The Delfonics Super Hits
Artist: The Delfonics

Another Delfonics anthology, and this was for a long time the best one available. It contained the chart-topping ballads and love songs that made them perhaps "sweet" soul's best unit, even though The Stylistics' Russell Tompkins, Jr. was probably the genre's most popular vocalist. There isn't a dud in this bunch. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Community Score: 8.17

While the inclusion of "Respect" -- one of the truly seminal singles in pop history -- is in and of itself sufficient to earn I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You classic status, Aretha Franklin's Atlantic label debut is an indisputable masterpiece from start to finish. Much of the credit is due to producer Jerry Wexler, who finally unleashed... Read More

Aretha Now
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Community Score: 10.00

Though a bit short on running time at ten songs, this still caught Aretha Franklin at the peak of her early form. "Think," "I Say a Little Prayer," "See Saw," and "I Can't See Myself Leaving You" were all big hits. Her choice of cover material included some of her most R&B-drenched early Atlantic cuts, like "Night Time Is the Right Time," "You... Read More

Here, My Dear
Artist: Marvin Gaye
Community Score: 8.57

Pre-dating the voyeuristic tendencies of reality television by 20 years, Here, My Dear is the sound of divorce on record -- exposed in all of its tender-nerve glory for the world to consume. During the amazing success of I Want You and his stellar Live at the London Palladium album, Marvin Gaye was served with divorce papers from his then-wife... 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

Wanted: One Soul Singer
Artist: Johnnie Taylor
Community Score: 6.00

Johnnie Taylor set the tone for his recording career at Stax with Wanted: One Soul Singer, a consistently gritty collection of blues and raw, hard-hitting Memphis soul. In addition to his appealing medium-sized hits "Just The One I've Been Lookin' For" and "I Had A Dream," Wanted (reissued on CD in 1991) boasts pleasant surprises ranging from... 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

Soul '69
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Community Score: 9.33

One of her most overlooked '60s albums, on which she presented some of her jazziest material, despite the title. None of these cuts were significant hits, and none were Aretha originals; she displayed her characteristically eclectic taste in the choice of cover material, handling compositions by Percy Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson, and,... Read More