Soul in Harmony: Vocal Groups 67 - 77 / Various

This compilation of soul vocal groups, covering the years 1965-1977 features, to quote the CD's liner notes, "semi-knowns, barely-knowns and virtual unknowns whose efforts in the studio didn't necessarily guarantee them a record release." Indeed, although there ARE a few name groups on this CD that soul fans of the era will remember, most of the artists on this collection are quite obscure. But rest assured, since this CD was compiled by the masters at Kent and Ace Records, the quality is very high.Of particular interest to me on this CD was the track by Salt and Pepper. This was a group composed of servicemen stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War. I live in Bangkok and that's where the song on this collection, the lovely balled "Linda," was recorded back in 1970. Salt and Pepper also recorded another song, "A Man of My Word," at the same studio in Bangkok. That tune, which has a much funkier and uptempo vibe than "Linda" was included on another excellent Kent CD compilation, "Northern Soul’s Classiest Rarities, Volume Four."I think each listener will have their own personal favorites on this CD. Listening to the 24 tracks, there are quite a few standouts, all of them overflowing with sweet soul vocal harmony. If you enjoyed this magical era of Soul and R&B music, I think you'll find a lot on this CD to please you. As with all Kent/Ace CD reissues you get a deluxe booklet that's packed with information about each artist and some cool old photos too.

They may not be well-known outside their hometowns but this CD opens the door to a wider audience that these groups deserve to be heard by. Even after all these years, songs that are fifty years old still sound as good as they did when first released. Love it!

Item arrived in condition described. Very satisfied customer.

The title says it all about this excellent Kent Soul compilation, the third in this series that unearths some real soul treasures (with only two of the 24 tracks ever having been previously issued). Sixteen soul sides issued between the mid-'60s and the late '70s make their CD débuts here, and I would rate five of the six previously unissued tracks as worthwhile. Only one record in this set charted nationally, the Four Sonics' soul cover of Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" [#32 soul / #79 pop], which is one of several featuring sensational high tenor lead vocals. The group in this collection that subsequently rose to the greatest heights is the Dramatics, and fans should be delighted to discover the completely new-to-CD B-side of their first Volt 45, the joyous "Since I've Been in Love." The Mad Lads (also on Memphis's Stax Records Volt subsidiary) are the next best known, but what you get here is a previously unissued first-take alternate version of their first chart hit from 1965, "Don't Have to Shop Around," which the compilers felt was "looser" than the later take that was issued.While Volt is the best-known soul label here, I'm going with the Flodavieur label and its 1967 offering "Wait for Me" by the Inconquerables as the single most striking selection. Done in a purposely passé 1950s doo-wop ballad style, it tells the harrowing coeval story of a soldier who, while "crawling through this muddy water," (presumably in Vietnam) has the simultaneous fear that his girlfriend back home may be "playin' with every guy in town." On the Dial label, most famous for being home to Joe Tex and 35 of his chart hits, the white septet from Lexington, Kentucky, the Magnificent 7, simply amaze with their 1968 rendition of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby" from three years earlier. It features the most thrilling of the high tenor voices I referred to. If the gracious and generous Smokey Robinson had ever heard this, I'm sure he would have been very pleased with this brilliant remake of his classic romantic harmony ballad. And on the lesser-known '70s Stax subsidiary, Respect, around the time the whole company was going under, came a 1975 beauty of a ballad titled "Boom-A-Rang," penned by the ultra-talented Sam Dees (who also produced) and Frederick Knight, and performed by the Birmingham, Alabama four-boy/two-girl group, the Dynamic Soul machine. This record got lost in the shuffle and only became known in Birmingham where it was a #1 soul hit. (This nugget of information is from the 18 pages of text by "Soul in Harmony" compilers, Ady Croasdell and Tony Rounce, contained in the accompanying booklet filled with photos and colorful record label repros. Since they're British, I'll excuse their reference to the Joneses as having come together as a group in "Pittsburgh, Philadelphia").Of the previously unissued tracks, Springfield, Massachusetts' The Quotations display the finest harmonic talent on "Anytime You Want Me" for the DiVenus label (obscure enough for you?). Unfortunately, their record had two strikes against it: it was likely too early-sixtyish-sounding for 1968; and worse, the company went belly-up before it could be released.Kent Soul of London, England has come through again, bringing us the best of classic American soul.

A very good compilation from 'Ace/Kent' (71.08mins long). Sweet harmonies all the way on this cd that showcases 24 tracks from the mid/late 60's to late 70's. The Sound quality is excellent overall. The booklet is very informative with track by track run down with lots of pics and label scans. I won't pretend and say I like it all (mid/late 70's soul really isn't my bag) but there are lots of good sounds to be heard here. Many being released for the first time and many new to cd. In fact 'Don't have to shop around' by the mad Lads is worth the cd price alone - it's an excellent track, as is 'Boom-a-rang' by The Dynamic Soul machine and 'Love be not a stranger' by Radiations. There are a few other good tracks to be heard with only a few sounding like filler. Overall, a good mix of tracks to chill out to. 7.5/10.Ps. The running order is different on the cd.

01 I want your lovin' - Nightchill02 Love be not a stranger - The Radiations03 Strange voice - The Imaginations04 Wait for me - The Inconquerables05 Heavenly thing - The Mark-Keys06 Be by your side - Moon & Mars07 Anytime that you want me - The Quotations08 We can make it - The Reputations09 Linda - Salt & Pepper10 You don't have to say you love me - The Four Sonics11 Just you wait and see (ballad version) - The Pretenders12 Let's make love our favourite pastime - Webb People13 Since I've been in love - The Dramatics14 Boom-a-rang - The Dynamic Soul Machine15 That day when she needed me - The Performers16 Ooo baby baby - The Magnificent Seven17 I've got to take you out - The Posse18 Take your time - The Festivals19 Betcha didn't know - The Image20 I won't stand in your way - The Premiers21 Can't get you off my mind - Brothers of Soul22 Don't have to shop around - The Mad Lads23 Baby (there is nothing you can do) - The Joneses24 Waiting for your love - The Love Experience（米Amazonより）なんといっても目玉はThe Dynamic Soul Machineの「Boom-a-rang」の収録ではないでしょうか。おそらく現在彼等のこのシングルが聴けるのは本CDだけです。スィート・マニアは必携となるはずです。

文句なし、レアな音源がずらり。　予想以上の掘り出しものに数日ゴキゲンでした。

いつもながらイギリスのケントからでているのには頭がさがります。とても聞けないものばかりですばらしグループの歌がきけます。マイナーものなのでよく集めたと思いました。