Greatest Hits

Album Review

During the disco era of the mid- to late '70s, no female vocalist sang with more passion and authority than Loleatta Holloway. Her roots were Northern soul, and when she took dance clubs by storm with the classics heard on this 1996 compilation, the Chicago native never forgot disco's debt to soul and gospel. "Runaway," "Catch Me on the Rebound," "Hit and Run" and other exuberant hits (many recorded in Philadelphia) aren't Euro-disco a la the Silver Convention, Cerrone or Love and Kisses, but are distinctly American gems showing how powerful it could be when Philly soul gave way to Philly disco/soul. "Love Sensation" influenced '90s rap singles ranging from Marky Mark's "Good Vibrations" to Biscuit's "My Music." Though fast tempos dominate the superb collection of Salsoul and Gold Mind material, "Worn Out Broken Heart" and Curtis Mayfield's "What Now" illustrate her excellence with ballads. For anyone with even a casual interest in disco, this superb CD is essential listening.