Various Artists | NOW That's What I Call 70s Soul | 4CD 1377

NOW That’s What I Call 70s Soul brings together 88 era-defining tracks from one of the most powerful decades in soul music, featuring classics from Motown legends, Philly Soul pioneers, smooth balladeers and funk innovators… Out April 24th!

CD1 opens with one of the decade’s most recognisable love songs: Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’, a US #1 and UK Top 10 hit that became his signature recording. It’s followed by Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’, the socially conscious masterpiece and title track from his landmark 1971 album, and Diana Ross’ ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, which topped the US chart and became her first solo #1. Stevie Wonder’s ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)’ remains one of Motown’s most joyful recordings and comes before The Jackson 5’s ‘I Want You Back’, the group’s explosive debut single. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles’ ‘The Tears Of A Clown’ became a UK #1, while Barry White’s ‘Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe’ showcases the unmistakable voice that encapsulates the sound of the decade, and leads into a run of sumptuous ballads:- The Three Degrees’ ‘When Will I See You Again’ topped the UK chart, while Rose Royce’s ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’ brings another smooth highlight. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass deliver the contemporary standard ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’ ahead of The Stylistics’ You Make Me Feel Brand New’, a UK Top 3 smash. Bill Withers’ timeless ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, a Grammy-winning classic, leads into the gorgeous ‘Lovin’ You’ by Minnie Riperton a US #1 and UK #2 smash. The disc continues with The Isley Brothers’ ‘Summer Breeze’, while The O’Jays’ ‘Love Train’, a message of unity that became a UK Top 10 and US #1, sits alongside further classics from Ike & Tina Turner (‘Proud Mary’), The Staple Singers (‘Respect Yourself’), The Supremes (‘Nathan Jones’) and Gladys Knight & The Pips’ US #1 ‘Midnight Train To Georgia’, The Spinners and The Delfonics before closing with The Temptations’ ‘Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)’.

CD2 begins with Commodores’ ‘Easy’, which introduced the smooth ballad vocals of Lionel Richie. Next up is Billy Paul’s timeless ‘Me And Mrs. Jones’, before The Floaters’ #1 ‘Float On’. Romantic favourites follow including Heatwave’s ‘Always And Forever’, ahead of the sophisticated funk-soul of Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘Fantasy’. Dancefloor classics arrive with George McCrae’s ‘Rock Your Baby’ and The Tymes’ ‘Ms. Grace’ – both UK #1 smashes. Detroit Emeralds’ ‘Feel The Need In Me’, The Blackbyrds’ ‘Walking In Rhythm’ and ‘I’m Doin’ Fine Now’ from New Your City feature ahead of a run of tracks celebrating the ‘70s Northern Soul scene… Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons’ ‘The Night’, The Trammps’ ‘Hold Back The Night’, ‘Now Is The Time’ from Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Tami Lynn’s ‘I’m Gonna Run Away From You’ and Chairmen Of The Board with their Top 3 ‘Give Me Just A Little More Time’, before closing with the Four Tops’ Top 5 cover of ‘It’s All In The Game’.

CD3 opens with Bill Withers’ ‘Lovely Day’, one of the most enduring and uplifting soul classics, before Stevie Wonder’s ‘Never Had A Dream Come True’ and Al Green’s ‘Tired Of Being Alone’. Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye duetting are followed by ballads from Michael Jackson and The Delfonics. Next up, The Temptations’ epic ‘Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone’, a Grammy-winning US #1 remains one of the most stunning recordings from the Motown catalogue, is followed by Isaac Hayes’ ‘Theme From “Shaft”’, an Academy Award-winner and a US #1 smash. More funk follows from Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown with one of his key tracks ‘Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine’, Edwin Starr’s powerful anti-Vietnam protest song ‘War’, and Sly & The Family Stone’s hugely influential ‘Family Affair’. Timmy Thomas’ minimalist soul classic ‘Why Can’t We Live Together’ appears alongside William DeVaughn’s ‘Be Thankful For What You Got’, which became an enduring classic. 70’s chart favourites follow from The Moments (‘Jack In The Box’) and Raydio (‘Jack And Jill’), alongside The O’Jays’ ‘Back Stabbers’ and The Isley Brothers’ dance-floor smash ‘That Lady’… and it’s left to Teddy Pendergrass’ ‘Close The Door’ to close the disc.

CD4 opens with The Jackson 5’s ‘I’ll Be There’, their biggest hit. The ballads continue with Diana Ross’ ‘Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)’, the theme from the 1975 film Mahogany and a US #1 hit. Aretha Franklin’s ‘Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)’ appears alongside Ann Peebles’ influential and often covered ‘I Can’t Stand The Rain’ and Freda Payne’s #1‘Band Of Gold’. The Stylistics hit the top spot and Barry White had a huge hit with his version of Billy Joel’s standard ‘Just The Way You Are’, Marvin Gaye’s sensual ‘Let’s Get It On’ became another US #1, while Rose Royce’s beautiful ‘Wishing On A Star’ has become one of the most loved soul ballads of the era. ‘Three Times A Lady’ was a worldwide smash for the Commodores, and is featured along with Deniece Williams’ ‘Free’, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’, Lou Rawls, Eddie Holman, Sweet Sensation and ‘Then Came You’ a US chart topping duet between Dionne Warwick & The Spinners. Closing this fantastic collection, a trio of timeless ballads: - Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘After The Love Has Gone’, Gladys Knight & The Pips with ‘Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me’, and George Benson’s beautiful ‘The Greatest Love Of All’.