Randy Brown - Welcome To My Room

Randy Brown - Welcome To My Room (Parachute/Casablanca 1978)
Randy Brown is a great soul vocalist and this, his first album, is the REAL DEAL. This must be one of the best soul albums of all time, so it's amazing how it hasn't crossed over into the mainstream, but fortunately time serves all great art. This record fits nicely next to Marvin Gaye, LeRoy Hutson, Teddy Pendergrass, Leon Ware et al. In other words, soul masters. In terms of soulfulness, this album has it all - something for lovers of deep soul (I'd Rather Hurt Myself), 70s modern soul (Always In The Mood) and rare groove (Love Is All We Need) - all in one package! I read somewhere that many soul fans hail the song "Too Little In Common" as the greatest of all time, it's easy to see why - real honest deep soul sung from the heart, soul doesn't come much deeper than this! Randy went on to record 3 more LPs for Casablanca, namely Intimately (1979), Midnight Desire (1980) and Randy (1981).

J R Bailey – Just Me N' You

J R Bailey – Just Me N' You (MAM 1974)
For one of the all-time underground soul classics, look no further than this gem of an album. Still unknown to many unfortunate ears, J R Bailey and his Just Me N' You set is comparable with soul's greatest. Like many cult soul artists, Bailey penned all of this beautiful album and numerous soul classics for other performers. A few highlights to mention, although there are many, are the sublime opus "After Hours / Heaven On Earth", and the original versions of "Love Love Love" (also recorded by Donny Hathaway) and the title-track (later cut by Eramus Hall). This is an album overdue wider critical acclaim, acquire it if you can.