Otis Redding never recorded a lighter, more purely entertaining record than
King & Queen, a collection of duets with Stax labelmate
Carla Thomas. In all likelihood inspired by a series of popular duets recorded by
Marvin Gaye -- indeed, "It Takes Two,"
Gaye's sublime collaboration with
Kim Weston, is covered here -- the record serves no greater purpose than to allow
Redding the chance to run through some of the era's biggest soul hits, including "Knock on Wood," "Tell It Like It Is,"and "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby," and while clearly not a personal triumph on a par with either
Otis Blue or
The Dictionary of Soul, the set is still hugely successful on its own terms.
Redding and
Thomas enjoy an undeniable chemistry, and they play off each other wonderfully; while sparks fly furiously throughout
King & Queen, the album's highlight is the classic "Tramp," where their battle of the sexes reaches its fever pitch in supremely witty fashion. [
King & Queen was re-released on LP in 2017.] ~ Jason Ankeny