The Definitive Collection 3CD Set

The Definitive Collection compiles most of the charting singles and best album cuts released by Slave and the associated Aurra and Steve Arringtons Hall of Fame (latterly Steve Arrington solo) from 1977 through 1986. Following the lead of Ohio Players, Slave busted out of Dayton on the Cotillion label with "Slide," all slithering bassline, flame-throwing guitar, jolting brass, and suggestive group vocals (plus bike horn). That was their debut -- the apotheosis of late-70s funk. Slave wouldnt return to the Top 40 or the top of the R&B chart, but they evolved and thrived with the addition of members such as Steve Arrington, Starleana Young, and Curt Jones. Amid a hot streak that included the Arrington-fronted, sleeker, and feel-good Top Ten R&B hits "Just a Touch of Love," "Watching You," and "Snap Shot," founding member Stephen Washington conceived Aurra (based around Young and Jones), and Arrington followed shortly thereafter with his Hall of Fame (which also featured Slave members). Slave hatched other projects such as Civil Attack and a solo Washington LP, but this set is easily the most extensive overview of the collectives output during its first ten years. All but two of Slaves charting singles of the time are here. The bands albums that are represented the most are sensibly their gold-sellers, Slave and Stone Jam, while the deep cuts include the gems "Party Lites," "Steal Your Heart," and the post-Arrington "Ill Be Gone," the latter two of which showcased the voice of another original Slave player, Danny Webster. The Aurra selections cover the groups four tauter, more pop-flavored albums for Salsoul subsidiary Dream and Salsoul proper -- a period highlighted by the thumping number six R&B hit "Make Up Your Mind" -- and extend to the later single "You and Me Tonight." Its a little puzzling that "A Little Love" didnt make it. More confusing is that "Way Out" and "Nobody Can Be You" are excluded from the Arrington portion, which includes the lesser "You Meet My Approval" but at least leaves room for "Weak at the Knees" and "Dancin in the Key of Life," another unfadable and invigorating single that cracked the R&B Top Ten. Put together by Robinsongs with the labels typically high level of care, the anthology is augmented by critical liner notes tracing Slaves development. ~ Andy Kellman