Various Artists - Soul Hits of the '70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind, Vol. 14 (1991)

This is the volume 14 of the 20 volume Rhino series, released in the early '90s. Top-notch from track selection to liner notes. Unfortunately, the series is now out-of-print. The songs on this volume hit the charts between June 1974 and March 1975 which when I was just beginning to listen to a lot of radio. You can also hear the beginnings of disco on some of these tracks. Now I just need to locate the other 19 volumes...

Tracks:

• For the Love of Money - The O'Jays: Peaked at #9 pop, #3 R&B in June 1974
  Awesome tune and the only reason to watch The Apprentice reality TV series.
• Do It Baby - The Miracles: Peaked at #13 pop, #4 R&B in October 1974
  This post-Smokey Robinson, with Billy Griffin singing lead. Despite chart success, I don't recall hearing this in the '70s. Not bad, although the use of oboe is an interesting choice.
• You Little Trustmaker - The Tymes: Peaked at #12 pop, #20 R&B in October 1974
  Very pop-ish, but with a great hook.
• Fire - Ohio Players: Peaked at #1 pop, #1 R&B in February 1975
  More funk, than soul, but I'm not complaining.
• Let's Straighten It Out - Latimore: Peaked at #31 pop, #1 R&B in November 1974
  An earthy soul ballad in line with Barry White or Bobby Womack.
• When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees: Peaked at #2 pop, #4 R&B in December 1974
  Classic Philly Soul from Gamble and Huff.
• Never Can Say Goodbye - Gloria Gaynor: Peaked at #9 pop, #34 R&B in January 1975
  A straight-up disco tune from a disco diva. This tune was originally written for the Jackson 5 by Clifton Davis, who would go on to star as a preacher in the late '80s NBC sitcom, Amen.
• Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band: Peaked at #1 pop, #5 R&B in February 1975
  A great funk instrumental. The sax solo is fantastic.
• Shame, Shame, Shame - Shirley & Company: Peaked at #12 pop, #1 R&B in March 1975
  Don't remember this one.
• Doctor's Orders - Carol Douglas: Peaked at #11 pop, #9 R&B in February 1975
  Pure '70s silliness complete with spoken-word intro, disco strings, and lots of hi-hat.
• Express - B.T. Express: Peaked at #4 pop, #1 R&B in March 1975
  A solid instrumental along the lines of their other hit, Do It ('Til Your Satisfied). Love the wah-wah guitar. Would it even be possible to have an instrumental hit these days?
• Lady Marmalade- LaBelle: Peaked at #1 pop, #1 R&B in March 1975
  The mega-hit that taught us all at least one phrase in French: "voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?"

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Nothing comes to mind, but then again, there wasn't much soul music being played in the oilfields of West Texas in '70s.