Unlike most compilations that serve as record label promotion, Putumayo has always favored themed releases with tracks licensed from other labels. Rhythm & Blues documents R&B’s mid-period between its jump blues origins and today’s polished, quieter urban variety, and it emphasizes the newer cats who carry on the retro tradition. No theme is ever perfect, and in this case it could be argued that New Orleans’ soul queen Irma Thomas, the late, great Snooks Eaglin (who does a magnifcent reading of Earl King’s “A Mother’s Love”) and the late Rockie Charles are not part of any new breed movement since they never changed their style to be fashionably hip. When it comes to collections like these, any selection from Brit blue-eyed soulster James Hunter won’t come as a surprise, but those from the charismatic Cracked Ice and Quantic Soul Orchestra featuring Kabir certainly will. As a whole, Rhythm & Blues is analogous to good FM radio programming with a well-designed fow.