Complete RCA Hits and More

Liner Note Author: David Nathan .
Released by the Real Gone label in 2016, The Complete RCA Hits and More was the second two-disc Evelyn "Champagne" King anthology, beaten to the punch two years prior by the U.K.-based BBR, who put together Action: The Evelyn "Champagne" King Anthology, 1977-1986. Beyond physical presentation, the differences between the two packages aren't drastic. Both options are viable and do right by King, an artist behind some of the finest danceable R&B of the disco and post-disco eras. Most importantly, like Action, this features the superior 12" versions of King's big four: the T. Life-produced disco-funk classics "Shame" and "I Don't Know If It's Right," and the Kashif-produced sparkling boogie jams "I'm in Love" and "Love Come Down." The other 16 King singles that hit Billboard's R&B chart through 1986 are likewise represented, and there's a selection of deeper cuts, like "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," taken from Warren Schatz's Hair-inspired Disco Spectacular (a throw-in curiosity more than anything else). Going strictly by the musical content, this is a contraction of Legacy's 30-track The Essential Evelyn "Champagne" King (2015), a download/streaming-only set that adds nonessentials "Make Up Your Mind," "If You Want My Lovin'," "Take a Chance," and "Better Deal" to what's here. This features liner notes from David Nathan and fresh quotes from King. ~ Andy Kellman