with a rock-solid punch, then continues strongly throughout – basslines, guitar riffs, and funky drums all right on the money – used in a way that's somehow fresher than most of the larger funk groups of the time – and with a nice balance between mellower moments that still seem to have a gentle kind of groove. The energy is wonderful throughout – and titles include "Give It Up For Love", "Love In The Fast Lane", "Revenge", "Here I Am", "A Man In Love", and "You're My Angel". CD features bonus tracks – the previously unreleased "Mustang Movin On", plus single versions of "Here I Am" and "Love In The Fast Lane". CD

Sweet beats and plenty of grooves – an 80s funk classic from Midnight Star, and one that seems to have the group picking up a bit of energy from the hip hop scene as well! The album's still got the electro soul vibe of previous records, but maybe is even beat-heavier overall – almost showcasing a style that would later emerge as new jack in the hands of some younger artists within the next few years – but still perfect for the kind of playful interplay that made the Midnight groove so great! Titles include "Midas Touch", "Stay Here By My Side", "Close To Midnight", "Searching For Love", "Close Encounter", "Dead End", "Get Dressed", "Engine No 9", and "Headlines". CD

Sweet percolated soul from Suave – a singer who makes plenty of use of the new beats that were bubbling up in contemporary R&B – all to give his music a nicely crackling edge! The record's a great step forward from some of the clunkier 80s efforts of its style – in part because hip hop production had shifted into more sophisticated territory, which was also having an effect on mainstream soul – maybe not in a De La or Tribe sort of way, but certainly tying American work like this to some of the hipper currents of British soul. Titles include "Perfect", "Foolin Around", "Dog Me Out", "Got Me Goin", "Special Lady", "Shadows Of Time", "One & Only Lover", "Rocked Your Boots", and "Forever & A Day". CD

There's enough chest hair on the cover of this one to carpet the inside of any custom van – but the record's a fair bit better than you might guess from its image! The set's an outing as a leader by disco maestro Paul Sabu – one that features plenty of the riffing guitar he brought to other disco sessions of the late 70s – spun out over some relatively extended tracks that step along in a very clubby mode! Other instrumentation includes keyboards, bass, and lots of the percussion that made Sabu productions great for other artists – and even though Paul sings a bit, his vocals are mostly compressed down into the rhythms pretty strongly. Titles include "You're Mine Forever", "Loose Lucy Is On The Loose", "I Wanna Feel It In My Heart", "We're Gonna Rock", and "Rocking Rolling Disco King". And note: this isn't the same guy as Sabu Martinez, the conga player! CD

Love for Love, but still a pretty groove-heavy set too – one that continues the mix of "dancin and romancin" The Whispers served up on their previous album! Side one is heavy on "dancin" – and features some bass-heavy tunes that are very much in the best mainstream LA soul modes of the time – production by the group and Leon Sylvers, all in a sound that's heavy on basslines and keyboards, but which still has harmonies that are way ahead of most of the group's younger contemporaries! These harmonies come into play even more strongly on the "romancin" side of the record – a batch of ballads that have The Whispers in the mellower territory that first got them started – updated slightly here with an early 80s soul vibe, but sung with proof that the quintet were still at the top of the harmony game. Titles include "Tonight", "Keep On Lovin Me", "This Time", "Had It Not Been For You", "Try It Again", "Lay It On Me", and "Keep Your Love Around". CD features bonus tracks – "Tonight (single)", "Keep On Lovin Me (single)", and "This Time (single)". CD