Rock Instrumental Classics 4: Soul Review

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Rock Instrumental Classics 4: Soul ReviewRhino Records is one of the most consistent producers of quality oldies collections. This, the fourth volume in their "rock" instrumental series is no exception. One of the distinctive qualities of Rhino collections is that they combine familiar hits with great rare sides. Although called "Soul," this volume really should be called the second part of the 1960's volume, like "The '60's: Soul."
Predictably, this volume starts off with arguably the most enduring instrumental from the early 1960's, "Green Onions" by Booker T. & the MG's. Also included in the volume are three other fine tracks by them: "Hang 'Em High," "Hip Hug-Her," and "Time is Tight." I was particularly happy about the inclusion of the latter track, because it is noticeably excluded from Atlantic Records R&B box set. Interestingly enough, a good number of the tracks in this volume were also in Atlantic's collection, clearly demonstrating their dominance in 1960's soul music.
Hugh Masekela's "Grazing in the Grass" (from his great "Promise of a Future" album) was my favorite recording as a kid and was also my first taste of so called "world music." Hugh Masekela's trumpet is absolutely captivating. I can never get enough of this recording.
Other familiar gems from this volume are "Soulful Strut" (Young-Holt Unlimited), "Viva Tirado" (El Chicano), and "Last Night" (Mar-Keys). There aren't too many "classics" missing in this collection.
This volume also introduced me to some rare gems including "The Horse" (Cliff Nobles & Co.) and "Twine Time" (Alvin Cash & the Crawlers). The latter rivals the Bar-Kay's "Soul Finger" (also included in this volume) as a great party record. I can just hear people shouting "Ooh! Aah!" much in the same way as people would shout "Soul finger" on the Bar-Kay's record.
Although I think this is a great collection and worthy of five stars, I have two admittedly minor criticisms. The first one is the inclusion of "El Watusi" by Ray Barretto y su Charanga Moderna. While the track is not without appeal, it is extremely repetitive almost to the point of being monotonous. Another is the fact that with the exception of "Soul Makossa" (Manu Dibango) and "Viva Tirado," all of the tracks on this volume are from the 1960's. The collection would have been better served by having the "Soul" volume split into two parts -- one for the 1960's and one for the 1970's (perhaps also including the 1980's). That way such stellar cuts such as "Always There" (Ronnie Laws & Pressure), "Solar Flight - Opus 1" (Mandre) and "Machine Gun" (The Commodores) could also been included. The 1950's R&B instrumentals are well represented in "The '50's" volume of the collection.
Nit-picking aside, this is a fine volume from Rhino's instrumental series. If you love soul music and instrumentals, this volume is definitely a must have. Even if you're not sure, check out the volume anyway, it's bound to make you a believer.Rock Instrumental Classics 4: Soul OverviewIncludes Green Onions; Hang 'Em High; Time Is Tight Booker T. & The MG's; Grazing in the Grass Hugh Masekela; The Horse Cliff Nobles & Co; Last Night Mar-Keys; The "In" Crowd Ramsey Lewis Trio; Soul Finger The Bar-Kays; Soulful Strut Young-Holy Unlimited; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy Cannonball Adderley; Watermelon Man Mongo Santamaria Band; Soul Twist King Curtis, and more.

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