Customer Reviews

Genius + Soul = Jazz [Expanded Edition]

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Ray Charles' helped inaugurate the Impulse! label with this 1961 release, the label's second album. Produced by Creed Taylor, and recorded in the same New Jersey studios that hosted Jimmy Smith and other Blue Note greats, Charles sat himself behind a Hammond B-3 and together with key members of the Count Basie band, he swung arrangements written by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns. From the opening horn stabs of "From the Heart" it's clear that this band plays big, brassy and hard, yet Charles keeps it cool on the organ, and his two vocal numbers ("I've Got News For You" and "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town"), are blue and soulful. Charles gave the band and its soloists plenty of room to shine, but when his keys step to the front, such as his growling lead on "One Mint Julep," it's clear whose leading the sessions.

Concord's two-CD reissue adds three albums that Charles recorded in the 1970s: My Kind of Jazz (1970), Jazz Number II (1972) and My Kind of Jazz Part 3 (1975). These are primarily instrumental albums and are filled with the sort of charts used to warm up audiences at Charles' live shows. There is a generous helping of 3/4 jazz waltzes and Latin rhythms. Recorded with his road band, the lineup is filled with instrumental stars, including Blue Mitchell, Joe Randazzo, Clifford Scott, David "Fathead" Newman and many others. Highlights include the Stax-styled groove of "Booty-Butt" and a bubbly take on Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder." As an additional bonus, a cover of "Misty" is included from trombonist Steve Turre's In the Spur of the Moment.

The recording quality is superb, with a super wide stereo image. Remastering is by Paul Blakemore at Telarc. The set's 12-page booklet includes new liner notes by Ralph Friedwald, original album notes by Dick Katz and Quincy Jones, and full-panel cover reproductions. The original sessions show Charles at full power; the 1970s albums feature great playing, but often feel like pre-show warmups. If you already have Genius + Soul = Jazz in high fidelity, the upgrade may not be necessary, but if you haven't yet enjoyed Charles' 1961 classic, this is a great way to hear it. [©2010 hyperbolium dot com]

This 2 disc compilation contains 4 of Ray's albums, although the most popular being the title which is the first half of the first disc. Genius + Soul is mainly organ instrumentals of Ray Charles swinging to standard jazz/blues arrangements with the Basie orchestra. Ray Charles put soul behind the organ which in no way overpowers the orchestra and perfectly blends into the swing. The number Ray does sing on are some of the strongest pieces like I've Got News for You or I'm Gonna Move, which are two blues songs accompanies by strong organ solos and soulful singing. The greatest song is possibly One Mint Julep, which is a Quincy Jones arrangement and features some of the strongest soloing I've heard in soul music. The other 3 albums included are nowhere near as strong as the first featured, but do have a few good songs. Mainly laid back jazz standards with Ray Charles blending in with the orchestra. The first album is the main reason to buy this, but the other 3 included albums do not hurt this set, only add more value since we are getting more of Ray Charle's recordings from different time periods. So Ray Charle's only main album that he exclusively uses organ as well as the perfect blend of organ soloing and band swing make this one of Ray's strongest ABC albums, and is in my top 5 Ray Charles albums of all time, along with One Mint Julep being in my top 5 Ray Charles songs of all time.

Ray Charles. a unique talent. Now with a big swingin' big band..with fine arrangements. Just another example of a guy with no "voice" to speak of...but a guy who can flat out sing. interpretation and heart. Thats where its at. He'll be hard to emulate and replace.

This album puts all the gutsy Ray Charles big band work onto one disc,a lot of loud exciting jazz

If you like to listen to Jazz, this is the CD set. Takes you back to the 1960's music. I have been listening to many other Jazz vocalist and jazz musicians, Ray is someone unique and different. Highly recommended.