Top 10 CDs of 2005

  1. Martha Redbone - SkinTalk
    Maybe not the most obvious soul record of the year, this second release from native American Indian, Martha has been the CD that has been most frequently played whether in the car or in the music room. Some tracks even found their way onto the dancefloor. You'll need to hunt out via specialist importers or go to CDBaby where you can hear samples and order.
  2. Earth Wind & Fire - Illumination
    What a return to form. Their best album since 1979's I Am, it's full of quality tracks highlights being Love's Dance, Show Me The Way, The One and The Way You Move - but it's an album you can enjoy from start to finish.
  3. Janita - Seasons Of Life
    At first hearing, I was a little disappointed with this compared to the ravings from some of my soulful friends but it is one of those albums that you end up playing time and time again. Specialist import or CDBaby
  4. Lori Perry - Wrote this Song
    Quality set form the lady who with her sisters were Perri. Possibly getting difficult to source. Try Fish. Samples but no stock at CDBaby.
  5. Mo Pleasure - Elements of Pleasure
    May have to move this to 2004 list when get round to it as I seem to have had this in my collection for a while. Jazzy feel with Earth Wind and Fire connections including a Philip Bailey vocal.
  6. Gordon Chambers - Introducing Gordon Chambers
    Debut album from Angie Stone, Aretha Franklin and Anita Baker. Good all round album.
  7. Various Artists - Creme De La Creme Vol 2
    just arrived in the last few days but a combination of tracks already in my collections with more quality from Atlantic and Warners Philly recordings including four unreleased tracks and uplifting Tom Moulton remix of Sister Sledge's Mama Never Told Me.
  8. Various Artists - Motown Remixed
    his could have gone very wrong but every remix is handled with great respect. Some people didn't like it - but to me it was one of my best purchases of the year.
  9. Various Artists - Richard Searling's Music From The Soul
    Another to arrive with me on Christmas Day, so based on a single play but I can always depend on Dickie to come with the goods. Ranging from 1969 to the 90s, you'll be unlikely to have many tracks already but it's excellent soul from start to finish.
  10. Various Artists - Philly Steps
    Ten remixes including three of Barbara Mason's Yes I'm Ready which are very good but I bought it for the eight minute remix of Fantastic Johnny C's Waiting For The rain which is probably my favourite single track of the year. Some of the other remixes are IMHO rubbish, so be aware that it's not an album that you'd want to play all the way through (which you can do with Motown Remixed)
Also highly recommended