Of all the famous record labels over the last fifty years the Chicago based Chess/Checker label ranks amongst the most productive of all time. Mainly responsible for the issue of black music its subsidiary labels also form the part of many a vinyl collection across the globe where some of the greatest R & B and northern soul sides have found fame and fortune. Chess Divas features twenty superb offerings from the sixties and seventies and really only scratches the surface of what else is in the vaults.

This CD features a selection of well known hits and rarities from names that you will know of old, and the opening track by veteran diva Etta James (who cut many a good song in her heyday) with her 1996 UK hit of 'I Just Wanna Make Love To You' a remake of the Muddy Waters song, and brought to the attention of the public eye as a result of a UK TV drinks advert which made the song an instant favourite sets the tone for many other great songs on this compilation. I remember back in 1968 buying a UK EP entitled 'Your Chess Requests' which featured 'Rescue Me' by Fontella Bass (originally issued some three years earlier and featuring none other than Maurice White on drums). That song became a favourite amongst the mod movement and eventually the northern soul fraternity who found this excellent record easy to dance to, and one that had one of the deadliest opening bass lines in music history. That song, plus Fontella's follow up 45 'Recovery' are included here.

Also on that EP was a track by a lady called Mitty Collier entitled 'I Had A Talk With My Man' which I have to say I largely ignored at the time as it wasn't danceable, but, thirty five years on I find it irresistible to listen to - a gentle piano led Nina Simone influenced piece of Chicago magic. In 1965 James Brown delivered the fabulous, and still popular 'It's A Man's Man's World' and this CD features a rendition from Big Maybelle which for those who haven't heard this version will find it equally appealing. The real gem on this disc has to be the inclusion of 'This Time Tomorrow' by Tammy Montgomery whose name will be recognised as none other than Motowns Tammi Terrell who went onto record duets with veteran Marvin Gaye as well as a couple of solo singles at Hitsville, before her untimely death in 1971. This song is a very early indication of what was to come in the years ahead and whilst it lacked the polished touch that her work at Motown produced you can easily spot her impressive vocal talents.

The name Jackie Ross is synonymous with Chess records via her hit single 'Selfish One' which sadly isn't included here, but her uptempo version of the Mirettes song 'Take Me For A Little While' will please many collectors. For those into their dance will love the inclusion of perhaps the most commercially sounding song on this set from Denise La Salle whose 'A Love Reputation' is still a northern soul favourite to this day. A track worthy of mention, and certainly my particular favourite from this set, is 'I'm Over You' from Jan Bradley a gorgeous piece of mid tempo magic featuring an immaculate production/arrangement with a real soulful vocal delivery that would have been the envy of many.

Other well know tracks include Sugar Pie DeSanto's skipping 'Soulful Dress' and the bluesy 'Wang Dang Doddle' from Ko Ko Taylor which could easily have been an early Ike & Tina tune.

For the asking price of this Spectrum release you simply cannot go wrong, and is an attractive package and introduction to one of soul music's finest labels of the 60/70's which hosted names such as the Dells/Tony Clarke/Radiants etc. etc.

Rating 8/10