At first glance when this CD dropped on the doormat my thoughts were 'why another CD from Lamont' after Sanctuary had already featured a number of CD's from the great man last year? Well its more of a greatest hits package from selected albums from the 70/80's and lets be fair you can never get enough of this guy. Readers of this review should check out my other reviews on Lamont and cross reference them with 'Soul Man'. Opening with the classic 'Why Can't We Be Lovers' from 1972 (Invictus Label) this song whilst being credited to Holland & Dozier actually featured Lamont as the only vocalist and this song has been featured very high in the ratings on those polls of the greatest soul songs of all time. One of my favourites from this set is the modern sounding 'If You Don't Want To Be In My Life' a song that I didn't warm to on the first couple of plays but now I'm hooked forever. This shows Lamont's vocal dexterity at its very best as this song weaves it's way around your mind and has you humming the hook line in no time at all.
Dozier's history is well documented across the globe and his song writing talents with the Holland Brothers during their stint at Motown from 1963-1967 shows just what impact they had in making unknown stars into household names almost overnight, and whilst in some ways it was a sad departure from Berry Gordy's empire it was to be the start of a new era as he and Brian and Eddie Holland relaunched themslves as label owners in the very early seventies launching the Invictus/Hot Wax labels of which a vast array of artists benefited from their production talents.
The impeccable 'Going Back To My Roots' is featured here in it's full length glory and whilst the song itself had a strong social message for the brothers in Africa, it was the infectious groove that made it a popular soul weekender record before pop/soul trio Odyssey took the song to the top of the UK charts during the 1980's. What makes Lamont Dozier stand out head and shoulders above the rest is his ability not only to write his own quality songs, but to be able to deliver them in a style that any quality soul act would die for. Listen to any track on this wonderful CD to see that he does not rely on a disco groove to grab his audience's attention but merely sings from the heart about life's experiences etc. A good song is one that represents a story from start to finish and every one of these songs makes interesting reading.
This collection pulls selected tracks from three of Dozier's finest albums from the late 1970's/1980's in 'Peddlin' Music On The Side' 'Bitteresweet' and 'Right Here' all of which can be reviewed independently by clicking here.
Lamont has never forgotten his gospel roots and the opening bars of 'Peddlin' Music' finds the backing singers in fine voice before he settles down into a mid paced song that became the mainstay of the album of the same name. This CD is crammed with gems from start to finish and standout tracks worthy of mention has to include 'Family' 'Love Me To The Max' and 'Right Where I Belong'
Very seldom does an artist of Lamont's calibre appear on the scene who can not only write and arrange great songs, but can sing them too as good any other artist soul music has thrown at us over the last forty years. If you haven't got a Lamont Dozier CD in your collection, or you are discovering this great mans talents for the very first time then this CD is a perfect introduction to a master at work. If you enjoy 'Soul Man' then you will quickly take to his other brilliant CD's.
Rating 10/10