Search - Various Artists :: Soul Hits 70's 1-5

Fine Collection of 1970's R&B

Ibochild | Los Angeles, CA USA | 08/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This box set represents the first five CD's of Rhino Record's excellent DIDN'T IT BLOW YOUR MIND: Soul Hits of the 70's series. As expected, Rhino has not simply put together a package of the biggest hits of the period. Instead, they have assembled a fine mix of familiar and lesser known cuts that reflect the range and depth of so-called "Black" music of the period. This is very important because R&B radio then (and perhaps even more so today) was very slow to embrace Black artists that didn't fit within an established mold. For example, this box set includes "Double Barrel" by the Jamaican duo of Dave & Ansil Collins. Although a decent pop hit in 1971 (#22), this early reggae record failed to even make the R&B chart. The sounds of the African Diaspora are also represented by The Beginning of the End's "Funky Nassau" and Hugh Masakela's "Grazin' in the Grass," which were more readily accepted by R&B radio. Southern-flavored soul which defined R&B at the time is also well presented with cuts like "Precious, Precious" by Jackie Moore and "A Rainy Night in Georgia" by Brook Benton. Other outstanding cuts, reflecting the quality and depth of the collection include "Oh Happy Day" (Edwin Hawkins' Singers), "Right on the Tip of My Tongue" (Brenda & the Tabulations), "Compared to What" (Les McCann & Eddie Harris), "Somebody's Watching You" (Little Sister), and "Proud Mary" (Ike & Tina Turner). If you're looking to get a taste of Black music from the early 1970's for the first time or to re-introduce yourself to the period, this CD box set is a great place to start."