CD-Charts Position 141
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Give Me the Night

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: George Benson

Release Date April 24, 1984
I don't have much time for music that goes under the banner of disco, soul, etc., but occasionally those genres throw up something that I can't ignore. I've always had a liking for the title track of this album and, knowing that Benson is a renowned jazz performer and that he has some of the best assistance possible here, I took a chance. What a delight. Benson's jazz background shows up regularly, but 'Give Me The Night' is no less accessible an album. It has strong songs, such as 'Star Of The Story', great grooves and classy arrangements, courtesy of Quincy Jones. Perhaps 'Love X Love' is a touch too mild for an opening track, but 'Off Broadway' certainly kicks off. I'm not so sure Benson did anything as good as this 1980 album again. Later ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 142
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In Square Circle

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date March 18, 1996

One of only two albums I have ever purchased by Stevie Wonder - the other being his best-selling 'Hotter Than July' from 1981.

When I first heard the dreamy 'Overjoyed' hit from 1986 - I was sold and simply had to have the album it was taken from. I also purchased the 12" extended single version and played it to death! This beautiful song will forever remind me of the Spring of 1986. Though often liking Stevie's single material, I was never tempted to purchase an album of his until this release. This also includes the top five smash from the previous year: 'Part-Time Lover'. Some of Stevie's songs do tend to go on a bit, but there are some great numbers here like the lovely 'epic': 'Whereabouts' which has 'echoes' ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 143
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Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Wind & Fire Earth

Release Date November 17, 1998
Way back in the 70's, house parties were all the rage in my circle of friends, and on a Saturday night, everybody would gather at someone's house, invited or not, to party the night away.

The dance floor would usually be in the garage, or patio and the music would be in sets of "fast" music, such as disco, funk or calypso/soca, and "slow" music, which of course became the hold-me-tight session. Often, a couple would stay on one spot for the whole session, which was lovingly referred to as "rent-a-tile".

The reason for this rambling is to explain why this album is a must have for baby boomers who danced away the 70's and 80's. Earth, Wind & Fire are, after all, the three elements in the astrological charts, and their music ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 144
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The Complete Duets

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell

Release Date November 25, 2001
Very catchy songs, some romantic others more soulful.

Of all the women he sang with (Diana Ross, Kim Weston etc), Marvin seemed most at ease with Tammi. (although they didn't always record their parts live in the studio together & some songs don't actually feature Tammi's voice at all!)

This CD contains all their hits plus some lesser known & diferrent versions of the hits.

You may be surprised how many you recognise!

Standout tracks for me include Ain't No Mountain High Enough, If This World Were Mine, You Ain't Living Until Your Lovin and The Onion SOng.

Well worth buying if you like romantic songs well sung.

CD-Charts Position 145
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The Man and His Music

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Sam Cooke

Release Date April 01, 1986
Sam Cooke first attracted my attention in the 1970's with his Twistin' the Night Away on a compilation album. Infectious music, well sung, but textually awkward and melodically and harmonically relatively simple. This cd collection, which I bought some fifteen years ago, is hailed by what must be diehard Cooke fans as one of the greatest artistic achievements in the history of music (see the other reviews). Now, I don't want to tread on anybody's toes, but that's too much praise by far.
Sam is a wonderfully soulfoul singer with a great voice, perfect pitch, sometimes relaxed, sometimes with a burning intensity. Best example of the latter is A Change Is Gonna Come, with a rich orchestral scoring to heighten the dramatic impact of the song. This ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 146
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Midnight Love

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Marvin Gaye

Release Date May 24, 2004
The late Marvin Gaye remains one of the most definitive male voices in Soul music. He truly was an utter genius and had such a creative and artistic flair. He remains one of the key influences with todays new generation of wannabe Soul/R&B singers.

In October 1982, Marvin released his first (and his last) studio album for CBS Records, after fleeing from Motown Records in a bid, much like Diana Ross' exact reasons for escaping Motown, for wanting to exert total control over his career, an exercise he was most certainly capable of. The album would be the classic, Midnight Love, which though offered no social commentary or made any sort of profound political statement like much of his previous efforts had, it still stands as a compelling, solid production ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 147
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Merry Motown - Merry Christmas From Motown

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Marvin Gaye Smokey Robinson & The Miracles Diana Ross Michael Jackson Kim Weston Stevie Wonder The Supremes The Funk Brothers Various Artists

Release Date November 05, 2001
Motown artists produced a lot of Christmas albums over the years and this one culls the best of the tracks from a number of them. The arrangements are for the most part simpler and more classic than the pop hits that arrived factory like form the industy.
This collection features some outstanding, and probably rare gems notably Smokey Robinson's beautiful Christmas Lullaby, a live track from Marvin Gaye ~ The Christmas Song, a great soul track from the incredibly underrated Kim Weston ( a voice second only to the great Florence Ballard),Stevie Wonder's cabaret Everyone's a Kid at Christmastime, and for me the greatest surprise closes the album is Marvin Gaye's rewriting of Little Darlin as Purple Snowflakes.
Like many compilations this one is a bit top heavy ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 148
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James Brown's Funky People Vol.1

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: James Brown

Release Date October 01, 1999
simple really - u need this !

nearly every track on this compliation has been sampled to death by the hip-hop/r+b community over the last twenty years. the JBs, Lyn Collins,Bobby Byrd, the list goes on + on. Like Louis Armstrong + John Coltrane + Sly Stone and Little Richard + + + + ... - essential black american music u need in yr life ! go get it !

CD-Charts Position 149
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Let the Music Play

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Diana Ross

Release Date April 29, 2008
When Hip-O Select announced the latest installment of its Lost & Found series, Diana Ross And The Supremes Let the Music Play, the play list seemed to be top heavy with alternative vocals and mixes. However, deeper digging into this release reveals some extraordinary gems. Connoisseurs of the legendary harmonies of Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross will find a treasure trove here.
Unearthed from the legendary Motown vaults is (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction from the sessions intended for the Supremes A Go-Go lp. Diana bites into the Rolling Stones classic with gusto, no doubt taking some satisfaction from the fact that the Supremes knocked the Stones out of the number one spot not once, but twice in their heyday! From the same 1966 sessions, comes Mickey's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 150
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Winelight

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Grover Jr. Washington

Release Date July 20, 1984
Commercial jazz has had its fair share of knocks since it became fashionable to dislike the (sometimes) bland and souless playing of the likes of Kenny G et al.However, amongst the largely mindless pop music of the eighties shone this fine album.
Commercial-yes, but the playing and production are of such high quality that if you cannot recognise the splendour of these summer jazz/samba beats then you do not understand music.The soulful bonus of the fantastic Bill Withers is just about the icing on the cake.
Relax,kick back on a summer's day with a glass of cool wine and let the vibe wash over you-that's a rare kind of musical peace that you need to experience.