Approximately 35 years after their creative apogees, names like James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone, Barry White and Aretha Franklin exist as almost afterthoughts. Their legendary status is so secure as to be taken for granted. Their catalogs will live on indefinitely, their songs are staples at celebrations of all types, and their merits have been rightfully memorialized in every arena imaginable.

Yet the most salient evidence of their genius always came live, with their awe-inspiring gifts capable of somehow simultaneously forcing you to both move and stop to take note of their talents. That's only one of many reasons to explain why "The Best of Soul Train" DVD set is essential -- a three-disc collection that captures the aforementioned artists, along with other Hall of Famers like The O'Jays, The Jackson 5 and The Commodores, in their afroed and sequined glory.