Genius + Soul = Jazz

by Ray Charles

Overview

One of the best early-'60s examples of soul-jazz crossover, this record, like several of his dates from the period, featured big-band arrangements (played by the Count Basie band). This fared better than some of Charles' similar outings, however, if only because it muted some of his straight pop aspirations in favor of some pretty mean and lean, cut-to-the-heart-of-the-matter B-3 Hammond organ licks. Most of the album is instrumental and swings vivaciously, although Charles does take a couple of vocals with "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" and "I've Got News for You." Yet one of those instrumentals, a cover of the Clovers' "One Mint Julep," would give Charles one of his most unpredictable (and best) early-'60s hits. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	05/14/2021
Label:	Impulse! / Verve
UPC:	0602435439648
Rank:	41063

Tracks

1. From the Heart
2. I¿¿¿ve Got News for You
3. Moanin¿¿¿
4. Let¿¿¿s Go
5. One Mint Julep
6. I¿¿¿m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town
7. Stompin¿¿¿ Room Only
8. Mister C
9. Strike Up the Band
10. Birth of the Blues

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ray Charles   Primary Artist,Organ,Vocals
George Matthews   Trombone
Seldon Powell   Sax (Tenor)
Snooky Young   Trumpet
Benny Powell   Trombone
John Frosk   Trumpet
Thad Jones   Trumpet
Clark Terry   Trumpet
Frank Wess   Sax (Alto)
Joe Benjamin   Bass
Freddie Green   Guitar
Earle Warren   Sax (Alto)
Frank Foster   Sax (Tenor)
Eddie Jones   Bass
Charlie Fowlkes   Sax (Baritone)
Joe Newman   Trumpet
Eugene Young   Trumpet
Joe Wilder   Trumpet
Jimmy Nottingham   Trumpet
Roy Haynes   Drums
Urbie Green   Trombone
Sam Herman   Guitar
Keg Johnson   Trombone
Jimmy Cleveland   Trombone
Marshall Royal   Sax (Alto)
George Dorsey   Sax (Alto)
Budd Johnson   Sax (Tenor)
Phil Guilbeau   Trumpet
Henry Coker   Trombone
Haywood Henry   Sax (Baritone)
Sonny Payne   Drums
Billy Mitchell   Sax (Tenor)
Dick Katz   Piano
Freddy Green   Guitar
Al Grey   Trombone
Philip Guilbeau   Trumpet
Eddy Jones   Bass

Technical Credits

Spencer Williams   Composer
Andy Razaf   Composer
Ray Charles   Composer
B.T. Green   Composer
Creed Taylor   Producer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Lew Brown   Composer
Rudy Toombs   Composer
Ralph Burns   Arranger,Recording Arranger
Roy Jordan   Composer
Roy Jacobs   Composer
Quincy Jones   Arranger,Recording Arranger
Ray Henderson   Composer
Buddy DeSylva   Composer
Will Weldon   Composer
Bobby Timmons   Composer
Howard Marks   Composer
Roy Alfred   Composer
Gordon Jenkins   Composer
Howard Marks Advertising   Composer
Ray Alfred   Composer
Bob Gomel   Photography
Kevin Gray   Mastering
William Weldon   Composer