Want to find out what popular music sounded like before civilization collapsed? This collection of discs, lps and memorabilia from The Wonder-ful! Label is the American equivalent of hearing Greek music in Athens around 450 BC. The country was at it’s apotheosis, but a downslide was just about to happen. So it is with soul music. The sounds from the 60s and 70s that were recorded on the legendary Chicago labels like Mar-V-Lus, M-Pac!, Halo, Midas, and Toddlin’ Town are collected here, and the wonderful grit and soul that is captured here is delving into an old treasure chest in the attic and wondering how these have not been appreciated over the years.
From 1962-71 brothers George and Ernie Leaner got together groups that sounded like a mix of Stax, early Motown and Atlantic Record, with music ranging from post doo wop R&B to just on the edge of 70s TSOP vocal harmonies and horns. Material by the Five Du-Tones are sure to get you on the dance floor, while a Memphis Stew of horns and grooves from Otis Clay and Joe & Mack are as good as anything Booker T played with. You want vocals? Give an ear to Johnny Sayles, while bluesy sounds from Dorothy Prince and Big Daddy Rogers are as deep and rich as you could get back then. As with all things soul, gospel music is never too far down the block, and the Salem Travelers and Redemption Harmonizers bring some harmony to their testimonies. Even Deniece Williams, who was here known as Deniece Chandler does some wonderful stuff as a youngster.
This is the first set, and it has some smoking material from Otis Clay, such as “Got to Find a Way” and “Thank You Love.” A young Betty Everette woos on “Please Love Me” and The Five Du-Tones” deliver some steamy soul on “Shake a Tail Feather” and “When You Get That Feeling. But, whether you get the one, two or multi disc set, is gonna make you glad you have ears to hear and feet to dance with.
Secret Stash Records