Golden Age of Black Music: 1960-1970

This is part of Atlantic's 40th Anniversary Series.
Liner Note Author: Robert Pruter.
Beginning slowly and soulfully with its first three R&B classics, this excellent 16-song package lives up to its title, while representing only a slice of the legendary black music from this worthy label. Arthur Conley never again came close to "Sweet Soul Music," but it's as potent a tribute to Southern soul as you could want. Aretha Franklin has almost a third of the tunes here, but who's complaining? Two tunes by the underrated Clarence Carter are a treat, as is the album-closing "Rainy Night in Georgia" by the dignified yet soulful Brook Benton. ~ Mark Allan