VA - Sweet Soul Music: Scorching Classics From 1961-1965

Sweet Soul Music continues Bear Family's year-by-year exploration of R&B that began with the excellent Blowin' The Fuse series (1945-1960).  The first batch in this new series covers 1961-1965 and includes just about every classic soul single released during that period - no obscurities here, this is simply hit after hit compiled by Toronto's own Dave 'Daddy Cool' Booth.  It fills a void left ever since Rhino's Beg, Scream & Shout went out of print. Admittedly, these German imports are more expensive than a typical disc, but every track is a keeper plus you get an 80 page booklet containing stories, photos and cover art.  A must-have!

THE BEES - Sound Selection

As well-rounded as you'd expect from a lot whose songcraft so suavely synthesizes styles into gently beatwise, tuneful pop form, Sound Selection is a mix compilation a la Late Night Tales or Back To Mine, valuing feel and, well, selection over perfect blending and matching. Soulful choral consternation from the Staple Singers and Redbone goes one-for-one with late-golden-age hiphop for the front half of this sequence (maybe even poking fun at comp-curation vanity in choosing De La Soul's "Ego Tripping, Part 2"), and the band's own "Left Foot Stepdown" fits right in after a double-dose of reggae.

AL GREEN - Lay It Down

Four of Lay It Down's eleven tracks were written on the first day of recording, and that spontaneity is apparent, helping leaven what could have just become a stifled opportunity. Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson gets that Al Jackson groove down on "Just For Me", and John Legend's cameo on "You've Got The Luv I Need" holds its own. Sure, most of the album's incredibly smooth, and there may be too many slow jams for many people's tastes, but ?uest and James Poyser clearly know Willie Mitchell's work, delivering an intriguing experiment that's respectful but thankfully isn't overly reverent, either.

ERYKAH BADU - New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War

With Madlib supplying two of his best recent beats with "The Healer" and "My People", YNQ affiliate Karriem Riggins chopping up flutes and sub-bass for surefire single "Soldier", and Sa-Ra getting particularly behind the beat Dilla-style on "Master Teacher" and "That Hump" (the former tune gifted to the project by Georgia Anne Muldrow, jazzing it up on keys at mid-song turnaround), it's not only clear that Badu put in serious work for her newest, but also that those she selectively surrounded herself with knew they were a part of something big. Right up there with Voodoo in my books...

DUFFY - Rockferry

Domestically available after a two-month wait on this side of the pond, much has already been made in the British press of the collaboration between this brassy Welsh belter and producer Bernard Butler, garnering many comparisons to Mark Ronson's success with Amy Winehouse. Even though Duffy has yet to foist any equivalent personal drama on the public, don't hold that against her, as Rockferry's ways may be less in-your-face, but similarly borrowing from classic soul songstresses while putting a contemporary, accessible pop spin on it all.

VA - Good God! Soul Messages From Dimona

The Numero Group's second installment in their Good God! series (ever-cryptically displaying such info on its sleeve in Hebrew only) finds Chicago's intrepid soul-seekers shedding light on South Side expats Charles "Hezekiah" Blackwell, Thomas "Yehudah" Whitfield and John "Shevat" Boyd, all converts to Judaism led by Garveyite Ben Ammi Carter to move first to Liberia in the late '60s, then to Dimona, Israel in the early '70s, tracking Old Testament gospel soul as The Soul Messengers along with backup women's choir The Spirit Of Israel and Shevat's son's "kid group" The Tonistics.

VA - New Orleans Funk: The Original Sound Of Funk, Vol. 2

What better way to welcome warmer weather than with more Crescent City soul? Another top-notch overview from Soul Jazz as per usual, and as was the case with Vol. 1, this edition of New Orleans Funk features a smattering of familiar tracks and artists (Cyril and Art Neville, The Meters, Allan Toussaint, Lee Dorsey) along with enough lesser-knowns to keep aficionados content. In particular, Eddie Bo's given lots of room to shine, with three tracks here (on top of those just made available on Vampisoul's new In The Pocket With... overview). The perfect mix to heat up any patio parties you may be planning!

ARETHA FRANKLIN - Rare & Unreleased Recordings From The Golden Reign Of The Queen Of Soul

After a mind-blowing display of charismatic star-power at Aretha Franklin's free show on Bloor Street last week, I can't stop listening to this collection of unreleased gems from her Atlantic-era prime. Admittedly, none of this material is as instantly memorable as the classic hits from the proper album releases; still what is here is top-notch soul, sung with a passion and insight that you don't see much anymore. Bow down to the Queen Of Soul!

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Jamaica Funk

A casual observer could be forgiven for thinking that reissue label Soul Jazz wouldn't touch any Jamaican music that wasn't recorded at the seminal Studio One; to date, they have a staggering 23 volumes in their S1 series. But not only does their brand new Jamaica Funk break with that unwritten rule, it also proves that their reggae reissue well is anything but dry. This excellent release combines covers of American funk material from artists such as The JBs, Al Green and The Stylistics, as well as original Jamaican music owing to these styles. Big Youth, Augustus Pablo, The Upsetters all appear on this great disc.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Larry Banks' Soul Family Album

The long-awaited second volume in Kent's Artistry In Soul series is finally here!  Considering the first volume, Eddie & Ernie's Lost Friends was one of the greatest soul compilations ever, expectations are high. The Larry Banks' Soul Family Album exceeds them all with its mix of deep soul (Kenny Carter's "I Can't Stop Laughing") and uptempo scorchers (Geminis' "Come On Act Right"). This release stakes a strong claim for Larry Banks, who wrote 23 of the 24 songs on this comp, as one of the most unsung composers of his genre.

SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS - 100 Days, 100 Nights

One can only hope that the increased recognition the excellent Dap-Kings received as Amy Winehouse's North American backing band will translate well for road warrior Sharon Jones. No disrespect to Winehouse--she's got great pipes--but live, she's still a bit of deer in the headlights compared to the barnburner that is Jones. 100 Days, 100 Nights is economical and lively in its mission: to create a long lost R&B record. From its layout to its sound, this is one seriously retro album, but it's retro done with feeling, love, and a boatload of talent.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Tears Full Of Soul

With the passing of Dave Godin in 2004, the world lost one of its foremost soul experts. His four volume series Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures introduced many to the heartbreaking majesty of 'deep soul'. Inspired by Dave's series, David Cole of In The Basement magazine has compiled an excellent collection of "original tear jerkers from the heart and soul." 

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Required Listening 2

Local label head John Kong started the Do Right label as a way to showcase local electronic, jazz, soul and hip hop acts. In a short time, he has proven that Toronto is a hotbed for more than just indie rock. Although the second in his Required Listening compilations draws from outside T.O., Abdominal's excellent opener "T-Ode" makes certain we know where Kong's heart lies (the track even features an intro by Toronto mayor David Miller!). Like its predecessor, this collection is an excellent cross-section of jazz, hip hop and soul, and a great reminder of just how diverse this town can be.

LEE MOSES - Time & Place

Combine the raw, deep soul of Eddie & Ernie with a dash of the psych-funk of Baby Huey and you get the unique power of Lee Moses. I was first exposed to Lee upon hearing "How Much Longer Must I Wait" on the first volume of Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures (Kent), the best collection of overlooked soul ever released.  Now we are blessed to hear all the sides released by this talented artist, impassioned ballads like "My Adorable One" next to a funky cover of "California Dreaming".  Only on import from the UK so it's expensive but worth every cent!  

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Cult Cargo: Grand Bahama Goombay

The Numero Group's dedication to hunting down the forgotten of music's past has led to a flawless run of surprises. Their 14th release, Grand Bahama Goombay, retains the chief characteristics of most of their titles: crisp, wide-eyed soul music made with equal parts sweat, humour and naivete.  All but the most scholarly of listeners will be hearing this blend of soul, funk, calypso and reggae for the first time. Fresh versions of "Take Five" and "Theme from Shaft" pair with Sylvia Hall's ode to abstinance, "Don't Touch That Thing", to make a collection that is unpredictable and damn fun.