Carla Whitney with Choker Campbell & the Super Sounds (1975)

Carla Whitney is an obscure soul singer from Canada who cut just one album, backed by Choker Campbell & the Super Sounds, for the Attic label. Arranged and produced by Campbell himself (a little known producer and artist who worked for Motown at one time), it is strung together beautifully throughout. The album was issued in 1975, a time when funk was no longer dominating and on the way out, and disco was wheedling its way onto the dance floors. What is heard on this album doesn't hint at that transition though, as what is to be found here is a no-nonsense, straight-ahead soul and funk record. The first song, ‘Questions’ starts off with an explosion of strings and then is kept chugging along with rich bass work, while ‘What Made You Change Your Mind’ is a wonderfully charming and melodic three-minute slice of soul. Another gem is the single ‘I've Been Hurt (So Many Times)’. Starting with a simple guitar melody, it slowly blooms into a full expression of itself with horns and strings adding to the mix. Complimenting the soul are the great funkin' tracks marching along side them. The cover of the Rolling Stones ‘Gimme Shelter’ is just sublime and the same can be said of the underground classic ‘War’ and the igneous funk smasher 'It's You for Me'. The songs are mainly original compositions, with the lyrics penned by Carla and Mr. Campbell. Not enough kudos can be given to the singer, the producer and the unlisted session musicians: the whole package it's just magnificent. Even if the album is not given an official title, the songs do sound great side-by-side and that's what really counts. I am sure you are going to love this! http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.allmusic.com/.