Lost funky work from one of the soulful sisters of Aretha Franklin! Erma's got a hard-hitting style that's right up there with Aretha's best for Atlantic – and on this album, she's working in Chicago with Johnny Pate, Sonny Sanders, and Willie Henderson – for a harder-hitting sound than her famous sis, really in the groove with the best of Brunswick from the late 60s! There's as much funk on the record as there is the deep soul you'd expect from the Franklin family, and Erma's vocals are incredible – equally at home with the original tracks on the record, as well as some late 60s hits that are nicely soulized by the boys in the band! Titles include "Hold On I'm Coming", "Baby I Love You", "Light My Fire", "You've Been Cancelled", "Can't See My Way", and "Gotta Find Me A Lover". CD features five bonus tracks – including "Whispers", "It Could've Been Me", "I Just Don't Need You", "Higher & Higher", and "I Get The Sweetest Feelin". CD

Aretha Arrives in great style – and a mixture between her earlier vocal jazz years at Columbia, and her later southern soul sides of the 60s! Arif Mardin is already arranging Aretha's work at this point, and the backing group includes southern soul studio giants like Spooner Oldham, Tommy Cogbill, and Roger Hawkins – but there's also a number of tracks that have mellow strings and horns by Ralph Burns, very much in the lush style of Burns' work for other vocalists – and a bit different than some of Franklin's other Atlantic work. The Sweet Inspirations back up Aretha on "Ain't Nobody (Gonna Turn Me Around)", and a few other tracks feature backings by sisters Erma and Carolyn – who are always a welcome addition! Titles include "Prove It", "Never Let Me Go", "I Wonder", "Going Down Slow", and "Night Life". CD

A sweet overview of the Van McCoy songbook from the early 60s to early 70s – and a stellar compilation from Ace Records – a label that's gone above and beyond in its efforts to shine a light on the songwriters and producers behind some of most moving songs of the era! The breadth ofMcCoy's talent is pretty amazing, all the more so given his huge disco era hit "The Hustle", a world away from the soaringly emotional soul songs he penned for top shelf singers like Betty Everett, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Nancy Wilson, Donny Hathaway, Erma Franklin, Jerry Butler and more – many of the best of which are compiled here! 24 tracks in all: "I Got The Sweetest Feeling" by Erma Franklin, "Getting Mighty Crowded" by Betty Everett, "Baby I'm Yours" by Barbara Lewis, "Sotp And Get A Hold Of Myself" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, "So Soon" by Aretha Franklin, "Giving Up" by Donny Hathaway, "Nothing Worse Than Being Alone" by The Ad Libs, "I've Lost You" by Jackie Wilson and many more. CD

Sublime female soul from one of the hippest labels we can think of – a company who was always taking a chance, always trying something new, and always willing to give exposure to some great new artists! This cool collection is definitely the best side of Brunswick Records on the Chicago scene – as it features a few better-known singers, mixed with lots more artists who never issued a full album for the label – but who cut some wonderful singles that are even better than some of the imprint's bigger hits! There's a stunning array of greatness here – from sweet soul numbers that lope along in a warm groove, to badass tracks that have a funkier vibe – all handled by the usual top-shelf talents that made bigger Brunswick artists so strong. Titles include "My Baby's Gone Away" by Shirley Karol, "Walk On My Side" by Jackie Ross, "Caution" by September, "Love Is" by The Promises, "Where Do You Go" by Lyn Roman, "Raining Teardrops" by The Demures, "It Hurts To See You Happy" by Sylvia St Claire, "What Kind Of Girl" by Demetriss Trapp, "What Did I Do" by The Sweethearts, "Memories & A Broken Heart" by Linda Hopkins, "The One Who Really Loves You" by Sugar Pie De Santo, "Love Had To Be You" by Jean Shy, "That's What You Are To Me" by Tracie Robbins, "The 3rd Movement" by Sunni Nash, and "Higher & Higher" by Erma Franklin. CD

An excellent bit of spacey funk from Julian Priester – the Chicago hardbop trombonist who grooved mightily in the late 50s and early 60s with the likes of Sun Ra and Max Roach, but who here is reemerging as a 70s electric funk maestro, in the lineage of Herbie Hancock. Here, he's working with the Pepo Mtoto band – which includes west coast soul jazz luminaries like Henry Franklin, Hadley Caliman, Bayete, Ndugu Chancler, and Pat Gleeson, who adds some wonderful moog and Arp to the set. Tracks are long and spacey, with a building funky groove that's inspired countless acts over the past decade – not the least of which has been Chicago's own Isotope! Titles include "Love, Love", "Images", "Eternal Worlds", and "Epilogue". CD

Includes music from the Carpenters, Perry Como, BJ Thomas, Aretha Franklin, the Shirelles, the Drifters, Tom Jones, Gene McDaniels, Tommy Hunt, the Searchers, Bobby Vinton, Chuck Jackson, Dusty Springfield, Jack DeShannon, Cilla Black & more. CD

An unusual overseas date – with Henry Franklin on bass and Michael Carvin on drums – and a nice reading of Carvin's tune "The Camel"! Also features guest tenor from Dexter Gordon on one track. CD