Various Artists - The Ref-O-Ree Records Story - Southern Soul (2007) SPV/Blue Label + Booklet - Rare Soul (FLAC)

Ref-O-Ree Records was started in Nashville in 1968 by songwriter, producer, musician, talent scout, and DJ Ted Jarrett, who has had a long (and largely unsung) career creating and promoting black music in Music City. Ref-O-Ree specialized in hard, deep Southern soul and proto funk, and provided a home for artists like Gene Allison, Larry Birdsong, and Roscoe Shelton, all of whom made their last recordings for Jarrett's label. This generous 25 track set will be a revelation for many, as side after side explodes out of the speakers with unbridled passion and energy. Clear highlights include Birdsong's raggedly perfect "Digging Your Potatoes," Allison's emotionally brilliant "I Understand," Rufus Hunter's undeniably funky "Clean with Your Dirty Work," and a pair of gems from the little-known Henry Thomas (not to be confused with the 1920s Texas blues songster who bears the same name), the eerie "Is It Love or an Imitation" and the infectious "You Got to Have a Thing." This a quality set, and many of these sides have not appeared on CD before, making The Ref-O-Ree Story both an exciting listen and a must for fans and collectors of vintage Southern soul. Several Ref-O-Ree releases have become Northern Soul classics in the UK. Here the dancers that still fetch big money are Freddie Waters,Peggy gains,The Anons,Thomas henry,The Temo Rhytms & The Precious Three....Fabulous!

AMM

                                                                       The Tasters!