Various Artists - Extra Added Soul - Crossover, Modern, and Funky Soul (2016) J&D/Numero (FLAC)

This album explores obscure avenues of '70s soul, concentrating on off shoots of small labels smooth soul, soft funk, and boogie, highly danceable grooves that have been tagged as an off shoot of the Northern Soul scene called "modern soul", every track on here has been played on the scene. Whether the four-on-the-floor rises to the surface or not, the evolving sound of soul progressing from the 60,s is the underpinning of the music here, present in such Philly styled cuts as Eula Cooper's "Standing by Love" and Mind & Matter's "I'm Under Your Spell," or the stylish breezes of Elvin Spencer's "Lift This Hurt" and the Latin-tinged "No Matter" by La'Fez. Their charm is they were cut on the cheap on labels looking for that one big hit. That snazzy groove flows throughout these 20 songs, and it's what makes the album worth hearing. The songs may not always stick. and, certainly there are no stars here (Syl Johnson is the closest, unless you count Prince's early band 94 East) but the rhythm is infectious and the satin slickness is endearing, Northern soul had to move on as the times were a changing...Numero are certainly chasing Ace/Kent for that number 1 title in providing great soul!...Loaded with obscurities!

AMM   

                                                                         The Tasters!