Various Artists - Soul Hits of the '70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind, Vol. 18 (1995)

Volume 18 of a 20 volume Rhino series. I had no plans to collect all 20 CDs, but they keep appearing in used bins and I simply can't help myself so we'll have to wait and see where this leads. From what I can ascertain, the later volumes released in 1995 are getting harder to find which normally translates to higher price tags, so I'm lucky I happened across this one because I think it is one of the strongest in the series. Singles included on this volume charted 1975 - 1977, the years in which I developed a serious commitment to radio and music.

Tracks, with Billboard chart peaks:

1. Give It What You Got - B.T. Express (1975, #40 pop, #5 R&B)
   If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The group's 1974 single Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" topped the R&B chart in 1974 so this is more of the same as far as groove, style, and lyrical content are concerned. Not quite as successful on the pop chart this time around, though.
2. Wake Up Everybody (Part 1) - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (1975, #12 pop, #1 R&B, #34 AC) 
   Typical Philly Soul greatness from Teddy Pendergrass and company. Sadly, the lyrics continue to be relevant half a century after they were written.
3. Sweet Thing - Rufus feat. Chaka Khan (1975, #5 pop, #1 R&B)
   I listen to something this good and can't help from hollering, “@#$%&, Chaka! Sing that $#%!”
4. I'll Be Good To You - The Brothers Johnson (1976, #3 pop, #1 R&B)
   George & Louis Johnson teaming up with producer Quincy Jones made for several excellent collaborations. This was the first.
5. Kiss And Say Goodbye - The Manhattans (1976, #1 pop, #1 R&B, #12 AC)
   Recorded in Philadelphia with MFSB as the backing band, this is a fantastic slow jam. I love this song from the spoken intro to the smooth ever-so-slightly-out-of-tune doo-wop harmonies. A simple break up song, but oh so well done. Pleading, soulful vocals over an insistent, pulsing string hook. After a Barry White-ish spoken word bass voice intro, we're treated to a beautifully subtle, falsetto voice that grows in intensity for the next 3 minutes.
6. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine - Lou Rawls (1976, #2 pop, #1 R&B, #4 disco, #1 AC)
   Lou Rawls and Gamble & Huff? Gimme! What a voice and what a soulful pair of writer/producers.
7. Who'd She Coo? - Ohio Players (1976, #18 pop, #1 R&B)
   A play on the suggestive euphemism "hoochie coo," but when you've got a funk groove this good, lyrics are practically superfluous.
8. You Are My Starship - Norman Connors (1976, #27 pop, #4 R&B)
   Drummer/producer Connors sure could put together a solid group of musicians for his jazz/R&B albums. This one features vocals by Michael Henderson and a soprano sax solo by Gary Bartz. It was the biggest solo hit from Connors but is one of my least favorites cut from him. Go figure.
9. Dazz - Brick (1976, #3 pop, #1 R&B, #7 disco)
   Dazz is supposedly a combination of disco and jazz. I'm not sure that's what it is, but we're treated to mean flute solo.
10. Tryin' To Love Two - William Bell (1976, #10 pop, #1 R&B, #25 AC)
    This didn't get much airplay in west Texas so I don't recall hearing it as a child. That's my loss because this thing is fantastically smooth. I finally heard it about 15 years ago - better late than never.
11. I Wanna Get Next To You - Rose Royce (1976, #10 pop, #3 R&B, #9 AC)
    We're treated to another fantastic slow jam, this time from the mind of Norman Whitfield. I once included this one and Kiss And Say Goodbye (track 5) in a playlist I titled "The Greatest Slow Jam Mix Ever:
    
12. Best Of My Love - The Emotions (1977, #1 pop, #1 R&B, #11 disco)
    Written and produced by musical genius Maurice White. The bass line is awesome in its simplicity. Great groove throughout. The single deservedly won the Grammy award for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Hearing most of these songs while riding around Odessa, Texas through the AM radio in my mother's yellow station wagon (a Ford Country Sedan, maybe?). Particular favorites at the time were Kiss And Say Goodbye, You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine, and Best Of My Love. Other personal faves of 1976 can be found here: Counting down the Top 76 of '76

Previously revisited for the blog:

Volume 5	Volume 13
Volume 6	Volume 14
Volume 12	Volume 15