I
Love the ’80s series, or snarky fan web sites dedicated to sarcastically
keeping the flames of Sydney Barnes or Matthew Happnard alive. R&B, rock ’n’ roll… they each had
their hot-risers who stand (or more aptly lay) in total obscurity today, but
perhaps none so much as the soul scene, which put artists and church-trained crooners
through the wringer like so much grist through the mill.
20 anthems from the underground dance music scene, each performed by their
legendary (and in some cases not-so-legendary) artists. Its play list is as
follows: Frank Wilson’s “Do I Love You,” Bob Brady and the Con Chords’ previously
unreleased “Everybody’s Goin’ To the Love-In,” top-shelf belter Brenda Holloway’s
“Reconsider” (a real stand-out), Kim Weston’s “Helpless,” Edwin Starr’s “I Have Faith in You,”
Sandi Sheldon’s “You’re Gonna Make Me Love You,” Leon Haywood’s “Baby
Reconsider,” The Artistics’ previously unreleased “Hope We Have,” Richard
Temple’s “That Beatin’ Rhythm,” the aforementioned Barnes’ “I Hurt on the Other
Side” (once put to good use by Spike Lee), JJ Barnes’ “Our Love Is in the
Pocket,” The Gems’ “I’ll Be There,” Lee Andrews and the Hearts’ “Nevertheless,”
The Carstairs’ enervated “It Really Hurts Me Girl,” Evie Sands’ “Picture Me
Gone,” The Platters’ “With This Ring,” Jackie Ross’ “Selfish One,” Betty
Lavette’s “Let Me Down Easy,” Pat Lewis’ “No One to Love” and Tobi Legend’s “Time
Will Pass You By.” As a grab-bag title, Soulvation more or less succeeds, but it’s obviously got niche appeal; for me, only about a quarter of the tunes connected in lasting fashion.
screen, with a Dolby 2.0 stereo audio mix that is certainly adequate if not
mind-blowing. The video quality of its footage varies a bit, but most is solid considering the sources and time of its recording. Overall, the title runs 70 minutes, padded out a bit with interview footage,
though some academic overview would definitely have been welcome, particularly
given the missing-in-action nature of some of the included acts. C+ (Concert) C-
(Disc)