CASTLE MUSIC

Lamont Dozier - Soul Man - The best of - CMRCD531

Released on 2 September 2002

 Lamont, of course, a songwriting legend this album contains some immaculate material. Whilst I generally don't take to much notice of sleeves that state 'specially remastered' or similar this album sounds crisp and alive and does seem to benefit from such treatment.

Tracks included here are from the albums' Right Here', 'Peddlin Music on the side' 'Bittersweet' 'Lamont' and 'Bigger than life' from the 70's and early 80's.

Half of the tracks here are simply essential, the classic hits 'Why can't we be lovers, And the anthemic 'Going Back to my roots'.

'If you don't want to be in my life' is also a track that you could slap into the middle of any playlist and get maximum appreciation. For me 'Can't get off until the feeling stops' is wonderful and I can envisage playing this as an 'ender'. I am sure with the right appreciative audience they would get off on the swaying, gospel chorus ending - 'I can't get off until the feeling stops,....I can't get off until the temperature drops.....' - A massive cut.

'What am I Gonna do 'bout you Girl' (A deep and sensitive anti drugs message), 'Tear down the walls', 'Family', 'Peddlin Music on the side' complete the cuts from the second featured album. On this album particularly the lyrics are heartfelt, passionate and meaningful.

'Love me to the max' and 'I got it all with you' are from Bittersweet, the latter being a great soul ballad, finding Lamont in as good a voice as you will find him.

'You oughta be in pictures', 'I ain't playin' 'I See you' and ' Ain't no way' from 'Lamont'. The first of this foursome being a wonderful track, so well known and yet never made it largely due to financial constraints, apparently. Similarly, possibly less instant but probably even better is 'I ain't playing'. The other cuts are more balladic.

'Right where I belong' and 'Call the Wagon' from the final featured album which actually was only released in the UK.

A great album and a great introduction to the best of Lamont Dozier.