For most of its 35-year run, there was no better outlet for soul music on television than Soul Train. Featuring a diverse palette of R&B artists and the commanding presence of creator/producer/host Don Cornelius, Soul Train has become an institution, the longest-running, nationally syndicated show in American history – albeit one that modern audiences would be slow to appreciate, were it not for the efforts of Time-Life Entertainment in releasing several official DVDs of content from the shows back in 2009.

Now, Time-Life follows up those discs with a special compilation, The Best of Soul Train Live, in stores tomorrow. While most of the performances on the program were lip-synched to the original tracks, a few here and there were not. And a dozen such performances will be captured on this DVD. Most of them stem from the show’s first four seasons, although there is a legendary 1979 duet between Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson on his “Ooo, Baby Baby” and a medley of hits from Stevie Wonder performed in 1991.

Hit the jump for full track details and an Amazon link, and remember – as always, we wish you love, peace…and soul!

Various Artists, The Best of Soul Train Live (Time-Life Records, 2011)

1. Lady Marmalade – LaBelle
2. Proud Mary – Ike & Tina Turner
3. Use Me – Bill Withers
4. Super Bad (Pts. 1 & 2) – James Brown
5. Ooo, Baby Baby – Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson
6. That Lady (Part 1) – The Isley Brothers
7. Love and Happiness – Al Green
8. What is Hip? – The Tower of Power
9. Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe – Barry White
10. Dance to the Music/I Want to Take You Higher – Sly & The Family Stone
11. Wake Up Everybody (Part 1) – Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes
12. My Cherie Amour/Sir Duke/I Wish/These Three Words – Stevie Wonder

Track 1 from Season 4, Episode 12 – 12/7/1974
Track 2 from Season 1, Episode 30 – 4/22/1972
Track 3 from Season 2, Episode 7 – 11/4/1972
Track 4 from Season 2, Episode 19 – 2/20/1973
Track 5 from Season 9, Episode 12 – 12/1/1979
Track 6 from Season 3, Episode 5 – 9/29/1973
Track 7 from Season 2, Episode 22 – 3/17/1973
Track 8 from Season 3, Episode 12 – 11/17/1973
Track 9 from Season 3, Episode 9 – 10/27/1973
Track 10 from Season 3, Episode 38 – 6/29/1974
Track 11 from Season 4, Episode 39 – 6/21/1975
Track 12 from Season 21, Episode 1 – 9/21/1991