NOW That’s What I Call 60s Soul (3LP)

NOW That’s What I Call 60s Soul brings together 50 defining tracks from soul’s first golden decade, including hits from Motown, Atlantic/Stax, and a whole lot more in a 3LP set pressed on gorgeous red vinyl…Out September 5th!

LP1 opens with Aretha Franklin’s signature ‘Respect’, before The Supremes and Stevie Wonder light up the set with ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ and ‘Uptight (Everything’s Alright)’. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas bring pure energy with ‘Dancing In The Street’, while Bob & Earl deliver irresistible groove on ‘Harlem Shuffle’. The remainder of the first side presents Fontella Bass’ breakthrough ‘Rescue Me’, and two classic Motown love songs: Mary Wells’ ‘My Guy’ and The Temptations’ ‘My Girl’…flip the LP over for standout tracks from some of soul’s most iconic voices. Dionne Warwick opens with the elegant ‘Walk On By’, followed by Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’ — a #1 hit and Motown’s biggest-selling single of the '60s. Dusty Springfield’s ‘Son Of A Preacher Man’ remains one of her defining performances, and is joined by ‘California Soul’ by Marlena Shaw – a track that continues to grow in popularity and stature. Following Carla Thomas’ smash ‘B-A-B-Y’, the remainder of LP1 delivers R&B and funk from Wilson Pickett (‘In The Midnight Hour’), James Brown (‘I Got You (I Feel Good)’), plus Sly & The Family Stone and closing with The Delfonic’s superb ‘Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide From Love)’.

LP2 begins with two enduring classics:- Ben E. King with ‘Stand By Me’ and Percy Sledge with ‘When A Man Loves A Woman’, which were both huge hits again in the late ‘80s. Otis Redding’s ‘(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay’ remains one of the era’s most iconic tracks, and The Drifters bring sun-soaked nostalgia with ‘Under The Boardwalk’, Barrett Strong’s ‘Money (That's What I Want)’ was Motown’s first hit, and joins other Northern Soul favourites, ‘There's A Ghost In My House’ from R. Dean Taylor, Jr. Walker & The All Stars’ ‘(I'm A) Road Runner’, and Booker T. & The MG's’ ‘Green Onions’ which rounds-off Side A… whilst over on the other side it’s Ike & Tina Turner’s towering ‘River Deep – Mountain High’ that opens a run of huge, dancefloor-ready R&B from The Contours with ‘Do You Love Me’, Solomon Burke’s ‘Everybody Needs Somebody To Love’, Eddie Floyd’s ‘Knock On Wood’ and Sam & Dave’s  defining ‘Soul Man’ before the smooth doo-wop of ‘Stay’ by Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs leads to LP2’s closers:- Brenda Holloway’s superb vocal performance on ‘Every Little Bit Hurts’ and ‘Ain't Got No / I Got Life’, a standout from Nina Simone and one of her biggest UK hits.

LP3 brings together a stunning run of legendary group essentials – all of which, massive hits. Four Tops open with ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ — a #1 in both the UK and the US, followed by The Isley Brothers with ‘This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)’, and The Supremes’ ‘Baby Love’ — another UK #1 that showcases the signature sound that made them one of the decade’s most successful acts. There’s perfect pop-soul from The Ronettes with ‘Be My Baby’, The Crystals’ ‘Then He Kissed Me’ and ‘Sweet Talkin’ Guy’ by The Chiffons before Erma Franklin’s timeless ‘Piece of My Heart’ leads to the side’s closing track from Jimmy Ruffin with his plaintive classic ‘What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted’… and over on the final side a trio of the genre’s greatest tracks kick off this final run:- Otis Redding’s beautiful ‘Try A Little Tenderness’, Aretha Franklin with her stunning version of ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’, a defining moment of 60s soul, as is Dionne Warwick’s ‘I Say A Little Prayer’. Soul-pop vocal groups, The Velvelettes, The Marvelettes, Reparata & The Delrons and The Toys are up next with fun-packed smashes ahead of the closing tracks: Two of music’s all-time greatest ballads sign off this stunning collection:- ‘You’re All I Need To Get By’ from the magical pairing of Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, and the peerless ‘The Tracks Of My Tears’ from Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

NOW That’s What I Call 60s Soul – 50 era defining tracks – Essential listening for every music lover – Out September 5th!