Bartell, Nathan: s/t LP

Georgia-born soul singer Nathan Bartell cut a number of obscure deep funk, soul and disco singles in the 1970s and early '80s, most of which are on the wants-list of some of the world's most enthusiastic and knowledgeable record collectors. Athens of the North is therefore doing a good deed by collecting these sought-after "sides" together on an album for the very first time. The self-titled set does a great job of introducing us to Bartell's soulful world via a mixture of righteous funk floor-burners, emotional slow jams, Southern soul numbers, slick boogie numbers and '80s soul treats. In other words, it's a much-needed retrospective of one of underground soul's genuine forgotten talents.