Customer Reviews

Soul Divas - Blaxploitation Masterpieces

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This boxed set (its actually 2 CDs, but I have the digital version) is funky horn and groove driven 70's soul, well produced/well engineered, fronted by heavy soul shouting R&B divas... many undeservedly obscure, others one hit wonders. Based on the sound, I'm guessing that many were mastered directly from the tapes... some tracks, for example have a live in the studio sound that you didn't even get with the old recrds.

Artists include Marie Queenie Lyons, Lara Lee, Ann Peebles, Freda Payne, First Choice, El Riots, Gi Gi, Jeannie Tracy, Dorothy Moore, Esther Williams, Dee Edwards, Nancy Holloway, Kathleen Emergy, The Trinikas, Patti Jo, Shannon Robinson, Pearly Dowdell, Marva Whitney, Lyn Collins, Martha High, Spanky Wilson, Pam Kellum, Barbara King, Gloria Walker, Betty Padgett, Sarah Simpson, Little Denise, Mary Davis, Barbara Howard, Wanda Davis, Big Ella, Santi & Mautues, Lavell Kama, Elois Laws and the Honey Cone.

There are also some tracks that are more recently recorded... a track by Spanky Wilson and The Quantic Soul Orchestra amazingly steals the show... Killer bass !!! On the other hand, there's a Pam Kellum tune that was so well remastered I went nuts trying to figure out whether it was some neo-funk outlet that had the sound down perfect or something back in the day. (Wow... talk about a funky lock!!!)

One strong thing the compilation has going for it is that although these rare artist's names may sound familiar from other rare soul series, a lot of the tracks are stuff you haven't heard heard. The album is almost 2 hours long... And by the way, if you haven't heard El Riots DO IT RIGHT, you haven't funked... Even in the case of the tracks you've heard before (which include some James Brown productions) the engineering is so good, its worth it.

All in all, this CD is 2 solid hours of non-stop bumping... definitely my best purpose of the year!!!

note: Having mentioned that I have the digital version, I think I'd prefer the box set if it has an insert... would like to get some more info on the tracks!