October 1, 2021
Daptone
3xLP
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Daptone chose not the easy route to bask in their own greatness, but the right one — the bittersweet one. The Super Soul Revue was recorded live over the course of three nights at Harlem's Apollo Theatre in 2014, when foundational members of Daptone's roster (Charles Bradley, Naomi Shelton, and the label matriarch Sharon Jones) were still alive. So while 20 years of essential Soul and Funk music is certainly something to celebrate, there is no doubt a solemnity that pervades the impressive collection. It is as much a celebration of life as it is the success of the label, and that's something we can all get down with.