The Manila Machine - same (Asia Minor, 1973)

​This album was an independent release from the Philippines by a journeyman lounge band mainly covering other people’s soul classics. Does not sound promising? Think again. This LP is one of sweet souls under the radar masterpieces. Rarely has the essence of sweet soul been so completely captured as on this LP. And it’s not just slow sweet ballads either. There are also two majestic crossover tunes on the album. Listen to the clips to hear for yourself. Unfortunately no one has so far made the effort to reissue it, so because of its rarity most people are not even aware of it. Highlights aplenty, with the Machine’s own “Poor loser” and their covers of the Chi-Lites “Oh Girl” and the Originals’ “Baby I’m for real” in the ballad department shining spectacularly, plus the beautiful crossover tunes  “Any way I can”  and “I dig everything about you”. They even manage to salvage “Puppy love”… Unbeatable.