Paul Kelly – Hot Runnin’ Soul – The Singles 1965-71 CD (Kent)

A long overdue salute to one of the most admired singer-songwriters in the history of Southern soul, Florida’s Paul Kelly is widely considered to be one of soul’s most outstanding talents. His impressive catalogue has been somewhat under-represented in the digital era but Kent’s comprehensive collection of all of his solo singles from 1965-1971 goes a long way towards rectifying that.

Here are two dozen wonderful tracks, produced in Miami, Muscle Shoals, Memphis and Nashville that exemplify what Southern soul was about during the second half of the 1960s. With songs written by Paul as well as by notable writers such as Clarence Reid and Joe Tex, the standard of the performances never falls below fantastic.

All tracks are presented in their original single versions, with many being reissued here for the first time ever.

Anyone who has bought recent Kent CDs by Arthur Conley and George Jackson, “The FAME Studios Story” box or the earlier “Take Me To The River” set will find this an equally essential purchase.  – Ace Records