Cherry Red's SoulMusic Records label has added another quintet of releases to its rapidly-growing Anthology series, and this batch is among the most eclectic yet, blurring the lines of jazz, pop, and R&B with Esther Phillips, Levert, Tom Browne, Kashif, and Mtume.

As the premier vocalist on CTI Records' Kudu imprint, Esther Phillips (1935-1984) played a key role in producer Creed Taylor's "Cool Revolution" at CTI. A gifted vocalist, Phillips nonetheless struggled with personal demons throughout her too-short life. The former "Little Esther" had her first taste of success in 1949, just fourteen years old, and a taste of heroin not long after; stories of her mercurial behavior have since entered into legend. But her singular talent for bringing raw, gritty emotional honesty to jazz, pop, soul, funk, and R&B was never in doubt. At Kudu, Taylor recorded Phillips in a variety of settings from smooth pop to jazz, disco and funk, realizing the adaptability of her pinched, distinct style.  A Beautiful Friendship: The Kudu Anthology 1971-1976 collects 33 tracks on 2 CDs, culled from Phillips' seven albums for the label.  (Two of those albums, 1972's From a Whisper to a Scream and 1976's Capricorn Princess have both been reissued in full by SoulMusic.)

A Beautiful Friendship displays Phillips' great gift for reinterpretation, presenting songs from sources both likely and unlikely: Gil Scott-Heron ("Home is Where the Hatred Is"), Allen Toussaint ("From a Whisper to a Scream"), Marvin Gaye ("Baby, I'm for Real"), Gilbert O'Sullivan ("Alone Again, Naturally"), Bill Withers ("Use Me"), Billie Holiday ("God Bless the Child"), Jackie DeShannon ("Pure, Natural Love"), Glen Campbell and Jerry Capehart ("Turn Around, Look at Me"), and Isaac Hayes and David Porter ("Can't Trust Your Neighbor with Your Baby").  Phillips could be alternately playful and harrowing, but all of the songs seemed to have a deep meaning for the singer.  The collection includes selections from her two collaborative albums with guitarist Joe Beck, and in addition to Beck, reflects her close collaboration with arrangers Pee Wee Ellis, Don Sebesky, and David Matthews.  Only her disco revival of "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" (heard here in its single edit) became a crossover hit for Esther at Kudu, scoring not only on the R&B survey but going top 20 Pop and top 30 AC.  But that's no reflection on the singer's soul-deep talent.  Compilation producer David Nathan brings his personal reflections on Esther to his liner notes in the 24-page booklet, and Donald Cleveland has remastered for optimal sound.

Between 1985 and 1997, the trio Levert (originally LeVert) became mainstays on the U.S. R&B charts, with six top ten albums and twelve top ten singles - including one ("Casanova") which crossed over to top five Pop.  The group, featuring O'Jay Eddie Levert's children Gerald and Sean joined by their childhood friend Marc Gordon, embraced R&B, pop, dance, and hip-hop during their time on Atlantic Records.  SoulMusic's Family Reunion: The Anthology draws on Levert's Atlantic albums but also expands its purview to include solo recordings from Gerald and Sean, as well as Gerald's duets album with his famous father Eddie.

The set kicks off with eight of Levert's hits, including favorites such as "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind" (No. 1 R&B, 1984), "Fascination" (No. 26 R&B, 1987), "Casanova" (No. 1 R&B/No. 5 Pop/No. 27 Dance, 1987), "My Forever Love" (No. 2 R&B, 1987), "Addicted to You" (No. 1 R&B, 1988), "Just Coolin'" with Heavy D (No. 1 R&B/No. 19 Dance, 1989), "All Season" (No. 4 R&B, 1989) and "Baby I'm Ready" (No. 1 R&B, 1991).  Most notably missing are the top 5 R&B hits "Sweet Sensation," "Pull Over" and "Gotta Get the Money" and top ten-charting "Rope-a-Dope Style."  Family Reunion then focuses on recordings by Gerald Levert, beginning with the 1987 Miki Howard duet "That's What Love Is" and segueing into tracks from his solo albums and his touching 1995 collaboration with Eddie, Father and Son.  Between 1993 and 1997, the group Levert took a sabbatical while Gerald concentrated on his solo career.  As Gerald and Eddie were making Father and Son, Sean Levert released his only solo album, The Other Side, from which "Put Your Body Where the Mouth Is" and "Same One," featuring Eddie and Gerald, have been reprised here.  The 1997 teaming of Gerald, Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill as LSG isn't addressed on this set.

Tragically, Gerald Levert passed away in 2006 at the age of 40, while Sean followed in 2008 at the age of 39 - leaving Eddie Levert to carry on his family name and Marc Gordon to represent the band as Levert II.  Kevin Goins tells the group's remarkable story in his detailed liner notes, while collection co-producer Donald Cleveland has superbly remastered all tracks.  Family Reunion distinguishes itself further by presenting more than half of its 32 tracks in rare single edits and mixes which vary from the original, readily-available album versions.

Among the producers who worked with Levert was percussionist James Mtume.  SoulMusic has taken a deep look at his band Mtume on Prime Time: The Epic Anthology.  The band Mtume was born of the collaboration between James Mtume (pronounced EM-TOO-MAY) and guitarist Reggie Lucas when both musicians were part of Miles Davis' electric band in the early 1970s.  Taking their rich experiences playing behind the legendary drummer, Mtume and Lucas formed a production and songwriting partnership that would eventually yield hits by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, Stephanie Mills, Phyllis Hyman, Lou Rawls, and The Spinners, among others.  Soon, Mtume and Lucas realized that their partnership could extend to their own band.  After the success of the Flack/Hathaway duet "The Closer I Get to You," the band - christened Mtume - was signed to Epic Records.  (A previous album, the jazz-oriented Rebirth Cycle on Third Street Records was credited to Mtume but that was referring to James' surname.  Reggie and the group's future lead singer Tawatha Agee did contribute to it, however, along with Philadelphia vocalists Jean Carne and Dee Dee Bridgewater.)

As quoted in David Nathan's comprehensive liner notes, James Mtume set out with Reggie, Tawatha, and the band to create what he dubbed "sophistafunk," or as the pair further described it, "somewhere between Parliament on one hand and Earth, Wind and Fire on the other."  Beginning with 1978's Kiss the World Goodbye, Mtume recorded five albums on Epic through 1986's Theater of the Mind, all of which are represented on Prime Time.  Yet after sophomore effort In Search of the Rainbow Seekers, Reggie Lucas left the band to focus on production work, including for the young artist Madonna.  Mtume and Agee picked up the pieces and were joined by bassist/guitarist Raymond Jackson and keyboardist Philip Field for 1983's Juicy Fruit, the title track of which would become the band's biggest and most-sampled hit.  Though Mtume the band dissolved after Theater of the Mind, James went on to produce Tawatha's 1987 solo LP Welcome to My Dream; three tracks here are taken from that album.

Prime Time includes a 24-page booklet with David Nathan's liner notes featuring numerous quotes (past and present) from the participants.  Nick Robbins has remastered all tracks.  Like the Esther Phillips and Levert releases, it's available now for order at the links below!  Watch this space for Part Two: Tom Browne and Kashif!

Mtume, Prime Time: The Epic Anthology (Soul Music Records/Cherry Red Records, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1

1. Just Funnin'
2. Kiss This World Goodbye
3. The Closer I Get to You
4. Funky Constellation
5. This Is Your World
6. Closer to the End
7. Love Lock
8. Give It on Up (If You Want to)
9. We're Gonna Make It This Time
10. Mrs. Sippi
11. Anticipatin'
12. So You Wanna Be a Star
13. You Can't Wait for Love
14. Everything Good to Me
15. Green Light
16. Would You Like to (Fool Around)
17. Juicy Fruit

Disc 2

1. The After 6 Mix (Juicy Fruit Part II) aka Juicy Fruit Part II (Reprise)
2. You, Me and He (Polygamy Mix)
3. Sweet for You and Me (Monogomy Mix)
4. It's Non-Functional
5. C.O.D. (I'll Deliver)
6. I Simply Like
7. Prime Time
8. Tie Me Up
9. P.O.P.(Pursuits of Pleasure) Generation
10. Breathless (A&G Mix)
11. Body & Soul (Take Me)
12. No More Tears - Tawatha
13. Thigh High Mix (Dub Mix) - Tawatha
14. Did I Dream You - Tawatha
15. Juicy Fruit (Vocal Remix)

Disc 1, Tracks 1-7 from Kiss This World Goodbye, Epic Records LP JE 35255, 1978
Disc 1, Tracks 8-14 from In Search of the Rainbow Seekers, Epic Records LP PE 36017, 1980
Disc 1, Tracks 15-17 and Disc 2, Track 1 from Juicy Fruit, Epic Records LP PE 38588, 1983
Disc 2, Tracks 2, 4 from Epic 12" Single 49-05024, 1984
Disc 2, Tracks 3, 5-8 from You, Me and He, Epic Records LP FE 39473, 1984
Disc 2, Tracks 9-11 from Theater of the Mind, Epic Records LP FE 40262, 1986
Disc 2, Tracks 12-14 from Welcome To My Dream, Epic Records LP FE 40355, 1986
Disc 2, Track 15 from Epic Records 12" Single 49-03834, 1983

Levert, Family Reunion: The Anthology (SoulMusic Records/Cherry Red Records, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1

1. (Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind - Levert
2. Fascination (Vocal/Edit of Remix) - Levert
3. My Forever Love (Vocal/Edit Version) - Levert
4. Casanova (Dance Mix) - Levert
5. Addicted to You (Radio Remix) - Levert
6. Just Coolin' (Original Version Re-Edit) - Levert Featuring Heavy D
7. All Season (Remix Edit) - Levert
8. Baby I'm Ready - Levert
9. That's What Love Is (Extended Version) - Gerald Levert with Miki Howard
10. Baby, Hold on to Me (Radio Mix) - Gerald Levert with Eddie Levert
11. Private Line (Radio Mix) - Gerald Levert
12. Can You Handle It (Remix) - Gerald Levert
13. School Me (Radio Edit) - Gerald Levert
14. Can't Help Myself (Radio Remix) (A/K/A 'The R. Kelly Remix') - Gerald Levert
15. Answering Service (Heavy D Radio Remix) - Gerald Levert
16. What About Me? - Gerald Levert

Disc 2

1. Point the Finger - Gerald Levert featuring Sean Levert
2. Put Your Body Where Your Mouth Is (VH1 Mix) - Sean Levert
3. Thinkin' About It - Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert
4. Get Your Thing Off (Remix) - Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert
5. Wind Beneath My Wings (Radio Edit) - Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert
6. Already Missing You (Remix) - Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert
7. Taking Everything (Soap Opera Remix Extended Version) - Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert
8. Baby U Are - Gerald Levert
9. Closure - Gerald Levert
10. Love Street - Gerald Levert
11. So What (If You Got a Baby) - Gerald Levert
12. It Was What It Was - Gerald Levert
13. Crucify Me - Gerald Levert
14. DJ Don't - Gerald Levert
15. Same One - Sean Levert (Featuring Gerald and Eddie Levert)
16. In My Songs - Gerald Levert

Disc 1, Track 1 from Bloodline, Atlantic CD 7 81669-1, 1986
Disc 1, Track 2 from Atlantic 12" Single DMD 1009, 1986
Disc 1, Track 3 from Atlantic 12" Single DMD 1103, 1986
Disc 1, Track 4 from Atlantic 12" Single DMD 1073, 1987
Disc 1, Track 5 from Atlantic CD 2450-2, 1988
Disc 1, Track 6 from Atlantic 12" Single 0-86459, 1989
Disc 1, Track 7 from Atlantic CD 3691-2, 1990
Disc 1, Track 8 from Atlantic CD 3884-2 1991
Disc 1, Track 9 from Atlantic CD 2227-2, 1988
Disc 1, Track 10 from EastWest America CD 4333-2, 1991
Disc 1, Track 11 from EastWest America CD 4189-2, 1991
Disc 1, Track 12 from EastWest America CD 4698-2, 1992
Disc 1, Track 13 from EastWest America CD 4496-2, 1992
Disc 1, Track 14 from EastWest America CD 98208-2, 1992
Disc 1, Track 15 from EastWest America CD 9160-2, 1994
Disc 1, Track 16 and Disc 2, Tracks 1, 3 from Love & Consequences, EastWest America CD 62261-2, 1998
Disc 2, Track 2 from Atlantic 12" Single 0-085553, 1995
Disc 2, Track 4 from EastWest America CD 2-64285, 1995
Disc 2, Track 5 from EastWest America CD 9512-2, 1995
Disc 2, Track 6 from EastWest America CD single 64374-2, 1995
Disc 2, Track 7 from EastWest America CD 64061-2, 1999
Disc 2, Track 8 from G, EastWest America CD 7559-62417-2, 1999
Disc 2, Track 9 from The G Spot, Elektra CD 7559-62795-2, 2002
Disc 2, Track 10 from Groove On, EastWest America CD 92416-2, 1994
Disc 2, Tracks 11-13 from Do I Speak For the World, Atlantic CD 83765, 2004
Disc 2, Tracks 14, 16 from In My Songs, Atlantic CD 100341 2, 2007
Disc 2, Track 15 from The Other Side, Atlantic CD 82663-2, 1995

Esther Phillips, A Beautiful Friendship: The Kudu Anthology 1971-1976 (SoulMusic Records/Cherry Red Records, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Disc 1: Home Is Where the Hatred Is

1. Home Is Where the Hatred Is
2. From a Whisper to a Scream
3. That's All Right with Me
4. 'Til My Back Ain't Got No Bone
5. Baby, I'm for Real
6. Scarred Knees
7. How Blue Can You Get?
8. A Beautiful Friendship
9. Use Me
10. I Don't Want to Do Wrong
11. Let Me in Your Life
12. I've Never Found a Man (To Love Me Like You Do)
13. Alone Again (Naturally)
14. Georgia Rose
15. Cherry Red (Live)
16. God Bless the Child (Live)

Disc 2: I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do

1. Justified
2. Black-Eyed Blues
3. Too Many Roads
4. You Could Have Had Me, Baby
5. Tangle in Your Lifeline
6. Can't Trust Your Neighbor with Your Baby
7. I Feel the Same
8. Disposable Society
9. What a Diff'rence a Day Makes (Single Edit)
10. You're Coming Home
11. Turn Around, Look at Me
12. Pure Natural Love
13. Fever
14. All the Way Down (Single Edit)
15. Boy, I Really Tied One on
16. Magic's in the Air
17. I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do

Disc 1, Tracks 1-6 from From A Whisper To A Scream, Kudu LP KU-05, 1972
Disc 1, Tracks 7-8 from From A Whisper To A Scream: Expanded Edition, CBS CD ZK 40935, 1988
Disc 1, Tracks 9-14 from Alone Again, Naturally, Kudu LP KU-09, 1972
Disc 1, Tracks 15, 16 from Alone Again, Naturally: Expanded Edition, Real Gone Music CD RGM-0285, 2014
Disc 2, Tracks 1-4 from Black-Eyed Blues, Kudu LP KU-14, 1974
Disc 2, Track 5 from Black-Eyed Blues: Expanded Edition, Sony Music CD 5127972000, 2003
Disc 2, Tracks 6-8 from Performance, Kudu LP KU-16, 1974
Disc 2, Track 9 from Kudu Single KU-925, 1975
Disc 2, Tracks 10, 11 from What A Difference A Day Makes, Kudu LP KU-23, 1975
Disc 2, Tracks 12, 13 from Esther Phillips with Beck: For All We Know, Kudu LP KU-26, 1976
Disc 2, Track 14 from Kudu Single KU-938, 1977
Disc 2, Tracks 15-17 from Capricorn Princess, Kudu LP KU-31, 1976