Changes - The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume Four: 1967 - 1980 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Changes, The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume Four: 1967-1980 and it's quite good. Opening with stirring R&B track, She's So Pretty by Winfield Parker, this release is off to a hot start... think Ike and Tina meets Wilson Pickett! You Don't Fool Me by Gene and Eddie has a chugging bass line and punchy horns backing a cool vocal duel. Delving into rich soul, Fred Martin Review sings I'm The One (That Loves You), with it's spoken lines and rich melodies, enriched coral harmonies. Very nice. Another nice soul track, Take Me Back Again, by Martin really explores that defines the 60's soul sound. Changes Part I by Saturday is a classic with a lumbering blues pace. One of my favorites on the release. Martin explores a more funky sound on Sugar with a dominant bass line, sassy sax work and James Brown like drums. Hot! Another of my Martin favorites is When I'm Alone, a gripping soul track with excellent vocals and horn punctuation. The Dynamic Corvettes lay down funky, Keep Off The Grass, with horns and a slick guitar solo. Francine Long sings soulful ballad, Days May Come, Days May Go, a solid radio track with a super melody. Willie Mason with the Freddie Martin Review really kick up the tempo on I Loved You Once, and with it's early Temptations like track but different presentation, really hits a groove. Jimmy Dotson & Rhythm By Inner Light Band wrap the release with excellent vocals and polish on  Think Of Me As Your Soldier, a super soul track with warm sax soloing and rich backing vocals and To Be Your Lover, a lighter pop track.

This is a super walk through 60's R&B and soul.

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Omnivoire Recordings: Get Right - The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume Two: 1964-1966 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Get Right - The Ru_Jac Records Story, Volume Two: 1964-1966 and it's really super. Opening with Brenda Jones on It Must Be Love, we hear classic R&B with solid vocals and tight horn backing. On So Alone, Jones takes strong command of this super melody and orchestration. What More (Can Anyone Want) has a simple 60's Latin influence and strong vocal harmonies from Shirley of the Soul Sisters and Brother. Butch Cornell's Trio stretches out on a jazz fusioned instrumental, Goose Pimples. With super lead organ and tight bass/drum rhythm, this is great. Another more laid back instrumental by Cornell, Here 'Tis Now, has a great groove again allowing Cornell to ride high on organ. Excellent! Arthur Conley shows real authority on the demo for Whole Lotta Woman backed by piano. This is a terrific soul track. Shuffle track, Get Right is a great showcase for Bobby Sax & His House Keepers. With solid sax lead and light fingered electric guitar soloing over a walking bass line, super groove. Super saxy, Soul At Last, also by Bobby Sax is raspy and hot smoking blues. Very nice. Winfield Parker's demo, I Love You Just The Same shows the ultra expressive vocals of Parker, backed only with simple guitar rhythm. Raw and soulful. The Mask Man & The Cap-Tans set up Chicken Wings, a cool dance tune with pumped up sax and cool organ work over a snappy rhythm. Wrapping the release is another demo from Arthur Conley, Hiding Out In Blue Shadows, with only piano accompaniment and backing vocal. This is a strong closer for a really cool release. 

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Omnivore Recordings: Something Got A Hold On Me - The Ru-Jac Records Story, Volume One 1963-1964 - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Something Got A Hold On Me - The Au-Jac Records Story, Volume One: 1963-1964 and it's quite cool. Opening with previously unreleased, Fatback by Lamont Esquires, this release is off to a great start. This instrumental features low key but tasty guitar lead with hot sax work, all over a tight rockin' R&B track. Jessie Crawford with Kay Keys Band is up next, first with a smart Latin influenced rocker, Please Don't Go, followed by solid soul track Because I Love You So. Little Sunny Daye with the Shydells Band gives us blues ballad, A Woman Like You with super vocals and cool lead guitar work under the lead. Very nice. Celestine does a great job on You Won with it's cool rhythm. Honkin' sax work sets this track apart giving it a distinctive early 60's feel. great track. Winfield Parker really delivers on blues ballad, When I'm Alone. With only the basics of backing, Parker shows real poise. Winfield Parker set out a real nice R&B track on One Of These Mornings with snappy drums, and soulful sax soloing. Spiritual, Take Care Of Me, is a powerful track by the Fruitland Harmonizers. Really cool! The Teardrops Band featuring Marie Allen perform Cryin Won't Help You, a really hot R&B track with a great beat and cool sax solo behind a raucous voice. Trash Can is performed by an unknown artist, with solid sax solo lead. The Monkey Cha Cha is another really nice instrumental with of course a Latin rhythm and guitar and keyboard lead by The Jolly Jax. Wrapping the release is Joe (Take 5) which was previously unreleased by The Jolly Jax. Stilladog...this one's for you. Excellent closer.

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