In 1957,
Jackie Wilson left
the Dominoes and released this debut album on Brunswick Records a year later. The new songwriting team of
Berry Gordy, Jr. &
Tyran Carlo (aka
Billy Davis) wrote six of the 12 songs. Backed by a big band,
Wilson belts out "Reet Petite" like it's an Olympic event, displaying his irresistible vocal gymnastics; "Etcetera" treads the same path, but lacks the dynamics. "To Be Loved" and "Danny Boy," the old standard, are heartfelt, stately ballads.
Wilson wrote "Come Back to Me," a rather bland jump tune. An overblown big-band sound mars all but the most crafted creations, and there's no denying
Wilson's fantastic takes, but the Brunswick sound may be a bit too full for die-hard soul lovers.