Atlantic Records
(along with its
Atco Records
imprint) was pretty much the center of all things
soul
in the late '60s and early '70s, thanks in no small part to the label's recording and licensing agreements with
Stax Records
and the ever watchful eyes (and ears) of producer
Jerry Wexler
. This interesting set collects rare singles and previously unreleased tracks from
Atlantic
's deep vaults, many of which have not appeared on CD before. Among the gems here are
Aretha Franklin
's stunning version of
Frank Sinatra
's
"My Way,"
recorded in 1970 with
the Dixie Flyers
, a spunky cover of
Fontella Bass
' 1965 hit
"Rescue Me"
done by
Dee Dee Warwick
(sister of
Dionne Warwick
), and
"What a Man,"
the B-side to
Laura Lee
's 1969 single
"Separation Line,"
which was revisited in 1972 by
Jackie Moore
. Why any of these tracks sat so long in the can is a mystery, as each is a revelation, particularly
Franklin
's cut. Sounding a bit like an alternative version of the peak days of
,
Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters
makes a solid coda to anyone's vintage
library. ~ Steve Leggett