The 2 Sides of Sam Cooke
Artist: Sam Cooke
Community Score: 4.50

This 12-song release splits its time between Cooke's early gospel sides as a member of the Soul Stirrers ("The Last Mile of the Way," "Were You There," "Touch the Hem of His Garment") and his early attempts at crossing over into pop music, including "Lovable," which was originally issued under the name of Dale Cooke to avoid upsetting his gospel... Read More

One Dozen Roses
Artist: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Community Score: 5.00

One of their better latter-period albums. Though the singles ("The Tears of a Clown," "I Don't Blame You At All," the lovely "Satisfaction") were the focal points of the set, the real gem is "No Wonder Love's a Wonder," a haunting, socially conscious ballad where Smokey Robinson speaks the lyrics as the Miracles harmonize in the background. It... Read More

Spirit in the Dark
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Community Score: 5.00

Spirit in the Dark was one of Aretha Franklin's more overlooked albums from her Atlantic prime, despite the inclusion of a couple hit singles (the title track and "Don't Play That Song"). The disc includes five of her own compositions (the most she ever recorded for a single album) and her usual eclectic choice of cover material. On this record,... Read More

It Hurts So Good
Artist: Millie Jackson

Before hitting her stride with 1974's Caught Up, Millie Jackson delivered this tasty disc of uptown Southern soul. Both Stax raw and Philly International slick, It Hurts So Good percolates with smoky horns, snaking guitar lines, electric piano, strings, and bluesy funk grooves. In addition to her usually provocative take on relationships (both... Read More

Millie Jackson
Artist: Millie Jackson

Millie Jackson's debut is one of the freshest albums of her career, her style remarkably mature and the sound an infectious blend of '60s soul influences (from Motown to Stax to early Philly soul). Jackson's just as tough and aggressively honest here as she would be on her breakout, 1974's Caught Up, and songs like "I Ain't Giving Up" and "I... Read More

Young, Gifted and Black
Artist: Aretha Franklin

It's nearly impossible to single out any of Aretha Franklin's early '70s albums for Atlantic as being her best, particularly given the breadth of her output during this era. In terms of albums rather than singles, it's probably her strongest era, and if you count live albums like Amazing Grace, choosing a standout or a favorite record isn't any... Read More

Nutbush City Limits - MASTERSOUND
Artist: Ike & Tina Turner
Rags to Rufus
Artist: Rufus & Chaka Khan
Community Score: 8.00

In many respects the group seems to be feeling their way through this. Luckily, Rags to Rufus does feature some can't-miss propositions. The great rock and funk mix of "You've Got the Love" all but sums up what Chaka Khan was going to be doing for the long haul. The biggest hit here, "Tell Me Something Good," is a rare instance of an artist like... Read More

Nightbirds
Artist: LaBelle
Community Score: 8.30

The finest of Labelle's original albums, Nightbirds was recorded in New Orleans with funkmeister Allen Toussaint handling the production chores and, one assumes, members of the Meters taking care of the session work. Worth the price of admission for the Bob Crewe-written "Lady Marmalade" alone, the album veers between the strutting New Orleans,... Read More

Anthology - 1973
Artist: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Community Score: 5.00