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This Is Why You Go Through Cut-out Bins!

R. Mix | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 05/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"100 Proof (Aged In Soul) were a talented--but luckless--quartet signed to Motown writer/producer Eddie Holland's Hot Wax label in the early-seventies.

They had a sizeable hit with "Somebody's Been Sleeping In My Bed" in late 1970, but then faded from view after some minor but fine r&b hits over the next year. They were a band that deserved much better.

Needless to say, r&b hounds like myself gobble up their LPs and 45s on sight. (As proof, just check the prices used copies of this CD fetch on amazon.com.) Imagine my surprise then, that I would come across this while scouring the 99-cent CD bin at the local Books/Music/Video chain store.

And it's excellent. Worth every penny being asked for it. This is chock-full of prime seventies r&b shoulda coulda wouldas. Steve Mancha (real name Clyde Wilson) is a powerful singer, ably supported by Joe Stubbs (yes, that Stubbs). And the arrangements are perfect. These guys were definitely under-appreciated in their day.

My only question is when is this going to be re-issued? Fantasy put out this edition in 1990, for which Concord Music now holds the rights. It's already remastered (by Joe Tarantino--who did the Otis Redding installment of the 'Stax Profiles' series) and is ready to go.

C'mon Concord--save our soul!






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