CD-Charts Position 191
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The Night I Fell in Love

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Luther Vandross

Release Date February 01, 1993
Possibly THE soul album of the 80's. Serious songs dealing with insecurity, heartbreak and at times the more sensual side of relationships this was Vandross' creative peak before his A+R dept. couldn't decide how to market him and his voice became frequently wasted on poorer, less adult music. Although often written off as some sickly 'lurvve' man this album highlighted the insecurity and doubt which is the core to many of the man's best songs. The string arrangements on numerous songs, particularly 'Other Side of the World' are innovative and highlight how musically redundant most of the current 'bump and grind' music is. Although never hitting the heights of the 70's this album proves that 80's soul was not the drum machine wasteland it sometimes ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 192
Average Rating:

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Groovy People: the Best of Lou Rawls

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Lou Rawls

Release Date July 25, 2005
TOP ALBUM. REALLY REALLY GOOD. TO ENJOY THIS ALBUM LISTEN TO IT ON A REALLY GOOD MUSIC PLAYER. FANTASTIC.

CD-Charts Position 193
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Aretha Franklin: Greatest Hits (1980-1994)

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Aretha Franklin

Release Date February 24, 1996
Let's start with a clarification: I LOVE Aretha Franklin, her voice is simply magnificent and she amply deserves her soubriquet as the Queen of Soul.

However, I do have issues with this collection - one of which is that she is very poorly served by the material. Compared to her earlier songs, this disco-fied ensemble is very weak, just a few numbers fit to lick the boots of Respect, I Say a Little Prayer etc. So many usual suspects here: either the identikit skittering guitar and drum beat, or else syrupy ballads that leave me feeling nauseous. Arrangements are generally lush and detract from the overall effect. Nothing to electrify the soul, send a shiver down the back - little, in short, to remind you why Aretha is the greatest performer ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 194
Average Rating:

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Here My Dear

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

Release Date June 26, 2000
Marvin's spoken intro to the title track sums up the purpose of this set. Made to fund his divorce from Anna Gordy, Gaye had originally planned a quickly recorded album, low on quality, to spite his one time muse, since the judge had written the order into the divorce settlement. The original critical response to "Here My Dear" seemed to reinforce that view, as Gaye's popularity waned spectacularly in the late 70's. Indeed, it had been an incredible fall from the heights of the "What's Going On" era.

Marvin Gaye's problems with his public persona have been well documented by David Ritz, his friend and biographer. It was Ritz who identified the 2 sides of Marvins' personality and it was Ritz who persuaded him to return to performing in 1982. In doing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 195
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Motown Early Classics

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Jimmy Ruffin

Release Date July 22, 1996
Although entitled Early Classics, this 18-track collection actually spans the period 1964 to 1970, with six tracks taken from the 1970 albums The Groove Governor and I Am My Brother's Keeper, the latter in partnership with his brother David Ruffin from the Temptations. This included the single Stand By Me, a revival of Ben E King's 1960 hit, and a terriffic cover of Tyrone Davis's Turn Back The Hands Of Time.

A further four tracks are taken from the 1969 album Ruff'n Ready, which provided him with some of his biggest hits such as Farewell Is A Lonely Sound and I'll Say Forever My Love. It also contained his unlikely, but very successful cover of 96 Tears, and the Motown standard You've Got What It Takes. Another track, I Will Never Let You Get Away, probably ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 196
Average Rating:

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Come and Get These Memories / Heatwave

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Martha Reeves & the Vandellas

Release Date April 22, 2002
My copy of this CD was returned to Amazon. One track had an audio drop-out at the beginning of the song; another two tracks had a low hum on the back end of the fade out.

Another CD from the same series (Love Child / Supremes A' Go-Go) had similar faults.

Annoyed? YES!

CD-Charts Position 197
Average Rating:

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What You Won't Do for Love

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Bobby Caldwell

Release Date December 13, 2004
My copy of this CD was returned to Amazon. One track had an audio drop-out at the beginning of the song; another two tracks had a low hum on the back end of the fade out.

Another CD from the same series (Love Child / Supremes A' Go-Go) had similar faults.

Annoyed? YES!

CD-Charts Position 198
Average Rating:

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His California Album

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Bobby 'Blue' Bland

Release Date November 20, 2004
In my humble opinion, easily the best soul/blues album you are likely to hear. Great songs, great voice, musicians are top notch.Bobby Bland at his best !!!!

CD-Charts Position 199
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Songstress

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Anita Baker

Release Date November 18, 1991
This was actually Anita's debut and not the aforementioned Rapture. Good though that also was this to me was her pivotal moment. Although initially released only in the US, the success of Rapture eventually led its release worldwide.

Her voice lacks the smooth finesse of later releases, being less polished in some ways, but this is gutsy, raw soul with real emotion, so much that you can almost get swept away in the orchestrated arrangements.

So many good moments on this wonderful CD - No More Tears though has to be my favourite - for all the reasons stated above. This album rightly deserves its place as a soul classic. All self respecting soul fans should have a copy.

CD-Charts Position 200
Average Rating:

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Love Songs - 20 Classic Hits

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

Release Date March 24, 1997
This CD is a collection of classic love songs recorded by Wonder....some of which have been written himself, with a few tracks from other artistes thrown in for good measure, from the haunting self-written Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer, to the brilliant cover version of We Can Work It Out, the only version I actually think is better than the Beatles'!!! The harmonica solo of the title track from the film Alfie is also awesome & the whole CD shows off Wonder's musical, vocal & songwriting talents to their very best advantage. A must in your collection if you're an ardent Stevie Wonder fan!!