Music on CD

Ray could sing anything, and was especially interested in the country music genre. 'Friendship' reached the number-one position on the Billboard's Country chart and remained there for 70 weeks. The album was "a big hit, really the last genuine hit when 'Brother Ray' was alive", as well as "the pinnacle of his '80s country-pop records, the one where Ray truly captured the sound of the era". Hank Jr. sparks Rays' bluesy side, the Oak Ridge Boys back him with gospel harmonies, and Ricky Skaggs adds a taste of high-and-lonesome. Two bonus tracks added: a pair of later duets to the original ten tracks, "Everybody Has the Blues" with Tony Bennett, and "Baby Grand" with Billy Joel.

Jackson 5: Boogie [CD]

Dan Penn: Do Right Man [CD]

Graham Central Station: Release Yourself [CD]

Sly & the Family Stone: Dance to the Music + 6 [CD]

Zebrahead: Waste of Mind [CD]

The O'Jays made their first chart appearance with 'Lonely Drifter' in 1963, but reached their greatest level of success once Gamble & Huff, a team of producers and songwriters, signed them to their Philadelphia International label in 1972. With Gamble & Huff, the O'Jays emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia Soul with 'Back Stabbers' (1972) and topped the following year with 'Love Train'. Recorded in December 1973 at the O'Jays' commercial peak, the live format gave the group chance to stretch, length-wise, beyond the time allotted to them in the studio. So you get an eight-minute 'Back Stabbers,' a six-minute 'Love Train', a ten-minute 'Sunshine' and a long cruise through 'When The World's At Peace'.