Always on point, and never rare for rarity's sake, the Eccentric Soul series on Numero has produced another fine compilation, this time showcasing the much heard-about, seldom-head Big Mack label of Detroit. The label (as you'll find out in the detailed liner notes) produced 45s in miniscule numbers and was plagued by financial woes; it existed, in one form or another, through the 1980s, but this collection focuses on its wild heyday – the early-to-mid 60s. While the Motown influences are undeniable on tracks like Edd Henry's "Your Replacement Is Here(1)," and you can hear the Stax sound in stuff like the Manhattens' "The Feeling Is Mutual(2)," the Big Mack style was not dominated or defined by any particular sound. You'll hear proto-garage in the Performers' "Mini Skirt(3)" and doo-wop in the Manhattens' "Why Should I Cry(4)." And you'll damn sure melt when you hear Essence's sultry take on Peggy Lee's "Fever(5)" – this is shit the shit that'll be making your walls sweat this summer. Included as bonus tracks are 3 instrumental versions of songs off the compilation. 19 tracks total.

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red