Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 (Volume 6 1966-1969)

Very smart clean double album with a good gatefold cover.

In the mid-'60s, Atlantic signed Aretha Franklin, who proved to be every bit as soulful and seminal as Otis Redding, the main star on their Stax subsidiary. Reprsented by such hits as "I've Been Loving You Too Long," "Respect," "Try a Little Tenderness," "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" and "Do Right Woman -- Do Right Man," Franklin and Redding certainly play a major role on Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974, Vol. 6 (1966-1969), but they don't dominate the proceedings. There's an abundance of classic singles from major artists like Sam & Dave ("You Don't Know Like I Know," "Hold On, I"m Comin'," "When Something is Wrong with My Baby," "Soul Man"), Don Covay ("See-Saw"), Joe Tex ("A Sweet Woman Like You," "Show Me"), Wilson Pickett ("Funky Broadway," "In the Midnight Hour," "Land of 1000 Dances," "Mustang Sally"), Booker T. & the MG's ("Hip Hug-Her") and Percy Sledge "When a Man Loves a Woman"), as well as one-hit wonders like Eddie Floyd ("Knock On Wood"), the Capitols ("Cool Jerk") and Arthur Conley ("Sweet Soul Muisc"). There's a wonderful balance of deep Southern soul, smooth uptown crooning and soul-pop, demonstrating the richness of not only Atlantic/Stax's roster, but of late-'60s soul. Not only that, but Vol. 6 contains so many great singles, it's startling to think that one label released them all.