Three Malaco Brothers

As seen in Soul Express

Soulscape keeps on delving into Malaco’s vaults and finding solid material. Malaco Soul Brothers, vol. 1 (SSCD 7017; 25 tracks, 76 min.; liners by John Ridley) introduces us to Chuck Brooks, Joe Wilson and George Soule, and there are as many as ten previously unreleased tracks.

Chuck Brooks (9 tracks) cut a lot of funk and pop for Mercury, Chimneyville, GSF and Malaco between 1972 and 1977, but he recorded some convincing slow material, too. Loneliness (Is a Friend of Mine) is a pleading soul ballad, but the pretty A Little Bit More leans heavily on country and pop. I Believe in Love is a lush big ballad, whereas What Would We Do without Music is a perky pop mover. In the 80s and 90s Chuck became known mainly as a writer and producer and a partner of Carl Hampton.

Joe Wilson’s (13 tracks) ’71 – ’73 releases on Malaco, Dynamo and Avco were produced by Wardell Quezergue, and again among them there were some fast poppy songs, such as (Don’t Let Them) Blow Your Mind, Let a Broken Heart Come in and Sweetness. At time Joe’s voice distantly reminds you of Clyde McPhatter. When a Man Cries is an impressive Southern soul ballad, which has appeared on a few other compilations earlier. Other richly orchestrated and touching slowies include Our Love Is Strong, Sour Love, Bitter Sweet and You Need Me.

George Soule (3 tracks) is a blue-eyed musician, writer and producer, who’s still active today. Talkin’ about Love and The Easiest Thing I’ve Ever Done are both pop, but That’s Why I’m a Man (demo) is a slow and convincing testimony with a soul feel to it. Since this CD was volume one, it means that there’s still more to come.