I was recently gifted (for my 40th bday last week!!) with the Atlantic Records Soul Legends Box Set with 20 original albums:

http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/reviews/atlantic-soul-legends-20cd-box-set/

• 1. RAY CHARLES – What’d I Say (1959)
• 2. BOOKER T & THE M.G.s – Green Onions (1962)
• 3. BEN E. KING – Don’t Play That Song! (1962)
• 4. SOLOMON BURKE – If You Need Me (1963)
• 5. RUFUS THOMAS – Walking The Dog (1964)
• 6. THE DRIFTERS – Under The Boardwalk (1964)
• 7. DON COVAY and THE GOODTIMERS – Mercy! (1964)
• 8. OTIS REDDING – Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)
• 9. WILSON PICKETT – In The Midnight Hour (1965)
• 10. PERCY SLEDGE – When A Man Loves A Woman (1966)
• 11. SAM & DAVE – Hold On, I’m Coming (1966)
• 12. BAR-KAYS – Soul Finger (1967)
• 13. EDDIE FLOYD – Knock On Wood (1967)
• 14. ARTHUR CONLEY – Sweet Soul Music (1967)
• 15. WILLIAM BELL – The Soul Of A Bell (1967)
• 16. ARETHA FRANKLIN – Lady Soul (1968)
• 17. DONNY HATHAWAY – Everything Is Everything (1970)
• 18. CLARENCE WHEELER & THE ENFORCERS – Doin’ What We Wanna (1970)
• 19. HOWARD TATE – Howard Tate (1972)
• 20. SAM DEES – The Show Must Go On (1975)

I'm super impressed with this collection and I'm enjoying exploring it. These are obviously all Atlantic Records and their subsidiaries. So I'm wondering - - if you were to add to this collection of "essential" soul albums, whether more from Atlantic or other labels, what would you include? I want to build up my classic R&B collection. Love this stuff.

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Hot Buttered Soul -- Isaac Hayes

I'm Still In Love With You -- Al Green

Talking Book -- Stevie Wonder

Let's Get It On -- Marvin Gaye

Curtis -- Curtis Mayfield

To name a paltry few.