Soul Prescription

12 tracks, all great examples of real soul music, a mix of well-known classics, overlooked gems, and 4 songs that were never on vinyl before!

Whatever condition your condition is in, Soul4Real have huddled together a team of the finest soul physicians to make you feel good.

We scoured all the shelves in the soul pharmacy and discovered some potions that were only just through the trial stage. Just one listen to the brilliant Aretha, Gladys, Walter Jackson and the Purify’s tracks convinced us not to wait for FDA approval, so we took the plunge and shared them with the world on vinyl for the very first time.

Recorded in 1968, Arthur Alexander’s magnificent “I Need You Baby” reached legendary status during the tape-swapping epidemic of the late 70s/early 80s. The first traces of Alexanderitus were linked back to a tape dispensed by a north London mod by the name of Randy Cozens, which went viral. Even today, the mere mention of the title to any of those C60-swap-survivors can cause severe heart palpitations.

Down in Memphis, they tend to practice the holistic approach to heartaches. Southern folk understand it’s about the voice and its natural healing powers, especially when it’s being administered by the likes of the Soul Children and Shirley Brown, who instinctively inject the perfect amount of ache, warmth and emotion to hit just the right spot. May we prescribe at least two listens a day, taken with or without food.

Helping with recovery we have included tracks by our care team Maxine, Gil Scott-Heron and the Isleys, whose gentle grooves will help nurse you back onto the dance floor in record time.

And finally, my personal favorite, Dr Johnnie Taylor. Frankly, it beats me how someone who delivers the lines “she don’t break no records when it comes to good looks” and “she burns up the food when she cooks” to his girlfriend manages to avoid a trip to A&E. We decided such foolish bravery should be rewarded by having his picture on the album cover.
-TATS

TRACKLIST:
Side A:
JAMES & BOBBY PURIFY – My Adorable One *
ARTHUR ALEXANDER – I Need You Baby
WALTER JACKSON – It’s Hard To Believe *
MAXINE BROWN – Don’t Leave Me Baby
SHIRLEY BROWN – When You Really Love Somebody
DREAM MACHINE – All My Love
SOUL CHILDREN – Midnight Sunshine
Side B:
THE ISLEY BROTHERS – Here We Go Again
JOHNNIE TAYLOR – You’re The Best In The World
GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS – More, More, More *
GIL SCOTT-HERON – Your Daddy Loves You (For Gia Louise)
ARETHA FRANKLIN – The Wind *

*First time on vinyl