Ray Brown Soul

This album is certain to be placed in the MJQ section of any shop that carries it. In reality though, only four of the cuts here feature the permanent, stand-alone, 1952-vintage Modern Jazz Quartet; the other eight having been done in the summer and fall of 1951, when they were still known as the Milt Jackson Quartet, with Jackson providing all of the original material. The differences are so subtle as to be indistinguishable – Milt Jackson and John Lewis are on every cut, while Al Johns subs for Kenny Clarke on drums, and Ray Brown precedes Percy Heath on four of the tracks. Clarke's drumming is more impressive in its quiet way, but Ray Brown's bass work is simpler and more forceful.

Gospel Time, Ruth Brown's first and only gospel album, was recorded in 1963 in Nashville under Shelby Singleton's direction, using country musicians. Ray Stevens of "Ahab the Arab" fame plays organ. Vocal backgrounds are by the Milestone Singers. The most impressive cuts are "Closer Walk With Thee," with soulful guitar licks from Jerry Kennedy and Harold Bradley; "Peace in the Valley," with nice piano triplets by Harold "Pig" Robbins; the beautiful "Walk With Me"; and a fabulous version of "Milky White Way." Brown even tries her hand at preaching in a rocking version of "Morning Train." This is a surprisingly fine album.