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The sampler from the July issue of Uncut is just wonderful, full of terrific tracks like Little Willie John's seldom heard cover of "Fever" (my favorite version ever!), Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)," Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang" and Bill Dodgett's "Honky Tonk (Part 2)."  Most of the songs can easily be found on other cds, but all of them gathered together on one disc make this extra awesome...worth the rather hefty cost of the magazine...whether you read it or not! :)

Here are some tidbits from the sampler write-up accompanying it:

-Sam Cooke joined the Soul Stirrers at the age of 15 in 1950...and seven years later would hit it big as a solo artist with "You Send Me."

-Smokey Robinson's "Shop Around" was Motown's first chart-topping, million-dollar selling single.

-Ray Charles would often perform "What'd I Say (Parts 1 & 2)" at the very end of his concerts, saying after it was over: 'That's the end for me. There ain't no encore, no nothin'. I'm finished."