While the late Johnnie Taylor is unjustly left out when the great soul singers are discussed, consider that Taylor sold more records for the Stax and Malaco labels than any other artist. In between, he notched the first platinum single ever for CBS. In the pantheon of soul music, Johnnie Taylor is a pillar, and this CD is an amazing time capsule from 1972. Granted, Taylor and the band are occasionally on the wrong page, but J. T. sings with hardcore passion.

The set opens with the Memphis burner, “Take Care of Your Homework,” and as stated, Taylor and the band don’t always jell, especially on the awkward breaks. Taylor slows down the pace on the bluesy “Little Bluebird” and “Steal Away” (another awkward stretch) but he gets the soul brothers and sisters on the floor on for the awesome version of “Who’s Makin’ Love.” Taylor then drops the tempo for an amazing rendition of “Hello Sundown”—what a magnificent and convincing cheating song—where he really works the audience. Taylor ends the set with an extended version of the soul anthem “Jody’s Got Your Girl and Gone” which will knock you clean out of sight. Not a perfect release, but a wonderful reminder of the classic era of soul music.