Iceman: The Mercury Years compiles 44 tracks from the talented
Butler's mostly successful 1965-1974 stint at the label. Despite his hits and classics with the label, he didn't start off with gangbusters there. He did steady himself somewhat with "I Dig You Baby" and "Mr. Dream Merchant." Just as his fortunes seemed to be drifting downward,
Butler rebounded by 1967. Iceman: The Mercury Years makes no bones about its unabashed emphasis on
Butler's work with Kenny Gamble,
Leon Huff, and Thom Bell. Not surprisingly, the tracks included prove the point. The big hits -- including "Only the Strong Survive," "Hey, Western Union Man," and "A Brand New Me" -- lose nothing in a greatest-hits format. Still, some of the lesser-known songs from Ice on Ice and The Iceman Cometh certainly weren't the best choice for this compilation. Away from Gamble & Huff and back in Chicago,
Butler's early-'70s work was typified by the strong and dramatic sounds of the area. Interestingly enough, this set gets its most interesting and instructive moments centering on
Butler's Mercury decline. Songs like "Special Memory," "How Did We Lose It," and "If It's Real" aren't great, but certainly retain their strength among the better-known tracks. While his 1973 hit duet, "Ain't Understanding Mellow," is included, other great tracks of the period, like "That's the Way It Was (That's the Way It Is)" and his great cover of
Carole King's "So Far Away," didn't make it here. All in all, Iceman: The Mercury Years does offer great songs, but the original albums might be more sufficient. ~ Jason Elias