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The Manhattans — "Sweet Talking Soul 1965-1990" — (Shout! Factory)

When musical discussions turn to '60s and '70s soul music, the band names that inevitably come up include The Temptations, The Four Tops and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles.

Throw out the name The Manhattans, and it is possible that the younger generation of R&B fans might not recognize this influential group, despite the fact it continues to tour today. The Manhattans were one of the few doo-wop groups of the '60s to make a successful transition into the more symphonic sounds of R&B associated with the 1970s. The band was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 1999, and now for the first time all of the band's songs from three different labels have been gathered in a three-CD set.

Even if you were a fan of The Manhattans back in the day, "Sweet Talking Soul 1965-1990" will undoubtedly bring back some musical memories.

Tracks such as "Can I," "Cry if You Wanna Cry," "It's Gonna Take a Lot to Bring Me Back," and "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" show off the pure sound of the group's vocals, and those tunes are all on the first disc. On discs two and three, tracks such as "There's No Me Without You," "Am I Losing You," "Shining Star," and a great cover of Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" demonstrate why it takes three CDs to hold all of the great music here.

If this set doesn't bring The Manhattans to the forefront of future R&B discussions, then people just aren't listening hard enough. (A-)

Download These: "Can I," "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)," "You Send Me"

Bonnie Bramlett — "Beautiful" — (Rockin' Camel)

If there is any justice in the musical world, then someday Bonnie Bramlett will sit down and write her autobiography. While there are plenty of artists who have had long and interesting careers, few have done so in as much relative obscurity as Bramlett.

Past accomplishments include being not just an Ikette in the Ike & Tina Turner Review, but the only white singer ever allowed to wear that title. She also was part of the musical phenomenon Delaney & Bonnie, whose ranks included a guitar hotshot Eric Clapton.

On "Sure Got Away with My Heart," the first track on Bramlett's latest solo effort, "Beautiful," the singer lays to rest any misconceptions that age might have affected her vocal abilities. Bramlett's pipes are as strong as ever, and on songs such as "I Do Believe," "Some of My Best Friends" and the CD's title track, it is easily apparent why Bramlett has been able to maintain her talent throughout the last few decades.

Other choice tracks include a passionate reading of Stephen Stills' "For What It's Worth," as well as the Randall Bramblett-penned "Witness for Love," which features Bramblett singing with Bramlett. Check out the Rolling Stones-inspired "Shake Something Loose," as well as what might be the album's best track, "Strongest Weakness."

Bravo to Bramlett for continuing to bring it, and for doing so without succumbing to any labels. She's neither a blues chanteuse nor an R&B diva. Instead, Bramlett is just a great vocalist, and the years have only served to season her sensational voice. (B+)

Download These: "Shake Something Loose," "Witness for Love," "Strongest Weakness"

Matthew Sweet — "Sunshine Lies" — (Shout! Factory)

Matthew Sweet has been all over the musical map the past few years, collaborating with both former Bangles member Susanna Hoffs for the cover CD "Under the Covers, Vol. 1," as well as Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge, in a trio that called itself The Thorns.

Most folks know Sweet as the musical mastermind behind the 1991 CD "Girlfriend," whose title track is still a modern-rock radio staple.

Anyone expecting more of the "Girlfriend" sound from Sweet's latest effort, "Sunshine Lies," will likely come away disappointed.

That isn't to say that the music on "Sunshine Lies" is bad, but it is a lot more challenging than Sweet's earlier works. There is a raw and DIY aspect to the tracks on this CD, as if the Velvet Underground decided to go for a more psychedelic sound with Hendrix sitting in.

The first track, "Time Machine," gives the album a shaky start, and it seems possible that the wheels just might come off the whole affair right from the get-go.

Things begin to jell by the second song, "Room to Rock," and by the time the listener jumps head on into "Flying," the trip has shaped up to be an interesting one.

Sweet fans will definitely appreciate songs such as "Feel Fear," "Around You Now" and the title track, which draw from the songwriter's melodic strengths. While not every track sounds as if it is quite finished, "Sunshine Lies" is nonetheless a strikingly original work from an artist that strives to set himself apart from the pack. (B)

Download These: "Flying," "Feel Fear," "Sunshine Lies"