Slave

Slave was a tight self-contained band with strength in many areas. Stephen Washington could produce, while Starlena Young, Steve Arrington, and Curt Jones could blow. Their consortium songs were top shelf, as was their musicianship. From the Archives contains every track from their Stone Jam album plus a few of their monster hits to make this an incredibly potent package. Young shines on "Let's Spend Some Time," a straight diva jam. "Feel My Love" and "Just a Touch of Love" are prime examples of Slave's bounce beat, with horns hitting spaces, and Young chirping the chorus behind the lead vocal. Even ballads like "Starting All Over" have a beat (this is a particularly fine duet with either Arrington or Jones cutting with Young). Soul Train favorite "Slide" got Slave off the mark and is as hypnotic as ever; likewise for the Arrington-led "Watching You" and the soft, flowing "Dreamin'." A sizzling guitar solo accents "Never Get Away" and the partying "Stone Jam." ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide