One of the best early-'60s examples of soul/jazz crossover, this record, like several of his dates from the period, featured big-band arrangements (played by the Count Basie band). This fared better than some of Charles' similar outings, however, if only because it muted some of his straight pop aspirations in favor of some pretty mean and lean, cut-to-the-heart-of-the-matter B-3 Hammond organ licks. Most of the album is instrumental and swings pretty vivaciously, although Charles does take a couple of vocals with "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" and "I've Got News for You." Yet one of those instrumentals, a cover of the Clovers' "One Mint Julep," would give Charles one of his most unpredictable (and best) early-'60s hits. In 1997, it was combined with the much later My Kind of Jazz album (from 1970) onto a single-disc CD reissue by Rhino. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
Genius + Soul = Jazz is a 1961 album by Ray Charles.
Featuring arrangements by Quincy Jones and Ralph Burns, Charles is accompanied by members of The Count Basie Band. Highlights include "One Mint Julep" and "I've Got News for You". The album was re-issued by Rhino Records in 1997 on a single CD together with Charles' 1970 My Kind of Jazz.
