Album Stories

‘Dusty In Memphis’: How A White British Singer Made A Landmark Soul Album

Dusty Springfield’s crowning achievement, the ‘Dusty In Memphis’ album allowed her to realise her full potential as a soul singer.

‘Sound Of Silver’: How LCD Soundsystem Brought Disco Home

Forcing the US to contribute to the global dance-music phenomenon it had instigated, ‘Sound Of Silver’ was LCD Soundsystem’s richest work yet.

‘First Take’: Why Roberta Flack’s Debut Album Demands Repeat Listens

‘True’: Behind Spandau Ballet’s Masterpiece 80s Pop Album

Make-or-break for Spandau Ballet, the ‘True’ album lived up to Gary Kemp’s ambition to record ‘an album that would… become timeless’.

‘Sweet Soul Music’: Arthur Conley’s Taste Of Sweet Soul Success

Recorded with Otis Redding’s guiding hand, Arthur Conley’s ‘Sweet Soul Music’ album was an all too brief entrée from a shoula-been soul icon.

‘Money And Cigarettes’: A Rich Collection Of Eric Clapton’s Smokin’ Blues

‘Billion Dollar Babies’: How Alice Cooper Birthed Their Most Controversial Album

It outraged the censors, but Alice Cooper’s decadent, hit-stuffed album ‘Billion Dollar Babies’ remains a benchmark for 70s rock.

‘Green Onions’: Behind Booker T And The MGs’ Sizzling Soul Stew

Establishing the Stax Records’ sound, Booker T And The MGs’ debut album, ‘Green Onions’, remains a totemic release in soul and R&B music.