O.V. WRIGHT - GIANT OF SOUTHERN SOUL (CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION)

O.V. Wright is one of deep soul's most impressive stylist. This compilation contains 25 of his best 45s - both A and B sides - from 1965-1975, cut for Back Beat and Abc and produced by the legendary Willie Mitchell. All the tracks were previously unavailable on CD so it's a good chance to discover a great soul artist, considered by many of today's soul/blues survivors a main influence. The feeling is gospel oriented and the intense vocal is the real business. Great performances are the opening track "You're Gonna Make Me Cry", his second single cut in '65, the driving "Ace Of Spades", a gold disc in '70, and the heavy emotional "When You Took Your Love From Me" and "Drowning On Dry Land". In 1973 Robey sold Duke/Peacock and all subsidiaries, including Back Beat, to the Abc/Dunhill group in Los Angeles. Two excellent singles were issued, including "What More Can I Do" and the sensual "Slow And Easy", that is the ender of this CD. All in all a must for "real" soul lovers.