OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST PRESENT SOUL
label : Rhino
Release: 12 September 2011



OGWT soul compilation had me twirling around in profound delight. 'Soul is a state of mind' says Daryl Hall and I say 'Amen brother!' As a dedicated soul fan, some of this I already own. The big six are on here; Marvin, Al, Smokey, Otis, Isleys and Aretha. We've clearly got some masters missing - Curtis Mayfield being one for starters.

Wild Cherry - 'Play that Funky Music' - lordy - did that bring back memories? This is 100% funk with some heart and soul to kick off this superb offering. Sly & The Family Stone's 'Thank you' sounds remarkably like The Fatback Bands's 'Jungle Boogie.' And the beat goes on with Average White Band's 'Pick up the Pieces' - a classic from the Scottish funksters and I'm so glad it's been recognised on here as an OGWT recommend.

I'm not familiar with Betty Wright or her 'Clean up Woman.' Wiki revealed that she has a four octave vocal range that reaches into the 'whistle register,' which, (wiki tells us) is 'the highest register of the human voice.' Who knew? I'm going to test out that theory on my dog and see if Betty Wright can tame him. First recorded by The Brothers Johnson, Shuggie Otis's 'Strawberry Letter 23 was selected for inclusion, with it's instantly recognisable tinkly intro. And who can forget the Reverend? Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together' and Smokey Robinson's knee buckling 'Being with You,' are part of this soulful mix.

As one who put together compilation albums for a living at one point in my life, (with names like 'Drivetime' and 'Comic Release') the rule of thumb was to go for a strong beginning/end and hide everything else in the middle. When licensing from labels they would make you take one duff track for every classic. Its a habit of mine to search out which tracks they have been forced to take, but on this I'm having difficulty and my theory is totally blown out of the water as there are 20 tracks and Smokey is number 10!

A spectacular end with Otis Redding's 'Change is gonna come' and this, to me, is classic soul at it's very, very finest - a track resplendent with key changes and ad-libbing, synonymous with a truly soulful delivery. The uplifting 'Harvest for the World' by the wonderful Isley Brothers closes the compilation and my life is complete.

I'm not going to split hairs over music genre here but if I were being my pedantic self I'd say there were a few funk tracks and quite possibly a smidge of jazz on here but I'm not complaining - honest!

J@8pr