Ray Charles: The Atlantic Years

Prior to signing with Atlantic Records, Ray Charles had minor success as a blues singer in the style of Charles Brown. With label co-founder Ahmet Ertegün, Charles had the freedom to express his talents to the fullest; what resulted was the singer's signature sound, which melded R&B grit with gospel exuberance. In doing so, Charles laid the bedrock for modern soul music to flourish in the 1960s.