A dancing soul party, but one that's got a nice sort of focus too – not a completely random collection of cuts, but one that features a fair bit of very early work from Van McCoy, and some great group soul too! Unlike a DJ set in the clubs, the collection's got no problem with mixing together a few tracks in a row by certain artists – which does a great job of compartmentalizing the big run of 25 tracks that make up the set – almost all unusual numbers that really keep things interesting! Titles include "Help Is On The Way", "The Woman Who Made Me A Man", "Ain't Got No Love", "Generation Gap", "Back Tracking", "Just Another Dress Rehearsal", and "If I Could Make You Mine" by Van McCoy; "Appreciation", "Giving Up", and "If She Wants Him" by The Ad-Libs – plus "Funky Drop" by The Soul Suspects, "I'm Stuck On You" and "Merry Christmas Baby" by The Poets, "Hold On Baby" and "It Hurts So Bad" by Sam Hawkins, "I'm Your Love Man" and "If Change Don't Come Soon" by The Lost Souls, "When I Fall In Love" by The Imperial Wonders, and "Ain't It Funny What Love Can Do" by Kenny Young. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

Tremendous work from the mighty Sam Records – a New York indie that was born in the disco generation, but continued to keep great sounds going long after the crash! Sam started in the underground, and always kept a great ear to that scene, even when scoring big with hits – and the label's work often had all the polish of bigger companies, but a bit more bite as well – with all the right elements in all the right places, which has kept its music mighty strong over the years! There's no throwaway trash here, or easy dancefloor cuts – and instead the sound of Sam stays plenty strong from the earliest burst of disco through the big wave of indie club and old school in the early 80s. This massive 3CD package is shaped like a 7" single – and features 36 classic 12" singles and album cuts from Sam – titles that include "Kojak Theme" by John Davis Monster Orchestra, "Dreamin" by Greg Henderson, "Love Magic (disco version)" by John Davis Monster Orchestra, "Woman Of The Ghetto (UK 12" mix)" by Doris Duke, "Just A Groove" by Glen Adams Affair, "Come On Back To Mama" by Wardell Piper, "Begging For More" by Monica Neal, "Gotta Get Outta Here" by Lucy Hawkins, "I Found Love In You" by Rhyze, "Hold On (Jellybean mix)" by Kreamcicle, "This Best Is Mine" by Vicky D, "You Can't Stop (Shep Pettibone mix)" by David McPherson, "Don't Let Go Of Me (Shep Pettibone mix)" by Mike & Brenda Sutton, "Free (disco version)" by Rhyze, "Let's Love Dance Tonight (disco version)" by Gary's Gang, "Behind My Back" by Underground, "Just Let Me Dance (Jim Burgess mix)" by Scandal, "Don't Stop" by KID, "Can You Really See Me" by Sound Troupe, "Keep On Dancing" by Gary's Gang, and "Don't Give Your Love Away (Shep Pettibone mix)" by Steve Shelto. (Funky Compilations, Soul) CD

Ahhh, good ol' Mel & Tim – possibly our favorite soul duo ever, and a really dynamic pair that carve some great new territory away from the path set by Sam & Dave! The album's a bit of a comeback for the duo, as you'd guess from the title – even though it was only recorded a few years after their initial work for the Bamboo label. There's a stylistic shift that marks a second chapter in the Mel & Tim groove – as they move away from the New York uptown sound, and go for more of a gritty southern sound – thanks to help from producer/arrangers Barry Beckett and Roger Hawkins. The set list is filled with loads of great southern soul tunes – penned by composers who include Phillip Mitchell, Isaac Hayes, Dan Penn, and Homer Banks – on the titles "Heaven Knows", "Wrap It Up", "Don't Mess With My Money My Honey Or My Woman", "Carry Me", and a great cover of "I'm Your Puppet". LP, Vinyl record album

A really unique album from the great Etta Jones – a session recorded down in Muscle Shoals, and not in Chicago – a setting that gives James an extra sort of deep soul power! The backing is nicely different than some of the other Chess material – killer work from the legendary Fame Studios lineup that included Barry Beckett on organ, Charles Chalmers on tenor, and Roger Hawkins on drums – all coming together with the great Rick Hall at the production helm! Etta's back in hard-belting R&B-tinged territory here – a bit more sophisticated than the 50s, with a good mix of hard soul numbers and ballads, opening up in some southern territory that really suits her well. Titles include "The Same Rope", "Watch Dog", "Tell Mama", "I'd Rather Go Blind", "Just A Little Bit", and "Don't Lose Your Good Thing". CD adds a whopping 10 bonus tracks to include other material recorded by Etta for the album – issued only on singles during the 60s, or never issued until this CD. Additional tracks include "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man", "Misty", "I've Gone Too Far", "You Took It", "I Worship The Ground You Walk On", and "You Got It". CD

A really unique album from the great Etta Jones – a session recorded down in Muscle Shoals, and not in Chicago – a setting that gives James an extra sort of deep soul power! The backing is nicely different than some of the other Chess material – killer work from the legendary Fame Studios lineup that included Barry Beckett on organ, Charles Chalmers on tenor, and Roger Hawkins on drums – all coming together with the great Rick Hall at the production helm! Etta's back in hard-belting R&B-tinged territory here – a bit more sophisticated than the 50s, with a good mix of hard soul numbers and ballads, opening up in some southern territory that really suits her well. Titles include "The Same Rope", "Watch Dog", "Tell Mama", "I'd Rather Go Blind", "Just A Little Bit", and "Don't Lose Your Good Thing". LP, Vinyl record album