TITLE: "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia" (Legacy)

ARTISTS: Various Philly Soul artists including: The Spinners, Billy Paul, The O'Jays, The Manhattans, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes...

STARS: 5 Out of 5 Stars

SOUNDS LIKE: Sophisticated soul with sweet vocals, lush strings and funk rhythms. The best of Phillly Soul.

I don't understand this recent fascination with the Philly Soul sound. Sure it's good music. Who doesn't get a good old school party vibe listening to the O'Jay's "Backstabbers" or The Spinners "I'll Be Around?"

But in the past 12 months, I've reviewed: "The Sound of Philadelphia:Gamble and Huff's Greatest Hits," "Conquer the World: The Lost Soul Of Philadelphia International Records," "The Essential Patti Labelle and The Essential O'Jays." And that's OK.

The latest from Legacy on the Philly Soul sound "Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia," can make the argument that's it's more comprehensive than those earlier releases mentioned. This 4 CD box set covers everyone from the Spinners to the O'Jays to Lou Rawls and any other artist whose ever recorded with the legendary Philadelphia International Records.

This 71 track opus has all the hits like "Love Train," Use Ta Be My Girl" but it also has multiple B-sides, album cuts and other hit single tracks recorded at the studios between 1971 and 1983.

What distinguished the Philly Soul sound from Motown and Stax was its more stylish sound. It's wasn't as pop-oriented as Motown nor as raw as Stax Records. But with sweetly delivered vocals, lush strings arrangements and hints of jazz, Philly Soul was considered grown folks music back then.

It was also more urbane and far reaching in scope, approaching everything from unrequited love to family loyalty and racial unity. It's strongly sentimental yet highly energetic and entertaining. That makes this the perfect box set for any house party, family reunion or stone soul picnic.