Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Because this compilation was gleaned from New York's Scepter and Wand labels, there are fewer gospel-orientated soul singers here than on the Southern soul compilations that Ace/Kent put out with such loving care. However there are a couple of church-connected gems here. Melba Moore weighs in with a wonderful Dionne Warwick-style ballad "Does Love Believe In Me" and the late Lee Moses, who once contributed magnificent guitar work to a groundbreaking soul gospel album by The Mighty Hannibal, shows on the song "Never In My Life" that he was no slouch as a singer either. If you like '60s uptown soul you'll also be keen to hear some good cuts here from The Esquires, The Shirelles, Ann Bailey and Dan & The Cleancuts. Wonderfully researched sleevenotes by Ady Croasdell add to this intriguing plunder of the archives.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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