Time Life to release "The Best of Soul Train"

Time Life commemorates the 40th Anniversary of Soul Train with "The Best of Soul Train" 3-DVD boxed set hitting retail August 31 for the very first time, in celebration of the culturally significant American institution that became a national launch pad for showcasing the latest names in Soul music, outrageous fashion and hip dances - making Soul music a mainstream global genre.

"The Best of Soul Train" presents an amazing and rare collection of performances from the Soul Train archives, many of which haven't been seen in over 30 years, including exclusive performances from Soul Train's most acclaimed era (1971 - 1979) by The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, The O'Jays, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Sly & The Family Stone and more. There are 50 performances covered in eight hours of classic Soul, from the longest first-run series in syndication history (on air from 1970 - 2006) along with more than three hours of bonus material.

Viewers will re-live the original dance styles and scene-stealing fashions from the heart of the `70's as well as favorite moments from the Soul Train Dance Line to the beloved Soul Train Scramble Board. Also included are on-air interviews with the artists, classic Soul Train dancers, and some vintage commercials for Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen products.This special collection features the best moments from several original Soul Train episodes totaling 50 songs and performances, with more than three hours of bonus material including exclusive interviews with Don Cornelius, Smokey Robinson, Jody Watley and others.

"Time Life is proud to bring back one of the most enduring and culturally relevant shows in television history with "The Best of Soul Train" says Michael Mitchell, Time Life VP, Marketing/Strategic Partnerships. "Soul Train was `must see' television in black households across America in the 70's and it also had strong crossover appeal. Soul Train fans have been waiting for years to re-live this exciting time!"

Soul Train founder, Don Cornelius says, “We’re extremely proud of Soul Train’s innovative history and legacy, and we look forward to sharing this with multiple generations to come. “The Best of Soul Train” offers a rare, insiders view of the golden era of Soul, marking a classic time and place which can never be duplicated. As always - Love, Peace and Soul!"

Soul Train Holdings CEO, Kenard Gibbs comments: " We are thrilled to partner with Time Life to make this unparalleled collection of soul music performances available for the first time on DVD. Don Cornelius' vision and devotion to soul music will forever inspire and captivate music lovers for many generations. "We wanted to share this music filled collection of memorable performances and message of LOVE, Peace and Soul with the world."

If viewers didn't experience the magic the first time around, iconic moments that fans can look forward to inlcude extraordinary footage and performances, such as:
* Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin singing a duet on Smokey's hit "Ooo Baby Baby" with Aretha playing the piano. The two also reminisce about growing up as friends in Detroit
* Sly & The Family Stone performing two of their classics - "I Wanna Take You Higher" and "Dance To The Music"
* Stevie Wonder performing three of his monster hits live in a phenomenal, intimate medley - "I Wish," "My Cherie Amour" and "Sir Duke"
* Barry White on stage performing with a full orchestra
* Marvin Gaye and Don Cornelius playing one-on-one basketball with Smokey Robinson refereeing
* Ike & Tina Turner in a blistering version of "Proud Mary"
* Plus, The O'Jays, The Spinners, The Chi-Lites, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Stylistics, and dozens of other legends of Soul.

Following is "The Best of Soul Train" 3-DVD Set Complete Song List:

DVD 1
The Isley Brothers - "That Lady" (Part 1)
The Isley Brothers - "Live It Up (Part 1)
The Isley Brothers - "Summer Breeze"
Barry White - "Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe"
Love Unlimited Orchestra - "Love's Theme"
Barry White - "What Am I Gonna Do With You"
Barry White - "You're The First, The Last, My Everything"
Marvin Gaye - "Come Get This"Marvin Gaye - "Distant Lover"
Marvin Gaye - "Let's Get It On"
Sly & The Family Stone - "I Want To Take You Higher"
Sly & The Family Stone - "Dance To The Music"
Gladys Knight & The Pips - "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"
The O'Jays - "Backstabbers"
Aretha Franklin - "Rock Steady"

*Also contains more than one hour of bonus material including interviews with Don Cornelius, Smokey Robinson & Brian McKnight along with rare, never-before-seen footage.

DVD 2
Bill Withers - "Use Me"
Bill Withers - "Lean On Me"
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - "If You Don't Know Me By Now"
Commodores - "Still"
Commodores - "Three Times A Lady"
Commodores - "Sail On"
Curtis Mayfield - "Pusherman"
WAR - "Cisco Kid"
The Main Ingredient - "Everybody Plays The Fool"Curtis Mayfield - "Superfly"
James Brown - "Get On The Good Foot (Part 1)
James Brown - "Try Me"
James Brown - "Get Up I Feel Like Being Like A Sex Machine (Part 1)
James Brown - "Super Bad (Part 1 & Part 2)

*Also contains more than one hour of bonus material including interviews with Don Cornelius, Cuba Gooding, Sr. (lead singer of The Main Ingredient) and Eric Casem (former Soul Train choreographer/dancer) along with rare, never-before-seen footage

DVD 3
Stevie Wonder - "My Cherie Amour (medley)
Stevie Wonder - "Sir Duke" (medley)
Stevie Wonder - "I Wish" (medley)
Stevie Wonder - "These Three Words" (medley)
Aretha Franklin - "I Was Made For You"
Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson - "Ooo Baby Baby"
Teddy Pendergrass - "The Whole Town's Laughing At Me"
Teddy Pendergrass - "I Don't Love You Anymore"
Lou Rawls - "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine"
L.T.D. - "Love Ballad"Lou Rawls - "From Now On"
The Jackson Five - "I Want You Back"
The Jackson Five - "Corner of the Sky"
Jermaine Jackson - "Daddy's Home"
The Jackson Five - "Lookin' Through The Windows"

*Also contains more than one hour of bonus material including interviews with Smokey Robinson, Jody Watley and Clarence Avant, former Chairman of Motown Records, along with rare, never-before-seen footage.