This is a small-frills reissue that includes no bonus tracks or alternate takes. What it does include is nice *mono* remastering by ace Bill Inglot, taken from the original master tapes. It also includes a nice reproduction of the original album front and back (the latter in almost life size). The interior of the CD booklet gives release info (label, date, chart info) as well as a list of the musical support.

Musically, Redding proves himself over and over to be perhaps the greatest soul singer of all time (though Ray Charles during his Atlantic period might give him a run for the money). The eleven tracks on this disc (about 32 minutes) find Redding reaching to the depths of his emotions for vocals that no one else could ever rival. Everything his vocal chords touch becomes *his*. Covers of hits that are unforgettable in their original version (e.g., Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang", Wilson Pickett's "634-5789") become something entirely different when Redding turns his attentions to them.

The band (including Booker T., Isaac Hayes, Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Al Jackson Jr., Sammy Coleman, Wayne Jackson, Bowlegs Miller, Andrew Love, Charles "Packy" Axton and Floyd Newman) provides some really incredible backing. Booker T's organ and Steve Cropper's guitar, in particular, create an incredible atmosphere, punctuated beautifully by the horn section. There is a cohesiveness between Redding's vocals and the musical background that is not evident in lesser soul recordings. There is a sort of empathy between the players and the vocalist that is jazz-like and rare.

From the slower, soulful ballads such as "Just One More Day", the wrenching "Cigarettes and Coffee", and "Good To Me" through the medium paced blues of "Scratch My Back" through upbeat pieces like "It's Growing", Redding never misses a beat. His vocals are a revelation every time you listen to the disc.

Otis Redding never recorded a bad song or much less a bad album,capable of taking on any ol' song at hand and simply turning it golden. THE SOUL ALBUM,1966,was Redding's fourth and his third,OTIS BLUE,was a mighty tough act to follow,and yet still ,THE SOUL ALBUM, holds it's own in the very limited Otis Redding catalog,containing Redding co-written songs,JUST ONE MORE DAY,GOOD TO ME,ANY OLE WAY,the rest of the album consist of covers,Cooke's,CHAIN GANG,Pickett's,634-5789,-co-written by guitarist Steve Cropper,also including,SCRATCH MY BACK and the ballad,CIGARETTES AND COFFEE. The remastered "SOUL ALBUM" is a good solid effort from the man,Otis Redding, be sure to collect all recordings from the genius of soul. Rhino/Atco

Otis Could do no wrong!no other voice like him ! I saw him live Twice!in U.K. I still talk about his performances today! . A reviewer mentioned Scratch My Back was by the Miracles ... But i'm only familiar with the version credited to James Moore A.K.A Slim Harpo, who recorded for J.D. Miller in Crowley Louisiana and had his stuff initially released on The Excello label out of Nashville. Scratch' was a considerable hit for Slim, Who I believe passed in 1970 just as HIS career was taking off too! Sad stuff. But thankfully they left us with the MUSIC!.

The problem with all of Otis Redding's recordings is they are all in MONO, only one was recorded in STEREO. Otis Blue is in stereo if you get the double CD version because one CD is stereo, the other the original MONO.

Personally, I hate listening to anything is MONO even Otis, and I love the man's voice.

This and 'Otis Blue' were my favorites. Used to play them back to back, over and over. Glad to have it on cd.