Search - Various Artists :: Play The Game: The XL And Sounds Of Memphis Story Vol. 2

In the last year Kent has brought you three fantastic CDs - Barbara Brown, The Ovations, and the first compilation of recordings from the archives of the XL and Sounds Of Memphis labels. These recordings have been critically acclaimed by soul fans as they tapped in to a previously un-mined scene of incredible Memphis soul. The well-kept archive is stuffed full of further gems, so we thought it was time to start digging deeply into them one more time, hence Play The Game - The XL / SOM Story Vol. 2.We open with one of the modern soul discoveries of last year - George Jackson's All In Your Mind which is being championed by DJ Sean Hampsey. This is one of the finest performances by the legendary southern songwriter and a genuine classic in the making. George is also present with I Don't Need You No More from a very rare and sought-after 45 on the ER label. Other artists who return are the Minits, this time with one of their released 45s and two brilliant unreleased cuts - Natural Reaction and Stepping Stone. Other brilliant 70s Memphis grooves are by the Ovations, the Sweeteens, Art Jerry Miller and the Everyday People. Our title track is a rhythmic soul groove by Vision from their only 45 release.On the 60s side of things we have two cuts by Willie Bollinger, including the recent club favorite Is It Love that sits perfectly alongside Barbara and the Browns' masterful take on Willie Cobb's You Don't Love Me. Deeper 60s sounds are present in the southern soul ballads of Rudolph Taylor and Carroll Lloyd whilst both Lou Roberts and Ann Hodge appear with cuts from highly collectable releases on Sounds Of Memphis and XL.The release once more benefits from the willingness of many of the participants to take part in the project by discussing their part in it. Also the access to the XL / SOM photo archive assures a beautiful package full of wonderful period photographs.