Soul music doesn't get much sweeter or sublime than this collection, which focuses on the songwriting talents of Washington DC-born Van McCoy. Remembered by the public at large for his infectious disco groove and classic hit, 'The Hustle,' from 1975, McCoy – who succumbed to a fatal heart attack in 1979 at the age of 35 – is revered by soul fans for the glorious music he wrote and produced in the 1960s and '70s.

There are 24 tracks on this superbly-annotated assemblage, which spans the years 1962-1976. It kicks off with Erma Franklin's terrific version of the McCoy-co-penned floater, 'I Get The Sweetest Feeling.' The song, of course, was immortalised by the dynamic Jackie Wilson, Franklin's label mate at Brunswick but rather than include Wilson's famous take on it (it already appears on countless soul compilations of course) the compilers at Kent have opted to feature Wilson's version of McCoy's 'I've Lost You' instead.

In fact, the good and the great from the soul world are featured here, from Erma's sister, Aretha (a rare outtake from her Atlantic 'Lady Soul' LP, 'So Soon'), Gladys Knight & The Pips, Betty Everett, Nina Simone, Irma Thomas, Chuck Jackson, Esther Phillips (when she was known as 'Little Esther Phillips'), Nancy Wilson, G.C. Cameron, Barbara Lewis and Jerry Butler. One of the best performances on the CD is by the great Donny Hathaway, whose powerful 1971 Atlantic recording of McCoy's 'Giving Up,' is transformed into a blues-drenched cathartic lament under the expert guidance of producers Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin.

It's good, also, to find the title cut from singer Sharon Ridley's collectable 1971 Sussex album, 'Stay A Little While With Me' included as well as tracks by less familiar names like The Ad Libs, Teri Thornton, Ruby & The Romantics, The Spellbinders and Billy T Soul. Also listen put for Melba Moore's 1976 barnstorming rendition for Buddah of 'Lean On Me.' Spine-tingling stuff. Accompanied by detailed and informative liner notes, this is a fabulous anthology that pays homage to the prolific songwriting genius of Van Allen Clinton McCoy. No self-respecting soul fan should be without this wonderful CD.