Written by Chris “Preach” Smith

If you’re anything like me, Sundays are your last day of relief before you settle into a routine of madness called the American work week. You’re either cleaning, trying to recuperate from Saturday night’s activities or just trying to take it easy. As I sat back and did some cleaning, I decided to take a listen to Truth and Soul Records’ latest compilation, Fallin’ Off The Reel Vol.2. The Brooklyn, New York label has released the songs on this album primarily on vinyl in 7″ and 12″ format in a limited amount of copies and now have re-released these tunes on CD to spread
the soul to a wider audience.

Truth and Soul Records pride themselves on delivering solid, captivating songs that possess a great fusion of funk, soul, salsa and jazz. The mix by DJ Akalepse brings out some rich flavor, beginning with the contributions by the increasingly popular El Michels Affair. Although “The PJ’s (From Afar)” has been afforded wide release already, it appears here along with a bonus instrumental track and a smoothed out joint, “This One’s For My Baby”. Another notable group is Bronx River Parkway, a Latin soul collective of musicians from New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico. “La Valla” is a hard driving gritty piece of music propelled by heavy horns and trumpets. “Me Toca” went well with my Bacardi and Coke as its smoky guitar and conga combination made me mellow to the point of nodding off.

“Fallin’ Off The Reel Vol.2″ also reaches back into the past with Tyrone Ashley’s cover of the Four Tops classic “Can’t Help Myself” and Black Velvet’s “Is It Me You Really Love,” which should be a key component to any future mixtapes with its strong vocals and some delicate organ and trumpet harmony. Listening to this compilation made me nostalgic in the sense that I could see my parents listening to this back in the bell-bottom era. With this album, Truth and Soul Records has created a new idea of Sunday soul for the masses.

Fallin’ Off the Reel Vol.2 Megamix

Truth & Soul MySpace

Truth & Soul Imeem

Truth & Soul Official Site