Not available for over 20 years, first time on CD Solomon Burke, a legend of the classic soul era with some 20 chart hits on Atlantic between 1961 and 1968 and his landmark Proud Mary LP (available now on Rev-Ola CRREV 187) cut in Muscle Shoals for Bell in 1969, began his musical life in the world of gospel as a boy preacher in his home city of Philadelphia, featuring in his own Solomon s Temple radio show.

He was signed to Bess Berman s Apollo Records in New York s Harlem as a teenager in 1955, and recorded sessions in New York from 1955 to 1957, from which his singles released on the label comprise the contents of this album. Given his church roots, some tracks have an inspirational theme, but far from being a gospel album, the music is more notable in displaying the birth of soul music, with Solomon s vocal delivery close to the style of his future Atlantic hits.

I’m All Alone / Christmas Present / I’m In Love / Why Do Me That Way / To Thee / No Man Walks Alone) / Walking In A Dream /You Can Run But You Can’t Hide / A Picture Of You / I Need You Tonight / This Is It / For You And You Alone / You Are My One Love / They Always Say / Don’t Cry / My Heart Is A Chapel