Al Green is in his early 60s now, and probably only just getting the credit he deserves for his approach to soul, integrating as he has done an approach strongly flavoured with gospel and blues. ‘Most Sampled’ is a good guide to just how his records have supplied the likes of Massive Attack and Jay-Z with their raw material, but rather than show Green as someone to be pilfered it’s a good introduction to the man and his music. His version of ‘Light My Fire’ is pretty much unsurpassable, while ‘Free At Last’ and ‘I Wish You Were Here’ have keen emotion. ‘Green Is Blues’ also taps in to this strongly emotional side, including a softer but no less heartfelt ‘My Girl’ and a more funky approach in ‘Tomorrow’s Dream’. With four bonus tracks this is a useful next point for those taken in by ‘Most Sampled’, more of a raw, dusty sound to the legendary Green voice.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
