100 Track Classic Soul Compilation....If You Were The DJ

[visuals]

Over the years many times, I have put together carefully picked selections from the archives of my collection to create my own mixes. While I use the term "mixes" here very loosely, I want to clarify my reasoning for the bonafide dj's & ex-airwave jockeys out there that may be inclined to use this list as a reason to pick and peck the hell out of every mistake they may find in terms of the technical disc jockey jargon...bpm,track order and pitch have never been considered important to me simply because I have never been a dj. I do however, feel that tracks should be compiled in such a manner as to create a seamless continuation of songs that when played; All fit into the mix without anything sounding extravagant that will destroy the natural flow & tempo of the overall mix.

Here, I have selected a few favorites from my collection to be used in creating the compilation but have purposely included tracks that may or may not nessesarily go along well with the others. Bear in mind that these 100 tracks are great tunes in their own right and I absolutely love each and every one of them. Since we all have different tastes, Pick out the tracks that you feel don't belong (15 max) and for every one that you subtract, Add one of your own favorites in it's place.

Keep in mind that the tracks listed are not in any particular order, Derive from different eras (roughly between 1969-early 80's) and least importantly, Have been selected from original uncut full-length album versions as I am not a fan of greatest hits,best of's or anthology cd's. I admit that the only reasons that I bought the few that I do own are:

a) The artist's catalogue is extremely limited
b) I was totally new to the artist and wanted to explore their material
c) The artist were basically one/two hit wonders and instead of buying the weak original albums, I shot for the best of/greatest hits cd with the hopes of finding a few sleeper tracks.

===Classic Soul Mix===

1.The Dells - Oh, What A Night
2.The Dells - The Love We Had Stays On My Mind
3.The Dramatics - I Dedicate My Life To You
4.The Dramatics - Stop Your Weeping
5.The Dramatics - Door To Your Heart
6.The Dramatics - Can't Get Over You
7.The Dramatics - Be My Girl
8.The Main Ingredient - Just Don't Want To Be Lonely
9.The Main Ingredient - Let Me Prove My Love To You
10.Bloodstone - Never Let You Go
11.Enchantment - My Rose
12.Enchantment - It's You That I Need
13.Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - To Be True
14.Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Weak For You
15.Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - I Miss You
16.The Ojays - You And Me
17.The Ojays - She's Only A Woman
18.The Ojays - You Got Your Hooks In Me
19.The Ebonys - It's Forever
20.The Ebonys - You're The Reason Why
21.The Ebonys - I'll Try
22.Blue Magic - What's Come Over Me
23.Blue Magic - Stop To Start
24.Dynamic Superiors - Shoe Shoe Shine
25.The Stylistics - Let's Put It All Together
26.The Stylistics - You're As Right As Rain
27.The Moments - I Do
28.The Moments - With You
29.New Birth - Wildflower
30.New Birth - Dream Merchant
31.Cameo - Why Have I Lost You
32.Donny Hathaway - You Were Meant For Me
33.Isley Brothers - It's Too Late
34.Isley Brothers - Highways Of My Life
35.Isley Brothers - Lover's Eve
36.Isley Brothers - Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
37.Manhattans - I Wanna Dance To A Love Song
38.Manhattans - There's No Me Without You
39.Barry White - Hard To Believe That I Found You
40.Barry White - I Can't Believe That You Love Me
41.Barry White - Let Me Live My Life Loving You
42.Isaac Hayes - You're In My Arms Again
43.Isaac Hayes - Help Me Love
44.Isaac Hayes - I Stand Accused
45.The Bar-Kays - Your Good Thing Is About To End
46.The Bar-Kays - Mean Mistreater
47.Leroy Hutson - When You Smile
48.Leroy Hutson - I Do, I Do Love You
49.The Floaters - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
50.The Floaters - I'm So Glad I Took My Time
51.The Spinners - He'll Never Love You Like I Do
52.The Spinners - Love Don't Love Nobody
53.William Devaughn - Let's Kiss And Make Up
54.The Delfonics - Break Your Promise
55.The Delfonics - Over And Over
56.The Delfonics - Somebody Loves You Girl
57.Smokey Robinson - The Agony & The Ecstacy
58.Iceman Jerry Butler - Since I Lost You Lady
59.Iceman Jerry Butler - No Money Down
60.Rose Royce - Ooh Boy
61.Rose Royce - I'm Going Down
62.Millie Jackson - If Loving You Is Wrong
63.Aretha Franklin - Something He Can Feel
64.Aretha Franklin - Look Into Your Heart
65.Patti Drew - Tell Him
66.Minnie Ripperton - Inside My Love
67.Betty Wright - Let Me Go Down
68.High Energy - You Can't Turn Me Off
69.Sister Sledge - You're A Friend To Me
70.L.T.D - Love Ballad
71.L.T.D - Concentrate On You
72.L.T.D - Where Did We Go Wrong
73.Syl Johnson - That's Just My Luck
74.Syl Johnson - Could I Be Falling In Love With You
75.Sylvia - Pillow Talk
76.The Intruders - Friends No More
77.The Originals - I'll Wait For You
78.The Originals - The Bells
79.Marvin Gaye - Distant Lover
80.Marvin Gaye - I Want You
81.Marvin Gaye - Everybody Needs Love
82.Ted Taylor - How's Your Love Life Baby
83.Michael Henderson - Valentine Love
84.Michael Henderson - Take Me I'm Yours
85.Walter Jackson - And If I Had
86.Ronnie Laws - Every Generation
87.Debra & Ronnie Laws - Very Special
88.Force MD's - Tears
89.Tavares - She's Gone
90.Tavares - Hardcore Poetry
91.Chi-Lites - The Coldest Days Of My Life
92.Chi-Lites - Letter To Myself
93.Garland Green - Jealous Kind Of Fella
94.Jimmy Lewis - It Ain't What's On The Woman
95.Luther Ingram - If Loving You Is Wrong
96.The Controllers - Somebody's Gotta Win
97.The Controllers - Heaven Is Just A Step Away
98.Blue Magic - Spell
99.Billy Paul - Let's Make A Baby
1**.Willie Hutch - I Choose You

[eddie]

As you probably know, this is my primary area of collecting!! Excellent taste!! Pretty much the same as mine. :icon_mrgreen: I wouldn't include anything by Jimmy Lewis or Ted Taylor as I'm not really a fan of their music. :icon_neutral: But Walter Jackson could sing the phonebook for me.

One Dells track that I would include is "Stay in my corner" from the Lp There is from 1968. There are atleast 3 versions (65,68,81) and this is the definitive one but all versions are on their Anthology 2cds.

One original album that is not represented on your list that I would recommend is "Black Tie" by the Manhattans on Columbia from around 1981. It is all ballads, rank among their best, and very little of it is on compilations or ever played on the radio.

Other tracks that I'd recommend are:
1)Delfonics-I gave to you
2)Barry White-Don't tell me about heartache
3)Force Md's-Your love drives me crazy
4)Robert Winters and Fall-Magic man
5)Skip Mahoney and the casuals-Wherever you go
6)Walter Jackson-It's an uphill climb from the bottom
7)Spinners-Smile with have each other
8)Chris Bartley-Sweetest thing this side of heaven
9)Delores Hall-Never gonna let you go
10)Peabo Bryson-I'm so into you

I'm not sure if you have these legitimate CDs but it sort of looks like you may by what's on your list. If you don't, you should get them and you'll have about 90% of what you need in regards to ballads from this era. All are solid and include full-length versions complete with detailed notes. These Cds are quite consumate and contain hits, b-sides, albums cuts, and quite often is the only place you'll find them in print.

Major artist Cds
Smokey Robinson-Solo Anthology
Dells-Anthology (double disc)
Dells-Bring back the love: Classic Dells soul
Dramatics-Be my Girl-Their greatest love songs
Dramatics-Say the word-Their greatest love songs vol 2
Earth, Wind, Fire-Elements of love: Ballads
Isley Brothers-Beautiful Ballads (a volume 2 though is necessary)
Tavares-Anthology (double disc)
Force Md's-For lovers and others
Whispers-Greatest slowjams 1 and 2
Superbs-Anthology (2nd pressing with bonus tracks)
Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes-Blue and ballads
Main Ingredient-Quiet Storm

Various artist compilations:
Smooth grooves Vol 1-9
Smooth Grooves: the 60's Vol 1-3
Smooth Grooves Jazzy soul 1-3
Slowjams the 60's 1-4
Slowjams the 70's 1-5
Slowjams the 80's vol 1
Slowjams: A timeless collection 1-9
Hey Love 1 and 2
Sex and soul 1-3
Underground Oldies 1-10
Lost soul oldies 1-14

There is very little overlap in the various artists compilations. The underground Oldies and Lost soul oldies have tracks dubbed from vinyl by groups I never heard of. The set is mind-blowing early 70's Philly soul music that never made it big nationally or even regionally. Some is also recorded in LA. If you dig Black Ivory, Moments, Chocolate Syrup, Soul Generation, Continental Four, ect., you are going to flip your wig. You won't believe how much great music is now unavailable on super rare 45's or you've never heard of. You owe it to yourself to listen to the sound samples on all of the aforementioned cds.

Many of the artists that you mentioned have their complete catalogs on Cd. The Whispers, Defonics on Philly Groove/Bmg, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Force Md's (just recently reissued through Collectables), entire Spinners 1970's output on Atlantic, entire O'jays catalog post 1970, Barry White's Polygram Lps, Issac Hayes on Stax, Al Green on Hi and complete with bonus cuts you won't find on your LPs!!!!!!
I decided 10 years ago to go all out for the Cd reissues and compilations and to keep vinyl at 1% of the collection and I'm not sorry I did that. The secret is buying the right compilations and not the budget ones or the rerecordings!! Give it some thought!!!

[eddie]

Eddie's response from a prior discussion about love songs:

Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 459




Based on sheer emotion, melody, range, talent, and the ablility of the song to lyrically take you places, these are the songs. There are a few darkhorses.

1)Rick James+Teena Marie-Fire and Desire
2)O'jays-Stairway to heaven
3)Spinner/Phil Perry-Love don't love nobody
4)Blue Magic-Chasing rainbows
5)Marvin Gaye-Just to keep you satisfied
6)The Deele-Two occasions
7)Dramatics-Be my girl
Dj Rodgers-Say you love me
9)The Dells-Stay in my corner
10)Sam Cooke-A change is gonna come
11)Aretha Franklin-Ain't no way
12)Labelle-Isn't it a shame
13)Al Green-I'm still in love with you
14)Angela Bofill-I try
15)Dells-I touched a dream
16)Spinners-It's a shame
17)Jennifer Evette Holiday-I'm telling you, I'm not going
1Phyllis Hyman-The answer is you
19)Temptations-Firefly
20)O'jays/New Birth-Wildflower

There's probably 200 more, but these are the most gut-wrenching!
I would love to have somebody review this list because these 20 songs are the most challenging and emotional.

[eddie]

Qdearl's excellent response:

Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bloomfield NJ
Posts: 166




Quote:
Originally Posted by eddie
Based on sheer emotion, melody, range, talent, and the ablility of the song to lyrically take you places, these are the songs. There are a few darkhorses.

There's probably 200 more, but these are the most gut-wrenching!
I would love to have somebody review this list because these 20 songs are the most challenging and emotional.


First I have to say, that feeling is different for everyone, so some choices will be probably leave some people scratching their heads, lol.
as for me, these next twenty comprise a "partial" list of the hundreds of love songs that move me close to tears (sometimes, lol) or just fill me with "emotion" everytime I play them.

1. You Are My Friend - Sylvester
2. It's U that I need - Enchantment
3. Fire & Desire - Rick & Teena
4. 3 Ring Circus - Blue Magic
5. The Love I Gave - The Delfonics
6. No One Can Love U More - Phyllis Hyman
7. How Does it Feel - Bloodstone
8. Be My Girl - The Dramatics
9. I've Got So Much to Give - Barry White
10. Gotta Find a Way - The Moments
11. Thank U - Kaliedascope
12. Warm Summer Night - Chic
13. You're as Right as Rain - The Stylistics
14. Spinning Around - The Main Ingredient
15. Cause I Love U - Lenny Williams
16. So So Satisfied - Ashford & Simpson
17. Tonight - Ready for the World
18. Am I Dreaming - Atlantic Starr
19. I Can't Get U Out of My Head - Lakeside
20. You & I - Black Ivory
Bonus*
Tender Kisses - Tracie Spencer (probably because I had/have a big crush on her) :grin:

[qdearl]

Thanks Eddie! lol I had totally forgot about that other thread.
Saved me the trouble of compiling another list for this thread (which would have probably ended up containing the same songs.....)

Qdearl's excellent response:

Quote:
Originally Posted by eddie
Based on sheer emotion, melody, range, talent, and the ablility of the song to lyrically take you places, these are the songs. There are a few darkhorses.

There's probably 200 more, but these are the most gut-wrenching!
I would love to have somebody review this list because these 20 songs are the most challenging and emotional.


First I have to say, that feeling is different for everyone, so some choices will be probably leave some people scratching their heads, lol.
as for me, these next twenty comprise a "partial" list of the hundreds of love songs that move me close to tears (sometimes, lol) or just fill me with "emotion" everytime I play them.

1. You Are My Friend - Sylvester
2. It's U that I need - Enchantment
3. Fire & Desire - Rick & Teena
4. 3 Ring Circus - Blue Magic
5. The Love I Gave - The Delfonics
6. No One Can Love U More - Phyllis Hyman
7. How Does it Feel - Bloodstone
8. Be My Girl - The Dramatics
9. I've Got So Much to Give - Barry White
10. Gotta Find a Way - The Moments
11. Thank U - Kaliedascope
12. Warm Summer Night - Chic
13. You're as Right as Rain - The Stylistics
14. Spinning Around - The Main Ingredient
15. Cause I Love U - Lenny Williams
16. So So Satisfied - Ashford & Simpson
17. Tonight - Ready for the World
18. Am I Dreaming - Atlantic Starr
19. I Can't Get U Out of My Head - Lakeside
20. You & I - Black Ivory
Bonus*
Tender Kisses - Tracie Spencer (probably because I had/have a big crush on her) :grin:

[visuals]

I wouldn't include anything by Jimmy Lewis or Ted Taylor as I'm not really a fan of their music. But Walter Jackson could sing the phonebook for me.

eddie:Good choices and good taste! You have succesfully picked two of the tracks/artists that do not belong. I have always been fond of Jimmy Lewis "It Ain't What's On The Woman" because for his "rappin' to the brothers" intro. I would classify his style as maybe a southern blues/soul (that unsuccessfully leans heavy on Bobby Womack at times) along with other male artists of the same caliber such as Johnnie Taylor. He is one of the male positive charges that counter the female negative Millie Jackson/Denise Lasalle type female singers.

Ted Taylor was also wrongfully placed as most of his best work was conceived during the late 50's-early to mid 60's. He did do a couple albums in the early 70's that had a small amount of funkiness to them that I liked as well. Not two of the best artists of course, But definately not the worst IMO.

I also am a fan of "The Dells - Stay In My Corner" but am only aware of two of the 3 versions. Other favorites are "Playing The Love Game", "I Wish It Was Me You Loved" & "I Touched A Dream". Marvin Junior's baritone is one of my top 5. What I found so unique about them was the fact that although they did a lot of label hopping between Chess, Vee Jay, Cadet, Mercury, ABC, and 20th Century, Their style stayed pretty much in the same vein throughout their career or at least up to 1980's I Touched A Dream. I don't know much of them thereon except the early 90's hit "The Heart Is a House for Love". They were always full of soul.

One original album that is not represented on your list that I would recommend is "Black Tie" by the Manhattans on Columbia from around 1981. It is all ballads, rank among their best, and very little of it is on compilations or ever played on the radio.

Seems like Columbia's "Black Tie" title is familiar but I thought the "Shining Star" album was released around that same time? While I can't say I know any of their doo-wop era stuff or much of what they did in the 80's/90's, Their 70's period of working the Philly sound was my favorite. Seems like everything coming out of Philadelphia International at the time was excellent with Bobby Martin,Dexter Wansel and Gamble/Huff as their guiding light.:D

The late Walter Jackson is also a favorite of mine. With a very commanding voice and style, He gave birth to some of the best Chicago soul that I have ever heard. He oozed of class and prestige right alongside other greats such as Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, Brooke Benton & Otis Redding. I am familiar with the smash "Uphill Climb From The Bottom". I also own the "Feeling Good", "I Want To Come Back As A Song", "Send In The Clowns", "Portrait Of Walter Jackson" and an "Okeh" years greatest hits all on cd. There are a few holes which I intend to fill however.
There are a few titles you post that I don't know (at least not by name and title) which are:
Barry White-Don't tell me about heartache
Skip Mahoney and the casuals-Wherever you go
Chris Bartley-Sweetest thing this side of heaven
Delores Hall-Never gonna let you go
I may have heard the songs before just don't know them by title.

I own Smokey Robinson's original Quiet Storm, Ultimate Collection and a double disc anthology of his "Miracles" period.

The Dramatics: Dramatically Yours, Whatcha' See Is Whatcha Get, Dramatic Jackpot, Dramatic Experience, Ultimate Collection, Joy Ride & Me & Mrs.Jones on cd.

I do own the "Elements Of Love: Ballads" by EWF along with most of their other work for Columbia give or take a couple albums in the late 70's/80's.

I have a decent amount of Isley stuff. I was always a major follower of them.
The Brothers:Isley, Get Into Something, Giving It Back, Brother,Brother,Brother, 3+3 (my favorite), Live It Up (2nd fav), The Heat Is On, Harvest For The World, Go For Your Guns, Go All The Way, Winner Takes All, Masterpeace, Smooth Sailing, Between The Sheets and Mission To Please cd's. I do own "Beautiful Ballads" on cassette which I do admit is one of the better Isley compilations out there but once I saw those original albums being reissued I jumped on them. I always wondered what took them so long for the "Live It Up" reissue. "Harvest For The World" had an early 90's pressing on T-Neck/Epic which I slept on and regretted for almost 10 years as it went out of print until the "Legacy Rhythm & Soul" series on Epic decided to reissue another pressing containing a bonus live version of Summer Breeze back in 2001.

I have two by Tavares being the double disc "anthology" on Right Stuff and "It Only Takes A Minute: A Lifetime With Tavares" on Heart & Soul
I also have a Heart & Soul greatest hits of Harold Melvin & Blue Notes and the compilation "Be For Real".

I own both "Whispers - Greatest Slow Jams Vol.1 & 2" and Force Md's:For Lovers & Others. Main Ingredient's Euphrates River, Everybody Plays The Fool:The Best Of, A Quiet Storm & Afrodisiac cds.

I never heard anything by "The Superbs". will be looking into them though. I also don't own any of the V/A comps that you have posted but it looks like they would be worthwhile purchases.

There is very little overlap in the various artists compilations. The underground Oldies and Lost soul oldies have tracks dubbed from vinyl by groups I never heard of. The set is mind-blowing early 70's Philly soul music that never made it big nationally or even regionally. Some is also recorded in LA. If you dig Black Ivory, Moments, Chocolate Syrup, Soul Generation, Continental Four, ect., you are going to flip your wig. You won't believe how much great music is now unavailable on super rare 45's or you've never heard of. You owe it to yourself to listen to the sound samples on all of the aforementioned cds.

Yes indeed I love those lesser-known/underground type groups.
This info is very much appreciated. It's so much good stuff out there waiting to be discovered! Time seems to be my only enemy.

Many of the artists that you mentioned have their complete catalogs on Cd. The Whispers, Defonics on Philly Groove/Bmg, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Force Md's (just recently reissued through Collectables), entire Spinners 1970's output on Atlantic, entire O'jays catalog post 1970, Barry White's Polygram Lps, Issac Hayes on Stax, Al Green on Hi and complete with bonus cuts you won't find on your LPs!!!!!!

I'm a big fan of the almighty Al Green and own his entire Hi catalogue and a couple bogus greatest hits minus the "Belle" cd. "Call Me" is my favorite Al Green Album. Every collector of soul should own Al as a bare nessesity.

Barry White - I've Got So Much To Give, Can't Get Enough, Stone Gon, Just Another Way To Say I Love You, Is This Whacha' Wont, Sings For Someone You Love, The Man, All Time Greatest Hits & Icon Is Love all on cd.

Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul, The Movement, Shaft, Joy, Black Moses, To Be Continued, Truck Turner/Tough Guys, Chocolate Chip, Live At The Sahara Tahoe, Polydor Greatest Hits and (the only cd I could find "Type Thang" on at the time, "Son Of Stax Funk:A Whole Nuther Strut" compilation) on cd.

1)Rick James+Teena Marie-Fire and Desire
2)O'jays-Stairway to heaven
3)Spinner/Phil Perry-Love don't love nobody
4)Blue Magic-Chasing rainbows
5)Marvin Gaye-Just to keep you satisfied
6)The Deele-Two occasions
7)Dramatics-Be my girl
Dj Rodgers-Say you love me
9)The Dells-Stay in my corner
10)Sam Cooke-A change is gonna come
11)Aretha Franklin-Ain't no way
12)Labelle-Isn't it a shame
13)Al Green-I'm still in love with you
14)Angela Bofill-I try
15)Dells-I touched a dream
16)Spinners-It's a shame
17)Jennifer Evette Holiday-I'm telling you, I'm not going
1Phyllis Hyman-The answer is you
19)Temptations-Firefly
20)O'jays/New Birth-Wildflower

Great choices with my pick for standouts being The O'jays, The Dramatics, Al Green, and and two thumbs waaaay up for Rick James & Teena's "Fire & Desire".

1. You Are My Friend - Sylvester
2. It's U that I need - Enchantment
3. Fire & Desire - Rick & Teena
4. 3 Ring Circus - Blue Magic
5. The Love I Gave - The Delfonics
6. No One Can Love U More - Phyllis Hyman
7. How Does it Feel - Bloodstone
8. Be My Girl - The Dramatics
9. I've Got So Much to Give - Barry White
10. Gotta Find a Way - The Moments
11. Thank U - Kaliedascope
12. Warm Summer Night - Chic
13. You're as Right as Rain - The Stylistics
14. Spinning Around - The Main Ingredient
15. Cause I Love U - Lenny Williams
16. So So Satisfied - Ashford & Simpson
17. Tonight - Ready for the World
18. Am I Dreaming - Atlantic Starr
19. I Can't Get U Out of My Head - Lakeside
20. You & I - Black Ivory

These are good choices here too. However, Most people would hang me for saying this but one song that I never liked was Lenny Williams "I Love You". The music and lyrical content of the song is strong don't get me wrong...There is a lot of truth and realness to them and Lenny put a lot of energy and emotion into the song. I just didn't like his over-use of "Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Ohhhhhh! A very sad song indeed. I've rolled myself up in a big ol' ball and died many times listening to this song when I had no choice BUT to hear it. Still, A good pick as most people hold it in high regards. My wife loves it too.

My picks for emotional soul would merely include:
1)Isaac Hayes - Help Me Love
2)O'jays - Cry Together
3)O'jays - Stairway To Heaven
4)O'jays - Who Am I
5)Enchantment - Where Do We Go From Here
6)Teddy Pendergrass - I Can't Live Without Your Love
7)Donny Hathaway - You Were Meant For Me
8)Anita Baker - Angel
9)Stevie Wonder - Joy Inside My Tears
10)Stevie Wonder - Knocks Me Off My Feet
11)Bloodstone - How Does It Feel (oh yes!) very good pick by u*
12)Bloodstone - This Time I'm Gonna Be Sweeter
13)Dramatics - Be My Girl
14)Dynamic Superiors - Cry When You Want To
15)Isley Brothers - Sensuality
16)Luther Vandross - Forever, For Always, For Love
17)Patti Labelle - If You Don't Know Me By Now
18)Iceman Jerry Butler - Since I Lost You Lady (sheer classic) Ice On Ice '69
19)Impressions - I'm So Proud Of You
20)Al Green - You Ought To Be With Me

[eddie]

I probably would not have included anything by Sylvia (Robinson) or the track "Every Generation from Ronnie Laws. I just heard that mentioned track by Ted Taylor and its among his best. I've heard his earlier stuff like "Be ever wonderful" and I was not impressed.

Bloodstone's "This time I'm gonna be sweeter", I'm not familar with as many of their albums are not available on CD. And again this makes the point that you make about collecting vinyl. If an album didn't sell well, some compilations may exclude everything from it or chose the wrong tracks. Why did we need to hear anything from their Trainride to Hollywood set from 1975. It's a rough listen but nevertheless has been reissued. I have the 2 reissued London albums (Natural High, Unreal), the aforementioned soundtrack, the Essential Collection, the Rhino collection with the truncated version of Natural High, the Essential Collection, and the 1997 Ultimate Collection on ITP which was a revisting of their hits, other's hits, and some originals. Next to Jon Lucien, it was one of the best re-recordings I've ever heard and I'm not usually a fan that kinda thing!!

Underground Oldies Vol 2 does include "Something's Missing" from Riddle of the Spynx and the following track is Don't waste my time by the Sincere's which is an earlier incarnation of Bloodstone.

The Barry White cut "Don't tell me about heartache" is from 1981's Change. It has spoken passages, a one-sided telephone conversation, and strings much like that of Lenny Williams "Cause I love you" which deserved to be on my list but somehow I forgot it.:oops: It's only available on the CD/LP Change and is the BEST song the man ever done handsdown!!!!

The Delores Hall track is from 1980 and I found it on Sex and Soul Vol 2 various artists compilation which was part of EMI's extensive Heart and Soul reissue sets in 1997. They issued many (like the Tavares one you mentioned) but were quickly deleted. It's a cryin' shame too because it had perfect Capital/UA/EMI anthologies and exclusive unreleased material and rare versions. Some artists in this set were Corneilus Brothers, Rene and Angela, A Taste of Honey, T-Connection, Freddie Jackson (a 8 minute version of "Tasty love which is unavailable elsewhere), Lou Rawls, O'jays, Enchantment, Peabo Bryson, Brass Construction, Bobby Womack, ect.

Skip Mahoney's track can also be found on that Underground Oldies Vol 2 CD. There was a great reissue Cd that featured 2 Lp on 1 CD called Your funny moods/Land of love. I got mine in a cut-out bin but I've never seen a listing for it, and if there is one the price would have to approach $1000. It's that rare but heavily, heavily desired by fans on the east coast especially the Washington DC area. They had a falsetto sound like Eddie Holman but in the liner notes they admit to catering to souther soul, midtempo jams, early disco, and of course Philly soul.

The Chris Bartley track was penned by Van McCoy and early pre-quiet storm from 1967. Think Smokey Robinson meets Al Green. The album was reissued by Collectables and that track is included on Smooth Grooves the 60's Volume 2 and on a few other compilations.

Get that solo Smokey Anthology!! It includes 90% of the tracks you need from his solo Lps, rivals his Miracles work, and is very affordable. If it goes out of print expect to pay quadruple price. If you have the cash, buy these various artist ballad collections NOW!! Some Slowjams and Smooth Groove volumes are already out of print. In five years, fans will be paying five and ten-fold the list price. I'm not joking!! These compilations are truly cherished, have exclusive tracks, and are on rotation in about 50 US cities from 7pm-5am!

[eddie]

Well, I just bumped into one of the most melodic records I've ever heard. It's a mid 70's ballad from a new cd various compilation called Zealous records presents Soul Sides Vol 1. It's a rather loose knit compilation with many obscurities and minor hits of varying tempos.

Weldon Irvine, mostly a jazz keyboardist and pianoman, has a vocal track called "Morning Sunrise" which I've never heard before now. Go to allmusic and listen to the sample. This is classic and an absolute beauty and certainly now on my list.

[eddie]

Another artist that was neglected in our conversation was Robert Winters and Fall who was apparently the last artist to have a debut on Buddah. They had an album in 1980 called Magic Man and it featured that hit plus another ballad called "When will my love be right". Vocally it would sound like Walter Jackson meets Ted "Wizard" Mills but with female backgrounds named (Fall). There's a lot of orchestration, turnarounds, and catchy hooks yet is not commercial in any way. There also is some disco and uptempos that are is great.

This disc was reissued a few years ago by Collectables and should still be available at a midline price.

[visuals]

I probably would not have included anything by Sylvia (Robinson) or the track "Every Generation from Ronnie Laws

Again, Good choices as Sylvia & Ronnie's tracks would most definately interrupt the flow of the mix. There is however, One last track that wouldn't nesssesarily go along but could probably pass without notice if placed carefully between two others. You haven't been wrong yet so......

Why did we need to hear anything from their Trainride to Hollywood set from 1975. It's a rough listen but nevertheless has been reissued. I have the 2 reissued London albums (Natural High, Unreal),

I also hated that sndtrk. Very and I mean VERY CORNY offering from Bloodstone and quite possibly, The worst that I have ever heard from them. Natural High & Unreal are my two favorites with me leaning heavier on "Unreal". I could have done without those bonus tracks at the end of the cd though (however I did like "Lady Of The Night" as an uptempo number. Tracks like "What Did You Do To Me parts 1&2", "Keep Our Own Thing Together" & "Unreal" were also exceptional offerings. I remember hearing "Something's Missing" but wasn't too moved by it. I did like their rendition of "You're Still A Young Man" better than "Tower Of Power's". I think it was included on the ultimate collection. While on the subject of Bloodstone, If you haven't dug on the "Go On And Cry" cd, I would recommend you do so. A very refreshing journey of soul that finds the guys back in that 70's mode that made them ever so wonderful as a group.

I am going to put Barry White's "Don't tell me about heartache" on the to get list most definately for a future purchase. I haven't heard the "Change" album but can tell from your sentiment that it's pretty good. thanks 4 the headz up.

Question about Delores Hall....Could she have possibly been the sister that released an answer track to Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" in the early 80's also? The name is ringing a bell but it's been so long. I have seen those "Sex & Soul" comps around but never picked up on them. It would be great to have being that I like all of the artists that you mention are on it and would love to hear that extended version of Freddie J's "Tasty Love". Skip Mahoney & Chris Bartley I will be looking into as well. I admit that while I may not know a whole lot of Smokey Robinson's stuff, I need to scout out that anthology that you mention. Just a couple weeks ago, The wife and I heard a song by him that I had never heard but she knew it word from word and it was actually quite good. Judging by the urgency of your post, I will be delving into his catalogue for that anthology. thx again for the headz up.

Weldon Irvine, mostly a jazz keyboardist and pianoman, has a vocal track called "Morning Sunrise" which I've never heard before now.

I have heard this guy mentioned around here a lot but I am a novice to his stuff...however, I have my shovel in hand.

They say like minds think alike. While we were on the subject of "Walter Jackson" in earlier posts, I remember Robert Winters & Fall's rendition of "Magic Man" popping into my head as a great ballad to add to the list but I didn't want to duplicate track titles so I left it out. I may be under scrutiny for saying this, But I shamelessly admit that I liked their version more than Walter's. While I never owned the 1980 RW & Fall album, That song was a big hit and I remember it was played a lot back then. That was the only song I know of by them.

[eddie]

I would definitely not pull anything from Marvin Gaye's Here my dearLp as you have with "Everybody needs love". "My last chance" is probably what I'd put on the list.

The Manhattans "I want to dance to a love song" has an jarring echo effect. It's not even in my Top 5000. Not terrible but any other track by them with the exception of "Nursury Rhymes" would have sufficed nicely. Something from Black Tie maybe.

There is one glaring spelling mistake. "Lover's Eve" maybe "Lover's Eye". I would not have chosen this track or any Isley cover tune for this set. However a bit off topic, Ron Isley did a nice Burt Bacharach tribute with both parties in the studio together contributing. I probably would have went with the something off of Winner takes it all. (You're beside me, You're the key to my heart, or Let's fall in love). The ballads on that set have a certain flow.

Nice inclusion of the Memphis sound with the Bar-kays. I would probably through in some Temprees and Emotions from Stax and Quite Elegance who was a female group from Hi. I would not narrow it down to just Philly and Chicago. Diversity is what made the Quite Storm great. Even mixing eras is encouraged and not out of place.

PS That's the only really great song off of Barry White's Change LP.

Delores Hall did have some minor disco hits in the early 80's and probably did backgrounds but I know very little of her outside of that track.

Yes, I do love that Bloodstone Go on and cry Lp on the Isley's T-Neck label.

If you did want to get that Chris Bartley track "The Sweetest thing this side of heaven", its also available on Hard to find 45's on CD: smooth soul sounds on Eric records. That compilation also includes Little Sister's "You're the one Parts 1 and 2" which are not available elsewhere on CD.

[tony98]

The Dells are really something special,not as good as the Temptations, but who is? I D.J. a couple of nights a week in bars and i'm playing two of the Dells 20th century tracks at the moment. Your Song & all All About The Papers.

[visuals]

There is one glaring spelling mistake. "Lover's Eve" maybe "Lover's Eye".

I am a bit confused here...The track that I include (#35 Isley Brothers - Lover's Eve) is taken from 1974's "Live It Up" album. I am most certain this is the title of the track as I have owned it on many mediums over the last 30 yrs or so....It was included on a reel that I got from my cousin,8-track,album & finally after years of anticipation cd.
Where I am confused though, Is what album/year was the track "Lover's Eye" from? I admit there are a few gaps in my Isley section as the albums I own are:

The Brothers Isley 1969
Get Into Something 1970
Givin' It Back 1971
Brother, Brother, Brother 1972
3+3 1973
Live It Up 1974
The Heat Is On 1975
Harvest For The World 1976
Go For Your Guns 1977
(did not like 78's Showdown)
Winner Takes All 1979
Go All The Way 1980
Grand Slam 1981
Inside You 1982 (major disappointment for me) :evil:
Between The Sheets 1983

At around this time, The Isleys started to go through a few changes and I stopped buying their stuff for a while. I didn't like the "Isley Jasper Isley" period though they yeilded a few hits during the stint. I didn't pick back up on them until 89' with "Spend The Night". After which 3 yrs later, They released "Tracks Of My Life" in 1992 which was another album that disappointed me. My very last Isley purchase was 1996's "Mission To Please" which kind of sealed the Isley scroll with me (I did like the album though). I refuse to get into what they have been releasing in the last 10 yrs...Some quite funny moments if you ask me. :evil: Especially when I heard that Ron Isley compared 2003's "Body Kiss" to the 3+3 album.....:o.....wha? I just couldn't see it. I have however seen that Burt Bacharach collab out there but was scared to get near it.

I do consider myself to be a big fan of The Bar-Kays...The Memphis sound was undeniable for me as were most of the Stax artists. I loved the sound of The Emotions on Stax but wasn't too thrilled with the Maurice White/Ramsey Lewis yrs. Another Stax female trio that I liked was The Sweet Inspirations. The Soul Children were good as well with a sound that some have said rivals Harvey Fuqua's New Birth at times. I don't know much by the Temprees and Quite Elegance I have never heard of. The only artists I am hip to from Hi Records are of course Al Green, O.V Wright, Ann Peebles, Ace Cannon & Willie Mitchell's solo efforts. There is one more Hi RECORDS artist (whom I would have extracted from the list) and that is Syl Johnson. The track "That's Just My Luck" would probably go along well with other Muscle Shoals/Memphis offerings of the time. I have heard few say he was an Al Green clone which is a statement that I have opposed many times before. I liked both his Hi & Twilight/Twinight material.

"My Last Chance" by Marvin is also an exceptional piece. I agree that "Here My Dear" is not held in high regards amongst most and with understandable reason. This album was kind of a throw away in an angry attempt to get back at his ex-wife. It was a rough time for him. You can hear the pain,anger and at times rage in his voice all throughout it. I hold it dear to heart for personal memories.

I have seen those "Hard To Find 45's On CD" comps out there but most I have come across were pulled from the 50's & 60's in the pop/rock genre and generally go for pretty cheap. I will be looking though in the near future.

The Dells are really something special,not as good as the Temptations, but who is? I D.J. a couple of nights a week in bars and i'm playing two of the Dells 20th century tracks at the moment. Your Song & all All About The Papers.

The Mighty Dells most certainly do hold a special place in the history of classic soul and are one of the timeless examples of what it has to offer. Getting close with that special someone in the formative years of growing up into maturity to the sounds of their tunes and countless other soul outfits can never be forgotten by me. There were certain songs that when played just ignited something within....whether the vibe was just lounging around and kickin' back or up in the club/party with maybe a not-so-significant other pressed up against the wall in the tightest embrace of your life....Man what memories!
I own that "20th Century Greatest Ballads" cd as well. Keep spinning them! Smooth ballads will never go out of style.

[eddie]

Hey Tony98, the Dells are my fav. I always thought they were more distinctive than the Tempts but they have quite a few gems too.

Hey, Visuals! The track I meant was "All in my lover's eye" which was from the Real Deal Lp from 1982 on T-Neck. This is the only album on not on your list from the T-Neck years. "All in my lover's eye" is currently on CD on Beautiful Ballads among others compilations. Yes, they did have a song called Lover's Eve that I had on Livin' it up but haven't played in awhile. I totally forgot about it. That was one of the first Japanese Cd imports that I bought and now there's currently a pressing on CD domestically. Why did you not like SHOWDOWN?

While we're on the topic of typos, Quiet Elegance is the correctly spelled name of that Hi group. They did a cover of Al Green's "Tired of being alone" and "Have you been making out OK" among many original songs. They have an imported Greatest hits with unreleased bonus tracks called the Complete Quiet Elegance on Hi. If you like the Soul Children, you should like these sirens.

Its good you mention the Sweet Inspirations because today I just recieved their self-entitled album reissued exclusively on Collectors Choice. They license music as well as exist primarily as a mail order/internet retail site. The street date is for mid-September but they sent mine early. Their other 4 Atlantic albums were issued as twofer 1's on Spy records a couple of years ago.

[Super D]

Wow! great choices fellas'__those choices bring back some great memories!

How bout adding some duets! Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell!
Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway!

Also, one of my fav's ...L.J. Reynolds from the Dramatics produced his first solo self-titled album 'L.J Reynolds' on Capital Records. That album contained the classic hit, 'Key to the World'. That song should be a 'must' for a top play classic soul list.

In my D.J.ing days, that song was a 'must' when I did family reunions and weddings.

By the way, does anyone have a free download for some of this classic stuff mention?

super d(motordetroit)8)

[visuals]

Hey, Visuals! The track I meant was "All in my lover's eye" which was from the Real Deal Lp from 1982 on T-Neck. This is the only album on not on your list from the T-Neck years. "All in my lover's eye" is currently on CD on Beautiful Ballads among others compilations. Yes, they did have a song called Lover's Eve that I had on Livin' it up but haven't played in awhile. I totally forgot about it. That was one of the first Japanese Cd imports that I bought and now there's currently a pressing on CD domestically. Why did you not like SHOWDOWN?

Eddie...I now remember the album "Real Deal" but have never owned it because as I said earlier I got lost on lots of Isley stuff and stopped buying them. I do have (or had) the "Beautiful Ballads" compilation on cassette but haven't heard it in years....Probably 10 yrs or more so I am having trouble remembering the cut. I also owned the cassette of "Showdown". This was always the Isley album that I rarely listened to. None of the faster tracks really impressed me and the one ballad that I liked was "Groove With You". Songs like "Take Me To The Next Phase" and "Cooling Me Out" sounded flat to me. In my opinion It was at best a listenable album that I was just not urgently concerned with owning on cd.

I can remember back in the early/mid 90's when I was working on replacing my old vinyl/cassettes with the much better sounding hi-fi cd's. At this time I didn't know anything about an internet (or that it even existed); so going to an on-line vendor and simply picking out what I wanted was out of the question and a thing of the future (literally).
A funny thing with the Isley CD reissues was that during that time, upon numerous occasions I would run across the 5 mid/late 70's T-Neck cd's which were ( 3+3, Fight The Power, Harvest For The World, Go For Your Guns and though not absolutely certain,"Showdown"). I was so busy building my cd archives with selections from all over the map that I let one of my favorites "Harvest For The World" go out of print. That taught me to never take for granted a cd's availablility*. All throughout the rest of the 90's my Isley section went with a rather disturbing gap missing the "Harvest & Live It Up" cd's. It wasn't until the very same week as the terrorist attacks that I was out in the music stores digging that I came, I saw, and I copped on sight. Over the next couple years I saw that 30.00 import of "Live It Up" but held out. Finally it was reissued in 04' domestically on Legacy And Soul.

Quiet Elegance is the correctly spelled name of that Hi group. They did a cover of Al Green's "Tired of being alone" and "Have you been making out OK" among many original songs.

Now this sounds interesting. "Have You Been Making Out OK" is one of my favorite Al tracks from my favorite Al album. I will be looking into them.

Its good you mention the Sweet Inspirations because today I just recieved their self-entitled album reissued exclusively on Collectors Choice.

These ladies are very soulful in my opinion. I have the "Estelle,Myrna & Sylvia" Stax reissue cd and the 2-for-1 "Sweets For My Sweet/Sweet Sweet Soul" Spy reissue from their Atlantic yrs. The Memphis Horns/Memphis Symphony/Muscle Shoals production is first rate as always. Like them almost as much as the "Emotions" which is a much deserved compliment. Good purchase choice on your part.

How bout adding some duets! Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell!
Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway!
Also, one of my fav's ...L.J. Reynolds from the Dramatics produced his first solo self-titled album 'L.J Reynolds' on Capital Records. That album contained the classic hit, 'Key to the World'. That song should be a 'must' for a top play classic soul list.

Hey Super....I love Marvin & Tammi's stuff. "You're All I Need To Get By","If This World Were Mine" and countless others. Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway also had great tunes not only as ballads but I liked a few of the faster spins as well.
As much as I like The Dramatics, I am totally unaware of the L.J Reynolds album you mention. Seem's like I may have heard the "Key To The World" piece you speak of in the past but I don't own it.

[eddie]

In retrospect, I don't think the Sweet Inspirations were in quite in the class of the Emotions, Candi Staton, or Staple Singers. They did cover songs from many artists like Dionne Warwick, Otis Redding, Staple Singers, and Miss Staton. The other artists always did them better with a defined signature. The Sweet Inspirations early Atlantic stuff focused more on harmony as opposed to strong leads. When you focus on harmony, more of the phrasings have to be planned or contrived. Thus the spontaneous solos are missing. Its funny the Staples Singers on Stax and Emotions during all phases never suffered this problem.

If its any concilation to you, Harvest for the World was inprint domestically but only on cassette throughout the 1990's. I tried to order and I've looked at Amazon and allmusic and they fail to mention any early pressings. Maybe you saw the import rewrapped or a very, very early cd like from 1986. Columbia has been very choosey and stingy with their catalog. I bought all of the Japanese reissues at about $20 which was decent for a well mastered CD.

"Key to the world" was from the album of the same name from 1981. He did rerecord it in 1990 on the revived Volt (subsiduary of Stax) label on an Lp Love is about to start. Most of his solo 80's stuff is pretty rare on any format. The original version is on the compilation Smooth Grooves: Steppin' out.

[visuals]

In retrospect, I don't think the Sweet Inspirations were in quite in the class of the Emotions, Candi Staton, or Staple Singers.

I concur with you on this statement but am really not at liberty to classify them alongside Candi Staton, The Staple Singers nor Dionne Warwick. My collection is rather sparse of these artists as I only have Candi's "Best Of" on Warner Archives collection, Staple Singers "Be Altitude" & "Greatest Hits" on Stax/Fantasy if I'm not mistaken and I was never a fan of Dionne Warwick so I have nothing by her. The only reason I mentioned them (Sweet Inspirations) along with the Emotions is because both were early Stax trios.

If its any concilation to you, Harvest for the World was inprint domestically but only on cassette throughout the 1990's. I tried to order and I've looked at Amazon and allmusic and they fail to mention any early pressings. Maybe you saw the import rewrapped or a very, very early cd like from 1986. Columbia has been very choosey and stingy with their catalog. I bought all of the Japanese reissues at about $20 which was decent for a well mastered CD.

Of course, I could be wrong being as it's been so many years but I am almost certain that I saw it quite a few times on a dump table at one of the local mom & pop record stores. Seems like I saw a couple pressings of this but I don't think it was in one of those long cardboard box covers that those older cd's used to come in. It does however seem like it may have been re-wrapped like you said because a lot of the stores sell used and new discs that were opened but repackaged in plain saran wrap-type plastic and reduced for a quick sale. I definately slept on it. "Showdown was the one that I am not sure was issued on disc at any time....domestic nor import. 20.00 was also a great price to pay for those imports but the ones I always saw were at least 30 bucks or better.8-)