Kent 183 - Full Time Groovers Hotlanta Soul Vol. 2 (2000) + Booklet - Rare Soul (FLAC 654MB)

UPGRADE from the old blog....The tracks are primarily 70s recordings from the mid southern cities of Atlanta, Birmingham and Nashville. Ten of the twenty three songs are previously unissued and as is often the case, the absence of vinyl on those recordings was not reflective of their quality. Atlanta was a happening city in the 70s and Michael Thevis' musical enterprises were financially comfortable enough from his other businesses to allow for a bit of musical experimentation to be written off on the balance sheet. The labels also produced plenty of their own revenue with hits from Loleatta Holloway, Jimmy Lewis, John Edwards and Dorothy Norwood. The publishing arm of the business was equally blessed, with writers of the calibre of Sam Dees, Frederick Knight and Floyd Smith. Sam Dees' name is all over this CD,what a legend this man is as performer & writer. starting the whole thing off with another tender sparsely recorded ballad "Anything Is Fair In Love And War". Though originally intended as a demo, Sam sang it too well for his own good, the notion of improving on this version must have been quite daunting. Sam was also heavily involved in the Alpaca Phase III recording that follows it, in fact he was probably a member of the mainly studio group though not the lead singer. Sam's trademark intimate song style goes right through to track 3 where Bill Brandon gives us "Let's Get It Back Together Again" a more mid paced Dees offering. All of these songs were found in the studios, as were the two Frederick Knight contributions. Fred was also a fine singer/songwriter and, like Sam Dees, had his songs covered by many artists. "You Need A Friend Like Mine" was cut on Annette Thomas and Rance Allen for Stax subsidiary labels Truth and Gospel Truth, this original demo is another fine take on an inspiring song. Fred's other recording featured here is "Time", co-written with Dees a more broody, haunting song than the gospel influenced "Friend". Nashville music alumnus Moses Dillard teamed up with someone by the name of Dillard Johnson to record "Here We Go Loving Again" on the Piedmont label. The song can only be described as joyous ( you can picture the musicians having a ball). It's the type of song that made disco worthwhile and makes up for all that `hi hat` excess and reflective clothing. Also, don't forget that if we hadn't had disco, black dance music in the 70s would have been non stop funk, paaarty and blowing bleeding whistles. The real bonus with this CD and the 'Good Guys' compilation is the inclusion of Moonsong and Clintone recordings. Rozetta Johnson and Bill Brandon were at the pinnacle of their careers when they cut these great ballads. My fave track is the first taster, a record so good it went massive on the Northern Scene & kent included it in the title of this mind blowing CD.!

AMM

                                                                                                         The Tasters!