Volume 4 of this highly acclaimed series from Warner Music sees another twenty blistering tracks of 2-Step, Boogie, Fusion and Rare Groove tracks from the vaults of Atlantic, Warner, Reprise, and Atco labels from the period 1975-1983. When I tell you that you will not be disappointed then it is a statement I stand by. Opening with Ben E King's title track from his LP 'Supernatural Thing' this gorgeous swaying groover finds the ex Drifters front man in fine form on this 12" single which was largely ignored when it first appeared during the late 1980's.

Margie Joseph is no stranger to soul fans across the globe and her Atlantic offering 'Come On Back To Me Lover' has an opening so reminiscent of Dee Dee Bridgewater's 'Lonely Disco Dancer' and is one of her more finer moments just oozing with class and soul backed with some neat piano work complementing a gorgeous all round arrangement. If you get chance check out her 1971 Stax single 'Medicine Bend'

The name Johnny Bristol is perhaps more synonymous with Motown Records where during the period 1969-1971 together with Harvey Fuqua wrote and arranged some of the classiest songs ever to hit vinyl for the likes of Jr Walker before leaving the company and embarking on a solo career hitting the charts in 1974 with 'Hang On In There Baby'. This compilation features the fabulous 'Sho' Like Groovin With Ya' which for me is THE track on this CD. Apart from a very high standard of vocal delivery just check on the orchestral arrangement throughout this song and feel the goose pimples start to rise!!. Was this Barry White/Love Unlimited Orchestra/Gene Page or what - fabulous.

No Atlantic related compilation would be complete without a song from the queen of soul Ms Aretha Franklin and with so many tunes to choose from her repertoire Warner's have chosen one of her best in 'It Only Happens' (when I look at you) a song that has received many plays on Smooth FM in Manchester and displays this lady's vocal dexterity to the maximum. Check out too the catchy vocal harmonies of the unusually named Pratt & McClain's Reprise 45 'Watchersign' which has a nasty habit of prompting you to continually replay the song over and over again. Rare groove at its very best and if you are lucky enough to locate a mint copy of the extended 12" single then its probably worth a small fortune.

Chaka Khan is no stranger to our kind of music and her lilting 'Any Old Sunday' has that feel good factor and was arranged by Arif Mardin and issued as a single back in September 1981 where it had some chart success in the US but has remained a collectors favourite ever since. Chaka has come a long way since her days a lead singer with Rufus in 1973. From the Laws family of entertainers Debra (sister of Hubert & Ronnie) hit the dancefloors with her Elektra 12" smash 'On My Own' which gained a lot interest from the nations club jocks and resulted in her LP at that time gaining specialist radio plays around the UK. 'Meant For You' from that LP 'Very Special' (produced by Hubert and Ronnie) this track is as good as it gets and shows just what a very special singer Debra was. Sadly she did not follow this albums success with any more of the same calibre and she remains one the all time 'lost' ladies of soul.

Finally, Leroy Hutson, one time member of the legendary Impressions during the 1970's delivers the ultimate piece of late night radio magic with 'Nice and Easy' taken from his only UK LP on Elektra entitled 'Paradise' his presence on the music scene was never to be underestimated and I have the pleasure of owning some stunning US Soul Train footage of Leroy in action. A perfect ending for a perfect CD compilation.

Highly recommended as are all the other titles in this series.

Rating 10/10