Various Artists - Eccentric Soul: The Prix Label (2007)

Three years we told the world about Columbus, Ohio’s secret soul history, Numero returned to the scene of the crime for further exploration. Victim: Clem Price and George Beter’s no-rep custom studio Harmonic Sounds and its Prix imprint. Built around a few stray boxes of demos, including Penny & the Quarters’ uplifting “You And Me”—as featured in the 2010 film Blue Valentine—the balance of this 19-song collection is filled out with thrilling, previously released material by northern souldiers Joe King and the Royal Esquires, funk workouts from O.F.S. Unlimited, Mitch Mitchell & Gene King, the Soul Ensemble, and Chip Willis, dark, brooding deep soul from Marion Black, and heartstopping, salvation-seeking soul by Eddie Ray. Dante Carfagna’s notes provide crucial insight into Prix’s place on the local scene, and the package is illustrated with dozens of photographs, label scans, and a discographical survey of this brief, but brilliant early ’70s label.

Tracklisting:
01. Eddie Ray - Wait a Minute (3:30)
02. OFS Unlimited - Mystic (2:41)
03. Mitch Mitchell & Gene King - Never Walk Out on You (3:20)
04. Joe King - Speak on Up (3:02)
05. Royal Esquires - Ain't Gonna Run (2:14)
06. Eddie Ray - You Got Me (2:37)
07. Chip Willis & Double Exposure - I'm Gonna Gitcha (3:38)
08. Mitch Mitchell - Can't Get a Nuff (3:19)
09. Soul Ensemble - Melon Jelly (2:33)
10. Eddie Ray - Glad I Found You (2:42)
11. Marion Black - Listen Black Brother (4:08)
12. Royal Esquires - Our Love Used to Be (2:44)
13. OFS Unlimited - Mister Kidneys (2:05)
14. Mitch Mitchell & Gene King - Never Walk Out on You (Instrumental) (2:58)
15. Eddie Ray - Wait a Minute (Instrumental) (4:23)
16. Marion Black - Come on & Gettit (2:16)
17. Joe King - You're My Everything (3:14)
18. Harmonic Sounds Band - Untitled Studio Moves (1:01)
19. Eddie Ray - You Got Me (Demo) (2:27)
20. Penny & The Quarters - You and Me (2:41)
21. Jay Robinson - You Are Mine (3:06)