In combining gospel’s emotion and melodies with the sensuality and arrangements of rhythm and blues, Afro- American musicians created a universal language which shook the world. Soul was inseparable from the Civil Rights struggle and it spread like wildfire in intense performances from the fabulous artists who adopted this style. With the tremendous songs included in this magnificent album, Bruno Blum tells the story of Soul’s origins, from Negro spirituals to R&B, in retracing the work of its precursors, from Ray Charles to Sam Cooke — and including the first masterpieces from Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin or Marvin Gaye. Patrick FReMEAUX