The Best Of Ray Charles

Ray Charles combined elements of gospel, R&B, blues, and jazz into an impassioned, exuberant style that would come to be known as soul music. While recording for Atlantic Records and ABC-Paramount, the innovative singer, pianist, composer, and bandleader broke down the barriers between sacred and secular music. In his own words, he fostered "a crossover between gospel music and the rhythm patterns of the blues." This CD contains 27 of some of his most emblematic songs released on Atlantic and ABC during the period 1954 - 1962.