A recent CD release reviewed

SALSOUL ORCHESTRA
The Anthology Salsoul
****

Thanks to Vincent Montana Jr and his all-star Orchestra, the Salsoul label had a house band every jot as impressive as Motown's Funk Brothers. The Cayre brothers were initially seeking to make Salsoul a label like Philly International with a twist of disco, but the players and session musicians who sat in the orchestra were capable of much more. Montana himself was a Philly Sound old hand (working in particular with MFSB), so he knew who to call and who to hire. The years he was at the orchestra's helm stand tall on this anthology, tracks such as the glorious Salsoul Hustle and the robust Chicago Bus Stop continuing to provide exhilarating highs. Much of this is down to the musicianship: few other bands could match the storming bravado and subtle touches that dominate Standing and Waiting on Love. One for the weekenders among you. www.salsoul.co.uk

Jim Carroll