Excellent album of soul tunes from the great 1970's
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 12/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"70's Soul #1's is a solid CD with eighteen tracks on it that cover the soul music scene in the 1970s. Sure, there are a few songs some people would quibble about on this CD; but it's actually pretty good for a single CD retrospective of a long period of time.
After a very, very funky "Flash Light" by Parliament comes the somewhat softer "Got to Give It Up (Pt. 1)" by Marvin Gaye. The sound of this track makes me want to dance and the background vocal cries help the number alone very well. Moreover, listen for Diana Ross's "Love Hangover." I really like "Love Hangover" because it's beautiful and even a tad jazzy both at the same time. The key and tempo changes enhance "Love Hangover," too.
The Jackson 5 do their "super-bad" hit "Dancing Machine." I like the musical special effects and they harmonize so well while little Michael Jackson sings his heart out. Rick James's "You And I" really bats it straight out of the ballpark to score a grand slam home run. Rick James really turned out one of his very best hits with "You And I." This is great musical to dance to!
David Ruffin gives us a "softer" number with his "Walk Away From Love;" and the ladies on backup do a perfect job. David's voice is strong and full of masculine warmth in a way I don't always hear other male singers sing; "Walk Away From Love" is a solid hit on this album.
The Brothers Johnson contribute a really soulful, rockin' number "Strawberry Letter 23." Their backup vocalists shine and the percussion works wonders for this number.
The album ends on the same softer note. We get both "Three Times A Lady" from The Commodores; this number strikes me as one of the most beautiful soul numbers I've ever heard. Peaches and Herb come last--but not least--with a smash hit, "Reunited."
The liner notes are nonexistent because they wanted eco-friendly packaging. Sorry, folks!
Overall, this album is perfect for casual fans of soul music from the 1970s; and people just becoming familiar with the soul hits of that decade will cherish this CD for quite a while to come.
"
Fun and funky
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 02/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this is the kind of album where you can throw it on any time of the year and keeo your groove on. so many slamming Jams that will keep you in the Groove from a whose who of 70's soul. for me I still feel the 70's was the golden era of R&B. the talent level alone hasn't been matched since. and this compilation has some of the baddest jams of that time period to reflect my sentiments on that statement."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1