VA - Dead Presidents Volume II - Music From The Motion Picture (1996)

Dead Presidents is a 1995 American crime film co-written, produced and directed by the Hughes Brothers. The film chronicles the life of Anthony Curtis (Larenz Tate), focusing on his teenage years as a high school graduate and his experiences during the Vietnam War as a Recon Marine. As he returns to his hometown in The Bronx, Curtis finds himself struggling to support himself and his family, eventually turning to a life of crime.

The soundtrack to Dead Presidents was an unexpected chart hit, mainly because it served as a superb one-stop sampler of classic 70's funk, soul and R&B, albeit with a darker, harsher edge. Dead Presidents Volume II follows in the same vein. It may be hard to remember when (or even if) these songs actually appear in the film, but there's no question that the selections are clearly selected by knowledgeable fans (namely, the film's directors, Allen and Albert Hughes).

Curtis Mayfield, in particular, is well represented. Of all the '70s soul singers, he was always one to face down the demons of the era, and by selecting some of his more obscure, though equally extraordinary songs (no 'Freddie's Dead' here), the producers have done a great job of fitting the atmosphere established with the previous collection. Similarly, credit is due for unearthing some less famous tunes from the era, such as The Undisputed Truth and Intruders songs, which fit both thematically and musically.

As on the last set, the compilers lighten the mood with more romantic songs, which in this case means with the sweet beauty of the Temptations and Sam & Dave tracks, but even those are far more bittersweet than hopeful. Dead Presidents Volume II may not be necessary for die-hard soul fans, since they're sure to already have most if not all of these cuts, but for neophytes looking to discover some lost classics from the era, this is as good a place as any to start.