Like its predecessor, it's hard to discern why a particular song was chosen for inclusion on EMI-Capitol Special Markets' Soul Classics, Vol. 2, but that doesn't stop it from being a reasonably entertaining sampler of '70s and '80s soul. Because it covers so much ground, the collection is a little uneven, but there are a number of good singles -- including Ann Peebles' "I Pity the Fool," the Whispers' "Chocolate Girl" and O.V. Wright's "Trying to Live My Life Without You" -- that make up for the handful of misses. As a budget-priced collection, it certainly is acceptable, and it's frequently enjoyable. It's just too bad that the version of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" is a live recording, not the original hit. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide