A sweet 70s classic from Roberta Flack – recorded with a mellow jazzy undercurrent that really fits the spirit of the title! The set's a bit more varied in moods than some of Flack's previous Atlantic efforts – showing a stretching of wings from Roberta, but still very much in some righteous territory overall – given that Eugene McDaniels is overseeing the record on production. Arrangements are by Harry Whittaker, Hugh McCrackin, Leon Pendarvis, and Roberta herself – and instrumentation is warmly electric, yet never too slick to wash away the deeper soul of Flack's vocals. Titles include "The Closer I Get To You", "Why Don't You Move In With Me", "Love Is The Healing", "Soul Deep", "Where I'll Find You", "25th Of Last December", "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", and "Fine Fine Day". CD

Roberta Flack at her most masterful – balancing righteous soul at it's most spiritually resonant and more mainstream accessible melodies – from her classic years at Atlantic when she was forging a whole new sound that was a unique blend of soul, jazz, and spiritualism. Each of Roberta's preceding albums on Atlantic were increasingly incredible – and this one caps of a pretty incredible late 60s to early 70s run of top quality work. Includes the ever-fresh title cut, remade later by The Fugees in a version that cemented it's status with the next generation – plus a great version Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne", "River", "No Tears (In The End)", "I'm The Girl", "When You Smile" and "Conversation Love". CD

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What can we say? We've heard this one a million times, it sold over a million copies – but it's still incredible! The record is Roberta's first, and it features her in a mellow trio format, augmented by some occasional larger arrangements by William Fischer. At most points, though, the sound is incredibly spare – with vocals that are much more soulful than any of Roberta's other records, and a sound that hints at Nina Simone, but which has it's own jazzy groove and deep sense of feeling. Includes the classic funky version of "Compared To What", plus "Angelitos Negros", "Our Ages Our Our Hearts", and "Tryin Times". LP, Vinyl record album

Mindblowing work from Roberta Flack – an album that should be in the collection of any fan of righteous soul music! Forget all the wimpier modes of Flack's later years – because here, the young Roberta is a vision of positive power and spiritual soul – a singer with roots in jazz, which helps to transform some of the album's very surprising song choices – and a depth and sensitivity that goes way past the usual female soul modes of the time. Donny Hathaway handled half the arrangements for the record – a perfect choice for Flack – and Deodato handles the other, with some large arrangements that still have just the right sort of gentleness to go with her voice. Titles include a version of "Reverend Lee", penned by Eugene Daniels – and the great "Gone Away", written by Curtis Mayfield, Leroy Hutson, and Hathaway – plus the tracks "Just Like A Woman", "Do What You Gotta Do", "Business Goes On As Usual", and "Until It's Time For You To Go". CD

Wayne Davis' moody soul record for the Black Fire label. A strange mix of styles with a spiritual edge and a trans-genre feel to it. Not totally jazzy like the Oneness of Juju records for the label, but not really a soul record either. Sort of in the vein of Roberta Flack or Les McCann's soul jazz stuff from the early 70s, with touch of DC. righteousness to it. Tracks include "Strive On and Be Strong", "The Garden", "Look at the People!", and Al Johnson's "Dawn of a New Day". CD

Wayne Davis' moody soul record for the Black Fire label. A strange mix of styles with a spiritual edge and a trans-genre feel to it. Not totally jazzy like the Oneness of Juju records for the label, but not really a soul record either. Sort of in the vein of Roberta Flack or Les McCann's soul jazz stuff from the early 70s, with touch of DC. righteousness to it. Tracks include "Strive On and Be Strong", "The Garden", "Look at the People!", and Al Johnson's "Dawn of a New Day". LP, Vinyl record album

Culled from the rich history of the Atlantic records label, and lovingly put together with great notes and everything! 18 tracks inall, including "The Ghetto" by Donny Hathaway, "Turn Back The Hands Of Time" by Tyrone Davis, "Compared To What" by Les McCann & Eddie Harris, "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" and "Rock Steady" by Aretha Franklin, "Groove Me" by King Floyd, "Patches" by Clarence Carter, "Funky Nassau (parts 1 & 2)" by the Beginning Of The End, "Thin Line Between Love & Hate" by the Persuaders, "You've Got A Friend" and "Where Is The Love?" by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway, "Clean Up Woman" by Betty Wright, "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love", "Mighty Love" and "I'll Be Around" by the Spinners, "Killing Me Softly" and "Feel Like Makin' Love" by Roberta Flack and "Love Won't Let Me Wait" by Major Harris. CD

This one was kind of Motown's answer to the Wattstax albums – a double live set, recorded in Chicago during the Push Expo, headed by Jesse Jackson. The tracks here are more of a mixed bag than some of those on the deeper soul Wattstax albums, but there are some nice moments overall, buried in the large mix of music and artists – many of whom didn't normally record for Motown. The tunes are familiar, but they're presented here in some nicely different live takes. Titles include "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers, "Country Preacher" by Cannonball Adderley, "This Child Of Mine" by Zulema, "Everybody Plays The Fool" by Main Ingredient, "Give Me Your Love" by Curtis Mayfield, "I've Gotta Be Me" by Sammy Davis Jr, "I Wanna Be Where You Are" by The Jackson 5, "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye, "Close To You" by Jerry Butler & Brenda Lee Eager, "On A Clear Day/Killer Joe" by Roberta Flack & Quincy Jones, and "Sunshine" by The O'Jays. Also features some dialogue by Jesse Jackson. LP, Vinyl record album

A classic overview of the too-short career of 70s soul genius Donny Hathaway – issued by Atlantic Records right after Donny was taken from us all too soon! There's a really nice mix of tracks here – album cuts and singles, and tunes that show both the farther reaches of sophisticated soul that Hathaway was opening up, mixed with his great ear for a catchy tune! Titles include the wonderful funky instrumental "Valdez In The Country", the seminal holiday tune "This Christmas", and classics "The Ghetto", "Giving Up", "Someday We'll All Be Free", "A Song For You", and "You Were Meant For Me" – plus duets with Roberta Flack on "You've Got A Friend" and "Where Is The Love". LP, Vinyl record album

A very hip record of vocal tracks – done in the same sort of spiritual soul style that Les introduced on Roberta Flack's first album, and which was also showing up on some of Donny Hathaway's work for Atlantic. While the record is not on of McCann's funkiest, it more than makes up for that with the well-conceived vocal performances – especially on the tracks that feature arrangements by William S Fischer. Titles include "What I Call Soul", "How Many Broken Wings", "Can't We Be Strangers Again", "Comment", and "Baby Baby". CD

Pure genius from Donny Hathaway – a 70s soul giant who burned brightly for just a few years, then was taken away from us all too soon! In our book, Donny is every bit a giant of the decade as Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield – and you'll hear work here that easily matches the best of both, topped with some of the musical complexity that made Hathaway such a budding talent in the studio – ready to give his gifts to so many, and be shared with the world! Every cut's a gem – and titles include "The Ghetto", "Giving Up", "Someday We'll Be Free", "To Be Young Gifted & Black", "A Song For You", "What's Going On", and "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" – as well as Hathaway's Holiday classic "This Christmas" – maybe the tune that most people know the best. Also features famous duets with Roberta Flack on "Where Is The Love", "The Closer I Get To You", "You've Got A Friend", "Back Together Again", and "You Are My Heaven". LP, Vinyl record album