"Atlantic Soul Legends – 20 Original Albums From The Iconic Atlantic Label" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (October 2012 FRANCE WEA/Rhino France 20CD Mini Box Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATING: *****

"…Gotta Have It…"

Released Monday 1 October 2012 in the UK (9 Oct 2012 in the USA) - "Atlantic Soul Legends - 20 Original Albums From The Iconic Atlantic Label" by VARIOUS ARTISTS is a European made Mini Box Set on WEA Music/Warner Music France/Rhino 8122797264 (Barcode 0081227972646). 

 

As of 7 Nov 2023, it's still on Amazon UK for sale at under £30 which has to be the most amazing value for money in any Soul genre. 

It contains 20 CDs in 5" x 5" Card Sleeve Repros with a 32-page booklet and breaks down as follows:

1. RAY CHARLES - What'd I Say (1959, Mono, 10 Tracks, 30:10 minutes)

2. BOOKER T & THE M.G.s - Green Onions (1962, Mono, 12 Tracks, 35:17 minutes)

3. BEN E. KING - Don't Play That Song! (1962, Stereo, 12 Tracks, 29:10 minutes)

4. SOLOMON BURKE - If You Need Me (1963, Stereo, 12 Tracks, 30:12 minutes)

5. RUFUS THOMAS - Walking The Dog (1964, Stereo, 12 Tracks, 30:57 minutes)

6. THE DRIFTERS - Under The Boardwalk (1964, Stereo, 12 Tracks, 30:49 minutes)

7. DON COVAY and THE GOODTIMERS - Mercy! (1964, Stereo, 12 Tracks, 34:03 minutes)

8. OTIS REDDING - Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965, Stereo 11 Tracks, 33:32 minutes)

9. WILSON PICKETT - In The Midnight Hour (1965, Stereo, 12 Tracks, 30:31 minutes)

10. PERCY SLEDGE - When A Man Loves A Woman (1966, Stereo, 11 Tracks, 29:06 minutes)

11. SAM & DAVE - Hold On, I'm Coming (1966, Stereo, 12 Tracks, 31:41 minutes)

12. BAR-KAYS - Soul Finger (1967, Stereo, 11 Tracks, 30:12 minutes)

13. EDDIE FLOYD - Knock On Wood (1967, Stereo, 12 Tracks, 35:07 minutes)

14. ARTHUR CONLEY - Sweet Soul Music (1967, Stereo, 10 Tracks, 26:07 minutes)

15. WILLIAM BELL - The Soul Of A Bell (1967, Stereo, 11 Tracks, 32:55 minutes)

16. ARETHA FRANKLIN - Lady Soul (1968, Stereo, 10 Tracks, 30:04 minutes)

17. DONNY HATHAWAY - Everything Is Everything (1970, Stereo, 9 Tracks, 41:24 minutes)

18. CLARENCE WHEELER & THE ENFORCERS - Doin' What We Wanna (1970, Stereo, 7 Tracks, 40:22 minutes)

19. HOWARD TATE - Howard Tate (1972, Stereo, 12 Tracks, 35:09 minutes)

20. SAM DEES - The Show Must Go On (1975, Stereo, 10 Tracks, 35:19 minutes)

PACKAGING:

Subtitled "20 Original Albums From The Iconic Atlantic Label" - they are all pictured on the rear of the box - which in itself has a distressed look like a worn DJ's carry case. The album sleeves follow their American releases and the colour artwork is gorgeous to look at. A smart move in the 32-page booklet is the reproduction of all album credits because you basically can't read the tiny print on most of the repro rears. The front covers are also pictured in colour at the top of each page (track details as well) and there's a 4-page introduction (in English and French) by Christophe Geudin - Editor of the "Funk U" magazine. His small biogs on each album are full of good details.

SOUND:

The only reference to mastering is a single sentence on the last page of the booklet which states - "the best existing masters have been used for the CD reissues included in this box set." Although I can't be sure, this suggests 'new remastering' to me (as opposed to the early Nineties issues when most of these titles were re-released). I'd also add that the same guy in Rhino France who co-ordinated and researched the 2010 Donny Hathaway 4CD box set "Someday We'll All Be Free" (which did have superb new remastering - see separate review) is involved in this box set too - DAVID DUTREUIL. Ray Charles, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Don Covay - the sound quality is wonderful throughout...

WHAT'S NEW:

It won't take long for rabid Atlantic collectors to work out that the last three titles in this box set are not just welcome additions to any Soul/Jazz collection - but two are seeing the CD light-of-day for the first time anywhere. And what a trio they are...

CLARENCE WHEELER gives us Saxophone/Organ funked-up instrumentals of The Beatles' "Hey Jude", Eddie Harris' "Sham Time" and Jack McDuff's "Theme From Electric Surfboard". The sound quality is really muscular - especially on "Doin' What I Wanna" where the trumpet of Sonny Covington does battle with Wheeler on Tenor Sax. The album's other ace is the nimble-fingers of Sonny Burke on Organ sounding like a souped-up Ramsey Lewis on "C.W." but then smoozing it with the best lounge-lizards on "Dream Bossa Nova". Class acts Cissy Houston and Judy Clay add their Backing Vocals to the funky "Right On" - and on the strength of this track alone - you can hear why this 1970 album is so sought after...

The self-titled HOWARD TATE LP by the Southern Soul man was put out by Koch Records some years back on CD but is not commonly seen - so it's inclusion here is a clever choice. Produced by the legendary JERRY RAGOVOY - he also contributed the lion's share of its excellent soul songs. I'm delighted to report that its sound quality is superb too - really clear - especially the brass that punctuates almost every track. It opens with the funky "She's A Burglar" - and I also love "Where Did My Baby Go" - so very Clarence Carter. The unemployment ballad "The Bitter End" is Tate's sole self-written track on here - and is done in a Rufus Thomas spoken style.

I'll admit the SAM DEES album is new to me - but my God what a find! All songs are originals or co-writes with members of his band. The opening six-minute social commentary on drugs taking over American cities is called "Child On The Streets" and it's fabulous. With its "Your father is a pusherman..." lyrics - it's a sort of Norman Whitfield slow funk vibe with layered echoed vocals and an organ sound that feels like it belongs on a Progressive Procol Harum song. Think Rare Earth, The Undisputed Truth and psychedelic shack Temptations - and you'll get the general idea. Then it goes into pure Eugene Record/Chi-Lites territory with a spoken ballad - "The Show Goes On" - his vocals beautiful. The strings, piano and soaring vocals give "Just Out Of My Reach" a Harold Melvin/Philadelphia International feel - lovely stuff. The funky "Claim Jumpin'" sounds like Ann Peebles done by a man - while "Troubled Child" once again has those impassioned lyrics ("...Streets instead of a playground...") and a great melody with a slow build.

To sum up - "Respect" from Redding's "Otis Blue", "Chain Of Fools" from Aretha's "Lady Soul", "The Ghetto" from Hathaway's "Everything Is Everything" - you could go on for hours. I'll be dipping into this for weeks.

"Atlantic Soul Legends" is a properly brill little box set - stuffed to the gunnels with an embarrassment of riches. And even if you know most of it - or own half of it - there are discoveries in here you need to make. What an astonishing label Atlantic Records was - and what a lovely way to celebrate its gigantic Soul Music legacy...

PS: Lovers of ATLANTIC and STAX Records should note that as of October 2012 there is a massive reissue program of classic albums going on in Japan – 100+ titles to be exact. They feature Fifties Blues and R'n'B, Sixties and Seventies Soul, Funk & Fusion etc. All are budget price (£7.50 per disc) and feature 2012 DSD remastering. Many of these titles are familiar - but a huge number are new to CD (numbers 1, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 and 20 of this box set are NOT included so far – making these 10 exclusive to this UK/Euro issue). 

These 'limited releases' are in two phases so far - 3 Oct 2012 and 7 November 2012 and each features a budget price tag of just over 950 Yen - which is $12 for US customers, £7.50 for UK buyers and 9.20 Euros for Europeans (with P&P added on of course). This is the cheapest I've seen quality Japanese CDs ever go for – and what's really enticing – is that all titles feature 2012 Digital Remastering (DSD).

Using the seemingly generic title "Atlantic 1000: Best R&B Best Collection" - they come in standard jewel cases (NOT mini repro sleeves) with an inner booklet containing the lyrics and description etc and an outer Obi strip. It's also thrilling to see that the reissue campaign covers many of the early Fifties Rhythm 'n' Blues LPs - Joe Turner, LaVern Baker, Chuck Willis, Mickey Baker, T-Bone Walker and The Clovers. And Blues too - John Lee Hooker, Blind Willie McTell, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells. And those elusive early to mid-Seventies Soul/Funk/Fusion gems - Tami Lynn, Major Harris, The Persuaders, Nikki Giovanni and Philippe Wynne.

For lovers of the ATLANTIC and STAX Labels – here's an alphabetical list of the titles (within Artists they're in release-date order):

ARTISTS…

LaVern Baker [aka "Rock & Roll"] – LaVERN BAKER (1957)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27566)

 

The Wildest Guitar – MICKEY BAKER (1959)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27587)

 

Darrell Banks Is Here! – DARRELL BANKS (1967) 

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27581)

 

Soul Finger – BAR-KAYS (1968)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27517)

 

Funky Nassau – THE BEGINNING OF THE END (1971) 

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27541)

 

There's Gonna A Showdown – ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS (1969)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27508)

 

The Soul Of A Bell – WILLIAM BELL ((1967)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27531)

 

No Time To Burn – BLACK HEAT (1974)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27577)

 

Blue Magic – BLUE MAGIC (1974)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27548)

 

Magic Of The Blue – BLUE MAGIC (1974)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27578)

 

Thirteen Blue Magic Lane – BLUE MAGIC ((1975)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27579)

 

Green Onions – BOOKER T & THE MG'S (1962)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27512) 

 

Soul Dressing – BOOKER T. & THE MG'S (1965) 

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27513)

 

Hip Hug-Her – BOOKER T. & THE MG'S (1967) 

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27551)

 

Doin' Out Thing – BOOKER T. & THE MG'S (1968)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27552)

 

Ruth Brown [aka "Rock & Roll"] – RUTH BROWN (1957)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27565)

 

If You Need Me – SOLOMON BURKE (1963)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27555)

 

Rock 'n' Soul – SOLOMON BURKE (1964)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27507)

 

King Solomon – SOLOMON BURKE (1968)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27556)

 

I Wish I Knew – SOLOMON BURKE (1968)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27587)

 

Dance The Cool Jerk With… - THE CAPITOLS (1966)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27538)

 

This Is Clarence Carter – CLARENCE CARTER (1968)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27568)

 

The Dynamic Clarence Carter – CLARENCE CARTER (1969)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27514)

 

Testifyin' – CLARENCE CARTER (1969)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27557)

 

Patches – CLARENCE CARTER (1970)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27570)

 

Yes Indeed! – RAY CHARLES (1960)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27528)

 

The Clovers – THE CLOVERS (1956)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27567)

 

Sweet Soul Music – ARTHUR CONLEY (1967)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27546)

 

Shake, Rattle & Roll – ARTHUR CONLEY (1967)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27547)

 

Soul Directions – ARTHUR CONLEY (1967)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27574)

 

More Sweet Soul – ARTHUR CONLEY (1969)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27575)

 

Mercy! – DON COVAY (1964)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27553)

 

See-Saw – DON COVAY (1966) 

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27515)

1.    First Landing – THE DYNAMICS (1969)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27580)

1.    Knock On Wood – EDDIE FLOYD (1967)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27543)

1.    The Way I Feel – NIKKI GIOVANNI (1975)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27520)

1.    Play The Blues – BUDDY GUY and JUNIOR WELLS (1972)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27526)

1.    My Way – MAJOR HARRIS (1974)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27534)

1.    Don’t Turn Me From Your Door – JOHN LEE HOOKER (1963)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27583)

1.    Margie Joseph - MARGIE JOSEPH (1973)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27535)

1.    Sweet Southern Soul – LOU JOHNSON (1969)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27545)

1.    Land Of 1000 Dances – CHRIS KENNER (1965)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27539)

1.    King Of The Blues Guitar – ALBERT KING (1969)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27525)

1.    Don’t Play That Song! – BEN E. KING (1962)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27509)

1.    What Is Soul? – BEN E. KING (1967 UK LP)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27571)

1.    Supernatural – BEN E. KING (1975)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27572)

1.    Freddie King Is A Blues Master – FREDDIE KING (1969)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27523)

1.    My Feeling For The Blues – FREDDIE KING (1970)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27597)

1.    Instant Groove – KING CURTIS (1969)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27519)

1.    Over The Rainbow – PATTI LaBELLE & THE BLUEBELLES (1966)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27584)

1.    Dreamer - PATTI LaBELLE & THE BLUEBELLES (1967)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27540)

1.    Workin’ On A Groovy Thing – BARBARA LEWIS (1968)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27573)

1.    Here Is Barbara Lynn - BARBARA LYNN (1968)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27530)

1.    Love Is Here And Now You’re Gone – TAMI LYNN (1972)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27594)

1.    The Mad Lads In Action – THE MAD LADS (1966)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27586)

1.    Last Night! – THE MAR-KEYS (1961)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27536)

1.    Do The Pop-Eye With… - THE MAR-KEYS (1962)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27589)

1.    Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters [aka “Rock & Roll”] – CLYDE McPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS (1956)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27562)

1.    Atlanta Twelve String – BLIND WILLIE McTELL (1972)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27595)

1.    Thin Line Between Love And Hate – THE PERSUADERS (1972)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27532)

1.    The Persuaders – THE PERSUADERS (1973)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27579)

1.    Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me – THE PERSUADERS (1974)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27590)

1.    Burnin’ – Live At Freddie Jett’s Pied Piper, L.A. – ESTHER PHILLIPS (1970)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27598)

1.    In The Midnight Hour – WILSON PICKETT (1965)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27504)

1.    The Sound Of – WILSON PICKETT (1967)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27505)

1.    I’m In Love – WILSON PICKETT (1968)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27592)

1.    Wilson Pickett In Philadelphia – WILSON PICKETT (1970)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27593)

1.    Sings Soul Ballads – OTIS REDDING (1965)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27501)

1.    The Soul Album – OTIS REDDING (1966)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27502)

1.    Complete & Unabridged – The Otis Redding Dictionary Of Soul – OTIS REDDING (1966)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27503)

1.    The Immortal Otis Redding – OTIS REDDING (1968)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27559)

1.    King & Queen – OTIS REDDING and CARLA THOMAS (1967)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27558)

1.    Dancin’ With Nobody But You Babe – CLARENCE REID (1969)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27582)

1.    Running Water – CLARENCE REID (1973)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27542)

1.    Mourning In The Morning – OTIS RUSH (1969)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27588)

1.    Double Dynamite – SAM & DAVE (1966)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27506)

1.    I Thank You – SAM & DAVE (1968)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27554)

1.    Take Time To Know Her – PERCY SLEDGE (1968)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27529)

1.    Mighty Love – THE SPINNERS (1974)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27533)

1.    Love Trippin’ – THE SPINNERS (1980)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27591)

1.    The Sweet Inspirations – THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS (1968)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27521)

1.    What The World Needs Now Is Love – THE SWEET INSPIRATIONS (1969)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27522)

1.    Howard Tate – HOWARD TATE (1971)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27518)

1.    Wanted One Soul Singer – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (1967)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27544)

1.    Gee Whiz – CARLA THOMAS (1961)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27560)

1.    Comfort Me – CARLA THOMAS (1966)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27537)

1.    Carla – CARLA THOMAS (1966)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27561)

1.    Just One Look - DORIS TROY (1964)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27516)

1.    The Boss Of The Blues – JOE TURNER (1956)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27563)

1.    Joe Turner [aka “Rock & Roll”] – JOE TURNER (1957)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27564)

1.    T-Bone Blues – T-BONE WALKER (1959 – includes 4 Bonus Tracks)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27524)

1.    The King Of The Stroll – CHUCK WILLIS (1958)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27527)

1.    My First Time Around – BETTY WRIGHT (1968)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27510)

1.    I Love The Way You Love (featuring Clean Up Woman) – BETTY WRIGHT (1972)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27511)

1.    Hard To Stop – BETTY WRIGHT (1973)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27576)

1.    Starting All Over – PHILIPPE WYNNE (1977)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27596)

COMPILATIONS…

Apollo Saturday Night – VARIOUS ARTISTS (1964 Atco) 

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCD-27599)

 

Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 – VARIOUS ARTISTS

(10-disc Box Set released 23 May 2012 in Japan-Only. Uses the 1991 US 8-disc version as its base - but this Japan-only version has different/expanded artwork and adds on 2 new bonus discs - both packed with MONO Fifties rarities) - see separate review

 

Saturday Night At The Uptown – VARIOUS ARTISTS (1964 Atlantic)

(Released 7/11/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27600)

 

The Stax/Volt Revue Volume 1 – Live In London (1967)

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27549) 

 

The Stax/Volt Revue Volume 2 – Live In Paris (1967) 

(Released 3/10/12 on Warner Brothers WPCR-27550)