The Real Thing - The Very Best of (2002/2017)

The Very Best of the Real Thing collects over a dozen prime moments and chart hits from the Real Thing and adds some pointless remixes at the end for filler's sake. The Liverpool soul band recorded a handful of albums for Pye in the '70s and early '80s and hit the charts in its home country several times with a smooth blend of funk and disco. Unfortunately, the Real Thing only cracked the Top 40 of the American soul chart once with "You to Me Are Everything," which hit the absolute top of the U.K. chart. This compilation covers a lot of ground and includes their most significant material. Apart from their biggest smash, "Let's Go Disco," "Can't Get By Without You," "Whenever You Want My Love," "Can You Feel the Force," and "Boogie Down (Get Funky Now)" are included. This is a fine remastered compilation from a band that developed a strong following in the U.K. and deserved much better in the States.