The Heart of Southern Soul Beats On Right Here!
P. J. Dunstan | Virginia Beach, VA USA | 03/29/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Contrary to prevailing industry mythology, major labels like Stax and Hi weren't the only purveyors of quality deep-fried Southern soul in the late 1960s; tiny Nahville label Excello also pressed some worthy stacks of wax. This well engineered 24-track compilation features material that appeared on the label and its subsidiaries from the mid-'60s to the mid-'70s. Most of the featured acts on this disc are only known to serious soul mavens... The Wallace Brothers, Kip Anderson, and Mava Whitney to name a few. Many of the cuts have an old-time negro spiritual feel with a serious bluesy overtone. Frankly, it's just what you'd expect from a label that has such a proud heritage. Afficionados of the genre won't be disappointed."