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VICKI ANDERSON
Mother Popcorn
Soul Brother
****

As far as James Brown was concerned, Vicki Anderson was the best singer he had ever worked with, a lady who could out-sing any funky soul diva you care to mention. Quite a claim, especially when you consider Brown's 1960s and 70s soul revues regularly housed the likes of Lyn (Think) Collins and Marva (It's My Thing) Whitney, but it's one backed up by this block-rocking anthology. Indeed, this is Anderson's first proper album release, something you'll regard as a startling oversight when you clock that voice soaring powerfully over the tightest rhythms and grooves The JBs and Famous Flames can muster. There are duets with Brown (Think, You've Got the Power) and her husband Bobby Byrd (You're Welcome, Stop On By), but it's the feminist clarion call that is The Message from the Soul Sisters that really sets out her stall as a soul show-stopper. www.soulbrother.co.uk