Various: Masterpieces of Modern Soul, vol. 5Reviewed by Heikki SuosaloRating: 7/ 10
(CDKEND 450; 24 tracks, 75 min.) Track listing and sound clips at https://acerecords.co.uk/masterpieces-of-modern-soul-vol-5 On this set there are as many as six previously unissued tracks and six that were released only recently on other compilations, and still three edited versions of Eddie Floyd’s, Millie Jackson’s and Eon’s mid-1970s dancers. Indeed, most of the music derives from the 1970s with only three hops into the 1980s (Felecia Johnson & T.C.B. Inc., Karim & George Griffin and the Moderations). Thorough notes are written by Ady Croasdell. With four slow and four mid-tempo numbers, the music leans heavily on busy, danceable rhythm. On Leon Thomas’ modern stomper called L-O-V-E there are elements from jazz, and in terms of diversity both funk (3 tracks) and disco (1 track) are served. Another edited recording, Loleatta Holloway’s raw and big-voiced rendition of the fierce Mrs So and So’s Daughter falls into a category of its own. Other personal highlights include Mighty Whites’ uptempo Given My Life and John Edwards’ probably original version of Phillip Mitchell’s How Can I Go on without You (also cut by Corey Blake). Prince Phillip told me a couple of years ago that “I never had the pleasure of meeting John Edwards. However, I think he’s quite an amazing vocalist with all the ingredients to be mentioned amongst the best.” There are still such goodies as Major Lance’s fast dancer titled That’s the Story of My Life, produced by Don Davis, Ray Godfrey’s mid-tempo, melodic and fully orchestrated Spring recording named I Ain’t Givin’ Up and finally Freddie Scott’s pretty, saddish ballad called I Guess God Wants It That Way (https://www.soulexpress.net/freddiescott_discography.htm). Other positive listening experiences include the mid-tempo Your Momma Had a Baby, where Street People share vocals like the Temptations used to do, the smooth Lucky Fellow by the Independents and the slow and not so easily recognizable version of Hello Stranger by Reggie Milner, released on Volt in 1970. (7). © Heikki Suosalo A Star in the Ghetto - the original version of the song, later covered by Average White Band & Ben E. King. The song was written by Phillip Mitchell. |
