Artist: Ray Charles
Year: 1959
Genre: Swing
Grade: A+
As the title suggests, The Genius of Ray Charles finds the renowned soul singer in peak form. On Side One, Charles is accompanied by an energetic big band conducted by Quincy Jones. The music is a perfect synthesis of jazz and R&B. On Side B, Charles ditches the big band for an orchestra, and manages to transcend genre limitations altogether. When it’s all said and done, the album leaves little doubt that this is his finest achievement.
The Genius of Ray Charles
