A 14-track vinyl album by the man regarded by many as the greatest-ever soul singer.

2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the release on Goldwax of James Carr’s recording of The Dark End of the Street, a record rightly hailed as a benchmark in soul, and in southern soul in particular. James’ recording of Dan Penn and Chips Moman’s genre-defining song is one of dozens but it was the first and is by unanimous consensus the best.

James was truly one of soul music’s finest singers, up there with Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin and Jackie Wilson in the pantheon of the greatest soul music makers. It’s a shame he didn’t make more records but those he released on Goldwax between 1965 and 1971 have few equals. If you enjoy The Best Of James Carr we strongly urge you to check out the rest of his Goldwax recordings, every single one of which is available on Kent.

“James Carr was a Memphis artist all the way. Of the earth, solid and real, and bound to his trouble by gravity. A more authentic voice may exist, but I have yet to hear it. Nobody did The Dark End of the Street as good as James Carr, not even me.” – Dan Penn