SoulMusic Records, in association with Cherry Red Group, has recently continued its Classic Artist Anthology Series with another round of titles from bona fide R&B legends including Labelle, Angela Bofill, Johnny Nash, and the late Teena Marie.

Before reinventing themselves as purveyors of funky cosmic soul, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash, and Nona Hendryx had comprised three-fourths of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, alongside future Supreme Cindy Birdsong.  In 1971, the streamlined trio ditched their supper-club stylings for an earthier look, and released their first of two albums on the Warner Bros. label.  A third LP, Pressure Cookin', followed on RCA, and this is where Labelle: The Anthology begins to tell the story of these three women who synthesized soul, funk, gospel, and rock into a sound all their own.  It took 1974's Epic Records debut Nightbirds, however, for the newly-glam trio to break though.

Over two CDs and 36 songs, The Anthology traces the brief but meteoric career of Labelle from 1973 to 1976 including two albums produced by Allen Toussaint and, of course, the group's immortal hit "Lady Marmalade," written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan, and produced by Toussaint.  The group's third and final Epic album, Chameleon, once again showcased Nona Hendryx's powerfully charged compositions, this time produced by David Rubinson.  But Chameleon turned out to be the group's swansong and final release until the 21st century.  But the Labelle story didn't end there - and neither does SoulMusic's anthology, offering eleven solo tracks from Patti LaBelle, five from Sarah Dash, and ten from Nona Hendryx.  After the breakup, LaBelle and Hendryx initially remained affiliated with Epic, while Dash signed in 1978 with the related Kirshner label.  The Anthology draws on LaBelle's Epic tenure through 1980, Dash's three Kirshner LPs, and Hendryx's work for Arista and RCA (overlooking her rock-oriented Epic solo debut).  Rashod Ollison and David Nathan put it all in perspective with their liner notes featured in the 24-page booklet, and everything has been remastered by Nick Robbins.  (A tape could not be located for Dash's "Oo La La Too Soon," so that lone track has been mastered from vinyl.)  The set includes a number of single versions, and three tracks previously available only in Europe.

Much like the trailblazing women of Labelle, Johnny Nash began his recording career in the 1960s but had his commercial breakthrough in the following decade.  Stir It Up: The Anthology 1965-1979 chronicles a vibrant period for the singer best known for 1972's chart-topping, joyous anthem "I Can See Clearly Now."  Though born in Houston, Texas, Nash became closely associated with reggae, thanks to the singer's immersion in the country's culture via the 1968 top 5 Pop anthem "Hold Me Tight" and its accompanying album, both recorded in Jamaica.  Anthology features five of Nash's early singles for the JAD and JoDa labels including "Hold Me Tight" and revivals of The Young Rascals' "Groovin'" and Sam Cooke's "Cupid."  (He had also recorded for ABC-Paramount and Chess/Argo, among other labels, in his early days.)

The remainder of Anthology draws on Nash's U.S. and U.K. releases, in which he honed his relaxed, reggae-influenced style on both original songs and tunes from Bobby Darin ("Dream Lover"), Mickey Stevenson ("Loving You"), Sam Cooke ("Wonderful World"), Joe South ("Birds of a Feather"), Van McCoy ("Wonderful Woman"), Goffin and King (the Tony Orlando hit "Halfway to Paradise") and Felice and Boudleaux Bryant (The Everly Brothers' staple "All I Have to Do is Dream").  Bob Marley's story intertwined with Nash's in Jamaica, and a number of his compositions are featured here, too, including "Guava Jelly" and "Stir It Up."  This collection's 46 songs have been remastered by Nick Robbins, and Justin Kantor provides the informative and copious liner notes in the 20-page booklet.

Although Angela Bofill lost her ability to sing after a debilitating pair of strokes in 2006 and 2007, the soulful chanteuse continues to inspire with grace and passion.   I Try: The Anthology 1978-1993 chronicles her recording career for Arista Records and the related GRP and Jive imprints.  Angela Bofill, Brooklyn-born of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent, was classically trained in voice and was also an accomplished composer, inspired by Stevie Wonder and Burt Bacharach.  Her demo tape caught the ears of GRP's Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen as well as Clive Davis, head of GRP's distributor at the time, Arista.  She made her long-playing debut in 1979, remaining with GRP for two albums and then moving to Arista proper.  She remained there until 1985.  Blending smooth jazz (and delicious Grusin arrangements) with R&B, Bofill scored a signature song at GRP with her own "I Try," a staple of the quiet storm genre.

At Arista, she teamed for three albums with uber-producer Narada Michael Walden, who shepherded the top 5 R&B success of "Too Tough" from the 1983 album of the same name, and called on blue-eyed soul man Boz Scaggs to duet with her on a revival of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell Motown favorite "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing."  For the same year's Teaser album, Bofill also duetted with the legendary Johnny Mathis on her own song "You're a Special Part of Me."  Though Bofill's Arista contract came to an end with 1985's George Duke-produced Tell Me Tomorrow, she was signed in 1992 by former Arista executive (and current Recording Academy president) Neil Portnow to Jive Records for I Wanna Love Somebody.  (Her 1988 Capitol album Intuition was previously reissued on CD by SoulMusic but isn't represented on this collection.)  In addition to tracks from all of Bofill's GRP, Arista and Jive LPs, this set also includes her collaborations with Narada Michael Walden as a solo artist, jazz hero Stanley Clarke, and actor-singer Carl Anderson.  Nick Robbins has remastered, and A. Scott Galloway provides the 20-page booklet's liner notes based on a new interview with the artist.

The late Teena Marie (1956-2010), born Mary Christine Brockert in California, will forever be remembered as The Ivory Queen of Soul for her scorching, funky recordings made for Motown Records, the label she joined in 1976 and remained with until 1982.  Though artistically fruitful once she began collaborating with Rick James in 1979, Teena's tenure at Motown was a contentious one, and she exited the label in a flurry of litigation.  Ooo La La La: The Epic Anthology begins its story with her move to Epic Records in which she built on the passionate, contemporary R&B sound she developed at Motown and took it in new directions.

The Epic Anthology taps all five of Teena's Epic albums (four of which have been previously reissued on CD by SoulMusic as well as a collaboration with her touring band Q.T. Hush  for its 25 tracks over two CDs.  However, a major part of the artist's legacy was her ability to tap into the club zeitgeist, and so more than half of the collection is dedicated to presenting her songs in rare alternate and extended mixes.  Funk, soul, rock and jazz were all present on her Epic records, with the Caucasian artist tapping into the roots of the African-American music she so loved.  Despite the acrimonious end to her relationship with Motown, she never abandoned her devotion to the label's artists, saluting the late Marvin on "My Dear Mr. Gaye" and re-teaming with Rick James for the duet "The Once and Future Dream."   This release features liner notes by Rashod Ollison and David Nathan within its 24-page booklet, and the set has been remastered by Nathan's compilation co-producer, Donald Cleveland.  The Epic Anthology shines a light on the deep soul of one of R&B's most enduring and diverse artists.

All of these titles are available at the links below!

Angela Bofill, I Try: The Anthology 1978-1993 (SoulMusic Records/Cherry Red, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1

1. Too Tough (Long Version)
2. Can't Slow Down (Extended Remix Version)
3. Special Delivery (Single Edit)
4. Holdin' Out for Love
5. Baby, I Need Your Love
6. What I Wouldn't Do (For the Love of You)
7. Something About You
8. Love Was Never - Marion Meadows Featuring Angela Bofill & Gene Rice
9. Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing (Duet with Boz Scaggs)
10. Is This a Dream
11. Never Wanna Be Without Your Love - Narada Michael Walden Featuring Angela Bofill
12. Love & Marriage
13. All the Reasons Why
14. Love Light
15. Under the Moon and Over the Sky
16. Angel of the Night
17. Rhythm of Your Mind

Disc 2

1. I Wanna Love Somebody (Single Edit)
2. Tonight I Give in
3. Let Me Be the One
4. A Woman in Love - Carl Anderson Featuring Angela Bofill
5. You're a Special Part of Me - Johnny Mathis Featuring Angela Bofill
6. I'm on Your Side
7. This Time I'll Be Sweeter (Single Edit)
8. Still in Love
9. I Try
10. Where Do We Go - Stanley Clarke Featuring Angela Bofill
11. Tell Me Tomorrow
12. Break It to Me Gently
13. Time to Say Goodbye
14. Always a Part of Me - Kirk Whalum Featuring Angela Bofill
15. Song For a Rainy Day
16. No Love in Sight
17. Heavenly Love

Disc 1, Track 1 from Arista 12" single SP 148, 1983
Disc 1, Track 2 from Arista 12" single AD 1-9277, 1984
Disc 1, Track 3 from Arista single AS-9156, 1983
Disc 1, Tracks 4, 7 and Disc 2, Tracks 12, 13 from Something About You, Arista LP AL 9576, 1981
Disc 1, Tracks 5, 15 from Angie, GRP LP 5000, 1979
Disc 1, Tracks 6, 16 and Disc 2, Track 9 from Angel of the Night, GRP LP 5501, 1979
Disc 1, Track 8 from Keep It Right There, Novus CD 63131-2, 1992
Disc 1, Tracks 9-10 and Disc 2, Tracks 2, 15 from Too Tough, Arista LP AL 9616, 1983
Disc 1, Track 11 from Looking At Me, Looking At You, Atlantic LP 80058-1, 1983
Disc 1, Tracks 12-13 from Dedicated to Soul, Expansion CD EXP27, 2007
Disc 1, Tracks 14, 17 from Something About You: Expanded Edition, BMG Heritage CD 07822 10605-2, 2002
Disc 2, Track 1 from Jive CD JDJ 42124 2, 1993
Disc 2, Tracks 3, 16 from Let Me Be the One, Arista LP AL8-8258, 1984
Disc 2, Track 4 from Carl Anderson, Epic CD EK 40410, 1986
Disc 2, Tracks 5, 6 from Teaser, Arista LP AL 8 8198, 1983
Disc 2, Track 7 from Arista/GRP Single GS 2500, 1978
Disc 2, Tracks 8, 11 from Tell Me Tomorrow, Arista LP AL8-8396
Disc 2, Track 10 from Hideaway, Epic CD EK 40275, 1986
Disc 2, Tracks 14, 17 from I Wanna Love Somebody, Jive CD JDJ-41510-2, 1993

Labelle, The Anthology (SoulMusic Records/Cherry Red, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1

1. Something in the Air/The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Labelle
2. Lady Marmalade (Single Edit) - Labelle
3. Are You Lonely? - Labelle
4. What Can I Do for You? (Single Edit) - Labelle
5. Nightbird - Labelle
6. You Turn Me on - Labelle
7. Messin' with My Mind (Single Edit) - Labelle
8. Get You Somebody New - Labelle
9. Who's Watching the Watcher - Labelle
10. Isn't It a Shame - Labelle
11. I Can't Believe (Someone Like You Could Really Love Me) - Sarah Dash
12. (Come and Take This) Candy from Your Baby - Sarah Dash
13. Sinner Man - Sarah Dash
14. Oo-La-La, Too Soon - Sarah Dash
15. Leaving Again - Sarah Dash
16. You're the Only One That I Ever Needed - Nona Hendrix
17. King of Hearts - Nona Hendrix
18. Casanova - Nona Hendrix

Disc 2

1. B-Boys (Single Edit) - Nona Hendrix
2. Keep It Confidential (Single Edit) - Nona Hendrix
3. Transformation (Single Edit) - Nona Hendrix
4. I Sweat (Going Through the Motions) (Single Edit) - Nona Hendrix
5. To the Bone - Nona Hendrix
6. I Need Love (Remix) - Nona Hendrix
7. If Looks Could Kill (D.O.A.) - Nona Hendrix
8. Joy to Have Your Love (Single Edit) - Patti LaBelle
9. Dan Swit Me (Single Edit) - Patti LaBelle
10. Teach Me Tonight (Me Gusta Tu Baile) (Single Edit) - Patti LaBelle
11. Music Is My Way of Life (Single Edit) - Patti LaBelle
12. Release (The Tension) - Patti LaBelle
13. It's Alright with Me (Single Edit) - Patti LaBelle
14. Little Girls (Single Edit) - Patti LaBelle
15. My Best Was Good Enough - Patti LaBelle
16. I Don't Go Shopping - Patti LaBelle
17. You Are My Friend - Patti LaBelle
18. Love and Learn - Patti LaBelle

Disc 1, Track 1 from Pressure Cookin', Epic LP APL1-0205, 1973
Disc 1, Track 2 from Epic Single 8-50048, 1974
Disc 1, Tracks 3, 5, 6 from Nightbirds, Epic LP KE 33075, 1974
Disc 1, Track 4 from Epic Single 8-55097, 1975
Disc 1, Track 7 from Epic Single 8-50140, 1975
Disc 1, Tracks 8-10 from Chameleon, Epic LP PE 34189, 1976
Disc 1, Tracks 11-13 from Sarah Dash, Kirshner LP JZ 35477, 1978
Disc 1, Track 14 from Oo La La Sarah Dash, Kirshner LP JZ 36207, 1980
Disc 1, Track 15 from Close Enough, Kirshner LP FZ 37659, 1981
Disc 1, Tracks 16-18 Previously Unreleased in the US
Disc 2, Track 1 from RCA single PB-13643, 1983
Disc 2, Track 2 from RCA single PB-13437, 1983
Disc 2, Track 3 from RCA single PB-13559, 1983
Disc 2, Track 4 from RCA single PB-13579, 1984
Disc 2, Track 5 from The Art of Defense, RCA LP AFL1-4999, 1984
Disc 2, Track 6 from RCA 12" single JW-14276, 1986
Disc 2, Track 7 from The Heat, RCA LP AFL1-5465, 1985
Disc 2, Track 8 from Epic Single 8-50445, 1977
Disc 2, Track 9 from Epic Single 8-50510, 1978
Disc 2, Track 10 from Epic Single 8-50550, 1978
Disc 2, Track 11 from Epic Single 8-50718, 1979
Disc 2, Tracks 12, 16 from Release, Epic LP JE 36381, 1981
Disc 2, Track 13 from Epic Single 8-50659, 1979
Disc 2, Track 14 from Epic Single 8-50583, 1978
Disc 2, Tracks 15, 18 from It's Alright With Me, Epic LP JE 35772, 1979
Disc 2, Track 17 Patti LaBelle, Epic LP PE 34847, 1977

Teena Marie, Ooo La La: The Epic Anthology (SoulMusic Records/Cherry Red, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1

1. Lovergirl (Special 12" Dance Mix)
2. Jammin' (Dance Mix - Long Version)
3. Lips to Find You (Extended Version)
4. 14K (Extended Version-Dance Mix)
5. Fix It (12" Version)
6. Surrealistic Pillow (Sexy Pillow Re-Mix)
7. Playboy (12" Remix)
8. Starchild
9. Midnight Magnet
10. Work It (Extended LP Mix)
11. Here's Looking at You (12" Club)
12. Bad Boy (The House Arrest Mix)

Disc 2

1. Ooo la la la (12" Version)
2. Since Day One (Jazzie's Radio Version)
3. Just Us Two (The Garage Mix)
4. Soulmates - Q.T. Hush with Teena Marie
5. Dear Lover
6. Cassanova Brown
7. Out on a Limb (Special Version)
8. Love Me Down Easy (US 12" Single Version)
9. If I Were a Bell (Extended Version)
10. Miracles Need Wings to Fly
11. My Dear Mr. Gaye
12. Batucada Suite
13. The Once and Future Dream - Teena Marie Featuring Rick James

Disc 1, Track 1 from Epic 12" single 49-05100, 1984
Disc 1, Track 2 from Epic 12" single 49-05148, 1984
Disc 1, Track 3 from Epic 12" single 49-05376, 1986
Disc 1, Track 4 from Epic 12" single 4905269, 1985
Disc 1, Track 5 from Epic 12" single 49-04125, 1983
Disc 1, Track 6 from Epic 12" single 49-07897, 1988
Disc 1, Track 7 from Epic 12" single AS 1837, 1983
Disc 1, Track 8 and Disc 2, Track 11 from Starchild, Epic LP FE 39528, 1984
Disc 1, Track 9 and Disc 2, Tracks 5, 6 from Robbery, Epic LP FE 38882, 1983
Disc 1, Track 10 from Epic 12" single 49-07814, 1988
Disc 1, Track 11 from Epic CD ESK 73494, 1990
Disc 1, Track 12 from Epic 12" single EAS 1589, 1989
Disc 2, Track 1 from Epic CD Lovergirl: The Teena Marie Story
Disc 2, Track 2 from Epic CD ESK 4082, 1990
Disc 2, Track 3 from Epic CD ESK 3049, 1991
Disc 2, Track 4 from Q.T. Hush, Epic LP FE 39937, 1985
Disc 2, Track 7 from Epic 12" single 49-05227, 1985
Disc 2, Track 8 from Epic LP EAS-2465, 1986
Disc 2, Track 9 from Epic CD ESK 2236, 1990
Disc 2, Track 10 from Ivory, Epic CD EK 45101, 1990
Disc 2, Track 12 from Emerald City, Epic LP FE 40318, 1984
Disc 2, Track 13 from Naked to the World, Epic LP FE 40872, 1986

Johnny Nash, Stir It Up: The Anthology 1965-1979 (SoulMusic Records/Cherry Red, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1

1. Let's Move and Groove (Together)
2. Hold Me Tight
3. Cupid
4. You Got Soul
5. Groovin'
6. Stir It Up
7. Cream Puff
8. I Can See Clearly Now
9. How Good It Is
10. There Are More Questions Than Answers
11. Guava Jelly
12. Ooh Baby You've Been Good to Me
13. My Merry-Go-Round
14. (Oh Jesus) We're Trying to Get Back to You
15. Ooh What a Feeling
16. Yellow House
17. Loving You
18. Gonna Open Up My Heart Again
19. Nice Time
20. You Better Stop (Messing Around)
21. You Can't Go Halfway
22. Celebrate Life
23. (You Gave Me Such) Good Vibrations
24. Stir It Up (Alternate Mix)

Disc 2

1. Beautiful Baby
2. The Very First Time
3. Tears on My Pillow (I Can't Take It)
4. Let's Be Friends
5. The Edge of Love
6. Reggae on Broadway
7. Rock It Baby (Baby We've Got a Date)
8. (What a) Wonderful World
9. All I Have to Do Is Dream
10. Birds of a Feather
11. Rock You to Your Socks
12. Jamaica
13. Halfway to Paradise
14. That Woman
15. Back in Time
16. Dream Lover
17. Wonderful Woman
18. Don't Forget
19. Sea
20. Closer
21. You're the One
22. Closer (12" Version)

Disc 1, Tracks 1-5 from Greatest Hits, CBS UK LP S 69096, 1974
Disc 1, Tracks 6-12 from I Can See Clearly Now, Epic LP KE 31607, 1972
Disc 1, Tracks 13-20 from My Merry-Go-Round, Epic LP 32158, 1973
Disc 1, Tracks 21-23 and Disc 2, Tracks 1-2 from Celebrate Life, Epic LP PE 32828, 1974
Disc 1, Track 24 from I Can See Clearly Now: Expanded Edition Big Break Records CD BBR 0064, 2011
Disc 2, Tracks 3-7 from Tears on My Pillow, CBS UK LP S 69148, 1975
Disc 2, Tracks 8-16 from What A Wonderful World, CBS UK LP EPC 81783, 1977
Disc 2, Tracks 17-21 from Let's Go Dancing, Epic LP JE 36311, 1979
Disc 2, Track 22 from Epic 12" single 48-50750, 1979