I know we rave over every comp that Numero drops, but this is really something else: a ridiculously thorough compact disc / dual booklet documentation of NYC's Tap (1981-1983) featuring nearly every side the label released. Numero followers will recognize a few tracks that've had their own 12" reissues (Jackie Stoudemire's outstanding disco shoulda-been "Invisible Wind(1)," the early disco rap styles on "Missy Missy Dee(2)" and "Rub A Dub Dub(3)") but many of the songs included here are being heard for the first time since their release, only recently unearthed from label founder Jeremiah Yisrael's collection. Check Arnie Love & The Lovettes with "Stop & Make Up Your Mind(4)" and their own take on "Invisible Wind," Annette Denvil's "So Nice(5)," and Bonnie Freeman's raw soul on the bonus track "Does He Really Mean It(6)." This CD edition comes housed in a slipsleeve, which holds two booklets (a reproduction song book and 23 pages of history/liners) plus a digipak for the CD. 14 tracks. Definitely recommended.

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red