Sanctuary Records have done more for the legendary Solar label than the previous two UK distributors WEA and RCA put together. Over the last five years we have seen re-issues of classic Solar albums, compilations, and the like to the extent almost everything that ever was recorded has been released here in the UK. The problem is that with so many issues you invariably find on compilations the same tracks appearing time and time again and there are only so many music fans that will want these songs, and may well already have them on other CD's.

This new three CD box set should not be written off just because in some ways it falls into that category as disc three is the obvious jewel in the crown containing some not usually seen sides that make this set worth looking at in more detail. The Solar label was born out of the demise of its predecessor Soul Train records during the late 1970's and for the back of the seventies and the early part of the eighties became THE soul and dance label doing for that period what Philly International and Motown had done years earlier. The labels most successful two acts were Shalamar and the legendary Whispers who between them notched up plenty of disco flavoured hits that remain in demand to this day. Disc one contains all the favourites including 'It's A Love Thing' by the aforementioned Whispers and Shalamar's 'I Can Make You Feel Good' 'Friends' 'Take That To The Bank' and their Motown medley from 1977 entitled 'Uptown Festival'.

There weren't many cover versions within Solar but the Whispers' rendition of the Temptations classic 'My Girl' has been one of my best floor fillers for a couple of years now as well as their 1978 smash 'And The Beat Goes On' which cannot fail to excite all these years on. Track 17 delivers a blistering megamix of some of the greatest songs out of L.A. featuring Midnight Star/Shalamar.

Disc two follows much in the same vein with obvious and easy to recognise hits such as 'A Night To Remember' 'I've Just begun To Love You' (Dynasty) and that great album track by the Sylvers 'Take It To The Top' and the much played 'Romeo Where's Juliet' by Collage. Of particular relevance is Carrie Lucas' 1977 Soul Train 4'5' 'I Gotta Keep Dancin' which was reissued some years later but this sounds like the original mix. Reading through the track listing on this set you cannot help but noticing that the Whispers keep turning up time and time again and in fact there can be found on all three discs. Disc 2 finds their 'Rock Steady' hit which has to be played really loud to appreciate its groove. This disc too finishes with a medley of grooves courtesy of Shalamar/Midnight Star/Collage.

I said earlier that disc 3 is the jewel here and will be the sets strongest selling point opening with 'Sweeter As The days Go By' a song that shows just why Howard Hewett was the ideal lead singer for Shalamar - forget Jodie Watley the sound of Shalamar is reserved for Hewett. Midnight Star's finest moment is reserved for their excellent 'Feels So Good' with a more down tempo soulful groove and harmonies that today's soul stars would kill for. I loved the Sylvers album on Solar during the early eighties and fell in love with their track 'Come Back Lover Come Back' which I am pleased to say can be found on this disc. One time Impression member from the seventies Leroy Hutson makes an appearance with 'Classy Lady' a stupendous piece of mid tempo soul magic that still sounds as fresh today as it did back then - Hutson's recordings are always much sought after and readers of this review should check out whether his other CD releases for Sanctuary are still available.

No matter how you listen to this set you cannot help but keep noticing the many fine songs by the Whispers and it is true what they that there is no such thing as a bad Whispers song - it's just that some are better than others, and they delight as much with the ballad songs as they stir up a storm on the dancefloor, and lovers of sweet soul will revel in the track 'Lady' for its gorgeous late night sex appeal and fairs amongst their best ever songs. Shalamar fans will be well familiar with Howard Hewett's brilliant and passionate vocal delivery on the single 'Over And Over' a song released as a 12" single during the 1980's and sums up the whole Shalamar/Solar sound perfectly.

Side three closes with one of soul music's all time soul brothers Bobby Womack (who I didn't know had recorded anything for Solar) with a song entitled 'Save The Children' which I have to say is a messy song that is going nowhere and not up to the usual standard we expect from such a big name - however don't let that put you off this set as one bad song out of fifty is damn good going by anyone's standards.

So there you have it - fifty songs spread over three CD's from one of soul music's greatest labels Solar (Sound Of Los Angeles Records) who along with Philly International during the 70/80's redefined soul music and produced us with some superb new acts as well as giving some artists a new lease of life - one thing is for sure though and that is the label will live on for many years to come.

Be sure to check out other releases on Solar via this web site and your local record store via Sanctuary Records.

Rating 8/10