Milt Jackson & Ray Charles - Soul Brothers - Vinyl LP

Mono LP

Remastered from the Original Analog tapes.

A stunning collaboration, this is Ray Charles's second "true" studio album for Atlantic, after The Great Ray Charles. While he released R&B singles for the pop market during his time with the label, he used his LPs to explore modern jazz. Here he is heard both on piano and alto sax.

AMG review
This one is a real historical curiosity. Not only does vibraphonist Milt Jackson double here on piano but he plays guitar (for the only time on record) during "Bags' Guitar Blues." In addition Ray Charles is heard in a purely instrumental role on piano and, during two songs, on alto sax. Charles's fine playing makes one wonder why he so rarely picked up the horn in later years. Billy Mitchell contributes some fine tenor solos on this boppish/blues material and guitarist Skeeter Best, bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Connie Kay offer stellar support.

Scott Yanow