Various Artists - Platinum Soul Legends 1960-1975

For large stretches of its 62-track length, it would be hard to imagine a better introduction to the subject than this three-disc anthology of soul classics centred on the Atlantic catalogue of the period. All the obvious choices are here, plus a generous selection of lesser-known gems like "Private Number" by William Bell and Judy Clay and Maxine Brown's "Oh No Not My Baby". Inevitably there's room for doubt over some tracks which could be said to be soft-centred, but mainly this is a fine selection.

Rating: 4 / 10