Doris Troy: Doris Troy - 1970

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Dating from 1970, an all-star cast of early seventies names supported Northern Soul legend Doris Troy on her only release for the Apple label - George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Stephen Stills, Leon Russell, Billy Preston, Klaus Voorman, Delaney & Bonnie amongst others and Troy co-wrote many of the songs with various of them.

The album has a fine sound to it - big, full and punchy and Doris is in fine voice throughout. Nowhere is this better exemplified than on the ballsy, soulful opener Ain’t That Cute, a Harrison co-write. Just listen to that superb bass line too. Stephen Stills' Special Care is a big, brassy and soulful rocker too. 

This material is utilising a powerful, gospelly soul voice like Troy's to enhance its rock-based material. Don't Call Me No More is another upbeat number while the traditional spiritual Jacob's Ladder is given an unsurprisingly enthusiastic, soaring treatment. 

Anyone expecting a Northern Soul sound on this album will not get it, it is a rock-soul album all the way and for that reason it seems to divide critics. Not me, though, I'm fine with its rocking, punchy sound.

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