Eccentric Soul: The Big Mack Label
Is it possible that soul is the most malleable of all popular music genres?  That the form and conventions of soul music are sturdy enough to help create moving and entertaining sounds regardless of the strengths or sophistication of the performer?  The Numero Group'sEccentric Soulseries has already proven three times over (with their Capsoul, Bandit and Deep City Label compilations) that there's a wealth of unheard independently-produced soul music waiting for those willing to dig through the old record bins, andThe Big Mack Labelcompilation continues that endeavor.   Big Mack was Ed McCoy, a Detroit businessman who from the mid 60s to the early 80s offered anyone with $14.95 and a dream the chance to walk in off the street and cut a track in his studio.  The good, bad and ugly results of this democratic approach are all captured here - from Edd Henry's witty "Your Replacement Is Here" and the nearly-sublime harmony of Bob & Fred's "I'll Be On My Way" to the faux-eroticism of Essence's cover of "Fever".  What's most compelling about this collection is that it captures these performers with their strengths and flaws intact, in what was likely their one shot at immortality - you can almost imagine yourself in the mix, plunking down $14.95 to chase your own aspirations of fame, with one take to shoot for the stars.--Ben Heege