Product Description The fourth volume in the Eccentric Soul series examines the oil stained underside of the Motor City sound. Big Mack records lasted an incredible 20 years without so much has a sniff of a hit. Dogged by lack of airplay, distribution and a general lack of understand of the music industry, the label failed on almost ever level, except where it counted: The music. From soulful doo-wop to blistering garage funk, and sultry R&B. Artists include: Bob & Fred, the Manhattens, Edd Henry, Ms Tyree Jones, the Soul President and more! .com Is it possible that soul is the most malleable of all popular music genres? That the form and conventions of soul music are sturdy enough to help create moving and entertaining sounds regardless of the strengths or sophistication of the performer? The Numero Group's Eccentric Soul series has already proven three times over (with their Capsoul, Bandit and Deep City Label compilations) that there's a wealth of unheard independently-produced soul music waiting for those willing to dig through the old record bins, and The Big Mack Label compilation continues that endeavor. Big Mack was Ed McCoy, a Detroit businessman who from the mid 60s to the early 80s offered anyone with $14.95 and a dream the chance to walk in off the street and cut a track in his studio. The good, bad and ugly results of this democratic approach are all captured here - from Edd Henry's witty "Your Replacement Is Here" and the nearly-sublime harmony of Bob & Fred's "I'll Be On My Way" to the faux-eroticism of Essence's cover of "Fever". What's most compelling about this collection is that it captures these performers with their strengths and flaws intact, in what was likely their one shot at immortality - you can almost imagine yourself in the mix, plunking down $14.95 to chase your own aspirations of fame, with one take to shoot for the stars. --Ben Heege P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); Review "Remarkably solid...If you're into soul music and haven't discovered this series yet, do it now." -- Pitchforkmedia.com, June 15, 2006 See more
D**D
Obscure soul music from the 1960s and 70s
This is another fine compilation of obscure soul music compiled by the Numero Group, this time highlighting Chicago's Big Mack label. Frankly, I wasn't as blown away by this collection as most of the other volumes in Numero Group's "Eccentric Soul" series, but there is still plenty on here that fans of 1960s and 1970s soul music will appreciate.Stylistically, the music on here covers a wide range of the soul spectrum, starting in 1961 and continuing through 1972. As the product description aptly says, the songs range from "soulful doo-wop to blistering garage funk, a left at sultry R&B and then a quick dodge into budget Hendrix." For me, this variety, plus the sequencing of the tracks, makes for an uneven listening experience. Rather than present the songs in the order in which they were recorded, the tunes are sequenced in a haphazard manner, the weaker (to my ears) and older doo-wop numbers popping up amidst the funkier tracks and silky soul tunes. Some of my favorite tracks on here are actually the instrumental ones, including a re-worked cover of "Fever" that closes the CD.The booklet that comes with the CD is packed with details about Ed McCoy's Big Mack label, including background bios on all the artists. Another well done compilation.
B**J
no title
If you like or are interested in learning about rare soul and funk, research can be a daunting task. Thousands recorded a song or two in the 60s and 70s. Expert DJs are still circling the globe to dig through cashes of these 45sA good way to start your homework is not by artist, but labal. Ecentric Soul has done a lot of this for you. Vol 9, the Big Mac labal, is excellent. The compilation is chronological, so you get gutbucket 60s soul, and later, slick 70s work, some of which borders on jazz (check out the version of Peggy Lee's "Fever" and "Feel It" by Suger Re Jones.) The cross section here is great and you can really see how the music changed from the 60s to the 70s, as production and session players became more sophisticated.All the work here ranges from good to outstanding, and this is a great CD for novice or expert.
K**B
Numero has done it again
Once again the Numero Group has unearthed some more obscure soul music. The Big Mack lable deserved more attention than it got. With poor distribution and less than sound operating procedures the lable languished in obscurity. Nevrtheless, the music was and still is first rate. Stylisticly the music runs the gamut from novelty like R&B instrumentals to Doo-Wop vocal harmonies to heart rending soul. This fine collection make one wonder what could have been.
M**.
Five Stars
Great!
S**N
take a listen, and see what you think….it’s worth it
This CD has the wonderful I'll Be ‘On My Way’ by Bob & Fred on it, and for that one track, it’s worth it, in my opinion; but, the other tracks are an interesting range of sounds, within the genre: take a listen, and see what you think….it’s worth it
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