by
Rob Jones
SOUL MAN
80 TIMELESS CLASSICS FROM
THE KINGS OF SOUL
Released 27.1.17 on UMOD
FEATURING MICHAEL JACKSON, OTIS REDDING, PERCY SLEDGE, LIONEL RICHIE, BILL WITHERS, MARVIN GAYE, BILLY PAUL
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAM & DAVE’S CLASSIC ‘SOUL MAN’ HIT
INSPIRES NEW 4 CD COLLECTION
‘Soul Man’ is a new 4CD collection celebrating the most important classic cuts of all time from the kings of soul music. It’s the perfect soulful soundtrack to Valentine’s Day; and it features the most credible and influential male artists of all time.
Was 1967 the most important year in Soul Music?
The album takes its name from the classic Sam and Dave song, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter* in 1967, ‘Soul Man’ would become Sam and Dave’s biggest hit, reaching No.2 on the US Billboard Chart. It received a Grammy Award in 1968.
Also featured are some of the most important soul anthems ever written, including:
Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard It through the Grapevine’: this phenomenal song was recorded over 2 sessions for Motown, the first of which was almost exactly fifty years ago, on 3rd Feb 1967. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, the single first became a hit for Gladys Knight and the Pips and Gaye’s version was delayed until 1968, when it topped the UK and US charts. In 2004 Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it 80 in the 500 most important songs of all time.
‘Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay’ also celebrates 50 years. Written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding, this most soulful of tracks was inspired when Otis was renting a houseboat at Waldo Point in Sausalito, CA. (“I watch the ships come in and I watch them roll away again.”). It famously became the first posthumous No.1 in 1968 when it topped the US chart.
‘When a Man loves a Woman’. The most romantic song** of all time? Written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright for Percy Sledge in 1966. It was the only song they ever wrote!
The full track list is presented below. Every track on this album has its own story and a great many of them inspired future artists and fans alike, triggering the ‘Soul Man’ in all of us.
SOUL MAN – FULL TRACKLIST
CD1
|
Marvin Gaye |
I Heard It Through The Grapevine |
|
Otis Redding |
(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay |
|
Stevie Wonder |
For Once In My Life |
|
Lionel Richie |
Hello |
|
Michael Jackson |
Ain’t No Sunshine |
|
The Temptations |
My Girl |
|
Ben E King |
Stand By Me |
|
Wilson Pickett |
In the Midnight Hour |
|
Jackie Wilson |
(I Get The) Sweetest Feeling |
|
Barry White |
You’re The First, The Last, My Everything |
|
Luther Vandross |
Never Too Much |
|
George Benson |
Give Me The Night |
|
McFadden & Whitehead |
Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now |
|
Billy Ocean |
Love Really Hurts Without You |
|
Percy Sledge |
When A Man Loves A Woman |
|
Louis Armstrong |
What A Wonderful World |
|
Jimmy Ruffin |
What Becomes Of The Broken hearted |
|
Bill Withers |
Lovely Day |
|
Billy Paul |
Me & Mrs. Jones |
|
Sam & Dave |
Soul Man |
CD2
|
James Brown |
I Got You (I Feel Good) |
|
Earth Wind & Fire |
Boogie Wonderland |
|
Kool & The Gang |
Celebration |
|
George McCrae |
Rock Your Baby |
|
Edwin Starr |
War |
|
Isaac Hayes |
Theme From “Shaft” |
|
Rockwell |
Somebody’s Watching Me |
|
Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony |
The Hustle |
|
Cameo |
Word Up! |
|
The Whispers |
And The Beat Goes On |
|
The O’Jays |
Love Train |
|
Sly & The Family Stone |
Dance To The Music |
|
Parliament |
Flashlight |
|
Ohio Players |
Love Rollercoaster |
|
The Bar-Keys |
Holy Ghost |
|
Gil Scott-Heron |
Lady Day & John Coltrane |
|
Maceo And The Macks |
Cross The Tracks (We Better Go Back) |
|
The Blackbyrds |
Rock Creek Park |
|
Rick James |
Superfreak |
|
The Stylistics |
Can’t Give You Anything But My Love |
CD3
|
The Jackson 5 |
I’ll Be There |
|
The Four Tops |
Reach Out, I’ll Be There |
|
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles |
The Tracks Of My Tears |
|
The Isley Brothers |
This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) |
|
Curtis Mayfield |
Move On Up |
|
The Miracles |
You Really Got A Hold On Me |
|
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons |
December, 1963 (Oh What A Night!) |
|
Foundations |
Build Me Up Buttercup |
|
Chairmen Of The Board |
Give Me A Little More Time |
|
DeBarge |
Rhythm Of The Night |
|
Jermaine Jackson |
Let’s Get Serious |
|
The Gap Band |
Outstanding |
|
Fatback Band |
I Found Lovin’ |
|
Dazz Band |
Let It All Blow |
|
Dennis Edwards feat. Siedah Garrett |
Don’t Look Any Further |
|
Windjammer |
Tossing & Turning |
|
Average White Band |
Let’s Go Round Again |
|
Will Downing |
A Love Supreme |
|
Alexander O’Neal |
If You Were Here Tonight |
|
Johnny Bristol |
Hang On In There Baby |
CD4
|
The Commodores |
Three Times A Lady |
|
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes |
If You Don’t Know Me By Now |
|
The Chi-Lites |
Have You Seen Her |
|
Eddie Holman |
Hey There Lonely Girl |
|
The Floaters |
Float On |
|
Timmy Thomas |
Why Can’t We Live Together |
|
Billy Preston |
You Are So Beautiful |
|
Robert Knight |
Love On A Mountain Top |
|
The Impressions |
People Get Ready |
|
Bobby Blue Bland |
Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City |
|
William De Vaughn |
Be Thankful For What You’ve Got – Part I |
|
Jr. Walker & The All Stars |
(I’m A) Road Runner |
|
Rare Earth |
Get Ready |
|
The Tams |
Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me |
|
The Contours |
Do You Love Me |
|
Len Barry |
1,2,3 |
|
The Spinners |
It’s A Shame |
|
The Drifters |
Saturday Night At The Movies |
|
New York City |
I’m Doing Fine Now |
|
Arthur Conley |
Sweet Soul Music |
