CD-Charts Position 161
Average Rating:

Songs in the Key of Life

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date April 13, 1992
It's a world unto itself. A world of possibilities, of ideas, of dreams and of intimations. It's a world of music, and at times it's a better world than ours. Songs In The Key Of Life is Stevie Wonder's genius in full bloom and on display, in all its ambition and single-mindedness and multifaceted exuberance. Despite the fact that it's absolutely sprawling (in the days of vinyl, it was spread across two full-length LPs and a bonus EP), it has a kind of unity and internal logic that's so strong that even the record's weaker songs seem absolutely necessary. The best songs, meanwhile, are just plain incredible. "I Wish" is a rattled funk monster, and "Village Ghetto Land" is a bitterly ironic piece of social commentary. "Sir Duke" is an ecstatic ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 162
Average Rating:

Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Sam Cooke

Release Date October 25, 1990
Here we have one of the greatest voices in music playing to a small live audience. The fact that he is singing live doesn't have an affect the quality of his sound. This is such an enjoyable performance to listen to, full of soul, energy, enjoyment and banter. Recorded only about one year before his death, this is Mr. Cooke at his best.

One can only wonder what it would have been like to be there that night, to see him in person, to get involved in the show. The people there must have treasured that experience forever. Not all the tracks are the best from his career, but it is the pure quality of his voice, performance and the atmosphere of the audience that makes this album stand out.

1. Feel It: After getting the crowd ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 163
Average Rating:

Sam Cooke at the Copa

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Sam Cooke

Release Date June 17, 2003
I once owned Live at Harlem Square, but it was stolen out of my car a few years ago. I saw this was available for download, so I gave it a go. This is okay and everything, but the energy Cooke and his band has at Harlem Square it literally ten times what they've got on this album. As soon as I got done listening to this, I put the order in to have Harlem Square mailed to my house.

CD-Charts Position 164
Average Rating:

Motherlode

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: James Brown

Release Date June 17, 2003
Motherlode is a great compilation of James Brown hits. I really enjoy listening to this funky cd. The disc sounds good and I intend to purchase from Amazon again.

CD-Charts Position 165
Average Rating:

What's Going On

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Marvin Gaye

Release Date April 07, 1998
I'm a big fan but this cd did not have the songs I like best

CD-Charts Position 166
Average Rating:

Live It Up [EXTRA TRACKS]

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: The Isley Brothers

Release Date April 01, 2008
This titled Isley's album is probably their most underrated recording ever. These tunes were hot and funky. "Lover's Eve" is definitely their most underrated ballad. This is an Isley's collector item. Please do go and cop it if you do not have it.

CD-Charts Position 167
Average Rating:

The Very Best of Hank Ballard and the Midnighters

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Hank Ballard & the Midnighters

Release Date October 09, 2001
Collectables serves up twenty-five R&B sides from the vaults of King Records, with twenty in crisp true stereo (all but tracks 2, 3, 18, 19, 25). Though stereo in this case is mostly 2-track, there's no doubting that the separation provides greater fidelity than previous mono reissues. On the other hand, the original stereo tapes are disconcerting for anyone weaned on the original hot mono masters mixed for AM radio. The tracks here focus on the years 1959 through 1963, thus failing to include seminal earlier sides like "Work With Me Baby" and "Sexy Ways," but featuring career highlights "The Twist, "Teardrops on Your Pillow" and "Finger Poppin' Time." The scant liner notes make reference to a second Collectables disc that features the earlier work, but it's either out of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 168
Average Rating:

Signed, Sealed and Delivered

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Stevie Wonder

Release Date February 03, 1992
FIRST OF ALL, ANY STEVIE WONDER THAT WAS RELEASED BEFORE 1980 IS A CLAWSSIC ALBUM, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, END OF DISCUSSION. THE MAN JUST OOZES TALENT, AND HAS SINCE HE WAS 11 YEARS OLD. THIS ALBUM FINDS STEVIE REALLY STARTING TO FIND HIS OWN VOICE. DON'T GET ME WRONG, HE HAD RECORDED A LOT OF GREAT MATERIAL BEFORE THIS, BUT HERE HE IS FINALLY STARTING TO BREAK OUT, AND THIS ALBUM IS THE PRECURSOR TO "MUSIC OF MY MIND", "TALKING BOOK", INNERVISIONS", AND OTHER GREAT ONES TO COME OUT AFTER.

CD-Charts Position 169
Average Rating:

James Brown's Funky People

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 25, 1990
This album is beyond describable, if you're a TRUE old school, funk fan that can appreciate the down home soul of James Brown's genius (and the talent of the JBs). My favorites slower funk grooves are "Same Beat" (smooth and awesome) and "Damn Right, I Am Somebody" (the bassline is unbeatable, it sounds great playing through speakers with an acoustic suspension cabinet) - favorite fast track is "If You Don't Get it the First Time..." (a hip, head-bobbing track that just makes you want to get up and jam). This CD deserves 6 stars but you can only give it 5. Only thing I would change is to omit the Lyn Collins tracks - I'm just not a fan of her voice - and add in Bobby Byrds' two biggest hits "Hot Pants - I'm Coming" and "I Know You Got Soul", and maybe "Doin' it To Death" (Funky Good Time). ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 170
Average Rating:

All the Great Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Classic R
by: Diana Ross

Release Date October 03, 2000
The remastering on this CD blows away the Ultimate Collection away. It's not even close. There are a few mistakes on this disc. First, the CD I have has the Single Edit of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" instead of the 6:16 Album Version. Second "Love Hangover" is the Single Edit and not the 12 Inch version as stated on the CD jacket.

I would have liked both versions. The mistakes may have been fixed in a second run. I don't know.