Charles’ final CD could be his best

Sun., Sept. 5, 2004

From wire reports

Ray Charles

“Genius Loves Company” (Concord) ••• 1/2

Ray Charles left too soon. Way too soon. His final CD, finished just before he died, is one of the season’s most anticipated recordings and could easily become his best-selling album.

Coming next: “Ray,” the film biography starring Jamie Foxx as Charles. It’s Foxx’s bid for Oscar gold.

And this CD seems a lock for some Grammy gold. “Genius Loves Company” is a beautifully orchestrated disc featuring the singer-pianist paired with Diana Krall, Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Michael McDonald and others. Brother Ray is in strong voice and, remarkably, sounds at age 73 as he always had: gritty, expressive, spirited.

Compare this duets project with Frank Sinatra’s two duets albums of 1993-94, also his final recorded work, and the difference is striking. Sinatra’s “Duets,” both volumes, were artificial and his voice sounded awful. Sinatra tarnished his legacy; Charles buffed his brighter.

Not that everything here is masterful. James Taylor sounds self-conscious singing his jovial “Sweet Potato Pie.” Willie Nelson hits more bum notes than usual on an otherwise gorgeous “It Was a Very Good Year” and “Heaven Help Us All,” a gospel number with a testifying Gladys Knight, is a bit much.

But the highs are plentiful. Elton John’s “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” has never sounded this soulful. Natalie Cole plays off her partner well on a frisky “Fever” and young Norah Jones proves she’s mature enough to swap lines with Charles on the opening “Here We Go Again.”

– Howard Cohen, Miami Herald

Ma$e

“Welcome Back” (Fo’ Reel/Bad Boy) •• 1/2

Ma$e seemed poised to be the next rap superstar when the P. Diddy protege — put off by the seamy side of the business — walked away and became a minister.

Five years later, he’s back, but with a far different outlook. The shiny suits, all-night parties and bevy of babes are all gone. Now he’s a clean-living rapper with a feel-good vibe.

His syrupy flow is still the same, but “Keep It On,” in which he tells women they don’t have to lose their clothes to have a good time, makes it obvious that things have changed. On “Welcome Back” (which samples the “Kotter” TV theme), the profanity-free Ma$e speaks of “living la vida without the loca.” And the bouncy “Breathe, Stretch, Shake,” with P. Diddy, shows he hasn’t forgotten how to have a good time.

– Steve Jones, USA Today

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