Good Things
Artist: Chuck Jackson

Given the complexities of corporate politics, soul belter Chuck Jackson probably recorded for too many different labels to ever receive a truly definitive career-spanning overview, but for sheer quality and quantity the Kent retrospective Good Things is the disc to beat, assembling two dozen chart hits, cult classics, and unreleased sides from... Read More

His Earliest Recordings
Artist: Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers
Community Score: 6.75

For fans only familiar with Sam Cooke's later secular blockbusters, this fine Specialty disc of classic Soul Stirrers sides is essential listening. Taking over for powerhouse lead R.H. Harris in 1950, Cooke proceeded to take gospel singing to new heights with the Stirrers, showing a level of grace in his phrasing and tone not often heard before.... Read More

The Best of Glenn Jones
Artist: Glenn Jones
Mr. Excitement
Artist: Jackie Wilson

A three-CD box from the experts of reissue at Rhino, Mr. Excitement takes Wilson's career from his first sides with Billy Ward & the Dominoes in 1956 through his final recordings in the early '70s. The former Detroit boxer hit either the R&B or pop chart over 50 times, making him one of the most successful R&B artists ever, in chart terms at... Read More

Of All Time: Classic Collection
Artist: Curtis Mayfield

This anthology spotlights Curtis Mayfield's biggest hits as a solo star since 1970. It includes his first hit as a lead artist, "(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below We're All Gonna Go," plus "Superfly," "Freddie's Dead," "So in Love," and many other classics recorded for his Curtom label. Mayfield penned many masterful sociopolitical and... Read More

The All Time Greatest Hits
Artist: The Main Ingredient

It wasn't until 1971 that the Main Ingredient's fortunes changed; when Cuba Gooding replaced Donald McPherson, his engaging voice helped make them part of the "sweet" soul trend. Gooding's leads made "Everybody Plays the Fool" a huge hit, as well as "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" and "Happiness Is Just Around the Bend." These and several other... Read More

Soul Survivors: The Best of Gladys Knight & the Pips 1973-1988
Artist: Gladys Knight & the Pips

Soul Survivors: The Best of Gladys Knight & the Pips picks up where the Motown anthology left off, containing the most important singles that Gladys Knight And The Pips recorded for Buddah, Columbia, and MCA from the early '70s until the late '80s. The Buddah tracks, highlighted by the Jim Weatherly-written "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Best... Read More

Duke of Earl: 23 Greatest Hits
Artist: Gene Chandler

Gene Chandler exploded on the '60s soul scene with "Duke of Earl," and a brilliant piece of novelty/love song material. His hit singles could be formulaic, but Chandler's expressive, haunting voice never failed to lift a trite lyric or punctuate a great one. This 23-cut set contains many songs previously available only as singles, and mixes the... Read More