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Editorial Reviews

Rhino's Definitive compilations usually place all the right tracks at the listener's disposal, and this one, by Scotland's Average White Band is no exception. The Definitive Groove Collection is filled with 30 tracks over two CDs with remastered sound. a solid set of liner notes written by Hua Hsu, photos, and a slipcase; all for a fair budget price. This is how compilations should be done. The set documents their Atlantic period -- they released one album with MCA previous to this, but it was of no consequence -- from 1974-1979. Everything one needs is here, from "Pick Up the Pieces," and "Cut the Cake," to "School Boy Crush," "Work to Do," (an Isley Brothers cover) to "Groovin' the Night Away." All of these cuts appear on disc one! But the musical surprises come on disc two, when one hears how AWB evolved from a simple excellently styled funk band after James Brown's J.B.'s, to an elegant soul and pop band who could lay down the dirty funk any time they chose. Check the cuts "Soul Searching," the three cuts with Ben E. King fronting, including "A Star in the Ghetto," and "Get It Up," and their truly amazing version of the Burt Bacharach classic "Walk on By," and it will be obvious what a solid treasure this band was during the disco era. This was a band who didn't need the all that flash and pizzazz, because it was already in their sound. Recommended. Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

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