Various Artists - 1994 "Rock Instrumental Classics Vol. 4 Soul"

While the material on volume four of Rhino's rock instrumentals set chronologically preceded what was on the third volume, no soul, R&B, or even soul-jazz and funk fan should mind these 18 genuine classics, including two superb numbers from Booker T. and the MGs, seminal tracks by the Mar-Keys, Bar-Kays, and Cannonball Adderley, and great Latin tunes from Ray Barretto and Mongo Santamaria. There's absolutely no fluff, and the presence on CD of rare cuts like the Young Holt Trio's "Wack Wack" and Alvin Cash & the Crawlers' "Twine Time" is most welcome.

The most consistently enticing disc in the Rock Instrumental Classics series, this is both a great party and driving record and a window on the rhythms that powered soul music in the '60s (and early '70s, in two cases). In addition to some obvious choices (the four Booker T. & the MG's tracks, the Mar-Keys' "Last Night"), it also offers some left-field picks, such as the varied approaches to Latin music offered by Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, and El Chicano. The stock of virtuoso performances here is all but endless: the bass-and-drums breakdown on Cliff Nobles and Co.'s "The Horse," the glinting guitar solo on the Bar-Kays' "Soul Finger," Hugh Masekela's questing trumpet on "Grazing in the Grass."

Rock Instrumental Classics, Volume 4 not only met my expectations, but surpassed them. I have enjoyed these classics for over forty years, and its terrific to now have them on one compact disc. The CD was in mint condition as advertised; it obviously was treated well. It arrived in a very timely fashion and has gotten a lot of "air time" in my car's CD player. The cuts included bring back beautiful memories of a decade that included a cornucopia of unforgettable music.

As with the other albums in this series (1.-the 50's, 2.-the 60's 3.-the 70's and 5.-Surf) Vol.4-Soul is yet another solid collection from Rhino Records. Hey, there's four Booker T and the MG's songs on this one CD! That alone make it worth it. Personally, I have been looking for Twine time by Alvin Cash and the Crawlers for 40 years! (Yea, I know-Old Guy) The Transfer quality is very good considering that the available master tapes are more than 40 years old. Bottom line: if you are looking for Soul instrumentals, stop looking. Your'e there.

Various Artists - 1994 "Rock Instrumental Classics Vol.3 The Seventies":
https://jazz-rock-fusion-guitar.blogspot.com/2015/09/various-artists-1994-rock-instrumental.html

Track Listing:

  01. Green Onions - Booker T. and The Mg's
  02. Grazing In The Grass (Single Version) - Hugh Masekela
  03. The Horse (Single Version) - Cliff Nobles And Co.
  04. Soul Twist - King Curtis And The Noble Knights
  05. Last Night - Mar-Keys
  06. The "In" Crowd - Ramsey Lewis Trio
  07. Soul Finger - Bar-Kays
  08. Soul Makossa - Manu Dibango
  09. Twine Time (Single Version) - Alvin Cash and The Crawlers
  10. Soulful Strut (Single Version) - Young-Holt Unlimited
  11. Hang 'Em High - Booker T. and The Mg's
  12. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy - Cannonball Adderley
  13. El Watusi - Ray Barretto/Y Su Charanga Moderna
  14. Watermelon Man - Mongo Santamaria Band
  15. Viva Tirado, Pt. 1 - El Chicano
  16. Hip Hug-Her - Booker T. and The Mg's
  17. Wack Wack (Single Version) - The Young Holt Trio
  18. Time Is Tight - Booker T. and The Mg's