VA - Eccentric Soul: Capitol City Soul & The Saru Label (2014/2018) [CD Rip]

Eccentric Soul: The Capsoul Label was Numero's first full-length release, issued in 2004. A decade and 49 additional full-lengths (and scads of 7" singles) later, Numero returns to Columbus, Ohio to dredge up 20 additional recordings -- split roughly between released and previously unreleased -- from Bill Moss' Capsoul, its associated labels, and nearby brethren. This set isn't nearly as revelatory as the Capsoul comp, but it's not without a fair share of stand outs with instant allure to lovers of obscure late '60s and early '70s soul. It includes both sides of two sweet, group-harmony singles from the Chandlers, both sides of a funky single by prolific scene legend Dean Francis and his Soul Rockers, and Vondors' charmingly chipper "Look in the Mirror." Unearthed material comes from some of the names present on the Capsoul set, including Kool Blues and the Four Mints, as well as acts Love Maximum and Jupiter's Release. Two of the Four Mints songs were released by Numero in 2010 as a 7" single, yet one of the group's previously unreleased songs -- an elegant, perfectly arranged ballad, "Crystal Rivers" -- trumps everything else here and is as hot as anything on NUM001. The packaging here is typically generous with a thick booklet consisting of photos and detailed, labor-of-love liner notes.

Cleveland's Saru is the subject of Numero's 20th Eccentric Soul anthology. Active during the tail end of the '60s and the beginning of the '70s, the label was owned by entrepreneurial cousins who provided O'Jays member Bobby Massey with an outlet to write, produce, and develop talent. Just over a dozen singles were released on Saru (and sublabel Pisces), with some recordings never reaching the public. The O'Jays themselves recorded for Saru just prior to their resurgent and greatest success with Philadelphia International. "Shattered Man" launched the label and set its tone in sweeping, dramatic style, and David Peoples' high-powered "Got to Get My Broom Out" is basically an O'Jays record with a different frontman. Otherwise, Massey and O'Jays keyboardist Bobby Dukes, and to a lesser extent Parliament/Funkadelic's Calvin Simon, were the architects, composing and directing the majority of Saru's output. This included material from youngsters the Ponderosa Twins Plus One, whose bittersweet "Bound" became the basis of Kanye West's "Bound 2"; the Out-of-Sights, who contributed several tough sides; and Dukes himself, whose rolling "Just to Be with You" is another highlight. Only Sir Stanley's "I Believe," a heavy psych-funk maelstrom, diverts from traditional soul. Numero's characteristically in-depth backstory narrative is more consistently fascinating than the music, which tends to be at least adequate in quality and high in spirit when lacking distinction. For Numero devotees and Midwest soul fanatics, this neatly complements Eccentric Soul: The Way Out Label, Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio, Tinmine Soul Supply, and Lou Ragland's I Travel Alone.