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Saturday, February 8, 2020

Atlantic Unearthed...Soul Sisters and Soul Brothers...rare soul tracks from the Atlantic records vaults






Atlantic Records was one of the leading record companies in rhythm and blues and soul music.
 
The golden era of American soul music in the 60's and early 70's is synonymous with the classic soul sides produced by an array of legendary performers for Atlantic Records during that momentous musical time. And, beyond all the immortal soul and R'n'B hits and top charting singles the label released over the years, there are treasure-filled vaults of tapes storing countless more historic recordings by a host of remarkable talents. Compiled by soul music historian David Nathan, these collections gather rarities, many previously unissued, and  literally unearthed from the venerable Atlantic Records archives featuring soul women and men who are among the genre's all-time greatest. 


Soul Sisters compiles 16 rare tunes from artists like Aretha Franklin, Barbara Lewis, Margie Joseph, Doris Troy, The Sweet Inspirations, Jackie Moore, plus some rarely heard artists as well. Some of these songs have never made it past being only released on the original 45, and others have never been heard before, period. They are from about 1964-1973; one of the last of the golden ages at Atlantic. 



Soul Sisters




Subtitled "16 Lost Classics By The Greatest Soul Men Ever", this compilation is something of a lost gem in itself.
 
Just looking at the lineup of artists on here is enough to make a soul fan salivate: Wilson Pickett, Bobby Womack, James Carr, Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, Donny Hathaway, Sam and Dave. But some of the best tracks are from relatively unknown acts, such as the excellent version of "That's How it Feels" by the Soul Clan. The what clan? The Soul Clan were a soul supergroup of sorts: Solomon Burke, Arthur Conley, Joe Tex, Ben E. King, and Don Covay. Another artist on here, Carl Hall, is a real no-name for most soul fans, but he really belts it out on "Change with the Seasons." One guy you can truly call a one-hit wonder is R.B.Greaves (remember "Take a Letter Maria" ?) who does a very cool version of "Whiter Shade of Pale", plus Walter Jackson delivers a stunning version of the old Chi-Lites songs "Coldest Days of my Life." Fans of 60's and 70's soul music should love this collection. 



 

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