Ray Charles / Milt Jackson - Soul Brothers (Mono Mix)

Soul Brothers is a stunning 1959 collaboration between two legendary musicians. While Ray Charles released R&B singles for the pop market during his time with Atlantic Records, he used his LPs to explore modern jazz. On this record he is heard both on piano and alto sax, accompanied by jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson.

Produced by Nesuhi Ertegun, Soul Brothers was a collaboration between Charles and jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson, one which came about as a result of Charles happening upon Tom Dowd while Dowd was in the midst of mastering an album by the Modern Jazz Quartet, a collective that Milt Jackson was a part of. Charles informed Dowd, “That Milt Jackson’s got soul,” while Jackson had been telling Ertegun, “No more of this MJQ Mozart Society shit. I’m gonna play the blues with Ray.”

Not only does vibraphonist Milt Jackson double here on piano but he plays guitar 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.

Heavyweight vinyl produced by Atlantic Records in 2021 for Rhino's 'Black Music Month'. Remastered from the original mono analog masters. Lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Sound. Deluxe glossy outer-sleeve with tip on detailing.