The World Is A Cafeteria: American Soul Music (And One Song From Ghana) 1955-1998

The World Is A Cafeteria: American Soul Music (And One Song From Ghana) 1955-1998 is Cairo Records’ fifth soul anthology, a heartfelt mixtape of deep cuts and hidden gems that’s as much a collector’s treasure as it is a soul-soothing journey.

Spanning four decades, this compilation dives into the raw, aching heart of American deep and Southern soul. Tracks like Toussaint McCall’s “Nothing Takes The Place Of You” and Joyce Kennedy’s “Darling I Still Love You” drip with tear-stained longing, their warm, vinyl-crackling vocals wrapping you in heartbreak’s tender embrace. Irma Thomas’ “Here I Am, Take Me” and Arthur Conley’s “I’m A Lonely Stranger” pulse with Southern grit, while Ghanaian artist Charlotte Dada’s psych-soul cover of The Beatles' “Don’t Let Me Down”adds a vibrant, unexpected spark. Heavyweights like Ray Charles’ soaring “Georgia” and Nina Simone’s haunting “Suzanne” anchor the set, alongside Jimmy Scott’s delicate “Nothing Compares 2 U,” each track a testament to soul’s emotional depth.

The 20-page booklet, packed with photos and quirky, passionate liner notes, feels like a love letter from a crate-digging friend. From upbeat pleas like Doris & Kelley’s “You Don’t Have to Worry” to the mournful farewell of Curly Moore’s “Goodbye,” this anthology captures soul’s timeless power to heal and haunt, making it a must-own for vinyl enthusiasts and anyone craving music that speaks straight to the heart.

Tracklist:
A1 Toussaint McCall– Nothing Takes The Place Of You
A2 Allen Toussaint– Go Back Home
A3 Joyce Kennedy– Darling I Still Love You
A4 Irma Thomas– Here I Am, Take Me
A5 Zilla Mayes – All I Want Is You
A6 Margie Hendrix & Percy Mayfield– Hit The Road Jack
B1 The Pitter Pats– It Do Me Good
B2 Oscar Bishop And The Bishops – Gonna Have To Put You Down
B3 Ben And Spence – Get It Over
B4 Debra Lewis– What Are You Gonna Do?
B5 Alice Rozier And Little Joe (17)– I'm Gonna Hold On To You
B6 Ray Charles– Georgia
C1 Doris And Kelley – You Don't Have To Worry
C2 Arthur Connelly – I'm A Lonely Stranger
C3 Don Bryant– Call Of Distress
C4 Betty And Roy– I'll Be There
C5 Gene Burks– You Don't Love Me
C6 Barbara And The Browns*– My Lover
D1 Charlotte Dada– Don't Let Me Down
D2 Jhamels – I've Cried
D3 Curley Moore– Goodbye
D4 Nina Simone– Suzanne
D5 Jimmy Scott– Nothing Compares 2 U

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