Perhaps the rhythmic rager “Sinnerman” is what Pastel Blues has become best known for, but the 1965 album, from the bare opener “Be My Husband” to the aforementioned dj-favorite & licensing-goldmine, is one of the finest from a true great. Nina Simone’s vocals and piano do most of the talking in the vernacular of blues, jazz, soul, gospel, and folk, with tracks like “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” “Trouble in Mind,” and “Tell Me More and More and Then Some,” originally by Billie Holiday, delivering an intimate, raw, and surprisingly whimsical trip into the bluest of emotions. Another BH original, “Strange Fruit,” appears on the full-length, and it’s a gritty outpour of pain and suffering. Just powerful, and yes, sampled by ‘Ye in “Blood on the Leaves.” High-quality Acoustic Sounds edition cut from the original analog tapes, recommended.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• Acoustic Sounds edition remastered from original analog tapes
• housed in tip-on gatefold sleeve w/ liner notes
• limited edition
• original release year: 1965
• music label: Verve 2023

reviewed by the_lighted 04/2016