Beautiful Day

One of soul singer Jackie Wilson’s finest albums, 1973’s Beautiful Day has no well-known tracks but it delivers consistently over its ten songs. Chicago’s legendary Carl Davis took care of production duties, putting together a rich, ornate, theatrical backing for Wilson’s vocals which are in soaring form here. Epic Northern soul favourite ‘Because Of You’ is probably the album highlight but it’s in close competition with the delightful big-band soul of ‘This Love Is Mine’. Overall, it’s a breezy, sunny and euphoric ride; sweet soul music from one of the genre’s originators.