Black Ruby

Ruby Andrews' second album on Zodiac Records has many highs; it produced the minor hit "You Made a Believer Out of Me." Another cut, "Just Lovin' You," a 1968 mid-tempo romp with passionate wailing, has achieved cult status among European soul fans and to many makes this whole hard-to-find album worthwhile. Though Zodiac was based in Chicago, owner Ric Williams cut these tracks at Universal Studios in Memphis, TN, in an attempt to give the album Southern flavor. He didn't quite achieve his goal, as these sound like uptown cuts and not at all like what Carla Thomas was doing. Other picks include "(I Wanta Be) Whatever It Takes to Please You," "Overdose of Love," "My Love Is Comin' Down," and "Hound Dog." ~ Andrew Hamilton