Ollie & The Nightingales (Stax)

Appetizing Southern soul by Ollie & the Nightingales, one of Stax Records' many poorly promoted vocal groups. These 19 tracks (from 1968-1971) come from the pens of some of Stax's most renowned songwriters, including Eddie Floyd, Isaac Hayes, David Porter, Booker T. Jones, Al Bell, Homer Banks, and Mack Rice. Every singer that came through Memphis, TN, chomped a bit from Ollie Haskins' expressive style. A lilting rendition of "I've Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)" pricks nerves that are normally dormant; "I'll Be Your Everything" is quintessential Southern soul; they share a mic with Mack Rice on "Don't Let a Good Thing Go"; and "I Don't Want to Be Like My Daddy" (written by Haskins) puts some family business in the streets. While not a complete overview of Ollie & the Nightingales' career ("I Got a Sure Thing," their first and most popular Stax recording, isn't among the 19 tracks), it's a helluva start. ~ Andrew Hamilton