Anthology

Aurra

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 5, 1995)
• Original Release Date: December 13, 1995
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Salsoul Records
• ASIN: B000001H68
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #173,981 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Make up Your Mind

2. Send Your Love

3. Are You Single? [12" Version]

4. In the Mood (To Groove)

5. When I Come

6. Checking You Out

7. Such a Feeling

8. Under Cover Lover

9. Little Love

10. Checking You Out [12" Version]

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Who Are You

2. Nasty Disposition

3. Kingston Lady

4. Keep on Doin' It

5. In My Arms

6. Patience

7. Thinking of You

8. Positive

9. Coming to Get You

10. You Can't Keep Walking

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Check this CD Out!, May 29, 2003

By	Maria Alvarez "feline854481" (Stevens Point,WI USA) - See all my reviews

Aurra,the spin-off group of Slave,had a string of successful soul hits in the early 1980s. Consisting of former Slave members such as Starleana Young,Curt Jones,Tom Lockett & Steve Washington,Aurra combined the Signature Sound of Slave with a Twist of Aurra Flavor in the mix & made it their own Original,Unique Groove. This 2-disc set reveals the Musical Magic that was Aurra. It highlights nearly all of their career and captures the essence of Aurra's Smooth,Soul-Funk Style. Driven by the raw energy & Distinctive Soulful Vocals of Curt & Star,Aurra proved to be a Dynamic Force in the Soul & Funk Scene of the early 80s. The Stand-out Tracks on this Cd are Cool & Breezy Summertime Jams such as the Mind-Blowing Funk of Make Up Your Mind and the Smooth Grooves of Are You Single? & Checking You Out. Other tracks worth checking out are: Thinking of You,A Little Love,Positive,UnderCover Lover,& Baby Love. This Smoking Set also includes tracks from Aurra's first album released in January 1980,while Aurra's members were still in Slave like the Monster Funk of In The Mood To Groove & When I Come Home. As one might expect,these pulsating party cuts have a distinctly obvious Slave Sound in the vein of Slave Jams like Stellar Fungk & Stone Jam. They even feature many Slave Members like Floyd Miller & Mark Adams. You can instantly recognize those throbbing Bass Lines to be Mark Adams' Inimitable Style. Steve Arrington also makes an appearance with the inclucsion of his 12" Single,Summertime Lovin',backed by the Slave Lineup. Steve Washington's role in Aurra was also crucial since he now played multiple musical instruments such as Bass & Guitar. His Bass Style sounds very much like Mark Adams'. You can tell that he was heavily influenced by his Musicianship. Enuff Said. If you haven't gotten this Slammin' Collection yet,then you seriously need to buy this cuz it's an excellent addition to your Slave collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great post-disco, pre-urban stuff!, February 29, 2004

By	ohmysohopeless (Nowhere to Go) - See all my reviews

I disagree that there are just too many tracks. The stuff by Aurra is very hard to find these days unless you go looking for vinyl records (which I haven't...yet!). I'd rather see the precious music preserved digitally this way than see them go totally forgotten. The price is reasonable for such a huge 2-CD set as well.

To me, the charm of soul/funk music in this era is the fusion of sophisticated yet still warm-sounding synths and drum machines layered on top of funky, totally danceable beats. Oh, don't forget those beautifully catchy melodies that are so quintessential of 80s music! Aurra has it all --- that tight bass & guitar by Steve Washington, sultry vocal interplay of Starleana Young (man her voice is lovely) and Curt Jones --- totally addictive stuff for an 80s music buff! Guitar and bass cuts of Aurra are simply amazing. Unfortunately Aurra didn't last long as a group, and this compilation is mostly made of material done by Steve Washington in the early 80s. More modern, urban stuff from Young and Jones (e.g., as Deja) after their departure from Washington aren't in this album.

Stand-out tracks for me are: "Send Your Love," "Are You Single," "Checking You Out," "Nasty Disposition," "Keep on Doin' It," "Patience," and "Baby Love." I actually like most dance songs on this gem.

I highly recommend this album if you are looking for really cool old school grooves...this thing totally cheers you up.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes, I have made up my mind !, May 5, 2000

By	John Washington (Detroit, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Being a huge Slave fan, I loved Aurra. Stevie Washington (the fearless leader) demonstrated both his superior songwriting and ability to flat out play. (His bass work sounds alot like Mark Hicks') Starleana Young and Curt Jones provide the great vocals.

I was especially pleased to get 12-inch versions of "Are You Single?" and "Checking You Out". My only knock? This should have been a 1 CD set, but that's just knitpicking.