"The music on A TRIBUTE TO BLACK ENTERTAINERS covers over sixty years, although the last two decades have only a couple of examples. There's an occasional alternate take here, as well as some in-concert tracks, and a few that are rechanneled stereo. The 32-page long-sized booklet is easy on the eyes, has lots of interesting photos and song details. Some recording dates and personnel are missing, however. The music itself is first class, from the legendary Bert Williams' 1919 acoustic waxing of a Prohibition lament, to Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing," the newest track here.
For the most part, source material is in fine shape, with no heavy-handed processing added. Songs are in a generally chronological order. This COLUMBIA LEGACY set is well-worth owning, especially for anyone interested in historic African American recording artists.