VA - Crème De La Crème: Philly Soul Classics And Rarities [Remastered] (2003)

The Philadelphia soul sound of the early '70s represents an unparalleled zenith in the evolution of urban music -- while Detroit's Motown sound typified lush musical sophistication and Memphis Stax-Volt sound embodied deep emotional impact, Philly soul pinpointed and then expanded the middle ground between the two, creating a sweeping, shimmering soul aesthetic that was both playful and profound, as capable of penetrating political commentary as it was smoldering sexual innuendo. While the music produced by hitmakers like Leon Huff, Kenny Gamble, and Thom Bell remains the best-known of the myriad hits coming out of Philly in the pre-disco era, countless other titles were coming out of the city's studios, some of them by superstars and most of them by unknowns, but all possessed of the same silky-smooth universal groove. Crème de la Crème: Philly Soul Classics and Rarities From the Vaults of Atlantic, Atco, & Warner Bros. Records 1972-1976 documents the best Philly soul singles from a label not really associated with its particular time and place, which is not to suggest that this material is remotely subpar -- quite to the contrary, some of it ranks alongside the very best of acts like the O'Jays and the Spinners, even though virtually none of it came within miles of reaching the charts. Highlights include the Aristocrats' "Let's Get Together Now," Major Harris' "Loving You Is Mellow," Bettye Swann's "Kiss My Love Goodbye," Vivian Reed's "Save Your Love for Me," and Clyde Brown's "You Call Me Back."