The ACID JAZZ label was one of the first UK labels to see the growing momentum of the vinyl revival and alongside their subsidiary labels, OST and Miles Away, they’ve issued a varied series of in-demand, rare soul and funk cuts. Like all the best/savvy vinyl reissuers, their 7” discs were usually released in limited runs and some are now selling for inflated amounts to those who missed out first time around.
So the obliging Acid Jazz people have collected some of their very best and most in-demand 7” singles together and put ‘em on a lovely 12” LP – just like classic labels like Motown did back in the day! Even the cover (see above) tips a nod to those great old compilations
They (very properly) call the set ‘SOUL DROPS’ and its topped and tailed by cult soul/gospel singer Lamont Butler. He opens proceedings with the now very apt ‘Ungodly War’ and finishes the album with ‘Thank You Lord’. The former is a tough, meandering workout while the latter slows things down.
In between there’s all sorts of soul shadings. Modern soul collectors will delight to have two tracks from The Tom – Emmanuel and Ron Experience. They are ‘When You Loose Your Groove’ and ‘Why (The Knower)’. Originally released in 1970 on Golden Three Records both boast a lovely Chicago soul feel. The Patterson Twins’ ‘Gonna Find A True Love’ is another delight. The input of Terry Woodford here is a guarantee of quality. Blue-eyed soul comes via Rick Hickman and Tony and Tandy. That last is one of Sharon Tandy’s most in-demand items. Gospel is represented by Delores Hall’s ‘One More Chance Lord’ and the righteous testifying of Sharon Brown of Family Tree while lovers of 60s harmony groups will love the Fantastics’ ‘We Got Good Lovin’’ – recorded in 1968 in lay unreleased till 2012 and (again) that first issue is hugely in demand.
Add to all those flavours some fierce funk, jazz funk and a garnish of sweet pop/soul and you have a varied and always intriguing compilation. It’s out on vinyl on April 8th and if you like that old fashioned stuff we believe there’s a CD version and downloads too!