Covers from Dave Koz, Dianne Reeves, Richard Elliot, Eliane Elias, Ray Barretto, Earl Klug, Stanley Turrentine, Charlie Hunter, John Patton , Everett Harp and Bobbi Humphrey. (Jazz, Vocalists) CD

Bobby Darin's last studio LP? We think so – and the record's a real lost chapter in his career. Bobby's kind of moving past the self-pity of his folksy years of the late 60s – stepping more strongly with a set of arrangements by Jimmy Haskell and Michael O'Martin, almost soul-like in quality, with an earthy touch to his vocals. Bobby always knew he would die an early death, and within a year of this one, he would pass away, almost quietly, and although it's a bit of a stretch to think that you can hear that in his voice, there's definitely something odd about the record. Tracks include "Sail Away", "I've Already Stayed Too Long", "Shipmates In Cheyenne", "Let It Be Me", and "My First Night Alone Without You". LP, Vinyl record album

A surprisingly charming album from Scatman Crothers – recorded during his big comeback stretch in the 70s! Although Scatman's role during this time was often reduced to being the colorful old guy in an assortment of comedies and action films, he'd actually had quite a bit of experience as a singer – a rich history drawn on for this traditionally grooved set! The album was recorded for Motown, but echoes with an older mode that belies Crothers' work on an older west coast scene – with jazzy arrangements that have a nice swing based feel that goes great with the raspy, playful lyrics. Titles include "Hay Lawdy Mama", "I'm The Melody Man", "Dead Man's Blues", "Waiting For My Baby", and "Wondering". (Soul, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

Easily Barbara's most soulful set for Motown – recorded at the end of the 60s with a joyous, bouncy groove that's really sweet! Barbara's still got some of the more serious vocal approaches of other albums, but also loosens up here in a well-crafted Motown mode – almost setting the stage for the solo recordings of Diana Ross on a few of the album's numbers. Titles include "Who Invented Heartache", "Where Would I Be Without You", "When I'm Gone", "If You Can Want", "Just One Teardrop", and "It Happens Every Time". (Soul, Vocalists) LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A real discovery in music – previously unreleased material recorded by Diana Ross in 1972 – all done in a jazz-based vein! The album was done after Diana's appearance in Lady Sings The Blues, and follows in a clear Billie Holiday-inspired approach to American standards – one that has Gil Askey providing some gently jazzy backings, and Ross singing in a style that's sad and mellow enough to fit the "blue" in the title! Why Motown never issued this one at the time is a real mystery to us – because the record is really wonderful, and a needed deepening of Diana's talents from the time. Plus, given that the whole record was never "finished off" in the 70s, there's a laidback, almost slightly rough quality to the whole thing – presenting Ross in a more earnest interpretation of the mode than might have been the case if it was slicked up for the charts. Titles include "What A Difference A Day Makes", "No More", "Let's Do It", "Smile", "But Beautiful", "Had You Been Around", "Little Girl Blue", and "Love Is Here To Stay". CD also features 4 bonus tracks – "Easy Living", "Solitude", "He's Funny That Way", and "T'Aint Nobody's Business If I Do". (Soul, Vocalists) CD

A record that has a Motown hit for its title, but the album's got a depth that marks Bennett as one of the most complex singers of his generation – way past the broad belter of ballads from the 50s, and an all-adult male vocalist whose sound was essential to the sophistication of the mainstream in the late 60s. Many tunes are standards, given lush arrangements by Torrie Zito and Marion Evans – sung by Tony with that deep voice that nobody else could ever hope to match! Titles include "Out Of This World", "For Once In My Life", "How Do You Say Auf Wiedersehen", "Keep Smiling At Trouble", "Baby Dream Your Dream", "Days Of Love", and "Something In Your Smile". LP, Vinyl record album

2 early 70s sessions from Billy Eckstine – both recorded for Stax Records! First up is Senior Soul – a well-titled set not only given Billy's age, but also because of the surprisingly soulful undercurrent to the record – an extension into the genre even greater than Eckstine's previous recordings for Motown – and proof that he was really trying to stretch out towards new audiences at the time! Artie Butler handled the backings, and he uses a groove that's pretty full, but never overwhelming – more ebullient soul than some of Eckstine's more familiar jazz – with backing vocals and bright horns, yet still plenty of space for Billy to do his thing. The best numbers have Eckstine coming across with the 70s cool of Grady Tate on his vocal sides – and titles include "Thank You For The Moment", "A Song For You", "A Man Who Sings", "Today Was Tomorrow Yesterday", "I Believe In Music", and "Living Like A Gypsy". If She Walked Into My Life is extremely compelling stuff – and you've really got to give Billy credit for reinventing himself like this! The album features Billy's deep deep voice amidst arrangements by Artie Butler, Jimmy Jones, Mike Melvoin, and Billy Byers – sort of a blend of Grady Tate sophisti-jazz, and Scott Walker baroque, with a moody mellow sound that would make either of them proud. Titles include "The Taste Of My Tears", "I Am Yours", "Maybe This Time", "The Very Thought Of You", and "All In Love Is Fair". (Soul, Vocalists) CD