Simply put: New York's Daptone label is the standard bearer and flag-waver for the classic R&B sound. Without ever sounding hopelessly nostalgic or derivative, the artists on Daptone revel in the timeless sound of soul, evoking Aretha and Marvin and Booker T while maintaining a singular sound. This singles collection is the perfect introduction to the world of Daptone, a series of sizzling 7 inches from one of the best labels around. Or as someone wiser than I once put it: to know 'em is to love 'em.