v/a- WEST COAST SOUL 67 LP (RSD 2023)

Record Store Day 2023.

By 1967 the black music scene on the West Coast was revving up to its peak. More 45s were issued than ever before and the music of choice was soul. The activity was centred around Los Angeles of course but other cities such as San Francisco and San Diego got a look-in as well. There’s no soul superheroes here but the quality of the vocalists on view is astonishingly high, from thumping dancers to the deepest of ballads.

Over half the songs are by female singers which reflects the excellence of the soul sisters strutting their stuff in California at the time. Both sides of the album conclude with instrumentals for welcome balance.

Side 1:

1. Lou Rawls - Dead End Street

2. Delores Hall - W-O-M-A-N

3. Johnny Summers - Is The Feeling Still There

4. Raeletts - One Hurt Deserves Another

5. Sterling Magee - I Still Believe In You

6. Cookie Jackson - Fresh Out Of Tears

7. Mustangs – Honey.

Side 2:

1. Citations - Keep The Faith

2. Tony Matthews - Hurt Me No More

3. Delores Hall - Good Lovin' Man

4. Mike and Censations - Nothing I Can Do About It

5. Maria Tynes - The Queen Is On Her Knees

6. Marie Franklin - I'll Forget About You

7. Leon Haywood - Cornbread And Buttermilk