Esquire: Soul Classics accomplishes the nigh-impossible mission of filling a compilation with a broad range of soul hits that never let up and work well together. Including hits from the 1950s, '60s and '70s, the album includes the Temptations' "Get Ready," the Isley Brothers' "Twist and Shout," Sam & Dave's "Soul Man," Ike & Tina Turner's "Proud Mary," the Delfonics' "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)," B.B. King's "The Thrill Is Gone" and the Main Ingredient's "Everybody Plays the Fool."
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John Bush, Rovi