Part of the 'History of Soul' series but a pleasure in its own right, this CD bears witness to the creation of a distinctive, smooth soul sound made in Chicago in the early 1960s that we associate with such legendary figures as Curtis Mayfield, Betty Everett and McKinley Mitchell. Black music was transitioning between R&B and soul at this time, and vocal groups were introducing a new gospel sensibility into their songs. The tracks include soul classics sung by artists you might not have heard before alongside better known singers performing less well-known numbers. The accompanying booklet is written by Robert Pruter, author of the acclaimed 'Chicago Soul'.


Disc One 1950 - 1961  

1.       Hi Yo Silver Harold Burrage

2.       Play It Cool The Spaniels

3.       Could It Be You The Four Tops

4.       For Your Precious Love Jerry Butler w The Impressions

5.       Billy's Blues, Part 2 Billy Stewart

6.       I'll Weep No More Betty Everett

7.       Satisfied Harold Burrage

8.       Never Felt This Way Before The Sheppards

9.       Senorita I Love You The Impressions

10.    I Want To Know Sugar Pie DeSanto

11.    Crying For My Baby Harold Burrage

12.    I've Got A Girl Major Lance

13.    He Will Break Your Heart Jerry Butler

14.    Tragic The Sheppards

15.    These Tears Mary Johnson

16.    If I Can't Have You Etta James & Harvey Fuqua

17.    Say That You Love Me The Impressions

18.    Where Is She Dobie Hicks

19.    So Mean To Me Little Milton

20.    Stop Giving Your Man Away Joyce Davis

21.    Waiting For Charlie To Come Home Etta James

22.    Better Tell Him No The Starlets

23.    Gypsy Woman The Impressions

24.    Your Friends Dee Clark

25.    Oh Cindy The Vibrations

26.    Forgotten The Sheppards

27.    Oh What A Way To Be Loved The Daylighters

28.    New Rockin' Baby The Chaunteurs

29.    Be Ever Wonderful Ted Taylor

30.    I Got To Get Away From It All  Mitty Collier

 

Disc Two - 1962  

1.       The Town I Live McKinley Mitchell

2.       I Got A Claim On You Baby Betty Everett

3.       I'm The One Who Loves You The Impressions

4.       I Don't Want To Suffer Walter Jackson

5.       Ask Me Sugar Pie DeSanto

6.       Can't Take No More Ted Taylor

7.       Master Key Harold Burrage

8.       I'm So Glad McKinley Mitchell

9.       Your Love Is Important  Betty Everett

10.    Make It Easy On Yourself  Jerry Butler

11.    Could This Be Love Cicero Blake

12.    Mama Didn't Lie The Fascinations

13.    Nite Owl The Dukays

14.    Can`t Work No Longer The Impressions

15.    Something's Got A Hold On Me Etta James

16.    Cool Breeze Gerald Sims & The Daylighters

17.    Father Knows Best The Radiants

18.    Message To Martha Jerry Butler

19.    The Flea The Five Du-Tones

20.    The Bird The Dutones

21.    I Lost A Love Dorothy Prince

22.    Pushover Etta James

23.    Please Love Me Betty Everett

24.    We Girls Jan Bradley

25.    Little Young Lover The Impressions

26.    Tear For Tear Gene Chandler

27.    Please Change Your Mind The Five Du-Tones

28.    Don't Let Her Take My Baby Mitty Collier

29.    Why Not Tonight Dorothy Prince

30.    One Day I'll Show You The Radiants

31.    Fat Boy Billy Stewart

32.    Delilah Major Lance