Originally released in 1968, Dusty Definitely is impressively eclectic, showcasing Dusty Springfield's impeccable taste when selecting songs. Her choices range from the subtle sophistication of Bacharach & David's "Another Night" and "This Girl's In Love With You" to the seismic soul blast of "Love Power". There's even a Bassey belter of a Broadway show tune in "I Only Wanna Laugh" and "Second Time Around", a standard popularised by Bing Crosby. Of course, it was Dusty's iridescent voice that separated her from the Cilla Blacks and the Sandie Shaws. An intense, intuitive vocalist, rather than trilling lyrics glibly, Dusty inhabited songs, engendering a tangible sense of simpatico. This interpretive dexterity is perhaps best exemplified by her poignant reading of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going To Rain Today", worldly and weary, yet profoundly vulnerable. The bonuses he re include a trio of remixes plus the hypnotically sultry "Spooky", originally the B-side to "How Can I Be Sure". This is an absolutely essential album. --Chris King