Solomon Burke

Solomon Burke/ If You Need Me

The King of Rock ÕnÕ SoulÕs early years chronicled.

When Burke’s self-titled debut album was issued by Apollo Records in 1962, it was a time when the 26-year-old Philadelphia singer was no longer with the label and had just scored his first two US R&B Top 10 hits for Atlantic. Apollo desperately wanted to exploit Burke’s new fame and rushreleased a 12-track album that collected singles and B-sides recorded between 1955 and 1957. None of the singles were hits, but it’s an impressive compendium and Burke’s church-reared vocals are sensational, especially on two mournful ballads, No Man Walks Alone and I’m In Love. His Atlantic debut LP, helmed by Bert Berns and with its ace 45, If You Need Me, is just as fine. This twofer is bolstered by six Atlantic-era bonus cuts, including the hit Cry To Me.