For every Al Green, Otis Redding or Marvin Gaye there are any number of other great soul singers that didn't get the household recognition that they deserved. O.V Wright, Sly Johnson and Johnnie Taylor are three of the many I could name and it's with Johnnie Taylor that I'm concentrating on today.
This compilation covers Johnnie Taylor's career from his early Gospel days to his foray into Disco towards the end of his career.
Its the bits in between the Gospel and the disco that are the interesting bit here as truthfully people have done the Gospel music better and the disco influenced track Disco Lady is woeful but the other 11 tracks are silky smooth soul of the highest quality. All the usual subject matters are here, being in love, being cheated on (Stop Doggin; Me) and cheating (Who;s Making Love) all backed with what you would expect from the Stax label, polished horns, great arrangements and quality songwriting.
Stand out tracks are the aforementioned Stop Doggin' Me, Time After Time and I Am Somebody
It/s sad that Johnnie Taylor didn't become the household name he should have but for lovers of soul that want something a little bit different from the classics then this is a good place to start.
If you like Al Green and Otis Redding then you'll love Johnnie Taylor.
Mark 7/10
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