Remember a couple of year back, when MCA starting re-releasing the Chess Masters in a nice packaged set? Well, that was a great project, and so is their pop side of the deal. They call these 20th Century Masters, and the series features tons of artists who have been on labels now owned by Universal. Now I’m not saying they’re all masters, or that this one represents a master, but I think it is wonderfully done, and offers a chance to show what I mean.

Iris had some minor hits with “Love is Like a Rock,” “My Girl,” and the wonderful “Sweet Merilee” in the ’80s. He also was with the Jaggerz in the late ’60s, when they scored with “The Rapper,” which is featured here in live form from the ’80s.

Granted, this stuff is not as important musically or culturally as the Chess series, but it’s warranted. Kudos to MCA.