Classiest Rarities CD - Full Review Kent

Northern Souls Classiest Rarities CDKEND192

Adey admits in his introduction that there isnt one outstanding label or theme to this compilation, other than it simply being a bunch of NS tunes that Ace/Kent have had kicking around for ages but had yet to Utilise...nothing wrong with that! Every NS fan will find plenty theyd like within the 24 tracks for sure, as it covers many a soul-genre which all go to make up the wide and varied Rare Soul scene in the year 2001.

Most folk will be pleased to see a couple of ex Casino Searling spins, Mr.Souls "What happened to yesterday", and The Imaginations "Strange neighbourhood", or "Maurice McAllister" and "Ray Pollard & The Wanderers" as they were first spun as! Plenty of dancefloor favourites from the 80s and 90s scenes as well, with Eddie Whiteheads "Just your fool", the jazz tipped Karmello Brooks "Tell me baby", Jimmy Seals "Yesterday of our love" (or "The Moving Parts as Keb once named it!) and the striding New York City soul sound of The Diplomats "Cards on the table".

One of todays surprising big spins has to be the C&W flavoured "Ill be all alone" from Barbara Redd. which has proved to be very popular for Alan Handscombe at The Dome in London over the last year or so, and gave birth to a new soul-genre, "Tumbleweed Soul!"

From 72 is the beautifully polished "Yes Im in love" by the Unique Blend which has been an on off spin since the 70s, and if you like that youll probably already in love with the cross-over sound of The Joytones "This love", also included. Kent also treat us to a few previously unissued tracks, the way they do, with The Delfonics, "Youll get enough", Bettye Swanns belting uptempo version of "I think Im falling in love", and finally Audrey Matthews (daughter of Johnnie Mae) version of "I have no choice" ..brilliant discoveries, and what we all love Kent for!

For lovers of the earlier 60s sounds, The Rockmasters "Raining teardrops" (sharing the same backing track as The Sapphires "Who do you love", and championed by Scotlands Keith Money) and Joe Simons skippy and light "I see your face" should satisfy, as should Charlie Richs big beat ballad, "Dont tear me down" and Johnny Wyatts Popcorn favourite, "I wouldnt change a thing about you".

Other tracks include, The Millionaires "And the rains came" (beautiful), Charles Lamonts "Ive got to keep movin" (never really  lives up to its strong intro), Claude Hueys "Why would you blow it" (superb), Pat Powdrills "Do it" (too fast, still!), Denita James "I have feelings too" (inferior to its 45 flip, "Wild side"), Lil Bobs version of Billy Blands "My heart is on fire" (highly recommended ex Keb spin), and a couple from the Elf label, Clifford Currys "Aint no danger" (flip to "I cant get a hold of myself") and Dan Folgers "The way of the crowd" (popular cross-over from the last few years), and thats it.......another fine NS CD compilation from Kent that belongs on most soul fans shelves!

David Flynn

CSC

http://www.capitolsoulclub.homestead.com/