The Dr.'s Greatest Prescriptions: The Best of Clarence Carter

AMG Review of The Dr.'s Greatest Prescriptions: The Best of Clarence Carter

Alex Henderson
All Music Guide

As long as Clarence Carter has been recording first-class soul music, it isn't surprising that more than one compilation is titled The Best of Clarence Carter. This particular compilation spotlights his work for Ichiban Records, a small Atlanta-based label that has also recorded Curtis Mayfield, the Chi-Lites, Eddie Floyd and quite a few other soul veterans. One of Ichiban's best selling artists, Carter has pretty much rejected high-tech urban contemporary sounds and stuck with the type of earthy southern that's been his forte since the 1960s. In fact, this CD underscores the fact that his Ichiban output is almost as strong as his classic Atlantic recordings. The best known track here is Carter's risque hit "Strokin'," but he's equally adept at everything from the smooth "I Was in the Neighborhood" to the good-natured "Kiss You All Over" to the blues smoker "Love Me with a Feeling." Most of Carter's Ichiban discs are well worth hearing, but for those unfamiliar with his work for that label, this collection can serve as an engaging introduction.