Charles, Ray: Genius + Soul = Jazz (Acoustic Sound Series) LP

Originally released in 1961, Ray Charles' Genius + Soul = Jazz is a big band jazz album featuring arrangements by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns and accompaniment from members of Count Basie's band including Thad Jones (cornet), Freddie Green (guitar), Billy Mitchell (tenor saxophone) and Frank Wess (alto saxophone). Genius + Soul = Jazz is primarily made-up of instrumental tracks such as the the Top Ten hit "One Mint Julep," but Brother Ray also graces the collection with the two signature vocal cuts "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" and "I've Got New For You" for good measure.

One of the original releases on Impulse! when the label debuted in 1961, the enterprising soul-jazz crossover emphasizes Charles as a jazz instrumentalist and also finds the music legend switching from his usual electric piano to a Hammond organ for added nuance. The success of the Genius + Soul = Jazz album and standout single "One Mint Julep" helped put Impulse! on the map. 

This all-analog 180g vinyl LP reissue was mastered from the original analog tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound, pressed at QRP, and comes housed in a Stoughton tip-on gatefold jacket.