Birth of Soul, Vol. 2 is a soul smorgasbord, containing big hits as well as hard-to-find gems by under-promoted artists like the Diplomats, here represented by the thrilling "Here's a Heart"; the Falcons, featuring a teen-aged Wilson Pickett on the soulful "I Found a Love"; and "Standing in the Shadows" by Kenny Gamble & the Romeos. (Gamble later founded Philadelphia International Records with Leon Huff and Thom Bell). Producer/writer George Kerr started his career in the Serenaders, who explain why "Two Lovers Make One ...
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Birth of Soul, Vol. 2 is a soul smorgasbord, containing big hits as well as hard-to-find gems by under-promoted artists like the Diplomats, here represented by the thrilling "Here's a Heart"; the Falcons, featuring a teen-aged Wilson Pickett on the soulful "I Found a Love"; and "Standing in the Shadows" by Kenny Gamble & the Romeos. (Gamble later founded Philadelphia International Records with Leon Huff and Thom Bell). Producer/writer George Kerr started his career in the Serenaders, who explain why "Two Lovers Make One Fool." Major Lance's "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um," Ray Charles' "What I Say," the Drifters' "There Goes My Baby," and Maxine Brown's "All in My Mind" were major crossover hits, while Gene Chandler's "Man's Temptation," Theola Kilgore's "This Is My Prayer" and Betty Harris' "Cry to Me" did well on R&B charts and stations. Other picks include the rambling "Call Somebody Please," an early recording by the Manhattans, and the deep soul two-part harmonies of "Lovers' Prayer" by the Wallace Brothers. A good, well-rounded collection, the 28 selections feature something for everybody. ~ Andrew Hamilton, Rovi
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