MASTERS OF FUNK, SOUL AND BLUES: A Soulful Tale of Two Cities

Masters of Funk, Soul and Blues

A Soulful Tale of Two Cities

© 2007 Soul Renaissance Records (700261206431)

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Motown's legendary Funk Brothers and Philadelphia's world renown MFSB take you "back in the day" with an album filled with classic Philly and Motown hits. Featuring George Clinton, Kathy Sledge, Major Harris, Freda Payne, Bunny Sigler, Barbara Mason, more

notes

**********************NEW LOW PRICE********************
Two of America's musical heavyweights pay loving tribute to one another on this once-in-a-lifetime Double CD. Motown's legendary Funk Brothers and Philadelphia's world renown MFSB take you "back in the day" with an album filled with classic Philly and Motown hits. Recording as the Masters of Funk, Soul and Blues - with help from vocalists Bobby Taylor, Freda Payne, Bunny Sigler, Barbara Mason, George Clinton, Kathy Sledge and so many more - they've created an album that honors history as much as it creates it.

Featuring:

THE MUSICIANS: Funk Brothers: Bob Babbit, Joe Hunter, Robert Jones, Uriel Jones, Ray Monette, Eddie Willis, Spider Webb, Treaty Womack - MFSB: Charles Collins, T. Conway, Bobby Eli, Rikki Hicks, Vince Montana, Jr., and Jimmy Williams - Also: Nathaniel "Crockett" Wilkie, Darryl Johnson, Sr. and Theo Primas, Bunny Sigler, Nathaniel "Crocket" Wilkie

THE SINGERS: Carla Benson, Evette Benton, Jean Carne, George Clinton, Carolyn Crawford, Lamont Dozier, Jimmy Ellis of the Trammps, Major Harris, William "Poogie" Hart of the Delfonics, Carl Helm, Phil Hurtt, Barbara Mason, Ted Mills of Blue Magic, Philly Degrees, Freda Payne, Bunny Sigler, Kathy Sledge, Bobby Taylor, Russell Thompkins, Jr., The Velvelettes, Kim Weston, and Ali "Ollie" Woodson

THE PRODUCERS: Lamont Dozier, Bobby Eli, Phil Hurtt, Clay McMurray, Bunny Sigler

THE ENGINEER: Gene Leone

reviews

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  • A Soulful Tale of Two Cities
    author: Linda L Switzer

    What a great album! I'm a big Bobby Taylor fan and it was great fun to hear him along with all of his VERY talented friends. Thanks!!

  • a soulful tale of two cities
    author: gavin

    having just seen ther movie which features the funk bros, and finding out they were the driving force behind all the motown greats its nice to see them shine on this cd. and its been 35years since i first heard mfsb, and they stiil sound fantastic, and a little aside they were also recorded under the names ' cliff nobles and co, with the hit ' the horse.' as well as ' the electric indian with the hit 'keem'o'sabe. this new venture for them covering motown hits is great. if you like motown or the philly sound you'll like it

  • author: Larry Owens

    Fantastic

  • FUNK BROTHERS
    author: R LOWE

    EXCILENT

  • Soulful Tale Of Two Cities
    author: Paul Freeman

    Excellent, it is a tribute to the musicians who were truly the backbone of both music companies.

  • Philly Degrees
    author: Gino

    This is such an excellent CD, and what's for me the big surprise ? THE PHILLY DEGREES, NO BABY, THE THREE DEGREES. What a great rendition of the song, this alone deserves to buy it. Ladies, we all aspect you do something in the future, your voices are impec.

  • author: Sonja Colwell

    I really enjoyed it and would like to see it in local stores so that it could received by those without computer access. I would love to see another project like this duplicated in the future with a much different selection on songs.

  • One of the best records of the past decade.
    author: Terry King

    If you love classic soul music of the 60s and 70s, you owe it to yourself to buy this CD. On this double CD, surviving Philly artists perform 15 classic Motown songs and vice versa. To my taste, the first CD (Philly does Motown) is distinctly superior to the second, and is the real reason to buy the CD. Both CDs are great, but the material, singing, arrangements and playing on CD One are really beyond compare. Of 15 tracks on CD One, 11 are beyond great. For me, high points track-wise begin right away with Jean Carne singing Higher Ground in a version which gives Stevie a tough run for his money. Bunny Sigler's take on Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing is likewise brilliant and a must-hear. But when you get to Ain't That Peculiar, sung by the Philly Degrees, time stops. The groove set up by Jim Williams, Charles Collins and the rest of the amazing rhythm section is for the ages. I have to say that the playing of the rhythm section in general, and Jim Williams in particular, is about as good as it gets. These grooves are spectacular, and beautifully recorded. Other hight points, for me, are Phil Hurtt's version of The Girl's Alright With Me, Ted Mills' Just My Imagination, Bunny Sigler again on Ooh Baby Baby and Got to Give it Up, and Barbara Mason on My Baby Loves Me. But just about every track is a winner. BUY THIS CD!!

  • Wow!!!!!
    author: Flo

    One of the best CD's I've purchased in a long time. These incredible artists have only gotten better with time. It would be so cool to see them all in concert. They brought back so many beautiful memories. Thank you for your unsurpassed talent. You are all amazing.

  • full o soul
    author: david

    fantastic cd to hear all my fav songs done by my fav artists all i can say roll on the next one peace n love

  • Very enjoyable! I would not be without it.
    author: Vincent Smith

    I can only hope that this project was as much fun to create as it is to listen to. Well packaged, this CD stands well in its place within my collection. Well engineered, it is pleasing to the ear. Timely in release, this music well represents our (Baby Boom) generation and provides a footprint for those younger persons serious about understanding R&B's musical progression through the '60s (via 2 of its musical capital cities) to today.

  • Awesome, especially bunny sigler's version of Rick Jame's Fire and Desire.
    author: steve s.

    Outstanding CD. Bunny Sigler can chirp!, man. The Philly artists were outstanding. The motown artists were good too, though I am more partial to the Philly artist, being a Philly native myself. I was really surprized that George Clinton sounded as good as he did. I have heard him sing live in concert, and he just did not sound very good at the concert. I would recommend this CD to any old school R&B/Funk music fan.

  • WOW - Dig that sound
    author: John in UK

    Brilliant, Brilliant - CD was well worth the wait. Fantastic renditions of Motown and Philly by some of the greatest musicians ever. Loved the packaging as well. All in all this CD is a must for any music fan that loves the sound of yesteryear, today.

  • Soul at it's best
    author: Beverley Turner .. UK

    History in the making, the incredable Funk Brothers meet the great MFSB, these impeccable musicians are awe inspiring. While listening to this sensational soul, let us remember also, the pioneering greats who are sadly no longer with us in person, but their soul lives on, in their music. This is an absolute must CD.

  • A historical CD set of legendary Motown and Philly hits. Pick up a copy today!
    author: RadioIndy.com staff

    Wow! If you are a fan of American music you’ve got to check out this CD. “A Soulful Tale of Two Cities” is a historical CD of Detroit Motown and Philly soul classic hits from the 60s and 70s performed by artists and producers who were involved in the original recordings. The catch is that the Motown artists sing the Philly soul songs, and the Philly sound artists sing the Motown songs. The Masters of Funk, Soul, and Blues include members of the “house bands” that played on some of the legendary recordings as well as some notable guest stars. Performers on this CD include Freda Payne, Lamont Dozier and George Clinton as well as lead vocalists from the Trammps, the Stylistics, Blue Magic, the Three Degrees, Sister Sledge and the Delfonics. There is a lot of music to enjoy on this 2 CD set. The musicianship, recording quality, and production of the tracks we checked out were all excellent. The renditions sounded fresh and reminded us of the soulful sound and memorable harmonies of the original recordings. For example, the soulful harmonies of The Philly Degrees sound great on Ain’t that Peculiar. You’ve got to hear Bunny Sigler’s falsetto vocals and the live party feel of Got to Give it Up. The renditions of Ain't No Stopping Us Now, featuring Ali Ollie Woodson, and Love Train, featuring Bobby Taylor, will have your body moving to the music. Lamont Dozier gives an emotional vocal performance of Me and Mrs. Jones, and the backing band, especially the keyboard and harmonica fills, sound great. If you are old enough to remember music from the 60s and 70s, this CD will bring back memories for you. If you’re too young to remember the original versions, this CD will help you respect these classic songs. If you are a fan of R&B or American pop music history, you will enjoy this CD. Pick up a copy today!

  • Best Soul Music heard in years, this is hotter than hot.
    author: Warren J. Haskins, Family of the Dell East

    This CD is hotter than hot. It starts off cooking and ends up jamming. I refer to Reviewer Barry Towler on CDBaby, his comments are 100%, so I will not describe A Soulful Tale of Two Cities in disection. Loved everything about the CD. The Production is superb, clean, fresh and sonic. Arrangements are out-of-sight, as most are interpretations of the originals, which brings them back to a living life. The vocals for each selection was matched perfectly by the producers. You can hear the enjoyment of the artist in their vocals. There is soo much magic in this CD. Totally impressed with Bunny Sigler's contribution to soo many of the tracks. Man this is one of the most quintesential recording efforts ever. So many wonderful artist in a brilliant collaboration. What a tale, what a Soulfull Tale of Two Cities. Hats off to Phil Hurtt and his entire team that conceived, fought for and brought to life this rich legacy treasure of recorded history. God bless all of you. It would be wonderful if this CD could get major air-play, I'm sure the world would embrace it and catapult it to a top-ten chart. Let's help with that thought by sending our thoughts to radio station PD's and pushing for air-play of this Cd. I'm forwarding this to my five stations, do your part. I've no vested interest, just love good soul music. If you're reading this, so do you. Help out in your way. Warren

  • An immensely important project, but not perfect.
    author: Lloyd

    I was so excited to get this CD and am mostly pleased with it, but a couple points. The biggest disappointment is that it does not have liner notes that tell more of a story about the artists who perform and the whole fabulous history and role of both Detroit and Philly, and the Funk Brothers and MFSB. I bought music from both of these labels, especially MFSB, and would have loved to read more about them and their importance to the history of soul/R&B music. I also find myself enjoying Philly Does Motown more than Motown Does Philly. Perhaps personal preference. Finally, I wish some of the song selections were more popular songs - Diana Ross & the Supremes, more Temptations, etc. I'm glad I bought it, though, but do offer those comments if there's ever a volume 2. Also, I love the service from CDBaby!

  • Brilliant and innovative...A Masterful statement.
    author: Sabastian

    I remember these names from back in the day when I was 15 years old, What an unbelievable double CD,30 tracks.. Man!. These folks have to be up in age, but you'd never know it by this cd. Wow!, they have thrown the gauntlet down. Maybe the record industry should take a page out of this book, and close the one they're reading. How refreshing!

  • pin the tale to the donkey... this is deep soul, deep funk

    hope is alive in the music today, let's continue in the stream of undisputed truth and marvin gaye, p-funk awareness. _____ sun star ali acmichael "the meta marvel" love x

  • A must for real Soul Fans. Go buy it!
    author: Chris Wilson

    This release is almost perfect. The project overdue. I would have given the CD 5 Stars but felt that the Detroit crew doing Philly was not quite as convincing as the Philly crew doing Detroit. Minor gripe as overall it is great listening with awesome singers and musicians. It was especially good to hear Ted Mills singing again. Well done Phil Hurtt. More please!

  • Some pretty cool shit! ' TOMMY '
    author: ' THE GATEWAY 2007 '

    Share your act now ! ' THE GATEWAY 2007 '

  • Wonderful music and memories
    author: Stella from England

    What a wonderful cd, brings back so many memories of Motown and Philly that I loved. Amazing to hear Russell Thomkins and Ted Mills sounding the same as ever. I love the incredible Jean Carne, and found the version of 'Fire and desire' awesome. I really didn't think the original could be matched but it almost is. A lovely cd.

  • Excellent !!!!!!
    author: Bruno Hantson

    Hi from Belgium ! this is an excellent double CD: very interesting and so amazing. I shall play it on the new web radio :www.roskoradio.com ! a station with soul music played like no other radio play... From the center of Europe, Bruno

  • Another Badd Creation!
    author: Carolyn Beverly /People, Places, Faces and...

    There's music and... There's MUSIC!How can you lose with this CD? It has all the ingredients needed to cast a spell of musical madness with some of the best, if not all, of the heavy hitters in the entertainment industry on one CD. It just doesn't get any better than this. How can you lose with the sounds of Motown and Philly. This CD is one that will make you shake your head, tap your feet, clap your hands, snap your fingers, and get up and dance to the music. From Ain't That Peculiar featuring The Philly Degress to Ollie Wilson's signature vocals on Ain't No Stopping Us Now. To the smoothness of Barbara Mason on My Baby Loves Me, it's all of that and more. This is a must have CD.

  • Wonderful!
    author: Bill Buckley - Blues and Soul Magazine

    Ask any real soul fan to name their favourite musical cities and I'll bet that Detroit and Philadelphia will top the poll. This isn't the place to describe their contribution to soul's evolution ( we don't have enough space!) suffice to say that it was only a matter of time before the musical luminaries of Motown and Philly came together to celebrate each other's wonderful music – and that's exactly what this wonderful double collection does. "A Soulful Tale Of Two Cities" sees the stars of Motown tackle songs from the city of Brotherly Love while Philly icons take on the best of Detroit's back catalogue. Detroit artists number Ali Woodson, the Velvelettes, Carolyn Crawford, Bobby Taylor, Kim Weston, George Clinton, Lamont Dozier and Freda Payne while their musicians include Funk Brothers Bob Babbitt, Joe Hunter and Uriel Jones. The Philly contingent numbers Jean Carne, Carla Benson, Kathy Sledge, Major Harris, Bunny Sigler, Barbara Mason, Blue Magic's Ted Mills, Stylistic Russell Thompkins, Delfonic William Hart and MFSB-ers Bobby Eli, Vince Montana, T Conway and Charles Collins. If I then tell you that the featured songs include "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing", "Just My Imagination", "Ooh Baby Baby", "Ain't No Stopping Us Now", "Me And Mrs. Jones", "Love Won't Let Me wait" and "Close The Door", it's clear that a review is fundamentally redundant. The music (30 big cuts by the way) speaks for itself. We'll all find personal favourites – mine include album co-ordinator Phil Hurtt's take on "The Girls Alright With Me", Barbara Mason's visit to "My Baby Loves Me" and Bobby Taylor's version of "Sadie" where he sounds uncannily like Philippe Wynne. But don't get me wrong, this isn't an exercise in karaoke soul – it's all fresh and vital… witness Bunny Sigler and Jean carne's searing version of Rick James's "Fire And Rain" to hear what I mean. In honesty though any cut will prove that the music and artists of Philadelphia and Detroit can still deliver soul as passionate and committed as they did back in the day.

  • This is recorded history. Essential.
    author: Barry Towler - Soul Express Magazine

    I had wind of this project back last summer and was very, very intrigued by it. I did not know that this was to be a tribute album from Philly to Motown and Vice-versa. All I knew was that Phil Hurtt was amassing a mighty amount of talent for an amazing project. That was enough for me. Well, here it is. Some may dismiss this as “Shanachie-style thinking” but please don't imagine for a minute that is anything so mundane. This is a historical recording, no more, no less. Hurtt maintains that the inspiration for this was divine. I won't dispute that, nor will I deny that amassing such talents together as Jean Carne, Bunny Sigler, Kathy Sledge, Phil Hurtt, Ted Mills, Major Harris, Jimmy Ellis, Will Hart, Russell Thompkins Jr, Ali “Ollie” Woodson, Freda Payne, Lamont Dozier, The Velvelettes, Carolyn Crawford, George Clinton, Bobby Taylor and Kim Weston to record as notthing short of heavenly. It is immensely gratifying to hear these great, great artists sounding as good in 2007 as they did in the 60s and 70s. What's more magical is the fact that the surviving members of MFSB and The Funk Brothers wade in to lend musical support. You cannot beat real instruments being played by real musicians. Disc One is where “Philly does Motown. There are a number of really, truly classy moments here but what does detract a shade is that there are no strings. If only Paul Riser or Larry Gold were on hand to bolster proceedings, then this would have been taken to a much higher plane. Bunny Sigler's version of “Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing” is magical. The man is in his sixties but his voice has not aged one iota. This is almost gospel-like, and this splendidly matches the reverential tone that the track has. When Bunny sings, like Meli'sa Morgan recently, you know that this is a person who knows what he's singing is true, and in this soulless age carries more clout. Many cover versions are just words set to music. Bunny's soul-wrenching rendition tears up the song into his own image. If this song isn't heavenly and devine then I really don't know what is. The real Philly flavour hits us hard with the beautiful rendition of Stevie Wonder's “Knocks Me Off My Feet”. Russell Thompkins Jr sings this in a lower, more natural register and allows his baritone free reign near the end of the track. The Philly guitar that merrily strums along does the version justice. Bunny Sigler joins forces with Jean Carne for the Rick James / Teena Marie collaboration “Fire And Desire”. Again, these two giants re-weave the song with their own unique thread, yet managing to stay faithfulo to the original arrangement. In all seriousness, Rick James could have written this with Bunny Sigler in mind. Bunny does an amazing job on here. This sensitive, sympathetic version can do nothing but win applause. I had wondered what had happened to Ted Mills since the fragmentation of Blue Magic, but my answer that here he was laying down a truly magnificent version of the classic Norman Whitfield song “Just My Imagination”. The musical arrangement is sympathetic yet allows Ted to improvise his soaring falsetto in a way that wasn't afforded when Eddie Kendricks worked his own magic with it. We get a real taste of Philly with Will Hart on “Just Ask The Lonely”. All we are missing are the soaring strings. Will still sounds fresh, and I feel that this style suits him a lot better than the recent material he did with The Delfonics for Volt. Ali “Ollie” Woodson will always be a favourite of mine, and since he left the Temptations I have yeasrned for more material from the man. Just one solo CD and a few guest spots here and there just ain't good enough! His interpretations of “Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now” and “For The Love Of Money” are bouyant and jaunty and one can tell that the man is having a ball. Check the funky guitar on the latter! Bobby Eli having a hand in there I have no doubt! Freda Payne sounds great on the cover of “Betcha By Golly Wow” and sounds very similar to the late, great Phyllis Hyman when she lets herslf go. The backing singers are magnificent – and considering they are made up by Pree, Carolyn Crawford, Gabrielle Hurtt and Pat Lewis I should not have been surprised. The Spinners' “One Of A Kind Love Affair” is given a great reading from The Velvelettes and has a great sound that is what they deem “PhilaTroit” - somewhere between Philly and Motown. Production comes from the legendary Clay McMurray, Bunny Sigler, Bobby Eli and Phil Hurtt. Add the musicians Bob Babbitt on bass, Uriel Jones and Spider Webb on drums, Robert Jones on keys and Treaty Womack on congas its not surprising we have such an eclectic fusion. One of the real surprises for me was to hear George Clinton singing “Love Won't Let Me Wait”. His voice may be a little more fragile now but the frailty may be more by design than anything else in keeping with the beautiful lush arrangement. This is a far cry from his work with Parliament! Theo Primas is the guest Saxophonist, and he really makes a great track rather greater for his presence. He really is enjoying himself on the cover of the 1966 hit “Expressway To Your Heart”. This colourful character was a good choice to cover this song. Having heard what a wild bunch the Soul Survivors were in the studio it was a great choice! With the racy, happy “Love Train” Bobby Taylor still has the magic, and Messrs Sigler and Hurtt are dead ringers for the O'Jays! My love and admiration towards Lamont Dozier knows no boundaries and his cut of Teddy P's “Close The Door” is SUPERB. This is a song that makes the whole 2-CD set worth the $29.99 price tag on CD Baby alone. The genius sounds as great now as ever. Its so warming to hear so many legends sounding artistically undiminished today. As I said, this is recorded history. Especially since I learned that this is the final work of Joe Hunter, an original member of the Funk Brothers. He passed away last friday, and as far as I know this is the last project he worked on. You can hear him on the Motown disc, especially on the intro to George Clinton's "love won't let me wait". This is an unique project and I am so pleased that so many legends were able to come together to do this. My only gripes are that I wish that strings had been available, and that we had more definitive Philly and Motown sounds. But who am I to judge those who were the pioneers of the genres?! Essential.

  • Yeaaah.
    author: Musilosophy

    Awesome! A blend of funk, soul, blues and gospel. I like very much this album. Great singer,pianist and bassist.

  • sweet soul music
    author: G.J. from Germany

    This release is a must have for all soul music lovers. Great to hear, that all famous musicians from the Motown and Philly staff still doin' their thing. Hopefully there will be a second release with some new material.

  • Exceptional versions of the Soulful Era of the 70's by non other than the except
    author: Stan Gacki

    If you love Soul Music this Collection must grace your CD Shelves

  • Still loving it!
    author: Robert

    I have lost count of how many plays this has had now - its still fresh and exciting as the first play!! Everyone in the world should buy it!!

  • Barbara Ingram is sorely missed
    author: royal

    Nice to have Jean Carn back on the scene....Freda Payne is the duracell bunny! finally something I can relate to.Music for my generation.Long live soul!

  • Speaks volumes about both the greatness and timelessness of the songs themselves
    author: Bob Davis - Soul Patrol

    Overall the results are very good however for my ears Ted Mills ("Just My Imagination"), Barbara Mason ("My Baby Loves Me") and Bobby Taylor are the stars of the two disc set. Ted Mills and Barbara Mason are two of my favorite singer's period, so their outstanding performances were certainly no surprise. However the real discovery on this album for me was the amazing Mr. Bobby Taylor. As amazing as this might sound, in my opinion after listening to his renditions of "Love Train", "Sunshine", and "Sadie", he could easily be the lead singer for either the O'Jays or the Spinners. Standout cuts include "The Girl's Alright" (featuring Phil Hurtt), "Just My Imagination" (featuring Ted Mills), "My Baby Loves Me" (featuring Barbara Mason), "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" (featuring Ali "Ollie" Woodson), "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time" (featuring Carolyn Crawford), "Love Train" (featuring Bobby Taylor), "Close the Door" (featuring Lamont Dozier), "Sunshine" (featuring Bobby Taylor), "Sadie" (featuring Bobby Taylor), "When the World is at Peace" (featuring George Clinton, Bobby Taylor, Kathy Sledge, Ali "Ollie" Woodson & Kim Weston) Overall I would say that this is an album worth having if you are a person who thinks that these songs are a part of "An American Songbook" that has yet to be placed on the bookshelves, but that already exists in the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world. Hopefully the album will find it's audience and when that audience discovers the album, that they will support it in numbers that will enable these artists to create a "A Soulful Tale of Two Cities (Vol 2)"

  • The first release of substance for 2007.
    author: Toby Walker - Soulwalking

    'A Soulful Tale Of Two Cities' represents the collaboration of the sounds of Detroit and those of Philadelphia. The Funk Brothers meet the great MFSB. To enhance proceedings, various artists from each of the respective communities come together to produce a double album of classics from their respective rich musical stables. There is a listing below of the tracks, so you really pays your money and you makes your choice. Funnily enough, way back some 50 years ago there were two versions of the group the Romeo's. Lamont Dozier was part of the Detroit version...Kenny Gamble the Philly version. Now the various parties come together. Some classic melodies here, delivered by each of their cities finest Soulful exponents. The first release of substance for 2007. Lamont's take on Teddy P's 'Close The Door' really is quite lovely.

  • I got your CD today the MUsic is great,thank you.
    author: Robert POYER

    I got my Order today,and I must say,this is a Great Music very good Artists, I enjoy this CD very much.I hope,my Review can understand,because my English is not well. Sincerely Yours,Robert Poyer.

  • Totally and Utterly overjoyed.....heavenly vocals....tight arrangements!
    author: RayC

    I am totally and utterly overjoyed with the CD...I got my copy last week and it is a MONSTER!!!.....I've been spreading the news to the fellas and everyone I meet....so get ready for more orders!!! The production is soooo clean and tight......the vocals are heavenly...the arrangements take the original versions to another level. And with all of that said....I realize that I really shouldn't be that surprised at all...as these are the artists, writers, engineers and producers that defined the sound that contemporary soul music was built on. George Clinton's track blew me away....made me forget all about Funkadelic and I remembered that The Parliaments was a vocal group in the beginning. "For The Love of Money" was a funky track to begin with when the O'Jays recorded it...but here....OOOOOOWEEE...wish Eddie could've done a guest vocal. Ted's "Just My Imagination"...could've been a Blue Magic track....and William Hart's could be a 2006 Delfonic hit. I'm really just glad that in a world of bass heavy mixes, samples, and repetitive drum machines.....one thing rings true....AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING!!!!!

  • heavenly
    author: jari salo

    long waited ans now it is here !!! brilliant , heavenly sounds, great stuff, get it.

  • author: Didier M.

    Cd génial, le son des grandes années soul motown et philadelphia.

  • author: Doctor "D"

    Outstanding track selection, Tremendous production thank you for a job well done. It takes me to great times in my life.

  • WOW!
    author: DAKING

    Now this is what I have been waiting for. The sound is great, the vocals are great, the whole premise is great!

  • GREAT MUSIC
    author: Timo from Finland

    Great CD indeed! Brings smile to my face. Funk Brothers are great. Cal Gill and the Velvelettes are amazing. Bobby Taylor is so soulful. Freda Payne, George Clinton and the Philly crew too. Maybe in some tracks there could have been even more of that Original Motown Sound and less programming but that's only my opinion. And in many tracks there is that sound! Very enjoyable music, I highly recommend this CD! -Timo from Finland

  • A MUST FOR EVERY SOULMUSIC LISTENER
    author: JEAN PIERRE PIJPE

    Got my copy today, i'm pleasantly surprised, have always been a fan of the Philly sound and their singers! this is a good concept with some very good covers! Jean Carne is excellent, so are the Philly Degrees with a magical version of that Marvin Gaye song! love your lead Valerie.. Bunny Sigler..whaaah, Freda Payne...and so many others they all did a good job! be sure many soul fans in Belgium and Europe will buy this soulfull treasure..thanks to everyone involved in this project, and be sure, we all hope that it will be continued..JEAN PIERRE belgium

  • author: Alfonse

    Now this is what I call a revelation. Truly an outstanding body of work. I am floored by the great production and the artists interpretation of these classic songs. Truly a benchmark in classic style. Kudos to all involved.

  • YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!
    author: Ken Lawrence

    Three little words Yeah three times is all you need to get the point accross. if you don't get up and grab this one today you don't know what your missing. two great music catelogs two great soul cities who could want more.

  • Outstanding!!!!
    author: Roger Fambrough

    Now this is what I call truly refreshing and in my opinion, destined to become a classic among classics. I am pleasantly surprised to know that some of my favorite voices of my formative years havent missed a beat and in fact, sound better than ever!! Outstanding production and attention to detail. This cd will appeal to all demographics and once and for all proves that great music lives on..and on!!! AWESOME STUFF!!!!

  • The best in soul and funk
    author: Edward Goetz

    Got my copy, and it is on the top of my playlist. If you are a fan of this music style, you can't live without this record! Thanks, Ed

  • Highly Recommended
    author: Chris Rizik - SoulTracks

    For lovers of all that was right with popular soul music of the 60s and 70s, A Soulful Tale is an absolute treasure. Beginning with Jean Carne's smoking cover of the Stevie Wonder classic "Higher Ground," the collection runs through a well thought out selection of memorable hits from the two cities. Interestingly, the stars of Soulful Tale are not the Smokey Robinsons and O'Jays that were the faces of their respective labels, but are many of the lesser known but incredibly talented artists of the same era. So MFSB and the Funk Brothers, who are only recently receiving their well deserved public praise, are spotlighted here and sound terrific. And underrated singers such as Carne, Russell Thompkins Jr. (of the Stylistics), Ted "The Wizard" Mills (of Blue Magic), Jimmy Ellis (of the Trammps) and former Temptations lead Ali Ollie Woodson shine. Perhaps the biggest treat is hearing the strong, memorable vocal performances of a handful of men who were largely cast as writers or producers during the heyday of Detroit and Philadelphia. So cuts like the slow, Gospel-like take on "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" by Bunny Sigler, the soulful cover of "Sunshine" by Motown's Bobby Taylor, Lamont Dozier's take on "Me and Mrs. Jones" and Hurtt's falsetto, big band rendition of "The Girl's Alright" are particularly pleasing surprises. It's easy to give A Soulful Tale of Two Cities the benefit of the doubt and to want to like it, due to the presence of so many talented, underappreciated artists. But fortunately, nostalgia doesn't have to play a role in enjoying this disc. It stands on its own as a singular pleasure and a welcome platform for an amazing group of performers who sound as good in 2007 as they did decades earlier. Highly recommended.

  • Motown and Philly swap songs for 'Soulful' set. Grade: A-
    author: Susan Whitall - Detroit News

    For soul fans, the news last year was tantalizing: Classic Motown and Philly soul artists would collaborate on a project that would have the Philly artists giving their spin on some famed Motown songs and the Detroiters interpreting Philly soul gems. Many of the artists involved were singing as well as ever but just needed a new break and the right old-school musicianship and producers behind them. Anticipation was high. Now, the two-CD set, "A Soulful Tale of Two Cities," is out today, available at cdbaby.com or at soulfultale.com. The CD set is made up of two discs -- "Philly does Motown" and "Motown does Philly." Producers Phil Hurtt, along with Motown's Lamont Dozier and Clay McMurray -- joined by Bobby Eli of the famed studio group MFSB, Bunny Sigler, the Funk Brothers and veteran Philly soul engineer Gene Leone -- were behind the controls and performing in the studio for the action, which took place in Philly and Detroit. The "Philly does Motown" side starts out kicking with Jean Carne's supercharged version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground." Other highlights: producer Hurtt polishes off a stunning falsetto for "The Girl's Alright"; Jimmy Ellis of the Trammps makes "Isn't She Lovely" even livelier than the Wonder original, if that's possible; and the side ends with a six-minute Philly soul party sung into outer space by Sigler on Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up." Then it's Motown's turn. Ollie Woodson of the Temptations shines on the Philly classics "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" and "(For the Love of) Money." Dozier, who was a singer long before he was a Motown songwriter/producer, stuns with his gut-wrenching, on the floor, begging "Me and Mrs. Jones." Cal Street is better than ever with her Velvelettes on "One of a Kind Love Affair"; and Bobby Taylor is a revelation on "Love Train," "Sunshine" and "Sadie." The pleasure of this CD is multi-faceted: You're reminded of the great original song, you get to each city's soul masters put their own stamp on the competition's songs and you can enjoy the kind of vocals that need no computer wizardry to yank them into tune. Quibbles? One or two, vastly outweighed by the plusses. Get ready for what Kathy Sledge calls on "Dancing in the Streets," a "Philatroit" good time. Grade: A-

  • A total package...Its about time.
    author: Lizzy

    Masters indeed, PhillY doing Motown & Motown doing Philly.. I'm in soul heaven..Outstanding.Thank you..thank you ...thank you. Perfect combinations of performance & production.

  • Outstanding
    author: G.Rudolf

    This is the most satisfying production which has come along for many years. I am truly pleased to hear these great artist getting together once again, giving us great soul music. I recommend this product to all lovers of soul music. I love Motown, but Philly Soul was always my favorite.

  • Awsome Music!! a must for the collection
    author: Robert

    This collection of tracks (all new and fresh recordings) is superb - if you love soul and funk this is definitely one for the collection! Plus the CD's are truly retro - black vinyl style!!!

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