Music on CD

Voices such as Donny Hathaway's come along maybe once a decade. Before his brief but influential career was cut short by suicide in 1979, Hathaway proved himself a maestro of protest soul who effused equal amounts of political anger and romantic tenderness. Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free" became something of a black national anthem, and his 1969 hit "The Ghetto" is a pan-black bottom hit that resonates to this day. 'These Songs for You, Live!' displays the passion and charm that have inspired artists from Alicia Keys to D'Angelo. And what emerges most is Hathaway's irrepressible charisma and talent. In his hands, even "Yesterday" became a blues lament nonpareil.

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.

Marvin Gaye: Collected [3 CD]

James Brown: Collected [3 CD]

Cooke Sam: RCA albums collection 1960-63 (Rem) [8 CD]

Mother's Finest: Another Mother Further [CD]

Earth Wind & Fire: I Am [CD]