Various

Numero's next stop on their continuing quest to reconstitute the lost soul scenes around the U.S. and beyond hits San Antonio, TX for the first of three planned volumes of music exploring that city. The Dynamic label produced about 20 singles representing talent in the area. It was notable for its colour-blindness: whether black, white or Tejano, if you had soul there were five minutes for you at the microphone. With such a small scene, it's difficult to ascribe a definitive sound to the city's output, but generally the pop-friendly sensibility (especially in the wailing brass arrangements) and garage-y sound point further north. Talent-wise, Doc and Sal stand out with tight harmonies in sensitive, slinky ballads like "Laughing to Keep From Crying" and "Cry and Wonder Why." Girl group Tonettes have a few sweet numbers as well. In the end, there are few examples of music that deserved more recognition on a wider scale. But the point of these collections is the stories of the diligence or ineptitude of entrepreneurs across the country that reflected their lives and neighbourhoods through the prism of soul music. And just try to sit still during the break in the Commands' "I've Got Love For My Baby."