There have been so many superlatives used to describe this amazing new box set from Rhino Records that I won't attempt to top them. Instead, here are the facts about the set (these are brand new, sealed boxes):\r\n
- Rhino first released a 4-CD box set featuring rare soul and funk tracks from the vaults of the Atlantic, Atco, Josie & Warner labels.
- While that was cool, what they did next goes way beyond cool! In 2006, they released a companion set (limited to 5,000 copies worldwide!), a custom boxed set featuring 25 of the rarest tracks from the CD compilation, remastered and pressed in 7-inch vinyl with their original labels and factgory sleeves, including their original B-sides. This is the limited-edition 2013 pressing, which has the same contents but presses the 45s on different colored vinyl!
- Unlike most retrospectives and reissue sets, this one doesn't focus on the well-known hit material from these labels' vaults. Instead, 95% of the set is music I've never even heard! Though to judge from the prices these fetch as original-issue 45s, this is damn great soul music. I've yet to listen to every track, but from what I've heard, I'll be adding most of this to my soul playlists as soon as I can.
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In case you want to know what's included in the set, here are the 25 records in the box, which by the way is in the style of a 1960's 45 carrying-case, complete with plastic handle and metal snap-lock.
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- Gangster of Love (part 1)/ (part 2) -
Jimmy Norman(Josie 994, 1968)
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- Getting the Corners/What Good Am I? -
The T.S.U. Tornadoes(Atlantic 2579, 1968)
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- Get in the Groove/Somebody in the World For You -
The Mighty Hannibal(Loma 2093, 1968)
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- Boom Boom Boom/Sexy Coffee Pot -
Tony Avalon and the Belairs(Atlantic 2632, 1969)
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- Tampin/Oleancler -
The Rhine Oaks(Atco 6724, 1969)
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- Keep on Dancing/Rise Up -
The Commodores(Atlantic 2633, 1969)
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- His Funeral, My Trial/Do You Dig It -
Titus Turner(Josie 1012, 1969)
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- Cheatin' Woman/Pop, Popcorn Children -
Eldridge Holmes(Atco 6701, 1969)
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- It's Your Thing/Bring it on Home To Me -
Cold Grits(Atco 6707, 1969)
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I Love You Yes I Do/Funky John -
Johnny Cameron and The Camerons(Atlantic 2734, 1969)
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- Stanga/Somebody's Watching You -
Little Sister(Stone Flower 9001, 1970)
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- Gossip/Tell Me What's On Your Mind -
Cyril Neville(Josie 1014, 1970)
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- Take It Off (part 1)/ (part 2) -
Johnny Toozert and De Thangs(Atlantic 2757, 1970)
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- Engine Number 9/International Playboy -
Wilson Pickett(Atlantic 2765, 1970)
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- Funky Nassau (part1)/(part 2) -
The Beginning of the End(Alston 4595, 1971)
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- Hang On In There/Sweepin' Through the City -
The Stovall Sisters(Reprise 1028, 1971)
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- Listen To Me/Hard Times -
Baby Huey and the Baby Sitters(Curtom 1962, 1970)
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- Fairchild/I Sleep With the Blues -
Willie West(Josie 1019, 1970)
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- Cold Bear/The Booger Man -
The Gaturs(Atco 6870, 1972)
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- You Gotta Know Whatcha Doin'/Here Comes the Sun -
Charles Wright(WB 7630, 1972)
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- Mockingbird Sally/Nuki Suki -
Little Richard(Reprise 1130, 1972)
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- Ain't It Good/Getting Uptown (To Get Down) -
United 8(Atlantic 2896, 1972)
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- Chug Chug Chug-A-Lug (Push n' Shove) (part 1)/ (part 2) -
The Meters(Reprise 1135, 1972)
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- Funky To the Bone/I Want to Dance, Dance, Dance -
Freddi Henchi and the Soul Setters(Reprise 1175, 1973)
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- California Dreamin' (vocal)/(instrumental) -
Eddie Hazel(WB 8425, 1977)
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