This is an anomaly in the ICFC music collection. I found this album in a thrift store for $1. The cover looked cool, very 60s design…but there was no info about the band on the liner notes. In fact, the only indication that it was even Canadian is the fact that it was released on Arc Records out of Toronto. So, it’s entirely possible that these are Americans, or they could be from anywhere I guess. My only confirmation about The Soulful Bowlful’s Canadianess is that they are called “from Canada” on one auction site where some guy is trying to sell this record for $175.
 
( Note, I have seen it pop up on ebay for $10-15, even though a very rare 7” single has also appeared for $50…never sold, as far as I know).

The liner notes on the back of the album say absolutely nothing about the band...just music in general:

Pop music today is a fusion and blending of the many ethnic sounds and heritages of the world community. Of all popular artists, it is the most attuned to and most affected by cultural developments.

Sweet Soul Music is a development of Rhythm and Blues a form previously limited in appeal to small coteries in urban areas in the United States but today a dynamic influence not only in America but the world.

The most significant sources of Sweet Soul Music today are Detroit and Memphis. Memphis in particular is enjoying a renaissance as more and more young artists are drawn to this form of musical expression.

This recording features the very best in Sweet Soul. It's guaranteed to tun on lovers of the idiom and make converts of those hearing it for the first time.

Helpful, no?

The lack of info on the personnel indicates to me that this was a rush-release, trying to cash in on a hip late 60s trend. But the question is: which trend? This album is great because it covers so much ground. Some tracks sound like acid rock with the appropriate gravelly vocals. Some tracks sound like Motown R&B, with a versatile female voice leading. In fact, the songs are so different and unique, I think this is either a compilation of different Arc Records leftover tracks, or it’s a band that covered so much sonic ground, they should be considered “decades ahead of their time” and would be a direct ancestor to modern rock bands like The Bellrays.
 
Either way, these few audio tracks will show you just how good this record is. If anyone out there knows more about the Soulful Bowlful, please email me. I’m very curious who these guys and girls were.

Heart Full Of Soul

Rescue Me

Sweet Soul Music

The Letter

Note: A guy on Facebook says that it's Claudja Barry featured on the cover. Not sure if he's right, but it could be