Barry 'maestro' White is the greatest! I have every CD he's ever made. Other than his family and closest friends, I know I am his biggest and most devoted fan! Why do I say this? Well, his name (it's on my tag) is on my 2000 Black Ford Explorer XLT, and well I can't tell you where his name is a tatoo on my body. Ask anybody that knows me who my favorite singer is and see what they say! Hey Maestro! When are you going to do another L.A. concert?

I give this CD 5 stars because it deserves it I love the lyrics and the music.

Unlike previous reviewers, I can't rate this one higher than three stars. The voice is there, albeit not quite as confident as when White burst on the international scene in 1973 with "I've Got So Much to Give".

"Your Heart and Soul" is solely for collectors, like me, of anything Barry White. The album showcases previously unreleased tracks, no doubt recorded when White was "getting his feet wet in the music business". Most of the songs show the Motown "inspiration" but lacking that company's polish. White's trademark strings are present but without the finesse that would be so essential in future hits. Three of the cuts would later find themselves reworked and much improved ("Under the Influence of Love," "All in the Run of Love," and "Fragile - Handle with Care"), either recorded by White himself or his Love Unlimited trio.

From the "what-was-he-thinking" department comes the almost laughable "My Buddy," a strange performance of the old chestnut with White providing the background to an unnamed singer's lead vocals.

Many "discoveries" of a singer's forgotten and unreleased discography are quite enjoyable (Marvin Gaye's "Vulnerable" and Donna Summer's "I'm a Rainbow," to cite just two).

Unfortunately, Barry White's "Your Heart and Soul" probably should have remained in the vault.

It should probably deserve less than three stars but "The Maestro," regardless of how bad, can't get less.