The Soul Album (studio album) by Otis Redding

It is probably fair to describe Otis Reddings fourth studio album, "The Soul Album" as one of his lesser known, perhaps largely because the album does not contain any of his greatest classics or hits. Only single was taken from the album, his and Steve Cropper's own "Just One More Day", which in many ways is akin to "I've Been Loving You Too Long" from the previous album "Otis Blue"

This does not in any way make it a weaker album than Redding's other. His vocals are always top notch, and the songs fit in most cases his voice perfectly.

The musicians are the famous Stax people, with Steve Cropper and Booker T Jones as some of the best known.

Only three of the songs have Redding credited as a songwriter. In addition to the single "Just One More Day" they are the slow ballad "Good to Me" and the more optimistic "Any Ole Way", which could have been written by Sam Cooke. A great Sam Cooke song is "Chain Gang", which is also one of the album's highlights. Redding actually makes this song into something completely different, new and more exciting than Cooke's otherwise fine original.

Classic R & B ballads are "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" and less "Cigarettes and Coffee" - both convincingly interpreted by Redding.

"Scratch My Back" and "Treat You Right" are two "good time" numbers and well-known live favorites recorded in countless versions over time.

The final number "634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)" is another higlight, at least as strong as Wilson Pickett's more famous version.