Leave it to an English record company, in this case is the place, to begin exploring long-lost nuggets from the definitive American and catalogs. (1991) is the first in a series of single-CD sets gathering "rare & unreleased tracks from the golden era of ." The dozen-and-a-half tunes on this inaugural volume skim the surface of the hours upon hours of alternate takes and sensational cutting-room floor remnants from some of the most revered musicians in the genre. This further punctuates the prolific nature of many of those who emerged from the scene. One initial observation reveals that a majority of the platters included in this (and each subsequent) package often equal their "released" counterparts. Examples abound, with practically every side revealing new sonic twists on instantly recognizable and otherwise established themes. The alternate versions of ' or the pair of classics, capture these late legends in their absolute prime. Although some songs vary only slightly, there is an overwhelming energy that remains as both vocalists familiarize themselves with the nuances of the melodies as well as their own interactions with the labels' respective and collective house bands, . Some of the lesser-known sides are easily equal to the vibe on their more common counterparts. 's may not have made any hit parades or seen much action on the respective or charts; however, they bear the same driving rhythms and undeniable catchiness that propelled so much of the music emanating from the empires. The annotations from series producer are insightful as well as thoroughly entertaining. and its companion volumes are essential for the collector as well as highly recommended for the more casual listener. ~ Lindsay Planer