Part of their extensive series of R&B compilations covering the mid-'50s to the early '70s, Time Life's Rhythm & Blues: 1970 packs it in with 21 soul highlights from the dawn of the hippie-hangover decade. Spotlighting some of the biggest stars of the day, the disc includes now-canonized classics from the Temptations ("Ball of Confusion"), Sly Stone ("Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"), the Delfonics ("Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)"), and the Miracles ("Tears of a Clown"). In addition, the mix features a bounty of such "one-hit wonders" as Freda Payne's "Band of Gold," the Chairmen of the Board's "Give Me Just a Little More Time," and Eddie Holman's "Hey There Lonely Girl." And the compilation also includes the likes of Diana Ross, the Spinners, the Jackson 5, and Aretha Franklin. With its generosity and label-straddling approach in full effect, Time Life delivers a truly dope soul hits retrospective.