Esther Phillips - Baby I’m for Real! 4 Classic Albums 1971-1974 (2014) 320 / Lossless

On great value Double CD, 'Baby, I'm for Real 1971-1974' combines four classic albums Esther Phillips recorded for Kudu Records: 'From a Whisper to a Scream' (1971), 'Alone Again, Naturally' (1972), 'Black-Eyed Blues' (1973) and 'Performance' (1974). Phillips was one of the most versatile singers of her generation, equally adept at blues, soul, jazz, pop and country. Her idiosyncratic vocal style was similar to Nina Simone although she acknowledged Dinah Washington as her main inspiration. Staring out in the early 1950's as Little Esther, it was only when she signed to producer Creed Taylor's Kudu label in 1971 that she enjoyed her most consistent success with a string of brilliant and highly acclaimed jazz-influenced soul albums, four of which feature here – mellow soul-jazz grooves and funk moves with her impassioned vocals well to the fore. From a 'Whisper to a Scream' boasts her sublime performance of Gil Scott-Heron's heart wrenching tale of drug addiction, 'Home is Where the Hatred Is' which is now regarded as a rare groove classic. Featuring a crack team of jazz, funk and soul session players (Eric Gale, George Benson, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Maceo Parker etc). With superb audio, detailed liner notes and three bonus tracks.