Ella Washington – This Must Be Love (2010)

Born in Miami, Ella Washington began her career in local clubs, but her real breakthrough came when she moved to Tennessee and signed with Sound Stage 7. The 16-track album "This Must Be Love" is a wonderful retrospective of her work, featuring songs from her iconic 1969 LP as well as rare singles from the early 1970s.

Jukebox Entertainment released this digital compilation in December 2010. However, the material itself is a treasure trove of classics from the late 1960s and early 1970s, when Ella Washington recorded in Nashville for the legendary soul label Sound Stage 7 under the guidance of renowned producer and radio DJ John R.

This 2010 compilation is an excellent, comprehensive anthology for those looking to explore the legacy of one of the most powerful, yet unfortunately commercially underappreciated, soul divas of the American Southern scene. The atmosphere of late-'60s Nashville, lively horns, Bergen White's soft keyboard arrangements, and outstanding vocals make this release a must-listen for all lovers of vintage black music.