An excellent introduction to a soul singer whose only peers in the 1970s went by the names of Mayfield, Gaye and Wonder. The Very Best collects 18 singles he released between 1970 and '78 during his historic stay at Hi Records, where producer Willie Mitchell struck gold by matching Green's creamy falsetto coos and libidinous exaltations to gospel-tinged melodies, Memphis horns and rhythm patterns that rolled but never rollicked. Green's sound had the grit of Stax and the sweetness of Motown, yet the yearning Let's Stay Together, the achingly tender How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and the funky Take Me To The River could only be the work of one man. Alas, the synthetic clatter that is the 19th and final track, As Long As We're Together, a 1989 duet with Al B. Sure, should have been lopped off as it's outclassed in this company.

Saturday, April 1, 2000

Al Green at his best