James Carr

This gem of a collection compiles rare Atlantic Records soul tracks from 1967 to 1974. Otis Redding's "I Love You More Than Words Can Say" is transportive seduction, the equivalent of sweet soul rophynol. Percy Sledge's slow-burning "Baby, Baby, Baby" is equally sublime and the sort of stuff unplanned pregnancies are made of. But Atlantic Records' b-roster also delivers. The Soul Clan's "That's How I Feel" has a rambling, round-midnight confidence stemming from loss (his mother died when he was a boy) and desire ("everybody needs somebody"), while Darrel Banks' "The Love of My Woman" is an upbeat paean to love found.