Various Artists - ftg Presents The Vaults, Vol. 2 (2016)

UK Import

Volume 2 in a 6 volume series. Promoted by the funkytowngrooves (ftg) label as a "3 CD set. FTG Presents the Vaults Vol. 2 compiles rare extended, alternate, single and album versions of some of the best tracks from back in the day." And with some rare exceptions (I'm looking at you, Kenny G.), this is a fantastic set with almost 4 hours of music stretched across 3 CDs. Bonus points for first-rate remastering efforts, subtracted for lack of liner notes. (note to ftg: if you need someone to write liner notes, I'm available and cheap)

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: The tracks with a ✔ are highlights, but I dig any track without a ✘,

Disc 1 (78:01)

1. The Delfonics - La-La (Means I Love You), 1968: #4 Pop, #2 R&B. ✔
2. Gladys Knight & the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia (Single Version), 1974: #1 Pop, #1 R&B, #19 AC, 1974 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus. ✔
3. Modulations - Worth Your Weight in Gold (7" Version), 1974.
4. Gladys Knight & the Pips - The Way We Were/Try to Remember (Single Version), 1975: #11 Pop, #6 R&B, #2 AC.
5. Norman Connors - Betcha By Golly Wow (7" Version), 1976: #29 R&B. Vocals by Phyllis Hyman.
6. Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams - Too Much, Too Little, Too Late, 1978: #1 Pop, #1 R&B, #1 AC. ✔
7. GQ - I Do Love You (7" Version), 1979: #20 Pop, #5 R&B. ✔
8. Norman Connors - You Are My Starship, 1976: #27 Pop, #4 R&B. Vocals by Michael Henderson. 
9. Keith Barrow - You Know You Want to Be Loved (7" Version), 1978: #26 R&B.
10. Hues Corporation - Rock the Boat, 1974: #1 Pop, #2 R&B, #12 AC, #5 Disco.
11. Melba Moore - This Is It (12" Version), 1976: #91 Pop, #18 R&B, #10 ✔
12. Johnny Mathis - Begin the Beguine (Disco Version), 1979: #37 AC. ✘
13. Raydio - Jack & Jill, 1978: #8 Pop, #5 R&B. ✔
14. Melba Moore - You Stepped Into My Life (7" Version), 1979: #47 Pop, #17 R&B, #5 Disco.
15. GQ - Standing Ovation (Single Version): 1980: #12 R&B, #35 Disco
16. Raydio - A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) (Single Version), 1981: #4 Pop, #1 R&B, #11 AC
17. Champaign - How 'Bout Us (Single Version), 1981: #12 Pop, #4 R&B, #1 AC. ✔
18. Heatwave - Gangsters of the Groove (UK 12" Version), 1980: #110 Pop, #21 R&B, #74 Disco.

Disc 2 (75:16)

1. Earth Wind & Fire - Lets Groove (Special Remixed Holiday Version), 1981: #3 Pop, #1 R&B, #3 Disco. ✔
2. Dionne Warwick - It's the Falling in Love, 1980.
3. KC - Give It Up (12" Version), 1984: #18 Pop, #24 Disco.
4. Herbie Hancock - Rockit (12" Version), 1983: #71 Pop, #6 R&B, #1 Disco.
5. George Duke - Shine on (Single Version), 1982, #41 Pop, #15 R&B, #36 Disco. ✔
6. Kashif - Help Yourself to My Love (12 " Version), 1983: #28 R&B. ✔
7. Kenny G - Hi, How Ya Doin ? (Gravity Mix), 1984: #23 R&B. Vocals by Barry Johnson. ✘
8. Champaign - Off and On Love, 1984: #10 R&B.
9. Rebbie Jackson - Centipede (12" Version), 1984: #24 Pop, #4 R&B, #29 Disco.
10. Roy Ayers - Poo Poo La La (Radio Edit), 1984.
11. Isley Jasper Isley - Insatiable Woman (12" Version), 1986, #13 R&B.
12. Kashif - Love Me All Over (Extended Version), 1988, #14 R&B.
13. Roy Ayers - Slip 'N Slide (7" Version), 1985.
14. Surface - You Are My Everything (Extended Version), 1989: #84 Pop, #1 R&B,.
15. Dionne Warwick - No One in the World (Alternate Version), 1985.

Disc 3 (79:58)

1. Odyssey - Use It Up and Wear It Out (Edit), 1980: #6 Disco.
2. Earth, Wind & Fire - Magnetic (Extended Dance Remix), 1983: #57 Pop, #10 R&B, #36 Disco.
3. The Pointer Sisters - Automatic (12" Remix Version), 1984: #5 Pop, #2 R&B, #36 AC, #2 Disco ✔
4. Philip Bailey - I Know, 1983: #10 R&B.
5. Krystol - After the Dance Is Through (Vocal Mix), 1984: #40 Disco.
6. Evelyn King - High Horse (Remix Version), 1986: #19 R&B, #12 Disco.
7. The Pointer Sisters - I'm So Excited (Extended Version), 1982: #9 Pop, #46 R&B, #25 AC, #28 Disco.
8. Full Force - Alice, I Want You Just for Me!, 1985: #16 R&B, #34 Disco.
9. Juicy - Sugar Free (Deo/Radio Remix), 1986: #13 R&B.
10. James Brown - Static (Full Force Remix), 1988: #5 R&B, #5 Disco ✔
11. Evelyn King - Your Personal Touch (Dance Version), 1986: #86 Pop, #9 R&B, #5 Disco.
12. Andre Cymone - The Dance Electric (Long Version), 1985: #10 R&B, #8 Disco.
13. Johnny Kemp - Just Another Lover (7" Version), 1986: #14 R&B, #26 Disco.
14. James Brown - I'm Real (Special Version), 1988: #2 R&B, #29 Disco.
15. Surface - Closer Than Friends (12" Version), 1989: #1 R&B.

To be fair, I don't listen to a lot of late '80s R&B, so many tunes on disc 3 were new to me.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None