R&B and Soul- what's the good stuff?

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Originally posted by Ludwig:
No Ray Charles mentioned yet. Interesting.

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Ray Charles.

I just bought a cd by a fellow named Howard Tate. The album is called "Rediscovered". Tate worked in the 60's and 70"s and was apparently well known among many other musicians.According to the liner notes, his "Get It While You Can" album had two number 12 entries on the R&B charts. Short story long, he quit music, battled drugs and booze in obscurity,living on the street while his cult status grew, cleaned himself up, became a preacher (still in obscurity) and has finally spotted in a grocery store by a former member of Harold Melvin's "Blue Notes".

The guy can really sing and the band is great! I would certainly call this old school soul. I understand the 1967 "Get It While You Can" is quite good. I will get it next.

Happy Hunting

DCT

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Originally posted by Ludwig:
_James Brown_
What are his best 2 or 3 albums?

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A man who has done so much I felt it prudent to get a compilation. And there are quite a few of those to choose from too! I got the 40th Anniversary Collection which is a 2 disc affair at a sensible price, and is relentlessly funktastic.

I will probably apply a similar approach to Mr. Charles, not having anything of his yet. In fact, I'll go for a trawl now!

Pete.

Duncan's right about the Mastercuts LPs - all three of the funk ones are great (esp The Detroit Emeralds).

Then of course the are The Meters - the funkiest band ever - try the all-instrumental self-titled first album for starters, as well as gems like Cabbage Alley, Fire On The Bayou, Rejuvenation, Struttin', Fundamentally Funky and Look Ka Py Py.

Maceo Parker is also a must. The US album from 74 is a bit patchy, but contains two of the funkuiest things ever recorded in Paarty and Soul Power 74. The live album Life On Planet Groove has an awesome version of Pass The Peas.

Phew!

Kevin

I grabbed the 180g reissue of Ka Py Py for £7 a while back. Very nice. The first New Orleans Funk comp on Soul Jazz has great liner notes on how the Meters sound developed.

Some nice recommendations here. Sampling online, I like Mekon's revival funk and deep funk suggestions, Sly Stone, and Jill Scott. I already own some Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, and Marvin Gaye, so I'll buy some Aretha, Hathaway, and of course Isaac Hayes. Maybe The Temptations and a few compilations of some of the sub-genres (Northern Soul, Motown, Memphis, etc).

I haven't yet sampled Maceo Parker or The Meters, but I will soon.

Alex, see your private topics.