Check Her Out [Good music, OK compilation]
Truth | DC | 01/11/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"The late Lyn Collins may best be known for two songs made long after her solo career waned: the 1988 Hip Hop hit "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock (they sampled Collins's voice from her song "Think (About It)" for the hook) and Jamaican Dancehall queen Patra's 1993 reworking of "Think (About It)", which featured Collins, billed as "The Sultry Siren of Funk". She was a protege of James Brown who was also known as "The Female Preacher" and "Mama Feelgood".
MAMAFEEL GOOD: THE BEST OF LYN COLLINS is comprised of 20 songs, from (with the exception of 1971's "Wheel of Life") 1972-1975; tracks are not in chronological order. Disc packaged in clear jewel case; total running time: 77:51. Booklet includes a few very small black & white photos, images of her two album covers, a grammatically flawed essay by Charles Waring (in a very small font, maybe 5 point, which because of its size is difficult to read), and no detailed track information (no musician personnel, producer credits, recording dates, etc; some chart positions provided in text of essay). Sound quality is good.
These songs are from her two albums, 1972's "Think (About It)" and 1975's "Check Me Out If You Don't Know Me By Now", as well as a live recording (track 12), non-album singles, and two soundtrack contributions.
01. Think (About It) [1972] (top 10 R&B)
02. Mama Feel Good [1973] from the film "Black Caesar" (#37 R&B)
03. Baby Don't Do It [1975]
04. Don't Make Me Over [1974]
05. Wheel of Life [1971]
06. I'll Never Let You Break My Heart Again [1972]
07. Rock Me Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again [1974] (#53 R&B)
08. Backstabbers [1975] duet with James Brown
09. Things Got to Get Better [1972]
10. We Want to Parrty, Parrty, Parrty (Parts 1 & 2) [1973] (#64 R&B)
11. Take Me Just As I Am [1973] (#35 R&B)
12. Do Your Thing [1972] live at the Apollo Theater
13. You Can't Love Me If You Don't Respect Me [1974]
14. Me and My Baby Got a Good Thing Goin' [1972]
15. Put It On the Line [1975]
16. Ain't No Sunshine [1972]
17. Give It Up or Turnit a Loose [1974 (#77 R&B)
18. How Long Can I Keep It Up [1975] from the film "Slaughter's Big Rip Off" (#45 R&B)
19. Never Gonna Give You Up [1972]
20. What My Baby Needs Now Is a Little More Lovin' [1972] duet with James Brown (top 20 R&B)
Familiar songs include Isaac Hayes's "Do Your Thing", The O'Jay's "Backstabbers", Burt Bacharach's "Don't Make Me Over", Bill Withers's "Ain't No Sunshine", and James Brown's own "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose". There are two duets with James Brown (tracks 8, 20) included, but not "Just Won't Do Right", which was issued as Collins's first 45. Her charting rendition of "If You Don't Know Me By Now" is also not included.
Like many of James Brown's recordings, these songs include a considerable amount of background shouts, cheers, and chatter. Lyn Collins's voice is strong; not overwhelmingly big or powerful or loud, but strong and often raspy. I would compare her voice to that of Irma Thomas.
Music: 3 stars
Packaging: 1 star
"
BADD SOUL SISTER RIP
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 07/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lyn collins was one of the baddest singing Female artists ever. to hang with James Brown on the funk back in the day spoke volumes. Lyn collins had range&had that stew Grit that you want.the title cut "Wheel of Life" etc... showcase her Soulful range. she has been sampled by so many,but hardly is given her due as a truly strong soulful Artist.this is a tight collection."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1
