Run Out Groove is heating up 2018 with its first release of the year.  The label, which allows fans to vote every month on its next audiophile-quality deluxe vinyl title drawn from the Warner Music Group vaults, recently announced the rarities-packed collection Professor Bizarre’s Funkology from New Orleans’ one and only Dr. John, as well as unsung R&B great Lou Johnson’s Sweet Southern Soul, and the first vinyl reissue of Ministry’s Greatest Fits from the Industrial band.  Now, ROG will usher in 2018 with more classic soul from the late, legendary Solomon Burke (1940-2010), a.k.a. The King of Rock and Soul!

The Best of Atlantic Soul 1962-1965 will be the next official limited and numbered Run Out Groove release.  The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and influential artist from R&B’s golden age began recording in 1955 on the small Apollo label, but found himself early the next decade in the good company of Atlantic Records, where his legend took flight.  ROG’s newly-curated compilation is the first new, domestic vinyl anthology of Burke’s output since 1966.  It naturally includes the hit song, “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love,” co-written and produced by Bert Berns, which featured on the Blues Brothers soundtrack, as well as other classics such as “Cry to Me,” “Down in the Valley,” “Baby (I Wanna Be Loved),” and “Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)” – all of which bore the Berns imprimatur.  The stereo release of The Best of Atlantic Soul is the first domestic vinyl collection of his ground breaking Atlantic recordings released since 1966. It’s been pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Record Industry and is housed in a single sleeve, tip-on Stoughton sleeve with new artwork and liner notes.

The Best of Atlantic Soul 1962-1965 is available to order exclusively via the Run Out Groove website until February 6, and will be limited and numbered based on the total number of orders taken at the end of the pre-order period. After the pre-order period closes, the only way to purchase a copy will be via participating music retailers while supplies last.

That’s not all.  Now is the time to vote on ROG’s next release!  The following titles are currently up to a vote.  Descriptions have been helpfully provided by the label, and you can make your pick here!

Golden Smog – Down By The Old Mainstream: A title from almost a year ago returns! If finally voted to win, this alt-country classic will see its first repress since originally released on vinyl in 2010 and come replete in typical deluxe ROG packaging and colored vinyl.

Lorraine Ellison – Heart & Soul: If voted to win, this will be the first time this 1966 Jerry Ragovoy-produced Soul LP will be reissued on vinyl and includes the classic, “Stay With Me.” ROG would expand to a 2LP set to include material making its debut on wax.

Little Richard – The Rill Thing: If voted to win, this would be the first time this album would see a reissue on vinyl in the US since original release in 1970. ROG would expand to a 2LP set to include material making its debut on wax.

Watch this space (very!) soon for a new Run Out Groove Round-Up looking at a quartet of the label’s latest and greatest.  In the meantime, you can pre-order The Best of Atlantic Soul 1962-1965 below!  (Note that this collection is in stereo, though we’ve provided discographical annotation as to the original single releases, below.)

Solomon Burke, The Best of Atlantic Soul 1962-1965 (Run Out Groove, 2018)

Side One

1. Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms) (Atlantic 45-2114, 1961)
2. Cry to Me (Atlantic 45-2131, 1962)
3. Down in the Valley (Atlantic 45-2147, 1962)
4. Looking for My Baby (Atlantic 45-2241, 1964)
5. Baby (I Wanna Be Loved) (Atlantic LP SD 8067, 1962)
6. I’m Hanging Up My Heart for You (Atlantic 45-2147, 1962)
7. Home in Your Heart (Atlantic 45-2180, 1963)

Side Two

1. If You Need Me (Atlantic 45-2185, 1963)
2. Stupidity (Atlantic 45-2196, 1963)
3. Go On Back to Him (Atlantic 45-2570, 1962)
4. Got to Get You Off My Mind (Atlantic 45-2276, 1965)
5. Can’t Nobody Love You (Atlantic 45-2196, 1963)
6. Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) (Atlantic 45-2226, 1964)
7. Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (Atlantic 45-2241, 1964)