Record Store Day 2015 Exclusive! Soul Brother Records drops the first ever repress of Linda Jones classic 1967 debut, Hypnotized. Known mainly for the title track, Jones should have been up there with the greats like Aretha and Gladys. Unfortunately, the talented vocalist died in 1972 at the tender age of twenty-eight due to complications from diabetes. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Jones was on the verge of stardom when she passed away. Her gospel infused melismatic vocal style had audiences mesmerized. Producer and songwriter George Kerr played a key role in her career, shopping her demos around and eventually producing her debut LP. Kerr enlisted keyboardist Richard Tee for the arrangements and musicians such as guitarist Eric Gale and drummer Bernard Purdie for the recording sessions. The result is an amazing document of what could have been. Hypnotized is a stunning collection of soulful tunes that run through emotional ballads to more uptempo Motown styled numbers.

• 180 gram pressing
• includes bonus 7"
• music label: Loma 1967 / Soul Brother Records 2015

reviewed by Clyde's Stubble 05/2015