An English label that fills the quirky needs and desires of Northern Soul enthusiasts, Grapevine has unearthed 20 rare New Orleans soul tracks recorded between 1966 and 1978. Unless you have a deep collection of New Orleans 45s, or European New Orleans reissue vinyl LPs, you probably have not heard any of this material before. There’s some familiar names here including C. P. Love, Earl King, Betty Harris and Ernie K-Doe, but there are also some mystery artists here such as Ineel Young, the Herculoids, God’s Gift To Women and James K-Nine (I’m not kidding. That’s his nom-de-disque, and his Eddie Bo-produced “Counting Teardrops,” is a burner).

Naturally, Allen Toussaint is in the mix here as a writer and producer on several tracks. His collaboration with Diamond Joe on the telling “Don’t Set Me Back,” is a virtual template for gritty mid-1960s New Orleans soul. Ray Algere’s “You’re Driving Me Crazy,” from 1967 is a Toussaint blues ballad that is delivered with a lot of passion. Hard to believe this guy cut only one 45. The late Earl King stirs the pot here as a writer, producer and artist. C. P. Love delivers King’s “You Call The Shots,” magnificently. Also recorded by Johnny Adams (twice), King’s 1973 version of “A Part of Me” is one of his better performances. There is a hit here, Tony Owens’ flat-footed ballad, “Confessing a Feeling,” which briefly snuck into the R&B charts in 1970. From 1978, K-Doe’s clever “You Got To Love Me” is rough around the edges, but his delivery is as expected, spirited.

Very few of these tracks will make you instantly think, “That was recorded in New Orleans.” This set confirms there was certainly a drift away from the Crescent City sound—particularly the non-Toussaint productions—that occurred right around the time Afros and dashikis became fashionable. While there are some great inclusions here, there are also several awkward tracks. Just because it’s rare and recorded in New Orleans doesn’t mean it is good. Can’t really give this one a wholehearted endorsement, especially considering it’s a pricey import. But, it was good to finally hear the super rare K-Nine track.