100% Purified Soul

Though James & Bobby were cousins, they didn't share a surname: 'Jim & Bobby Dickey' didn't have the same ring about it, however, and neither did 'Robert & James Purify', so 'James & Bobby Purify' it was. This is a 16-track compilation on the UK Charly R&B label from 1988 of some of the duo's most popular tunes.

I'd taken a chance on a '60s album of theirs (The Pure Sound Of The Purifys) six or seven years ago, and though the music was marvellous, the disc had been well-used and was in poor condition, so when this record came into my hands it took the place of the other one. It's a well put-together selection, with informative sleeve-notes by John Ridley, who makes a strong case for their being underappreciated talents too often overshadowed by their more successful contemporaries Sam & Dave.

James and Bobby benefitted from recording at the renowned FAME Studios in Alabama, with the expert backing of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Highlights on the album for me include their biggest hit 'I'm Your Puppet', along with 'You Left the Water Running' and the exuberant 'Shake a Tail Feather'.

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All Wrapped Up

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