La La Means I Love You - BUDDHA
Artist: The Delfonics
Community Score: 10.00

Philly soul has rarely sounded as regal as it does on Buddah Records "Original Masters" reissue series. Their initial batch of releases includes the first three long-players from the Thom Bell-produced and arranged Delfonics. While La La Means I Love You is the trio's debut LP, they had actually been working with Bell as far back as their 1966... Read More

The Greatest Hits of Jackie Wilson
Artist: Jackie Wilson
Community Score: 9.50

This 14-song CD contains enough Jackie Wilson to satisfy his most ardent fans. Spanning from Berry Gordy's stuttering "Reet Petite" to the smooth "You Got Me Walking" produced by Eugene Record. Sandwiched between are his best and meatiest soul trips: "Whispers," "Lonely Teardrops," "Higher and Higher," "To Be Loved," "Baby Workout," and seven... Read More

The Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia
Artist: The Sweet Inspirations

Though Cissy Houston was long gone from the group by the time they made this album, it's a fine set of gospel-pop-soul, with arrangements that manage to be sophisticated without getting slick. Co-produced by David Porter and Ronnie Williams, who as a pair also wrote most of the material; the songs are good and varied, the vocals and harmonies... Read More

Aretha's Gold
Artist: Aretha Franklin

The first compilation based on Franklin's successes of 1967-1968 on Atlantic. Included among the 14 selections here are all of the big bits (nine of which went Top 10) that established Franklin's enduring reputation, from "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" to "I Say A Little Prayer." It sometimes got as good as this afterwards, but it... Read More

Lady Soul - ATLANTIC/RHINO
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Community Score: 8.25

Appearing after a blockbuster debut and a sophomore set that was rather disappointing (in comparison), 1968's Lady Soul proved Aretha Franklin, the pop sensation, was no fluke. Her performances were more impassioned than on her debut, and the material just as strong, an inspired blend of covers and originals from the best songwriters in soul and... Read More

Raw Blues
Artist: Johnnie Taylor
Community Score: 6.00

While the "Raw" part of the title may be overstating the case just a bit, "Blues" describes this disc pretty well, thank you -- on his fourth album, Johnnie Taylor shifts his focus away from Stax's trademark Southern soul stylings towards leaner and grittier blues-based performances, a style he'd already shown a knack for on his earlier sets.... Read More

Motown Superstars Series, Vol. 8
Artist: Jimmy Ruffin

An excellent coupling of David and Jimmy Ruffin's individual solo highlights. A couple of cuts from their unheralded LP together are also included, making this a well-rounded package. Two obscurities from each spice this skimpy but tight compilation: David Ruffin's dramatic, aching "Just Let Me Hold You For a Night," and Jimmy Ruffin's... Read More

This Old Heart of Mine
Artist: The Isley Brothers
Reach Out
Artist: The Four Tops
Community Score: 6.30

Though it's one of the best Four Tops records of the '60s, Reach Out still feels weighted down by a few vain attempts at adult pop crossover. It certainly starts out right, with the glorious "Reach out, I'll Be There," the group's second pop/R&B chart-topper. After a faithful cover of the Left Banke's "Walk Away Renee," though, listeners are... Read More