Collector's Corner

Soulchasers Vol 2

This was the second, and sadly, final “Soul Chasers” CD. Who knows why they ended there, but best to have two cracking compilations than none at all. Who could ever pass down an album with the likes of Ronn Matlock, Patti Austin, Glenn Jones amongst other on it? Ronn's 1982 classic “I Can't Forget About You” is as sweet as they come and the heavenly arrangement from the legendary Michael Stokes is perfect for opening up a CD. I bought this CD on the strength of this one track alone!

However much I enthuse about what is released today, everything pales in comparison to the material released in this era. Ronn's album is due for release sometime soon in the UK on CD! Thankfully, a collection of Patti's CTI material was released by Connoisseur Collection was released in 2001 and contained “I'm In Love” without the distortion that marred its appearance on here. This has to be the best tune that Patti ever laid down for Creed Taylor's label. The powerful Glenn Jones is more than overdue a new set, and hopefully he can return to the glory of his 80s performances, as excellently highlighted by the standard-bearing “Keep On Doin'”. This song sounds as fresh today as it did when it was released, let alone when it was included here on CD in 1994! That is the mark of a crackin' track.

Fans of the style of Hiroshima where traditional Japanese instruments meet soulful West Coast flavours will revel in the ultra-rare Phil Perry and Rena Scott fronted “Say You Will” by Osamu Kitajima. I can listen to stuff like this all day and never tire of it. Isn't it great that all these years on both Phil and Rena are still recording and releasing material to great success? New Horizon released their superb Zapp flavoured album back in 1983 – and has just been reissued on vinyl only in the US – and benefited from the genius of Roger Troutman. The world lost a great talent when he and his brother died prematurely back in 1999. They have left a musical legacy unparalleled, and this male vocal outfit certainly can be included here.

Rosie Gaines has seen a resurgence of late, too, but nothing this side of 2000 compares to her 1985 killer “Good Times”, co-written with Soul Train's Don Cornelius! 70s Motown act, Platinum Hook, were still recording gems in the mid 80s and this RCA cut from 1985 ranks as one of the best. Its such a pity that no-one scales these dizzy heights any longer. Cuts like this summery swayer underline the reason why CDs like this regularly attain a £40 mark on eBay. Expensive? Possibly, but worth every penny. For the next song I have to state the obvious and say that Aretha Franklin is an amazing talent – though I have not personally rated much of her work! However, this 1975 gem is something worth shouting about and its warm, easy melody, scratchy guitar and flute seem at odds with the gutsy, pulpit performance of this catharsistic talent. Yet it works! If only we had more material like this from her then I would be a very happy man.

“Love Love Love” could only be delivered by the smooth, sensuous soul who was Donny Hathaway (Sorry, J.R. But this is the definitive version!) His effortless delivery each and every time is something to behold. How we miss the likes of him. I know little about The Trumains. “Ripe For The Pickin'” is the only song of theirs I know, and I have to say that I would love to hear more, especially if it is up to this standard. Ron Kersey is the man behind this gem and so it is no surprise really that its an essential cut. Leon “Ndugu” Chancler is still doing his stuff today, but his essential 1980 set with his Chocolate Jam Co for Epic heralded the excellent “Come Into My Life Again”- if you can track this down on LP or CD then please check out “A Chance With You” which is even better! Who cannot fall in love with the whimsy that is “Overdose Of Joy”. The song oozes the Chi-Lites thanks to the horn riff, but the delivery is more akin to Johnny Bristol for the late, great Eugene Record. This is a classic, no more, no less.

Such a happy song – as is “Here Comes The Sun” from the same album. Wonderful, timeless stuff. I have to admit that I find a lot of Sam Dees' work rather depressing! His much acclaimed Atlantic LP “The Show Must Go On” left me stone cold, but this uptempo barn-stormer is definitely one not to ignore. Such a performance from a very talented man. When this was released, and I had fully digested it, I was very eager for a volume three. This never came, and this is a pity. Compilations like this serve a very important purpose: it reminds us that although there is a lot of great music about today, we must not overlook the greatness that came before. Many who buy today's R&B think its a NEW form of music, and stuff from the late 90s is considered “ol' skool'. What chance do the memory of Roger Troutman, Eugene Record, Donny Hathaway etc have with this attitude? I say its as important to champion the past as much as the present. If we don't, I don't think our music has much of a future.

Barry Towler