CLARENCE CARTER - The Fame Singles Volume 1 1966-70

Worth the price of admission for one song alone: Clarence's version of "The Dark End Of The Street," which he re-titles "Making Love (At The Dark End Of The Street)." Carter reinvents the track using an introductory monologue that sheds new light on the "best cheatin' song ever." Although this material has been previously available, it's never sounded this good and is complemented by the usual top-notch liner notes from the Kent Soul crew. One of the best soul reissues of the year!

"Before he was "Strokin'," Carter was writing and performing tunes with one of the best group of musicians in the world including those cats from Detroit, Memphis, and The Wrecking Crew in Calfornia. Who says small towns can’t produce great things? That Fame is relatively unheralded today is a shame, but this ongoing series is sure to revive interest for those willing to listen." - Record Racks

The audio quality on something as common as the sexy "Looking For A Fox" and the sly slink of "Slip Away" is suddenly new and fresh—a top job done. The punch of the drums and guitar on the salacious "Back Door Santa" is unbelievable, as it is on the "Tell Mama" soundalike "Tell Daddy." The vocal line prompted to him by a staffer as he sings "I Smell A Rat" is still audible, as is the guitar work on the fabulously bluesy and criminally forgotten B-side "The Road Of Love." - Mark at the Flicks