Speak to any self respecting soul fan and ask them to name some record labels within their collection and its a fair bet they will quote you Stax, Motown, Chess, Brunswick, and most notably Atlantic Records from which this superb seventy five track set is taken and is due to hit the streets on the above date. Sure, there have been a number of previous releases containing what you see here dating back as far as 1987 when there were two issues namely Atlantic Soul Classics Volumes 1 & 2 which as I remember sold well but there was no third edition.

This new set of triplets will not disappoint those wishing to upgrade their vinyl copies of these masterpieces, or for those discovering the magic of commercial sixties/seventies soul classics for the very first time. Each of the three discs are conveniently compiled around the era concerned and disc one deals with the early 1960's where much of America's soul music was still tagged as R'nB' and it wasn't until say 1964 that the tag 'soul' was more appropriately used to describe this form of black music. Famous names such as The Coasters performing their 'Poison Ivy' (later covered by The Rolling Stones) and early work from the late and legendary Ray Charles whose 'I've Got A Woman' and ('Night Time) Is The Right Time' are perfect examples of classic R'n'B and the way in which these artists were setting the standards for the rest of the decade.

Of course these two names were only two of many who were creating musical history. The Drifters who were to enjoy future success right up until the 1970's were every part of Atlantic Records' history and whilst many would cite Ben E King or Johnny Moore as their lead singer soul fans know only too well that Clyde McPhatter was in there from the start  and their song 'Money Honey' remains a perfect example of the kind of influence picked up by Jackie Wilson during his 'Reete Petite' days. Rock and Roll featured heavily within the label and Joe Turner's 'Shake, Rattle and Roll' is in some ways every bit as good as Bill Haley's hit version (and check that rolling piano hook in the background).

If you want to talk about songs that will stand the test of time, remain all-time classics then you have 75 of them here on three discs, and the inclusion of 'Spanish Harlem' from the mighty Ben E King was an absolute must from the outset with its gently weaving orchestral arrangement and Caribbean feel makes this essential listening. By 1964 the tag R'n'B was waning somewhat and was becoming what we now know as soul music and just about anybody who was anybody within black music circles was recording for  either Stax, Atlantic, or Motown. Carla Thomas became a successful singer during this period and whilst enjoying a couple of singles singing with Otis Redding mid way through the decade it was her singles 'Gee Whizz' and 'B A B Y' that had the record buying public eating out of her hand. Instrumentals were always popular during the 1960's and Stax house band Booker T & the MG's churned out lots of hit records from 1962 onwards where their 'Green Onions' hit has seen more re-issues than I care to remember. The Mar-Keys who were a threesome of instrumentalists who often accompanied Booker T on the live tours recorded the catchy 'Last Night' which has been used as a theme tune  for Rik Mayall's comedy series 'Bottom'.

However, its when you hit disc 2 does the full power of Atlantic's glory days hit you straight between the eyes. This is the era that spanned some of the greatest soul sides ever heard on record. Tracks like Booker T's 'Green Onions', Pickett's 1965 monster tune 'In The Midnight Hour' and not forgetting his memorable sides 'Mustang Sally' and his version of the Chris Kenner song 'Land Of A Thousand Dances' which rates as one of my all-time favourite sides. Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley, Percy Sledge, and the Queen of soul herself the legendary Aretha Franklin all have million sellers included not forgetting the late Otis Redding whose final song 'Dock Of The Bay' was his biggest hit to date and it is such a shame he never lived to see its success.

Disc 3 is equally as mouth-watering with more hits yet again from some of the soul giants of the late sixties and early to mid seventies. Opening with 'Soul Man' by Sam & Dave from 1968 this track was perhaps one of the first real funky riffs utilised on record at that time. This song has had more re-releases than I can remember and still remains a firm favourite on the dancefloors at my own classic 'Solid Gold' nights in North Wales. Plenty of more great classics, especially the duet from Otis Redding & Carla Thomas of their interpretation on Lowell Fulsom's 'Tramp' which had seen release as a single itself a couple of years later. Whilst the 1960's came to an end and the emergence of a new decade the hits still came thick and fast for the company. Out went the hard core edge of sixties styled soul and in came the sound of Philadelphia and there were three groups who enjoyed hits on Atlantic who stood out head and shoulders above the rest. Archie Bell & the Drells had enjoyed hits since 1967 on the label but their danceable 1972 release 'Here I Go Again' was quickly picked up by the northern soul scene where it has remained a firm favourite ever since. Blue Magic were a Philly styled harmony group who enjoyed hits such as 'Look Me Up' 'Three Ring Circus' and the delightful ballad 'Sideshow' which received some UK airplay during the early seventies and whilst being a minor hit over here it was the reggae version by singer Barry Biggs that made the UK top 20.

The Detroit Spinners were the third notable giants of Atlantic soul during the seventies and enjoyed lots of hit records both sides of the Atlantic. The former Motown stars were no strangers to hit records and their Philly style records are testament to their ability to produce the ballads as well as those classic Philly type grooves. Often produced by Tom Bell and Linda Creed they marched their way up the charts with songs like 'I'll Be Around' (now a classic modern soul favourite) as well as 'Ghetto Child' 'Could It Be I'm Falling In Love' and the favourite 'Working My Way Back To You'. The aforementioned first two songs can be found on this compilation. As the 1970's stated to get more funkier a number of the labels roster fine tuned their musical output to suit and hits were enjoyed by Aretha Franklin with her funky 'Rock Steady' as well as 'Clean Up Woman' by veteran Betty Wright who then went on to record further hit songs for a variety of other record labels. I am pleased that Major Harris' 1973 sultry ballad 'Love Won't Let Me Wait' has been included here (if you get chance check out the flip side to the original 45) and unusual calypso flavoured 'Funky Nassau' by The Beginning Of The End which has a gorgeous caribbean feel to it.

Atlantic Gold could have been a ten CD set and then would have only scratched the surface of their total output during the glory years. It is fair to say that many of these songs are available on other CD's but as a complete 3 CD package you simply cannot go wrong. If you are new to this kind of music then you won't go far wrong with this in your collection. Drop any of the more uptempo tunes into any party atmosphere and your away. Anyone who visits my own classic 'Gold' nights in North Wales will be more than familiar with most of these tunes which have been part of my playlist for years now.

Rating 11/10