The Marvin Gaye Collection released by Motown Records in 1990. The box set, divided into four categories, features thirty-four unreleased songs, including the sessions from 1979's The Ballads. A wonderful anthology of classics and rare tracks. The Balladeer is my favourite CD; so soulful and expressive of the pain this artist had experienced in his life. Wonderful to listen to when you are feeling nostalgic. There are many feel-good songs in this box set and already a collector's item. Some of the best music from the 20th century and an artist and voice that is truly missed.
This album accents Jackson's strengths; no one sings with more conviction, earnestness, and passion on love ballads, as he demonstrates repeatedly during such songs as "Love Me Down," "Do Me Again," "All Over You" (CD bonus cut), and "I'll Be Waiting for You." He has yet to record a captivating uptempo tune, but "I Can't Take It" came close. It's doubtful as to whether Jackson can overtake Vandross in the '90s, but hopefully RCA will at least put him in the race.
Accurately dubbed "the Queen of Chicago blues" (and sometimes just the blues in general), Koko Taylor helped keep the tradition of big-voiced, brassy female blues belters alive, recasting the spirits of early legends like Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Big Mama Thornton, and Memphis Minnie for the modern age. Taylor's rough, raw vocals were perfect for the swaggering new electrified era of the blues, and her massive hit "Wang Dang Doodle" served notice that male dominance in the blues wasn't as exclusive as it seemed. After a productive initial stint on Chess, Taylor spent several decades on the prominent contemporary blues label Alligator, going on to win more W.C. Handy Awards than any other female performer in history, and establishing herself as far and away the greatest female blues singer of her time. Collection includes: Koko Taylor (1969); South Side Lady (1973); I Got What It Takes (1975); The Earthshaker (1978); From The Heart Of A Woman (1981); Queen of the Blues (1985); Jump For Joy (1990).
The EVA labels were a group of sisterlabels made for compilations and Best-Of albums released as joint ventures between the national divisions of EMI, Virgin and Ariola. The label became active in 1984 but is now defunct in all countries. Early EVA albums were released with the logos of the three individual labels. Sometimes the label name EVA was not mentioned on those releases.
The EVA labels were a group of sisterlabels made for compilations and Best-Of albums released as joint ventures between the national divisions of EMI, Virgin and Ariola. The label became active in 1984 but is now defunct in all countries. Early EVA albums were released with the logos of the three individual labels. Sometimes the label name EVA was not mentioned on those releases.