Laura Lee - Greatest Hits (1990)

Like the music of Honey Cone, Freda Payne, 100 Proof (Aged in Soul) and the Chairmen of the Board, Laura Lee's Greatest Hits underscores the fact that the demise of Holland/Dozier/Holland's Hot Wax label in 1974 wasn't due to a lack of strong material. Essentially, distribution problems killed the company, where former gospel singer turned brassy soul shouter Lee recorded some of her best work. The big-voiced Lee was best known for humorous yet biting songs encouraging women to demand respectful treatment in relationships -- a theme that makes for powerful listening on such classics as "Wedlock Is a Padlock," "Crumbs Off the Table" and her best-known hits "Rip Off" and "Women's Love Rights." Lee's Hot Wax output has all of the trademarks of a Holland/Dozier/Holland project -- tough, gospel-influenced belting is combined with a sleek production style. In fact, Lee's heartfelt singing is no less gritty than Carla Thomas' work at Stax; the main difference lies in the approach to production. But as talented as she was, Lee faded into obscurity after Hot Wax's demise.