Order The New Boss today

Order Love You Save today

Joe Tex
The New Boss / Hold What You've Got
The Love You Save / I've Got To Do A Little Bit Better
  Connoisseur Collection

These two new reissues constitute possibly the most important soul reissues this year. Other than a few greatest hits/best of collections, Joe Tex has been seriously neglected in this age of CDs. What we have here are his first four LPs for Atlantic Records, recorded in the mid-60s. No less important an artist than Wilson Pickett or Solomon Burke, Tex had many top10 soul hits.

These early Atlantic releases included such wonderful tracks as "Hold What You've Got," "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)," the incredible "Watch The One (That Brings The Bad News)," and the blockbuster hit "Show Me." 

Tex had two back-to-back Number One hits with "A Sweet Woman Like You" and "I Want To Do (Everything For You)," both of which are present here. Also included is Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel," done in a very soulful Tex rendition.

Hopefully we'll see additional release in this series as Tex recorded at least four more important albums for Atlantic, one of which had his biggest hit, "Skinny Legs And All." 

Sadly, Joe Tex passed away in 1982 after suffering a heart attack. When the history of soul music is examined, Joe Tex will be recognized as one of it's elite pioneers, and his music will be listened to for decades to come. These releases deserve the highest recommendation.

--- Alan Shutro