Various Artists / Eccentric Soul: Smart's Palace
Album: Eccentric Soul: Smart's Palace   Collection:General
Artist:Various Artists   Added:Apr 2009
Label:The Numero Group  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2009-05-17 Pull Date: 2009-07-19
Week Ending: Jul 19 Jul 5 Jun 14 Jun 7 May 31 May 24
Airplays: 2 1 1 3 2 5

Recent Airplay
1. Oct 01, 2013: Sunshine . . . in the Afternoon
Inflation
4. Sep 02, 2010: Elite Syncopations
Barefoot Philly
2. Jun 04, 2013: Sunshine . . . in the Afternoon
I Was Made To Love Her
5. May 29, 2010: New World Disorder
Barefoot Philly
3. Jun 28, 2012: Sunshine . . . in the Afternoon
Barefoot Philly
6. Apr 14, 2010: Sunshine ... in the Afternoon
It's Your Love

Album Review
Sadie O.
Reviewed 2009-05-18
Eccentric Soul – Smart’s Palace
Reviewed by Sadie O., 5/12/09
Deep Kansas (Wichita!) soul from the late 60’s-early 70’s. Record label and nightclub were the same entity, and most of the tracks feel like you’ve just walked into a completely swingin’ juke joint. Covers quite a range of soul styles of the period – unfortunately ends up trying to be Barry White. But up til the last couple tracks, it’s seriously hot – great band and vocalists.
Warning – levels aren’t very high.
No FCCs detected. I like 4, 8 and 16 best.
1. 3:00 ***very slow soul blues, live recording, kinda muddy sound but great vocals.
2. 2:55 ***mellow, a bit downtempo, a bit “Grazin in the Grass” feel – great high harmonies.
3. 2:25 **odd little guitar intro, then downtempo minimalist bluesy stroll, impassioned solo vocals.
4. 3:07 ****downtempo Philly Dog shuffle, cool drum sound and handclaps, gnarly sax solo.
5. 4:22 **slow mellow minor key instrumental sway with prominent organ and a bit of horn section. For the life of me, I’m not hearing the cover, though… Beat gets more complex and funky midway through.
6. 2:12 ***sleigh bells and bass, midtempo funky soul strut.
7. 2:48 **dramatic intro, then doubletime soul groove, tenor vocals.
8. 3:02 ****midtempo funk – nice bass work, horn section, vocal harmonies – what more do you need?
9. 2:36 **happy uptempo keyboard-based shimmy, both male and female vocals. Hyperactive wah-wah guitar, too.
10. 4:10 ***electronic intro (!), then midtempo Black Power soul groove with spoken vocals, socio-political diatribe.
11. 3:43 **swingy midtempo strut, quite simple, spoken vocals, more socio-political commentary.
12. 3:01 **uptempo soul dance instrumental, guitar and bass shine, along with sax.
13. 2:44 ***midtempo, a bit of a Mustang Sally feel, fine vocals with soul screams. Funny lyrics about dances going passé.
14. 2:30 **swingy midtempo soul strut, live recording, sweet vocals.
15. 3:03 **very low-key intro (mostly bass), then midtempo relaxed sweet soul groove, smooth vocals
16. 2:32 ****uptempo strut, strong vocals with lots of depth. Simple lyrics, simple song structure, but it works.
17. 2:56 **uptempo, lead vocals with backing harmonies.
18. 4:37 Oh dear… ho ho ho, Merry Christmas intro… slow “slow dance” groove, perfect lead vocals. Things have gotten MUCH slicker since track 1!
19. 5:04 Oooh, this is positively creepy! Ultra smooth groove with a bit of a samba beat, and unctuous spoken vocals. I’ll bet he has gherrie curls… Ithink this actually qualifies as “so bad it’s good”, but it creeps me the hell out!

Track Listing
 ArtistTrack Name
1. Baby Neal & The Smart Brothers I'm Not Ashamed
2. Theron & Darrell I Was Made To Love Her
3. Fred Williams & The Jewels Band Tell Her
4. Smart Brothers Barefoot Philly
5. Chocolate Snow A Day In The Life
6. Baby Neal & The Smart Brothers Lorraine
7. L.T. & The Soulful Dynamics Everybody Needs Somebody
8. Theron & Darrell It's Your Love
9. Hard Road Featuring C.C. Neal If You Really Love Me
10. Chocolate Snow Inflation
11. Kenneth Carr With John Smart's Band Don't Hate Let's Communicate
12. John Smart's Band Herbie's Bag
13. Fred Williams & The Jewels Band The Dance Got Old
14. Smart Brothers With Baby Neal I've Got A Funny Feeling
15. L.T. & The Soulful Dynamics Crazy About You Baby
16. Tim Jacob Mercy Baby
17. Hard Road Featuring C.C. Neal Dedicated To You
18. Chocolate Snow Let Me Be Your Christmas Toy
19. Chocolate Snow It's Like Heaven