Product Review

The voice and songwriting talents of George Jackson have graced four previous albums released by Kent. One of the finest writers to emerge from Southern Soul he created hits for Candi Staton, Wilson Pickett and the Osmonds and this collection shines the light on his earliest work, as a staff writer at Memphis label Goldwax, working alongside his friend and staff producer Dan Greer.

The compilation opens with the four tracks recorded specifically as George & Greer for the label two of which were issued at the time. The formula for most of the rest is simple: George is singing with piano accompaniment, or occasionally with a rhythm section. On a select number of tracks he is joined by Dan Greer, or Greer is the featured vocalist.

There are early versions of hits most notably Love Attack and 'Coming Back To You Baby which were recorded by James Carr, but the true gems are the new songs. George was nothing short of prolific and this compilation allows us to hear over a dozen previously unknown songs.

As a writer he was influenced by the R&B hits of the day, but these demos are always distinctive. With George Jackson and Dan Greer working so closely together that it isn t always possible to tell them apart. This is the complete encapsulation of George Jackson and Dan Greer at Goldwax.