Ben E. King
Ben E. King, born Benjamin Earl King on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina, was an iconic American soul and R&B singer and songwriter. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the renowned vocal group the Drifters, where he was instrumental in delivering a number of hit singles that showcased the soulful sounds of the era.
As a solo artist, King is perhaps best known for his classic hit "Stand by Me," released in 1961, which has become a timeless anthem.
His music is characterized by its orchestral arrangements and emotional depth, often defining the elegance associated with R&B. He passed away on April 30, 2015, in Hackensack, New Jersey, leaving behind a rich legacy within the music industry.
King's contributions to music not only include his successful solo career but also his work with the Drifters, where he helped to shape the sound of R&B during the 1950s and 1960s.
Street Tough
Backing Vocals – Frank Floyd, Luther Vandross, Ullanda McCullough
Producer – Ray Chew
Written-By – Willie Hutch
4:30
A2 Made For Each Other
Producer – Barrie Palmer, Ben E. King, Janet Alhanti
Written-By – Barrie Palmer, Janet Alhanti
4:42
A3 Staying Power
Producer – Ben E. King
Written-By – Frederick Knight
4:39
A4 Stay A While With Me
Producer – Ben E. King
Written-By – Joe Cobb, Van McCoy
5:24
B1 Why Is The Question
Producer – Ben E. King
Written-By – Ben E. King, Ben E. King, Jr.
4:27
B2 You Made The Difference To My Life
Producer – Barrie Palmer, Ben E. King, Janet Alhanti
Written-By – Barrie Palmer, Janet Alhanti
5:39
B3 Souvenirs Of Love
Producer – Barrie Palmer, Ben E. King, Janet Alhanti
Written-By – Barrie Palmer, Janet Alhanti
3:43
B4 Something To Be Loved
Producer – Ben E. King
Written-By – Michael Ward*
5:23
Label: Atlantic – SD 19300
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk
Ben E. King's 1981 Street Tough album is noted as a smooth, funky, soulful record, highlighting his classic style with modern (for the time) production, featuring the popular title track (written by Willie Hutch with backup by Luther Vandross) and tracks like "Music Trance," showcasing his timeless vocals over funky arrangements, a strong continuation of his legacy for soul and rare groove fans.
The album delivers King's signature smooth vocals on funk-infused tracks, often featuring prominent sax and jazzy horns. It features a fuller sound with keyboards and backing vocals, enhancing rather than overwhelming his core sound, according to some descriptions.
Standout Tracks: "Street Tough" (the title track) and "Music Trance" are frequently mentioned as highlights, showcasing upbeat, danceable soul.
Street Tough solidified King's appeal in the late disco/early '80s, bridging his classic era with contemporary sounds, making it a favorite for rare groove enthusiasts.
In essence, Street Tough is considered a quality offering from Ben E. King, maintaining his soulful essence while embracing the funk and disco sounds of the era, with strong emphasis on his enduring voice and catchy grooves.
Supernatural
Written-By – Gwen Guthrie, Patrick Grant 4:11
A2 Supernatural Thing - Part II
Written-By – Gwen Guthrie, Patrick Grant 3:17
A3 Your Lovin' Ain't Good Enough
Written-By – Gwen Guthrie, Patrick Grant 4:59
A4 Drop My Heart Off
Written-By – Frederick Knight, Sam Dees 4:17
A5 Extra-Extra
Written-By – Sam Dees 3:50
B1 Do It In The Name Of Love
Written-By – Gwen Guthrie, Patrick Grant 4:23
B2 Happiness Is Where You Find It
Written-By – Bette Crutcher*, Frederick Knight, Sam Dees 3:36
B3 Do You Wanna Do A Thing
Written-By – Jesse Boyce, Richard Griffith, Sanchez Harley 4:30
B4 Imagination
Written-By – Ben E. King, Ben E. King, Jr. 3:38
B5 What Do You Want Me To Do
Written-By – Lou Courtney 3:18
Label: Atlantic – SD 18132
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Ben E. King's Supernatural album marked a comeback with its hit single "Supernatural Thing," showcasing a funkier, higher-pitched vocal style, but reviews are mixed, praising the fresh takes on classics like "Spanish Harlem" and "Don't Play That Song" with modern production (funk/disco), while some found the lush, 70s production overwhelmed his classic sound, making it more a nostalgic collection than groundbreaking, yet still worthwhile for fans and collectors.
"Supernatural Thing (Part 1)" was a major success, hitting #1 on R&B charts and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, revitalizing his career.
The album blended King's iconic voice with contemporary 70s soul, disco, and funk, featuring new arrangements and guest musicians.
It included re-recorded versions of his hits like "Spanish Harlem," "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)," and "Amor," often with updated grooves, including flamenco guitar on "Spanish Harlem".
King often sang in a higher tenor range, a departure from his usual baritone, which was noticeable on the title track.
While some critics found the modern production a refreshing update, others felt the lushness detracted from the raw brilliance of his earlier work, making it a "shadow of his former self" in some views, though still enjoyable for fans.
Supernatural is often seen as a successful comeback that reintroduced Ben E. King to a new generation with updated sounds, proving his enduring appeal, even if it's not always seen as peak artistry compared to his '60s classics.
Later CD releases added tracks like a Drifters medley and a funky instrumental of "Supernatural Thing," enhancing its appeal.
The Beginning Of It All
A2 I Guess It's Goodbye 3:33
A3 Travelin' Woman 3:28
A4 Into The Mystic 3:40
A5 White Moon 3:28
B1 Love Is Gonna Get You 3:18
B2 The Beginning Of It All 3:19
B3 Only You Know And I Know 3:11
B4 All Of Your Tomorrows 4:44
B5 She Does It Right 3:50
Label: Columbia – ES 90073
Format: Vinyl, LP, Stereo
Country: Canada
Released: 1971
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Ben E. King's The Beginning of It All (1972) is a mixed bag, showcasing his enduring voice but often hampered by weak, dated early '70s soft rock/soul arrangements that sound forced, with some listeners enjoying its social commentary and unique takes like "Into the Mystic," while others find the production a failure, making it a niche album for die-hard fans rather than a classic.
Many reviews point to "catastrophic orchestration" and "terribly dated" production that overwhelms King's voice, making the material fall flat. Even detractors acknowledge King's "amazing voice" and strong delivery, highlighting his ability to tackle diverse material.
The album attempts a social justice, folky soul sound with early 70s soft rock backing, a departure from his classic hits, which some found unconvincing. While generally considered weak, some highlight specific moments, like a soulful rendition of Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic," as proof of King's talent.
It's generally seen as an album from a period when King was searching for hits post-Atlantic Records, failing to recapture his earlier magic for most listeners.
Some fans see it as a necessary listen to appreciate King's versatility and voice, despite the production flaws, but it's not recommended as a starting point.
The album was not a commercial success at the time of its release and preceded King's major 1975 comeback with "Supernatural Thing". Originally released on Mandala (US) and CBS (UK); reissued on CD by Castle Music in 2002.
The Legendary Ben E. King
2 Don't Play That Song (You Lied)
3 Amor
4 Young Boy Blues
5 Goodnight My love
6 Spanish Harlem
7 How Can I Forget
8 It's All Over
9 I (Who Have Nothing)
10 The Last Dance For Me
11 I Count The Tears
12 This Magic Moment
Label: Javelin – HADCD 180
Series: Spotlight On
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1998
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Rhythm & Blues, Soul
The Legendary Ben E. King is a compilation album released in 1998 on the Javelin record label that features a collection of the R&B and soul singer's greatest hits, spanning both his solo career and his time as the lead singer of The Drifters.
The album primarily serves as a comprehensive overview of King's most iconic and influential tracks. It bridges the gap between the doo-wop era and the 1960s soul boom, showcasing his smooth, sophisticated vocals and the orchestrated productions that defined his sound.
The collection prominently features King's enduring classics, such as the soulful anthem "Stand by Me," "Spanish Harlem," and "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)". It also includes popular songs from his tenure as the Drifters' lead vocalist, like "Save the Last Dance for Me" and "This Magic Moment".
This compilation is designed for both casual listeners who want an appetizer of his best-known work and dedicated fans looking for a wide selection of his career-defining songs.
The compilation was re-released in 2021 with a bonus track "So Much Love" added, and is available to download as high quality digital files from streaming sites such as Spotify and Bandcamp.
(Review provided by SoulYears)