251 The Smith Connection / Under my wings (P-Vine) the straight reissue of their in-demand Music Merchant album , Michael (Love) Smith's family trio produced by Ronald Dunbar , not northern soul sounds but SWEET SOUL BALLADS galore The day you leave , I've been in love , I can't hold on much longer , Wish I had you , 'Til there was you , I've come to stay , Angel girl , You ain't livin' unless you're lovin' , etc. (**/*****)

252 The Mirwood soul story (Kent) this westcoast label produced one of the very best uptempo northern soul dance records in late'60s , the best compilation among many Mirwood related reissues , include one unissued tracks by Jackie Lee , very very detailed & informative linernotes by Ady Croasdell Jackie Lee/Oh my darlin' , The Performers/Set me free , Bobby Garrett/My little girl , Jimmy Thomas/Wgere there's a will , Richard Temple/That beatin' rhythm , The Sheppards/Stubborn heart , Curtis Lee/Is she in your town? , etc. (***/*****)

253 Doris Duke / I'm a loser (Kent) her two famous LPs ("I'm a loser" & "A legend in her own time") plus 3 rare cuts by the name of Doris Willingham , one of the very best female southern soul , Swamp Dogg produce at its finest , unreservedly recommended , extensive liner notes by Tony Rounce Ghost of myself , I don't care anymore , We're more than strangers , Divorce decree , To the other woman , If she's your wife , Since I fell for you , Too much to bear(unissued Jay Boy recording) , etc. (****/*****)

254 Brothers on the slide / The story of UK funk (Discotheque) 18 UK funk tracks wisely selected by Bluey from Incognito , some raw some sophisticated but all soulful , detailed linernotes Cymande/Brothers on the slide , Kokomo/I can understand it , Joe Cocker/Woman to woman , Average White Band/Person to person , The Funkees/Ole , Black Velvet/African velvet , etc. (**/*****)

255 Soul Toronados / The complete recordings (Jazzman) this heavy deep funk group hailed from Akron , Ohio at the end of '60s ,  only ever cut 3 singles but those singles are all the stuff that funky 45 dreams are made of , so "the legend" with fans of deep funk for years , now the complete recordings , 6 tracks + one bonus "live" track (over 7 minutes) Hot pants beakdown , Boot's groove , Go for yourself , Funky thing , Crazy legs , Bobby's mood , Superbad(live) (**/*****)

256 Soul on fire vol. 1 / The hottest tracks under the sun (Sony BMG Music Austria) interesting 17 tracks compiled DJ Bunani , resident DJ of the Viennese club "Soul Sugar" , from big soul names like Al Green or Marvin Gaye to jazzy singers like Mark Murphy or Della Reese and some some latin tinged tracks ,  all tunes can set your "soul on fire" , groovy! Johnny Bristol/Lusty lady , Jose Feliciano/Susie Q , The Isley Brothers/I know who you been socking to it to , Z.Z.Hill/Hey little girl , Lavern Baker/Tiny Tim , Smokey Robinson & The Miracles/If you can want , Big Maybelle/That's a plenty good love , etc. (**/*****)

257 From Burbank to the bay area / Barrio breaks , east bay grease , folk funk and more (Warner Music UK) "latin soul" , "latin-tinged funky rock" & "blue-eyed vo/inst. group" from two locations , Burbank in L.A. is a home of Reprise/Warner Bros. and Oakland The Ides of March/Aire of good feeling , Fred Ramirez/Hold on I'm comin' , Cold Blood/No way home , Tower of Power/What is hip? , Jo Mama/Love'll get you high , Labelle/Moonshadow , Danny Kortchmar/For sentimental reason , etc. (*/*****)

258 The Propositions / Funky disposition (Luv N' Haight) thundering FUNK from the early '70s Detroit scene , the complete work of them , remastering with bonus cuts , rare unreleased studio jams , alternate takes etc. , a total of 20 tracks in 2 CDs You've been chose , Bad seed , Free and easy , Africana , Vamping , Sweet Lucy , Groovin for the groove , Do whatever turns you on , Funky disposition , etc. (**/*****)

259 The Dynamics / What a shame (Unidisc/P-Vine) reissue of '94 released P-Vine/Sequel CD , the original '73 Black Gold album plus non LP & previously unissued tracks , one of the very best '70s sweet soul group sounds featuring George White & Issac Harris She's for real , Woe is me , Let me be your friend , You're the only one , Count your chips , We're gonna be together , Baby baby I love you , Get myself hig(exactly same group??) , etc. (****/*****)

260 Brenda Holloway / The Motown anthology (Tamla Motown) all the tracks from her two USA - "Every little bit hurts" & unreleased "Hurtin' and cryin'" - albums + 6 stereo mixes from UK compilation "The artistry of Brenda Holloway" + her rare singles + 14 previously unreleased tracks , what more can we say! 2 CD set Sad song , When I'm gone , You can cry on my shoulder , Together 'til the end of time , Hurt a little everyday , Starting the hurt all over again , You've made so very happy , Think it over(before you break my heart) , I've got to find it , etc. (****/*****)