RUTH BROWN – R+B=Ruth Brown (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Ruth Brown's lengthy career has taken her from the Apollo Theater to Broadway. One of the original rhythm & blues superstars, she has emerged on the other side as one of the genre's most beloved singers. On this outing, producer Scott Billington returns Brown to her roots in the company of a superb New Orleans band, surrounds her with stellar arrangements of new and old songs, and just lets her rip. The kickoff track, "That Train Don't Stop Here," finds her in a bluesy groove with a lengthy rap at the end that extends the running time to almost seven minutes. Tunes like "In Another World," "Too Little Too Late," and "Break It to Me Gently" mine classic soul ballad territory, while Brown's jazzy side comes to the fore on "Sold My Heart to the Junkman" and "Love Letters." In the blues department, fine versions of Ivory Joe Hunter's "False Friend Blues" and Willie Mabon's "I Don't Know" strengthen the song selection, while Brown teams up with Bonnie Raitt on a conversational "Outskirts of Town." On the last tune, Sarah Brown's "Can't Get Excited," Ruth Brown starts out militant and winds up flirtatious, making a fitting closer for this great little album. Brown is in fine form here, and this is one terrific modern-day roots recording. Cub Koda  
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