The title may be slightly confusing--ALL of Bobby Womack's years were "soul years"--but this collection hits all the highlights of Womack's 1960s and '70s work. That's a tall order, but from the classic, funky blaxploitation film theme "Across 110th Street" to the soulful stroll of "Harry Hippie" and the Curtis Mayfield-goes-sunshine pop take on the Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin'," THE BEST OF BOBBY WOMACK: THE SOUL YEARS does an excellent job of capturing the man's many moods.

Spin (p.104) - "His southpaw, upside-down guitar style influenced Hendrix; he played behind Aretha, Elvis, and Sly Stone; and had songs covered by the Rolling Stones."