Otis Redding – The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (Blue Vinyl)

New Vinyl

Recorded in 1965 when soul, as opposed to R&B, Motown, and gospel, was starting to develop its own identity, The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads set an early reference point for this new style of music.

While his next album - Otis Blue - was more polished, more commercial, and more successful, this often overlooked record is in many ways much more satisfying. Otis Redding's singing is quite stunning, with heart-rending deliveries that make you believe that he means what he says and the backup from Booker T, Steve Cropper, and the Stax 'house band' is consistently creative and incisive.