This new double CD has been issued to coincide with the BBC2 series of the same name which is due to run until 10th June. Tracing the roots of black music since the late 1940's right through to modern day 'Soul Deep' gives the uninitiated a detailed look at our beloved music and how it all started back in the days of the big bands right through to gospel/blues/soul/funk/Motown and rap. The series kicked off a few weeks back (which I ashamedly missed) with a look at the very early days of the late forties and early fifties when names like Louis Jordan and Ruth Brown were at the forefront of what was then known as 'negro' music which was always popular, yet had to be kept underground due to the undercurrent of racial hatred in the US which continued until the end of the 1960's.

Whilst the negro's of America and Africa unquestionably had it hard during this period there was no mistaking the fact that what they lacked in social acceptance they more than made up for in recording some of the finest music ever heard this century and became the envy of the white race who could only try and emulate their popularity. Some succeeded where most others fail and only a handful of white artists managed to capture the raw excitement and soul that these brothers and sisters bred from their heart and soul. What came natural to our black brothers became difficult to copy.

The church had always played a major part of black culture and many of today's legends are only too happy to tell you that their roots originated in the church and hence the term gospel was born with many of the greats such as the legendary Sam Cooke and the Staple Singers popularised this within the church before recording songs aimed more at the pop market. Sam Cooke was a prime example with gospel songs recorded as the Soul Stirrers reaching a far and wide audience across the United States before delivering some very soulful ballads and uptempo rocking pop songs most of which had a social message and it is noticeable that the great Curtis Mayfield followed this trend throughout the 1960's with The Impressions, as well as a solo artist during the 1970's.

Black music has always been associated with the rock 'n' roll era and great songs like Fats Domino's 'Ain't That A Shame' and 'Blue Monday' are testament to the mans great ability. Have a listen at 'Shake Rattle and Roll' by Big Joe Turner to see how these guys turned a simple song into a rock 'n' roll masterpiece, and now you know why Bill Haley wanted the song. As the 1960's arrived the music began to change and rock 'n' roll had run its course and it was time for a new sound - enter one Berry Gordy who introduced the world to the Motown sound and the rest as they say is history. The label spawned some of the greatest name ever seen perform in front of a microphone such as Stevie Wonder/Temptations/Supremes/Marvin Gaye but to name just a few. The 1960's were defined as the DEFINITIVE era for legendary black music but even that formulae ran its course and it was time for change again and names like James Brown (who had successfully recorded throughout the 60's) and Sly Stone introduced a new breed of soul music by the name 'funk' with both artists enjoying major chart success and planted the seeds for many of today's rap and hip hop artists and producers to sample their music to devastating effect.

Soul is defined in many ways from all walks of life - one thing is certain is that it is often copied but never beaten. If you have missed the BBC2 series then lets hope they re-run the series again in the future and meantime this CD will please casual as well as seasoned soul fans across the globe with this collection of 39 stunning tracks covering six decades od our kind of music. You will find early performances from Louis Jordan and Ruth Brown, with a fabulous track from the aforementioned Big Joe Turner before sampling the delights of the late Sam Cooke. The Motown era is well represented with hit songs from Mary Wells, the Four Tops, The Supremes, Martha & the Vandellas, and Marvin Gaye's masterpiece from 1972 'What's Going On'.

I still get goose pimples when I hear The Impressions hit social message 'People Get Ready' proving you don't need an uptempo beat to get your message across. Other well known soul music greats can be found here with songs from Aretha Franklin/James Carr/Fontella Bass/Parliament/Bobby Brown.

An absolute gem of a release and worth every penny of your hard earned cash.

Streaming video clips of the Motown artists;

Martha & the Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
Martha & the Vandellas - Nowhere To Run
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
The Miracles - Shop Around
Mary Wells - My Guy
Supremes - Baby Love