Review

Soul Breakout ‘59: Various Artists

I haven’t hear Jerry Butler’s 'Lost' for many a year, so it was like welcoming back an old friend. This guy was capable of digging into his very soul to release emotions that affected us all at one point in our lives. His Ice Man period was sublime and his solo work and duets with Thelma Houston at Motown were quite stunning.

Anyway, this is a compilation Sharon, so get a grip. There’s also a smattering of early Motown here with Marv Johnson’s 'Come To Me' and The Miracles’ 'Bad Girl', plus future signings The Isley Brothers’ 'Shout (Part One)'. There’s the powerhouse vocals of Baby Washington on 'The Time' and 'The Bells (On Our Wedding Day)' which both sit easily with the shrill yet soulful voices of The Shirelles with their classic 'Dedicated To The One I Love'. The smooth, easy listening 'Guess Who' from Jesse Belvin competes with the warm chorus and the string introduction on the mildly chugging Brook Benton track 'Endlessly'.

Then there’s Ray Charles, The Drifters, Sam Cooke – names that are as significant today as they were back in 1959. Thirty tracks here from the year and all R&B and/or pop hits. Smashing!
Words SHARON DAVIS