Crumbs Off The Table (The Complete Invictus Sessions)

Of all the acts on Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invictus/Hot Wax label, Inside the Glass House very well might have been the grittiest; the one that recorded the hardest soul, albeit still within the hyper-detailed, big-scale Invictus/Hot Wax sound. It wasn't just that the singers were earthier; the songs and the rhythms had a grittier gait, making them an interesting variation on the label. They also had a consistent run on the label, as this 24-track collection proves. Crumbs off the Table: The Invictus Sessions contains the entirety of their two albums for the label -- 1971's Inside the Glass House, and 1972's Thanks I Needed That -- along with four non-album tracks. Though few songs stand out as clearly as "Crumbs Off the Table," -- their powerhouse one-hit wonder -- the tunes are all solidly crafted and delivered with style, particularly noted in the exquisitely detailed productions. This may be music for the serious soul collector, but they're not likely to be disappointed with what they find here. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine|