TITLE: The Essential Patti Labelle & The Essential O'Jays

ARTIST: Patti Labelle/ The O'Jays

STARS: 5 out of 5 Stars

SOUNDS LIKE: Some good old Philly Soul

If any two musical entities personify the Philly Soul sound it's Patti Labelle and the O'Jays. These two new Legacy Essential CDS covers the careers of both of these successful Philadelphia-based acts from their 1960s roots to the present.

Legacy is good about putting together these Essential collections from various artists. They cover the defining music from the careers of artists in gospel, jazz and R &B with highly satisfying results.

What I like about these Essential collections is that it allows the listener to hear the essence of a particular artist and not just simply a collection of their greatest hits. Sure some of the hits are here, but it's mostly the music that defines the artist style or a particular phase in their career.

The Essential Patti Labelle is a 30 song collection of her career on two CDs. It covers her career from her work with the Blue Belles, starting with 1963's bubble gum sounding "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman," to the more sophisticated "On My Own" duet with Michael McDonald.

There's some previously unreleased stuff here as well like the juke joint sounding "Mean Ol' Man's World."

Only a handful of the songs cover Labelle's work with her group the Blue Belles such as their first hit "Lady Marmalade." Most of the music on the two CD covers her solo career including "What Can I Do for You?," "My Love, Sweet Love" from the "Waiting to Exhale" movie soundtrack and "New Attitude."

Patti Labelle is know for singing everything from pop to ballads in a wide ranging, highly emotive style. This collection illustrates what a truly great voice she is.

The jazzier Patti Labelle "Live in Washington DC," captured during her 1982 live performance at Constitution Hall, is also available.

Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bill Isles and Bobby Massey, together they form The O'Jays, Philly Soul's signature band. Their blend of rich harmonies, lush strings and smooth brand of funk made them one of the most popular groups of all time.

The two CD set opens with 1963's "Lonely Drifter," their first charting single and other doo-wop flavored tunes from the group's early years. It doesn't take long for the whole affair to move into recognizable territory with familiar tunes like "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train."

Both Essential collections give the listener hours of feel good music from a feel good time.