VA - Eccentric Soul: The Capsoul Label (2008)

How does a record become a hit? As history has shown, for every chart-topper, there are easily 10 equally well-made and compelling songs which never become widely-known. Case in point: Eccentric Soul: The Capsoul Label, documenting the tiny Columbus, Ohio label's output during the 1970s. The selections included here are closer to the gritty sounds of Stax than to high-polished Motown soul, but the musicianship and performances would not sound out of place next to the same era's familiar classics from Memphis and Detroit. The Kool Blues' 'I'm Gonna Keep On Loving You' apes Sam & Dave's back-and-forth vocal approach, while Four Tops-style harmonies are the template for the Four Mints 'Too Far Gone' and 'Row My Boat'. This collection is an unexpected surprise for the adventurous soul-lover looking to discover something new from the old days. --Ben Heege