The Soulful Strings Play Gamble & Huff

The Soulful Strings Play Gamble & Huff – Album Review & Tracklist

Cadet Records 1970 ‎– LPS 846

notes:

The Soulful Strings Play Gamble & Huff is a 1974 instrumental soul album

 that transforms the iconic Philadelphia soul sound into sweeping orchestral 

arrangements. Performed by The Soulful Strings, this release pays tribute

 to the legendary songwriting and production duo Gamble & Huff, whose 

work defined the sound of 1970s soul and R&B.

Released during the peak of the Philly soul era, the album blends rich string 

harmonies with tight rhythm sections, offering elegant interpretations of 

some of the most influential compositions of the decade. It stands as a unique

 crossover between easy listening, soul, and early disco-era orchestration.

The group comprised various members of Cadet's house band – such as

 Phil Upchurch (on guitar), Charles Stepney (organ, vibraphone), Lenny Druss (flute), 

Cleveland Eaton (bass, cello), Morris Jennings (drums), Bobby Christian

 (vibraphone, percussion) and, later, Billy Wooten, in place of Stepney.

 Sol Bobrov and Bruce Hayden were among the eponymous string players. 

Other contributors included Johnny Griffith and Donny Hathaway, 

both on keyboards, and jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby

credits:

Phil Upchurch  Guitar

Cash McCall  Guitar

Morris Jennings Jr.  Drums

Richard Evans  Bass

Cleveland Eaton  Bass & Cello

Charles Stepney  Organ & Vibes?

Bobby Christian  Vibes?

Billy Wooten  Vibes

Richie Fudali  Flute

Lennie Druss  Flute

Sol Bobrov  Violin?

Bruce Hayden  Viola

Composed By – Kenny Gamble And Leon Huff, 

Jerry Butler (tracks: A1, A4)

Produced & Arranged by Richard Evans (1970 Cadet Records)

Recorded at Tel-Mar Studios, Chicago, July/August 1970

Engineer – Malcolm Chisholm

tracklist:

A1 Hey Western Union Man

Guitar – Phil Upchurch

A2 Together

Flute – Lenny Druss

A3 I've Got A Groove

Featuring – Richard Evans 

A4 Beside You

Guitar – Cash McCall,Viola – Bruce Hayden

A5 Turn Back The Hands Of Time

Guitar – Cash McCall

B1 One Night Affair

Flute – L. Druss Guitar Roland Faulkner,

Marimba – Billy Wooten

B2 Silly, Silly Fool

Flute – Lenny Druss Vibraphone – Billy Wooten

B3 I Can't Stop Dancing

Flute – Lenny Druss Guitar Phil Upchurch,

Vibraphone Billy Wooten

B4 Deeper In Love With You

Flute – Cliff Davis,Vibraphone Billy Wooten

B5 Never Gonna Give You Up

Guitar [1st & 3rd] – Phil Upchurch;

Guitar [2nd] – Roland Faulkner, 

Violin – Sol Bobrov

link

Errol Garner – Ready Take One

 

Errol Garner – Ready Take One (Unreleased Jazz Compilation Review)

LEGACY RECORDS 2016                 LGCY 536332

notes:

Ready Take One is a compilation album of previously 

unreleased Erroll Garner recordings. 

Errol Garner Ready Take One is a remarkable collection of unreleased jazz 

recordings by the legendary pianist Errol Garner. Spanning sessions from 

1967 to 1971, this compilation showcases Garner’s signature swing style 

and improvisational brilliance, offering both longtime fans and new

 listeners a chance to experience previously unheard gems.

credits:

    A&R – Henry Towns

    Art Direction, Design – White Bicycle

    Compilation Producer – Steve Rosenthal

    Compilation Producer, Liner Notes – Geri Allen

    Executive Producer – Susan Rosenberg

    Mastered By – Vic Anesini

    Producer – Martha Glaser

    Producer [Original Recording Produced By] – Martha Glaser

    Product Manager – Tara Master

Compilation Producer, Mixed By – Peter Lockhart

Mixed By – Kabir Hermon, Steve Rosenthal

Mixed at – Studio E

Master at – Battery Studios, New York

14 previously unreleased songs including 6 original compositions.

Originally recorded 1971: A1, A2, B1, B2, C4; 

1969: C2, D3. 1967 - the other tracks.

tracklist:

A1 High Wire 3:47

A2 I Want To Be Happy 3:01

A3 I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) 5:03

A4 Sunny 3:19

B1 Wild Music 5:07

B2 Caravan 6:24

B3 Back To You 5:26

C1 Night And Day 4:25

C2 Chase Me 2:57

C3 Satin Doll 5:52

C4 Latin Digs 5:28

D1 Stella By Starlight 4:50

D2 Down Wylie Avenue 5:30

D3 Misty 4:5

link

Presenting Dionne Warwick (1963)

Presenting Dionne Warwick (1963) – Debut Album Review & History

Scepter Records 1963 ‎– SPS 508

notes:

Presenting Dionne Warwick is the debut studio album by Dionne Warwick, 

released in 1963 on Scepter Records and produced by Burt Bacharach and 

Hal David. Featuring the breakthrough single “Don’t Make Me Over,” 

the album introduced Warwick’s elegant, emotionally precise vocal style and 

marked the beginning of one of the most successful singer-songwriter

 partnerships in pop and soul history. Blending pop sophistication with 

soul and orchestral arrangements, Presenting Dionne Warwick laid the 

foundation for a career that would define adult contemporary 

and crossover soul music for decades to come.

credits:

Dionne Warwick – lead vocals

Burt Bacharach – arrangements, conductor, producer

Hal David – producer, lyricist

Johnny Pate – arrangements 

Claus Ogerman – arrangements 

Robert C. Baker – recording engineer

Uncredited session musicians – orchestra and rhythm section

Recorded Bell Sound Studios

(New York City)

Producer

Burt Bacharach Hal David

 Tracklist:

A1 This Empty Place 2:55

Written-By – Bacharach & David*

A2 Wishin' And Hopin' 2:55

 Written-By – Bacharach & David*

A3 I Cry Alone 2:37

Written-By – Bacharach & David*

A4 Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah 2:40

Written-By – A. Wrubel*, R. Gilbert*

A5 Make The Music Play 2:25

Written-By – Bacharach & David*

A6 If You See Bill 2:58

Written-By – L. Dixon*

B1 Don't Make Me Over 2:58

Written-By – Bacharach & David*

B2 It's Love That Really Counts 2:16

Written-By – Bacharach & David*

B3 Unlucky 2:25

Written-By – L. Shockley*, B. Banks*

B4 I Smiled Yesterday 2:25

Written-By – Bacharach & David*

B5 Make It Easy On Yourself 2:40

Written-By – Bacharach & David*

B6 The Love Of A Boy 1:59

Written-By – Bacharach & David*

link

 

 

 

Mary Wells – Vintage Stock (1966)

Mary Wells – Vintage Stock (1966)  Motown Soul 
Compilation Review & Tracklist

Motown ‎records 1966 – MT 653

notes:

  

Released in 1966, Vintage Stock is a compilation album by Motown star 

Mary Wells, gathering together recordings from her productive early

 years with the label. Issued after her commercial peak at Motown,

 the album serves as both an introduction for new listeners and a 

convenient collection for fans who wanted her songs in one 

affordable package. Though not a studio album in the traditional sense,

 Vintage Stock captures an important moment in soul music history 

and preserves the sound of one of Motown’s most distinctive female voices.

Mary Wells was one of Motown’s first breakout artists, helping the Detroit 

label move from a small R&B company into a mainstream pop powerhouse. 

Best remembered for her smooth yet playful vocal style, she became known 

as “The Queen of Motown” in the early 1960s. Her success laid the groundwork

 for later stars such as Diana Ross and Martha Reeves, and her recordings helped

 define the polished, crossover-friendly “Motown Sound.”

Vintage Stock was released as part of Motown’s budget compilation series, 

aimed at repackaging previously recorded material for the growing LP market.

 By 1966, Mary Wells had already left Motown for 20th Century-Fox Records,

 but the label continued to capitalize on her popularity by issuing collections of her earlier work.

Rather than presenting a unified artistic statement, the album functions as a curated 

overview of Wells’ recordings from her Motown period. It draws from sessions recorded 

between 1961 and 1964, when she was at the height of her chart success. 

The title Vintage Stock suggests that these songs were already being framed as classics, 

despite being only a few years old at the time of release.

credits:

Lead vocals by Mary Wells

Background vocals by and The Rayber Voices, 

The Love Tones, The Temptations, The Supremes, 

Martha & the Vandellas, and The Andantes

Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

Released November 1966

Recorded 1962-1964

  tracklist:

A1 The One Who Really Loves You

Written-By – Wm. Robinson*

2:26

A2 When I'm Gone

Written-By – Wm. Robinson*

2:13

A3 He's The One I Love

Written-By – Wm. Robinson*

2:37

A4 Two Lovers

Written-By – Wm. Robinson*

2:47

A5 Guarantee (For A Lifetime)

Written-By – Holland, Dozier, Holland*

2:19

A6 Honey Boy

Written-By – Holland, Dozier, Holland*

2:56

B1 My Guy

Written-By – Wm. Robinson*

2:44

B2 Everybody Needs Love

Written-By – E. Holland*, N. Whitfield*

2:52

B3 You Beat Me To The Punch

Written-By – R. White*, Wm. Robinson*

2:43

B4 I'll Be Available

Written-By – Wm. Robinson*

2:36

B5 One Block From Heaven

Written-By – Holland, Dozier, Holland*

2:26

B6 Goodbye And Good Luck

Written-By – R. White*

2:14

link

Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery – The Dynamic Duo

Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery – The Dynamic Duo (1966 Jazz Album Review)

 

Verve Records 1966 – V6-8678

 

notes:

Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery joined forces in 1966

 to create The Dynamic Duo, one of the most celebrated 

collaborations in modern jazz history. Released on Verve Records,

 this album brought together two masters of their instruments:

 Hammond B-3 organ and electric guitar.

Blending soul jazz, hard bop, and orchestral arrangements, 

The Dynamic Duo stands as a landmark recording of the 1960s, 

showcasing both virtuosity and mainstream appeal.

Recorded in New York City in 1966, The Dynamic Duo pairs the 

blues-driven organ style of Jimmy Smith with Wes Montgomery’s 

signature octave guitar technique. Unlike their earlier small-group 

sessions, this album features lush big-band arrangements that 

frame the duo in a more cinematic soundscape.

The project was arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson, 

whose orchestrations give the album a sophisticated and 

dramatic edge while leaving plenty of space for improvisation.

credits:

    

    Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Flute [Alto] ,

     Jerry Dodgion (tracks: A1, A2, B2)

    Arranged By – Oliver Nelson

    Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Flute [Alto] ,

     Danny Bank (tracks: A1, A2, B2)

    Bass – Richard Davis (2) (tracks: A1, A2, B2)

    Bass Trombone – Tony Studd

    Drums – Grady Tate

    Flugelhorn – Clark Terry (tracks: A1, A2)

    Flute [Tenor], Flute [Alto], Clarinet  Jerome Richardson (tracks: A1, A2, B2)

    Guitar – Wes Montgomery

    Organ [Hammond] – Jimmy Smith

    Percussion – Ray Barretto (tracks: B1 to B3)

    Saxophone, Clarinet – Phil Woods (tracks: A1, A2, B2)

    Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Bob Ashton (tracks: A1, A2, B2)

    Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland (tracks: A1, A2, B2), 

    Melba Liston (tracks: A1, A2, B2), 

    Quentin Jackson (tracks: A1, A2, B2), Richard Hixon* (tracks: B2)

    Trumpet – Clark Terry (tracks: A1, A2, B2), Ernie Royal (tracks: A1, A2, B2), 

   Jimmy Maxwell (tracks: A1, A2, B2), Joe Newman (tracks: A1, A2, B2)

 Producer – Creed Taylor

 Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder

Director Of Engineering – Val Valentin

13 (Death March) recorded September 21, 1966.

Down By The Riverside and Night Train recorded September 23, 1966.

James And Wes and Baby, It's Cold Outside recorded September 28, 1966.

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

tracklist:

A1 Down By The Riverside 10:00

A2 Night Train

Arranged By – Oliver Nelson

Written-By – Jimmy Forrest, Lewis C. Simpkins*, Oscar Washington

6:30

B1 James & Wes

Written-By – Jimmy Smith

8:05

B2 13 (Death March)

Arranged By – Oliver Nelson

Written-By – Gary McFarland

5:21

B3 Baby, It's Cold Outside

Written-By – Frank Loesser

5:50

link

 

Don Patterson – Mellow Soul (1967)

Don Patterson – Mellow Soul (1967, Prestige Records)  Soul Jazz Album Review

Prestige records  1967‎– PRST 7510

notes:

Don Patterson’s Mellow Soul (1967, Prestige Records) is a soulful jazz 

organ album that perfectly blends groove, blues, and hard bop elegance. 

Recorded with an outstanding lineup featuring Cedar Walton and 

Billy Higgins, this session stands as one of Patterson’s most accessible

and melodic recordings. Mellow Soul captures the warm, swinging

side of soul jazz while maintaining the sophistication of classic modern jazz.

credits:

David Newman (tenor sax, flute)

Don Patterson (organ)

Billy James (drums)

recorded:

Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, 

NJ, May 10, 1967

Producer Cal Lampley

tracklist:

All compositions by Don Patterson except as indicated

A1 Hump Snapa Blues 5:00

A2 Music To Think By 4:00

A3 Darben The Redd Foxx 4:55

            (James Moody) 

B1 Mellow Soul 6:40

B2 Head 6:05

            (David Newman)

B3 These Foolish Things 9:45

            (Jack Strachey, Eric Maschwitz)

link

The Soulful Strings – Groovin’ With The Soulful Strings

The Soulful Strings – Groovin’ With The Soulful Strings (1967 Album Review)

 

Cadet records 1967 ‎– LPS-796

notes:

Groovin’ With The Soulful Strings is a 1967 soul-jazz 

album by The Soulful Strings, released on Cadet Records

 and arranged by Richard Evans. Blending lush orchestral

 strings with deep funk and jazz rhythms, the album became

 one of the group’s most successful releases and a

 defining example of late-1960s Chicago soul jazz.

Best known for the hit single “Burning Spear,” the album 

showcases the group’s signature sound: elegant string 

arrangements layered over driving bass lines, crisp drums,

 and infectious grooves. It captures the moment when soul, jazz,

 and orchestral pop met on the dancefloor.

credits:

Richard Evans – musical arrangements, direction

Sol Bobrov – viola

David Chausow – viola

Arthur Ahlman – violin

Harold Kupper – violin

Karl B. Fruh – cello

Emil Mittermann – cello

Theodore Ratzer – cello

Charles Stepney – organ, vibraphone

Lenny Druss – saxophone, flute

Vernice Green – saxophone, flute

Ronald Steele – guitar, sitar

Phil Upchurch – guitar

Cleveland Eaton – bass

Louis Satterfield – bass

Philip R. Thomas – bongos, congas

Morris Jennings – drums

   

Recorded June & July 1967 at Ter Mar Studios, Chicago 

Producer, Supervised By – Esmond Edwards

Engineer – Doug Brand

tracklist:

A1 Burning Spear 4:17

Written-By – Richard Evans 

A2 All Blues 2:53

Written-By – Miles Davis

A3 What Now My Love 3:00

Written-By – Sigman*, Becaud*, Delanoe

A4 Within You Without You 4:20

Written-By – George Harrison

A5 Our Day Will Come 3:19

Written-By – Hilliard*, Garson

B1 Soul Prelude 2:45

Written-By – J. S. Bach

B2 Groovin'3:08

Written-By – Brigati*, Cavaliere

B3 Alfie 4:05

Written-By – Bacharach & David

B4 Comin' Home Baby 3:38

Written-By – Tucker*, Dorough

B5 (I Know) I'm Losing You 3:19

Written-By – Grant*, Holland*, Whitfield*

link

  

Ike & Tina Turner & The Ikettes – In Person (1969 Live Album)

 

Ike & Tina Turner & The Ikettes – In Person (1969 Live Album)

  Minit records 1969 – LP-24018

notes:

Ike & Tina Turner and The Ikettes – In Person is a powerful 1969 

live album that captures the raw energy of the Ike & Tina Turner 

Revue at the height of their late-1960s popularity. Released on 

Minit Records, this record showcases the group’s explosive stage 

presence and their ability to transform soul, R&B, and pop material

into a relentless live experience.

Often overlooked in the duo’s discography, In Person stands as an

 important document of their live performance style before their 

major mainstream breakthrough in the early 1970s.

Recorded live during the late 1960s, In Person reflects the sound that 

made Ike & Tina Turner famous on the club and theater circuit. Unlike

 their polished studio recordings, this album emphasizes:

Driving rhythms

Call-and-response vocals

Extended medleys

Tina Turner’s commanding vocal delivery

The Ikettes’ sharp harmonies and choreography-inspired energy

The Ike & Tina Turner Revue was known as one of the most electrifying touring 

acts of the era, and In Person preserves that intensity on vinyl.

credits:

Produced and arranged by Ike Turner.
Recorded at Basin Street West, San Francisco.

Liner notes by Herb Campbell, KSOL Radio, San Francisco.

Art Direction: Woody Woodward.

trackslist

  A1        Every Day People

3:14

        Medley    (2:56)

A2a        Gimme Some Lovin'

Written-By – Steve Winwood, Muff Winwood, Spencer Davis

A2b        Sweet Soul Music

Written-By – Otis Redding, Arthur Conley, Sam Cooke

A3        Son Of A Preacher Man

Written-By – John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins

3:00

A4        I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Written-By – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield

3:25

A5        Respect

Written-By – Otis Redding

8:31

        Medley    (4:07)

B1a        There Was A Time

Written-By – James Brown, Buddy Hobgood

B1b        African Boo's

Written-By – Ike Turner

B2        Funky Street

Written-By – Arthur Conley, Earl Simms

2:13

B3        A Fool Of Love

Written-By – Ike Turner

3:04

        Medley    (12:22)

B4a        The Sumit

Written-By – Ike Turner

B4b        All I Could Do Was Cry

Written-By – Gordy*, Davis*, Gordy, Jr.*

B4c        Please, Please, Please

Written-By – Brown*, Terry*

B4d        Baby I Love You

Written-By – Ronny Shannon*

B5        Goodbye, So Long

Written-By – Ike Turner

3:13

link

Sammy Ward – Don't Take It Away (1961)

 

Sammy Ward – Don't Take It Away  (single 1961)

Tamla records 1961 – 54049

notes:

Sammy Ward’s 1961 single “Don’t Take It Away” is a scarce soul release

 issued on Tamla Records (catalog number 54049). Best known for his 

work with The Contours, Ward recorded this emotional Motown-era 

track as a solo artist, making the record a sought-after piece for soul 

and vinyl collectors. The single captures the early Detroit soul sound

 that would soon define the Motown label’s global success.

credits:

Producer, Written-By – Berry Gordy, Jr.

tracklist:

 A  Sammy Ward Don't Take It Away

B Sammy Ward What Makes You Love Him  

link

Classic Soul at the BBC: Rare Performances from Soul Music Legends

 

Classic Soul at the BBC: Rare Performances by Aretha Franklin, 

Al Green & More

Classic Soul at the BBC 2004

 

 

notes:

The BBC’s music archives are a treasure trove of unforgettable performances, 

and few genres shine brighter than classic soul. From intimate studio sessions 

to powerful television appearances, legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, 

Al Green, Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes delivered some of their most soulful 

moments on British airwaves. This collection brings together a selection of

 those historic BBC recordings, celebrating the golden era of soul with a full 

tracklist and performance details for fans and collectors alike

 

 

tracklist:

 

01. Al Green ~ Let's Stay Together (1993)
02. Aretha Franklin ~ I Say a Little Prayer (1970)
03. Percy Sledge ~ When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)
04. Dusty Springfield ~ Get Ready (1967)
05. Neville Brothers ~ Tell It Like It Is (1992)
06. Curtis Mayfield ~ We Gotta Have Peace (1972)
07. Sam Moore ~ I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (2001)
08. Bill Withers ~ Ain't No Sunshine (1972)
09. Ann Peebles ~ Bouncing Back (1993)
10. Gladys Knight & the Pips ~ Friendship Train (1972)
11. Penn & Oldham ~ I'm Your Puppet (1999)
12. Bobby Womack ~ I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much (1985)
13. William Bell & Texas ~ Private Number (2000)
14. Aretha Franklin ~ Don't Play That Song (1970)
15. Isaac Hayes ~ When Something is Wrong With My Baby (1995)
16. Solomon Burke ~ Don't Give Up On Me (2003)

 

 mkv

 

 

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