2023 UK Record Store Day release - By 1967, the black music scene on the West Coast was revving up to its peak. More 45s were issued than ever before and the music of choice was soul. The activity was centered around Los Angeles of course but other cities such as San Francisco and San Diego got a look-in as well. There's no soul superheroes here but the quality of the vocalists on view is astonishingly high, from thumping dancers to the deepest of ballads. Over half the songs are by female singers which reflects the excellence of the soul sisters strutting their stuff in California at the time. Both sides of the album conclude with instrumentals for welcome balance. Features Lou Rawls, Delores Hall, Johnny Summers, Raeletts, Sterling Magee, Cookie Jackson, Mustangs, Citations, Tony Matthews, Delores Hall, Mike & Censations, Maria Tynes, Marie Franklin, and Leon Haywood.
