Lost in the Shuffle

Every week I will feature one album that everyone should own.

The purpose of this column is quite simple. Think back and recall one time when you were going through your CD or album collection. Then you stumbled across something you hadn’t listened to in a long time.

After popping it into your sound system, you thought, “Hey, I should listen to this more often.”

Actually, that’s what I’ll be doing on a weekly basis.

So, get ready to search through those old CDs, records, tapes or eight tracks. And if you don’t own it, go out and buy it.

Our first “must have” is the Beautiful Girls soundtrack.

This album provides a wide array of musical sounds with something for everyone.

A rendition of “That’s How Strong My Love Is” performed by Roland Gift is the first track on the album. You might recognize his unique vocals from him fronting The Fine Young Cannibals.

This version sounds nothing like when Otis Redding performed it — instead, Gift provides an unusual, contemporary twist to the classic soul song.

Another jewel on this soundtrack is “Suffering,” performed by Satchel. Lead singer and pianist Shawn Smith provides vocals that soar above this piano-based ballad.

Chris Isaak brings a folk/country flavor to the album with “Graduation Day.” With acoustic guitar as the back drop, Isaak’s plaintive vocals create the signature melancholy in this coming of age tune.

Regardless of what you consider as being “a classic”, there’s several songs on this album that should fit the bill.

If you like R&B, “Groove Me” by King Floyd and “Me and Mrs. Jones” performed by Billy Paul provides you with your classic R&B fix. Both were recorded in the early seventies.

For those who like their music tough yet tender, there’s the classic “Beth”. Break out the cigarette lighters and the kleenex, as Kiss performs the ultimate power ballad.

For your dose of cheese whiz that should come in every soundtrack, there’s “Sweet Caroline” by the one and only Neil Diamond.

This album, released in 1996, provides the listener with plethora a of sounds.