patti drew - the best of

this is a beautifully packaged, well informative cracking 24 track collection of good old fashioned soul music, you know the sort of thing that all manner of current folks are trying to emulate.

sometimes the groove is damn funky, (the extended funky soul workout that is the brilliant beggar for the blues), and others the mood a little more laid back and romantic (album opener tell him is an absolute heartstopper).

subsequently, the spread of styles is a thing of wonder, showtune styled orchestras, sit against nicely against tight 60s soul music arrangements, all wrapped up with a big soul voice to die for.

if you have taken a dip into any of the david holmes styled mixtapes, that were the rage a few years ago, then you’ll be in rapture when you hear such gems as the pumped up, and somewhat saucy, hard to handle soul stomper.

superb. and one again, like the recent tina britt compilation, the sleevenotes tell the story of how in 2007 the whereabouts of patti remains a mystery.

hopefully this wonderful release will make her come out of the shadows and reclaim her well deserved kudos for being the voice of some stunning records.

1. tell him
2. stop and listen
3. i can’t shake it loose
4. where is daddy
5. my lover’s prayer
6. suffer
7. keep on movin’
8. there’ll never be another
9. workin’ on a groovy thing
10. beggar for the blues
11. fever
12. hard to handle
13. just can’t forget about you
14. i’ve been here all the time
15. midnight confessions
16. guy like you
17. love that a woman should give to a man
18. he’s the one
19. which one should i choose
20. wild is love
21. hundreds and thousands of guys
22. it’s just a dream
23. it’s my time
24. i’ve known
25. tell him