When Malaco released this "best-of" collection on its Waldoxy label in 1994, it had been 17 years since
King Floyd's departure from the company. After all that time,
Floyd was still among the first names that came up during a discussion of Malaco's history. Recording
Floyd was certainly among Malaco's finest accomplishments, and
Choice Cuts offers considerable evidence of that fact. This 15-song CD, which spans 1970-1977, contains all of
Floyd's major hits, including "Baby Let Me Kiss You," "Woman Don't Go Astray," and his signature song, "Groove Me." Equally strong is
Floyd's cover of
Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle," which had been a major hit for
Patti Drew in 1968 and received the rock & roll treatment from
the Black Crowes in 1990. Those gems are the epitome of deep-fried Southern soul -- raw, tough, and unapologetically gritty. But while Southern R&B was what
Floyd did best, 1976 found the singer experimenting with disco and funk elements on the sleek, danceable "Body English." The catchy number became a dancefloor hit, but ultimately,
Floyd would be best remembered for his contributions to Southern soul. For those who've never experienced the pleasures of
King Floyd,
Choice Cuts would be the best starting point. ~ Alex Henderson