Featuring songs from both sides of the Atlantic, Solid Gold Soul is a collection of classic soul that saw much more play in Europe than in America. Although most of the material originated in America, songs like William De Vaughn's "Be Thankful for What You've Got" were more popular in England, where soul enjoyed its own separate scene. Most of these songs are underrated gems, lacking the fame of the usual soul-collection inclusions but making up for it in atmosphere. This might be a little too obscure for the casual listener, but to those interested in how the genre affected Europe, this is an excellent primer featuring many of the more popular groups in the scene. The nice part is that they also include songs from several decades, which helps show the evolution of the genre on both sides of the ocean. With two CDs' worth of material, there are a few moments that drag; for the most part, though, this is a solid album that isn't essential, but would make a wonderful addition to any curious music fan's collection. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide